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Of course it doesn't hurt any that I first saw that film in a jam-packed movie-house on a really warm summer evening when the air-conditioning had failed.
It was hot and airless and we were all sweating like pigs. When the boat was stuck on the bottom and the crew couldn't breath we all felt like we were right in there with them. In addition the place had a great stereo system so when the depth charges went off, the whole place (seats and all) vibrated with the impact). WOW!
I agree that this country was built on military action. In fact, can't think of one that wasn't. However, there is a difference between historical value and shock value. In the film, "Saving Pvt. Ryan" (1998), the authenticity was hard to watch. Reality is always better than fiction, but images like those are hard to forget. Another, "Wind Talkers" (2002) about the Navaho radio translators, has a napalm scene that I have to look away from. But, to be historically accurate, my father came home after his 25th sortie, at 6'3" he weighed 90 lbs and had gray hair. Nobody would ever understand the horror of combat unless they were there, but Hollywood tries.
I have a great battle scene. It's not WWII but the ''War of the Worlds'' Original version....lol..... I figured i'd interject a little humor here but the battle scenes are so cool.
It's the U.S.Army vs the Martians.
Old thread, but close enough for what I want to post. My favorite WW-II videos were the old Victory At Sea series that were on TV in the 1950s.
Here's a photo from the National Archives that is just amazing. F4U's and F6F's fly in formation during surrender ceremonies; Tokyo, Japan. USS MISSOURI left foreground. September 2, 1945.
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I was a kid in the 50's and was mesmerized by the old Victory at Sea series. Back in the day a lot of our fathers were WW2 vets and they brought back an amazing collection of souvenirs and war stories. We collected and traded all kinds of stuff. German medals, belt buckles, daggers and flags.
And in the Army surplus stores there was all kinds of US military equipment. Ammunition belts for the M1 Garand. First aid pouches, old canvas lace up leggings, helmets and other gear. I wish I had held on to these items. I imagine some of it would command a decent price from military memorabilia collectors.
I can not for the life of me understand how you people can seeming get your jollies out of watching men kill each other. After my return to the "world", I was in a graduate course called, "WWII", taught by a former infantry officer. One day he began extolling the virtues of, 'enfalaid fire' (not sure of the spelling but I understand it ... no one gets out unscathed let alone alive)... anyway, he's talking abt. how great it is . With six hours and a thesis left to finish my masters, I got up, walked out of the class and couldn't go back. PTSD. My gut still gets tight thinking about it.
I respectfully suggest some of you arm chair historians put down your games and/or remote controls and have a real war experience. There's one going on now if you haven't heard. Volunteer, sign up, grab a weapon. You can see all the blood and guts you want in real time, living (or should I say dead) color, and like the poor SOB's in the WWII footage you watch of eather side, not have any options but to be there and take it. If there is something you feel you must watch, I suggest the first portion of, "Full Metal Jacket" (the Basic Training part). It is about as close to the real deal as I am sure many of you may want to get but as I remember, very accurate, even though I was in a different branch of the service. Regards to all you warriors out there who don't list anything in your profiles. Lou
I understand your perspective.
I recommend reading "The Face of Battle" by John Keegan, one of the best historians, military or otherwise of the 20th/early 21st century.
He makes the argument in that book, through several of historys major dramatic conflicts, for why military history matters & why understanding it is a part of understanding human nature.
He also does not hold back how truly awful and gruesome war & battle is & by learning more about it, we should hopefully learn to have less of it.
As for video, I'd recommend Ken Burns "The War" and PBS "Victory in the Pacific"
I have watched Ken Burn's "The War" three times now since it was first shown on PBS. I can't remember watching a war documentary that went into such detail about the home front, and it was fascinating to me. I loved "The Civil War" too. I think Ken Burns is the best Documentary Film Maker ever.
I can not for the life of me understand how you people can seeming get your jollies out of watching men kill each other. After my return to the "world", I was in a graduate course called, "WWII", taught by a former infantry officer. One day he began extolling the virtues of, 'enfalaid fire' (not sure of the spelling but I understand it ... no one gets out unscathed let alone alive)... anyway, he's talking abt. how great it is . With six hours and a thesis left to finish my masters, I got up, walked out of the class and couldn't go back. PTSD. My gut still gets tight thinking about it.
I respectfully suggest some of you arm chair historians put down your games and/or remote controls and have a real war experience. There's one going on now if you haven't heard. Volunteer, sign up, grab a weapon. You can see all the blood and guts you want in real time, living (or should I say dead) color, and like the poor SOB's in the WWII footage you watch of eather side, not have any options but to be there and take it. If there is something you feel you must watch, I suggest the first portion of, "Full Metal Jacket" (the Basic Training part). It is about as close to the real deal as I am sure many of you may want to get but as I remember, very accurate, even though I was in a different branch of the service. Regards to all you warriors out there who don't list anything in your profiles. Lou
I went through Marine Corps Boot San Diego in 1966 during the build up for Vietnam. The drill instructor in Full Metal Jacket was played by R Lee Ermey who was an actual DI in my recruit training company at the time. He was medically discharged some time later and took up an acting career. A lot of that film was historically accurate especially boot camp. There were suicides and physical punishment was the norm.
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