20. Midway
WW2 threw up no shortage of monumental, close run and decisive
set piece battles. Equally matched forces would go head to head and the day may have been won or lost on a small piece of intelligence or a strategic
gamble. None more so than the Battle of Midway. These days it is hard to think of the US Navy as anything but an unequaled, immense force that is capable of sweeping away opposition with impunity. However this wasn't always the case, especially in 1942 as the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor had taken its toll on US strength. Whereas the Japanese at this time were a force to be reckoned with, boasting an immensely strong fleet including the Yamato, the worlds largest ever battleship. And so, between 4th and 7th June 1942, the imperial Japanese navy
went head to head with the US Navy in a pitched battle that would decide the outcome of the Pacific war. Around a small island called Midway Atoll miles away from anywhere, an irresistible force hit an immovable object. The opposing powers throwing everything they had at each other, military historians have referred to it as, "the most stunning and decisive battle in the history of naval warfare" reason enough then to watch a movie about it.
This 1976 movie, directed by Jack Smight, and starring
Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, James Coburn, Robert Mitchum and Robert Wagner is
a no nonsense straightforward WW2 action movie based on the facts. It’s
not quite Tora! Tora! Tora! But it’s not far off. The sepia title sequence and thriller-like score
(by John Williams - Star Wars) are
reminiscent of 70’s disaster movies, which comes as no surprise, as director
Jack Smight had recently had a hit with classic disaster movie Airport 1975.
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| Fonda as Nimitz |
The movie kicks off with the infamous Doolittle Raids, and
you’ll be treated some real footage, which continues to complement the picture throughout. It was as a result of these raids that the Japanese identified
Midway as strategically crucial to defend Japan from further air attacks. Like Tora!
Tora! Tora! It pays equal attention to the Japanese side of the story as the
American, but alas, does not have them speaking in Japanese, which is always a bit of a letdown.
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| I don't remember this bit.... |
Our first introduction to Admiral Yamamoto (Toshiro Mifune) is in some tranquil Japanese
garden, as he is being informed of the raids on Tokyo, needless to say he's not very happy and is determined to do something about it. Then we meet his counterpart, the legendary Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (Henry Fonda) Fonda’s portrayal of Nimitz is brilliantly
understated and he captures the Admirals quiet and thoughtful demeanor perfectly. During the various planning scenes, note the difference between the way the US strategic command discuss things to
the way the Japanese do, the film does well to captures the cultural differences of the opposing high commands.
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| Charlton Heston as Capt. Matt Garth |
There is a strange sub-plot about Charlton Heston’s son and his
Japanese girlfriend, which I think was a sign of the times (post Vietnam). Not a very well thought through politically correct message trying to say 'its not all about killing lots of Asiatics, we love them too'. Many
find this sub plot damaging to the film, but I found it vaguely entertaining. Watch out for a Eric Estrada from Chips having a sly reefer on deck, calming his nerves before the battle no doubt. For those with a genuine interest in the battle, you're in for a treat. As a huge amount of the action scenes that follow are taken from real footage and it gives a
perfect step by step account of exactly what happened.The sequence of events that lead to some of the key decisions, the debates, the pressure, the lucky break. It is all here and is so intense, with the battle swinging both ways faster than a play off final. If you leave the room ensure you pause the movie, or the
battle will have moved on and you’ll be left confused. Not as good as Tora! Tora! Tora! But a great film about one
of the top 5 most important actions of the 20th Century and lots and lots of great combat scenes.
19. Valkyrie
There had been approximately twenty eight known attempted assassination plots against Hitler before Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenbergs famous 20th July bomb plot, there were to be a further three thereafter. This 2008 movie tells the story of the one that came closest to success. The movie takes it name from Operation ‘Valkyrie’ which was the code name of the plan that was already in place for a reserve Army to take control in the event of a coup, Stauffenbergs and his co-conspirators wanted to utilise Valkyrie in their overall plan.
Cruise does a gret job of playing Stauffenbergs, helped by the fact that he does bear an uncanny resemblance the real Stauffenbergs. Expect a thrilling plot of intrigue, treachery and attempted revolution. Valkyrie is not the first film to tell the story, there have been at least four, two of which were German productions which I've not seen, but this is the big budget Hollywood version and its top draw. Also The Desert Fox starring James Mason as Rommel also features the whole plot and assassination attempt in great detail.
The story starts in North Africa, where the hero – there’s not many war movies were you can refer to a German officer as a hero but in this one, don’t worry, you can (random fact: in today’s Germany there are more streets named after Stauffenbergs than anyone else) Stauffenbergs is injured during an RAF air attack losing an eye and a hand, he is then flown back to Germany for hospital treatment. By this point the resistance movement against the Nazis is gathering pace with numerous attempts and plots. We see one of his future co-conspirators (Kenneth Branagh) involved in a tense, failed attempt to blow up Hitler’s plane. But what the resistance needs is a leader capable of pulling the resources together, cue Von Staff.
What the movie portrays excellently is the terrifying iron grip the Nazis had on everything, you just didn't know who to trust. What really got me was the sheer scale of not only the plan of the assassination but the plan of what happens once they've killed Hitler and how many co-conspirators had to be on board. In the aftermath of the real event 5000 'arrests' were made, which gives you an idea of how big this plan was and the size of the German resistance movement.
Once the colonel is introduced properly to the other players in the resistance movement, it becomes apparent that the assassination of Hiter is only a small part of the problem. They then have the SS to deal with, so Stauffenberg and co have to come up with a plan which will ensure success which is where Operation Valkyrie comes into play. The story is played out brilliantly by an excellent cast including, Kenneth Branagh, Terence Stamp, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and an unexpected but inspired inclusion of Eddie Izzard. Even though I knew the outcome, this did not inhibit my enjoyment of the thrilling narrative of a fine film telling one of the greatest stories of World War Two, I am just surprised Hollywood had never done it before.
There had been approximately twenty eight known attempted assassination plots against Hitler before Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenbergs famous 20th July bomb plot, there were to be a further three thereafter. This 2008 movie tells the story of the one that came closest to success. The movie takes it name from Operation ‘Valkyrie’ which was the code name of the plan that was already in place for a reserve Army to take control in the event of a coup, Stauffenbergs and his co-conspirators wanted to utilise Valkyrie in their overall plan.
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| Col. Stauffenbergs with the Afrika Korps - injured |
The story starts in North Africa, where the hero – there’s not many war movies were you can refer to a German officer as a hero but in this one, don’t worry, you can (random fact: in today’s Germany there are more streets named after Stauffenbergs than anyone else) Stauffenbergs is injured during an RAF air attack losing an eye and a hand, he is then flown back to Germany for hospital treatment. By this point the resistance movement against the Nazis is gathering pace with numerous attempts and plots. We see one of his future co-conspirators (Kenneth Branagh) involved in a tense, failed attempt to blow up Hitler’s plane. But what the resistance needs is a leader capable of pulling the resources together, cue Von Staff.
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| Tom Cruise bears an uncanny resemblance to the Stauffengbergs |
Once the colonel is introduced properly to the other players in the resistance movement, it becomes apparent that the assassination of Hiter is only a small part of the problem. They then have the SS to deal with, so Stauffenberg and co have to come up with a plan which will ensure success which is where Operation Valkyrie comes into play. The story is played out brilliantly by an excellent cast including, Kenneth Branagh, Terence Stamp, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson and an unexpected but inspired inclusion of Eddie Izzard. Even though I knew the outcome, this did not inhibit my enjoyment of the thrilling narrative of a fine film telling one of the greatest stories of World War Two, I am just surprised Hollywood had never done it before.
18. The Way to the Stars
Its title taken from the Latin script on the RAF coast of arms, ‘Per ardua ad astra’
this 1945 film was directed by Anthony Asquith and adapted from Terence
Rattigan’s play ‘Flare Path’ based on his own RAF wartime experiences. The film
opens with a brilliant sequence of tracking shots, taking us on a tour of a
disused and derelict air base called Halfpenny field. The narrator talks us
through a series of forgotten objects, mementos and scribblings, evidence of
past lives and loves which we will later re-visit, all from a time when Halfpenny Field
buzzed with the urgent activity of war. We are also told Halfpenny Field
was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. Reminding us that we are just fleeting
visitors to this ancient place which has seen many a human conflict come and go, It is almost as if the place itself plays the lead. |
| Penrose and Toddy |
Flashback to 1940. the Battle of Britain is at
its peak and Pilot Officer Peter Penrose (John Mills) arrives straight out of
training. After his initial meeting with Ft. Lt. David Archdale (Michael
Redgrave) in the shared billet - the room like the airfield also becomes
central to the story line as characters come and go, the pair soon become good
friends, despite the initial concern over the fact that Penrose has only had 15
hours flying experience. This is also noted by the Squadron Commander (Trevor
Howard) but after a few bumpy landings Penrose starts to get the hang of the
Blenheim and all is well. Unfortunately for us Howard’s role in
this film is a short one.
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| One of 'the few' Michael Redgrave as Ft. Lt Archdale |
Howard’s exit marks the first in a long line of
‘bad shows’ and empty chairs in the mess hall, but in turn each bad show is met firmly by a brace of stiff upper lips and resolute determination to continue
with life as normal. If ever a film summed up the recently resurrected
propaganda cry of ‘KEEP CALM and CARRY ON’ this is it. Redgrave is the next to make his way to the stars, sadly leaving behind his wife and new born child, best friend
Mills has to break the news to his wife leading to a very emotional scene, of
which Rosamund John as Toddy Todd steals the show. Her bearing throughout the
film is a testament to all the women who lost their husbands and kept the home
fires burning. There are many other notable performances from locals that
weirdly all live in a hotel, including chirpy cockney sparrow Mr Palmer
(Stanley Holloway) Renée Asherson as Mrs Winterton plays the local
battle axe. Wait for the dressing down she gets off Toddy, and there’s
Iris Winterton (Joyce Carey) keeping the romance alive in the will they/won’t
they saga with Mills.
It is not long before the movie moves forward to
the arrival of the wise cracking yanks. With memorable characters such as the
stereotypical New York Italian Joe Friselli played to perfection by Bonar
Colleano and the all American hero Jonny Hollis (Douglass Montgomery) wait till
you see what happens to him.
The RAF bug out, to make way for the B17’s, but
Mills stays on as controller. Still scarred by what happened to Archdale (Redgrave) and
not wanting to leave a widow and child behind, he decides it’s better that he
was out of the way. So he eventually gets his wish to fly Lancasters with a
young Compo from ‘last of the summer wine’ Does he come back? Well you’ll just
have to watch it and find out. What struck me about this film is the lack of
actual action scenes, the shock of the action is replaced by the superb
acting and direction of the reactions for those who don’t make it back. In
comparison with other films made at this time The Way to the Stars (known as Johnny in the Sky in the US), is way
ahead of its time and for me one of the most underrated films about the home front of WW2 and an excellent portrayal of life on an air base. An absolute
must....And here is that brilliant opening tracking sequence.
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| Toddy and her stiff upper lip |
17. Ill met by moonlight
In the midst of the
dark sea is a land called Crete, fair and fertile, surrounded by the waves
- Homer’s Odyssey, Book XIX, if you’re after your own thrilling WW2
odyssey of espionage, resistance, kidnapped German generals and eccentric British secret agents, all set to the back drop of the beautiful and dangerous
occupied island of Crete. You need look no further than this 1957 movie by
Powell & Pressburger. Ill met by moonlight (a quote from a mid summer
nights dream) was adapted from the book of the same name, the war diaries of
Captain W. Stanley Moss - one of the films main characters. The film
concentrates on the true story of the plot to kidnap The Nazi Governor of the island German General Kreipe, and his subsequent deliverance to the custody of
the British Garrison in Cairo. Apparently after the War, a member of Kreipe’s staff
reported how, on hearing the news of the kidnap, an uneasy silence in the
officers' mess in Heraklion was followed by – “Well gentlemen, I think
this calls for champagne all round.”
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This was a plot so unbelievably insane it could only have
come from the mind of the films central character - Major Paddy Leigh-Fermor (Dirk
Bogarde) also known to the Cretans and the Gestapo as ‘Philedem’. Leigh-Fermor was akin to a latter day Lord
Byron, expelled from King’s School Canterbury for a series of misadventures, he
was described by his Head Master as ‘a dangerous mixture of sophistication and
recklessness’. And there was no shortage of characters like Leigh-Fermor in the
resistance movements of the Eastern Mediterranean. The region acted like a magnet
for wayward public schoolboys, whose abilities to speak fluent
Greek and a longing for dangerous adventures made them the perfect secret agents to work amongst partizan groups and be a constant thorn in the side of the occupying Nazis throughout the war. Many never made it home and their tales never told.
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| Major Paddy Leigh-Fermor aka 'Philedem' D.S.O O.B.E (Dirk Bogarde) |
One of the reasons this movie made it in to my top 20 is
because there are very few films about the Eastern Mediterranean
campaigns. Strategically the region was vitally
important, if the Axis could link up the Afrika Korps in North Africa
with their armies of Eastern Europe they would have total control of the oil
fields of the Middle East and the Caucasus, thus ensuring the vital fuel
supplies needed to win the war. The
island of Crete was the perfect staging post for a planned airborne assault on
Egypt and the opening of a potential second front in North Africa, which would
have encircled Monty and his 8th Army of Desert Rats. The fall of
Crete in 1941 was a disaster, but after the German victory and subsequent
allied withdrawal, rag tag bands of freedom fighters were left behind, hiding
out in Crete’s infamous forests and mountains, comprising of men like Leigh-Fermor
and the brave Cretan resistance also known as ‘the hungry wolves’. These men
and women kept the fight alive, never gave up hope of final victory and
thwarted the occupying Nazis at every turn. There has yet to be a proper war
movie made about the Battle for Crete which is a pity, as it would be a
cracker.
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| A midnight rendezvous |
Setting the scene, the opening credits roll set against a
black moonlit sky accompanied by raucous Cretan music. After some establishing
shots of the Cretan mountains and her fighters, we follow Leigh-Fermor going
about his daily covert business and the planning of the kidnap. There is an
excellent early action scene at the practice of the most paranoid dentist in
Crete; look out for a young Christopher Lee.
Dirk Bogarde’s portrayal of Fermor is entertainingly Bond like,
capturing the flippant, live for today attitude one must have to succeed in such
operations. Years later the directors admitted they found his performance a
little too lighthearted.
Then we see the arrival of Captain W. Stanley Moss (on whose memoirs the film is based) played
by David Oxley (Sherlock Holmes in Hound of the Baskervilles). In a classic midnight
rendezvous, he is greeted on shore by a surreal collection of Cretan resistance
fighters and English misfits including Sandy (Cyril Cusack), whose skills
come in very handy later in the film and of course the Philedem himself randomly
adorned in traditional Cretan costume. The main priority doesn't seem to be where the
Germans are, but where the whisky is, and as outgoing agents
leave and incoming agents arrive, there is the traditional swapping of boots –
a rare commodity for these men of the mountains. In keeping with the more
modern traditions of the English, the first thing they do on arriving in
Crete is to get straight on the piss and hit the raki.
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| An arduous trek across the White Mountains |
What follows is the thrilling factual story of the abduction, followed by
the arduous journey across the mountains, evading the hunting
German patrols in the mist and forests of the White Mountains. As the white peak of Mount
Ida comes into view - the birthplace of Zeus, General Kreipe, tied to a Donkey, is said to have recited the first line of Horace’s ‘Ode Ad
Thaliarchum’ in Latin. Leigh-Fermor, in
response recites the rest of the poem. There must have been moments between captor and
captive which reminded them that in other circumstances they may have been friends, but with a little well placed dialogue the film expertly reminds of us of the ideological differences of our two adversaries; General Kreipe to Leigh-Fermor, “surely you’re not
going to leave me in the hands of these Cretans?”, to which Leigh-Fermor
replies, “May I remind you General, that in Crete...we are all in the hands of
the Cretans.”
General Kreipe attempts to delay escape by claiming to
have injured a shoulder, and sets a trail for his men to follow using his hat,
medals and buttons, all of which prove fruitless, as the journey to the coast nears its end, we are on the
edge of our seats for the finale. Our heroes find the rendezvous point
surrounded by Germans, but after Kreipe has tried to bribe one of the Cretan
boys to help him, his plans backfire again and the troops leave the spot unprotected. As nightfall approaches on this remote beach on the southern
side of the Island, they wait anxiously for the boat, do they make it? I won’t say, but there is a great scene
when right at the last minute they realise that they don’t know Morse code to
flash the signal to the waiting launch. Cue Sandy.
Ill met by moonlight is based on a true story, and what
gives the movie that little extra is that some members of the cast actually
served in the secret service during WW2. Bogarde himself was apparently present at the liberation
of Belsen and was involved in operations to round up SS concentration camp
guards and commanders. All in all a great boys' own adventure movie whether you’re a war
movie fan or not.
This Powell and Pressburger film steams into my top twenty like a pocket battleship. This 1956 British production (also known as ‘Pursuit of the Graf Spee’ in the US) tells the story of the German pocket battleship, the Admiral Graf Spee – a surface raider, very fast ships with great maneuverability and lots of massive guns. Commanded by Capitan Hans Langdorff the Graf Spee was tear arsing around the southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans sinking lots of British commercial shipping.
The movie starts with the sinking of the merchant ship ‘Africa Shell’ commanded by Captain Dove played by Bernard Lee, note the northern accent which for me immediately identifies Dove as merchant navy, I don't think there were many Royal Navy Captains in 1939 who sounded like they came from Barnsley, but I maybe wrong. As the crew of the sunken ship are sent to row to the shores of what was Portuguese East Africa (I spent the rest of the film wondering how they went on) while Captain Dove is invited aboard and gets the kind of reception one might save for long lost relative. After enjoying a smoke and a dram of Jonny Walker, Dove gets a 'Bond Style' tour of the Graf Spee and even enjoys watching a resupply. Peter Finch is excellent as Captain Hans Langsdorff, and his portrayal opposite Lee perfectly depicts the chivalry between the two opposing Captains, and also stands to remind us that this was only a few months into the war, before the gloves came off. Below decks Dove is soon joined by a dozen Captains from the other unfortunate ships. Notice how during the battle, these non combatant ‘merchant’ seaman are cheering for a British victory, even though that would mean they went down with the Graf Spee, a poignant reminder of the perils faced by merchant seamen during WW2.
Eventually we see the Royal Navy turn up, who are a bit vexed with the goings on and are looking to sort things out. Three cruisers, HMS Ajax, HMS Achilles and HMS Exeter catch up with the Graf Spee which results in The Battle of River Plate, incidentally world war two’s first naval battle. The Battle scenes are enjoyable, and littered with scenes of good old fashioned British stiff upper lips in the face of adversity. Anthony Quayle as Commodore then later Rear Admiral Henry Harwood plays a great part and is the very epitome of a fearless Royal naval officer. By rights the British ships should’ve been blown away, as the Graf Spee had far superior armaments, but they used their numbers and tactics to split her fire, as a result of this HMS Exeter was hit badly, but so was the Graf Spee who after a chase made it to the safety of Montevideo Harbour. Under the rules of war, a neutral country such as Uruguay could allow the ship to dock for 24 hours for essential repairs, but only to ensure the seaworthiness of the vessel.
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| Captain Dove (Bernard Lee) and Capitan Hans Langsdorff (Peter Finch) |
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| To the rescue! Commodore Harwood (Anthony Quayle) and Captain Woodhouse (Ian Hunter) both of HMS Ajax |
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| scuttled |
Watch the political lobbying of the ambassadors amid the espionage and counter espionage of the spys, all of which leads up to the tense final moments of the Battle, and it’s a case of check mate. There are some great British naval war films to choose from, many quite grim and in b/w, but this has much more of a Hollywood feel to it. Not just a great naval war film, but a great account of the first naval battle of WW2.
15. The 49th Parallel
It’s 1941 and a German U-Boat is hunting Canadian shipping close to the Newfoundland coast, after a successful attack they decide to send a small landing party ashore to forage for essential supplies such as fresh food and fuel. As they’re ashore, the U-Boat is picked up on the radar and an air raid is duly sent in, the U-Boat is attacked in spectacular fashion, U-37 sinks taking with the rest of her crew with her, thus leaving the landing party stranded. However, this does not daunt their commander, the fanatical Nazi Lt. Hirth played brilliantly by Eric Portman, oh no, Eric has a plan. They will make their way across North America (Along the 49th Parallel hence the name of the film), enter the then neutral United States, then find sea passage to Germany’s ally Japan, who will of course arrange for their heroic return the Germany. Simple.
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| sneaky |
Their first encounter of this epic escape and evasion adventure is with an isolated community populated by a stereotypical Scottish settler working for the Hudson Bay Company, a French Canadian trapper (played by Laurence Olivier and a performance worth watching the movie for) a Chinese laundry man who calls everybody Johnny and some Inuit settlers who just seem to be laughing all the time, even when people get shot. Watching it today you will definitely notice the nationalistic stereotyping, and some may criticise, however this was done specifically to show Canada/North America as a place where all are welcome, irrelevant of their race or religion and in contrast to the ideals of our villains and a little heads up to the audience that their very way of life was under threat.
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| Olivier playing a French Canadian trapper with possibly the most stupid accent you've ever heard |
For the next leg of their journey they steal a plane, luckily one of them can fly it, this makes for a very exciting and thrilling scene, ending in a crash landing in the water – another tense and fine piece of action (apparently they nearly drowned while filming it). Eventually the crew end up seeking shelter with a community of German Hutterite settlers, a similar kind of puritanical commune as the better known Amish, Lt. Hirth can't believe his luck, he's now got some potential converts, and so he preaches his sermon of the new order, delivered with dramatic metaphorical warnings of a great storm coming from the east (note the storm outside the window as he speaks). Surely, after such a rousing rhetoric they will of course rise up and join the cause of National Socialism? How wrong can he be? The reply of the community comes from their leader Peter, and a very moving speech that will make your hair stand on end, and for me the highlight of the film. If that’s not enough to convince the cinema audiences in the United States to support US involvement in the war then I don’t know what is - oh hold on.... Pearl Harbour. While with the Hutterite community, our motley crew lose one of their numbers who decides life with a lovely young blond Hutterite looks like a better bet than staying on the run, and who can blame him? Along the 49th Parallel many more surreal misadventures await our gang, including a very entertaining meeting with an English aristocrat living in a wigwam.
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| Peter the leader of the Hutterites. |
The 49th Parallel is an out and out piece of Allied propaganda, the aim of which was to sway the public opinion of the United States to support interventionist policy. Written and directed by the genial partnership of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, who also brought us 'A Canterbury Tale', 'The life and death of Colonel Blimp' and 'A matter of life and death'. Before filming began Pressburger said, "Goebbels considered himself an expert on propaganda, but I thought I'd show him a thing or two." also notable on the crew are the future dream team of cinematographer Freddie Young and editor David Lean and all of this complemented by a great musical score by none other than Ralph Vaughan Williams.
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The 49th Parallel is a great film, packed with all the entertaining twists and turns of an epic road movie adventure, manhunt, prison break and war movie all in one. And for the modern audience many, many moments of unintentional comedy. This is another WW2 classic that I'd love to see remade.
14. Went the Day Well
Based on Graham Greene’s short story, “The Lieutenant Died Last,” Went the Day Well? is a “what if?” tale based in the fictional English village of Bramley End. In 1939 Hitler ordered the Admiralty of the Kriegsmarine to draw up plans for an invasion of England. And so Operation Sealion was born, detailed plans of a joint airborne and seaborne invasion to occupy the south coast from Ramsgate to Portsmouth where put in place, then once beach heads had been established, the German war machine was to push forward and occupy an area cutting off the north of the country from Maldon to Gloucester. For the operation to be successful the Germans would have to parachute 5th columnists and commandos in the days before the invasion to disrupt communications and cause diversions behind the the lines, these diversionary troops would be wearing British uniforms and be speaking English, this was a well known German tactic used to great effect later in the War in the Ardennes offensive.
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| A British traitor gives information to a German, note he writes against a war memorial... the ultimate betrayal |
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| The mothers of the village take up arms against the Germans |
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| Invasion |
13. The Cruel Sea
This 1952 Ealing production is based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Monsarrat published the year before. It tells the story of the authors own experiences serving in Corvettes (anti submarine convoy escorts) during the Battle of the Atlantic. It gives a matter of fact but moving portrayal of ordinary men learning to fight and survive in a violent, physically and psychologically exhausting battle against a ruthless enemy.
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| The Battle of the Atlantic - no place for the faint hearted... |
It boasts an excellent cast, reporting for duty are Jack Hawkins (Captain Ericson) Stanley Baker (1st Lt Bennet) Donald Sinden (1st Lt Lockhart) Denholm Elliot (Morell) John Stratton (Ferraby) Virginia McKenna (Julie Hallam).
The film starts with a voice over “This is a story of the Battle of the Atlantic, the story of an ocean, two ships, and a handful of men. The men are the heroes; the heroines are the ships. The only villain is the sea, the cruel sea, that man has made more cruel...”
Ericson is the reluctant hero, called up from the Merchant Navy, this hugely experienced and professional sailor takes command of HMS Compass Rose, and when you see the inexperience of his officers you can see why men like this were worth their weight in gold during those dark days. I couldn't help but think that if I was unlucky enough to be called up to fight in the battle of the Atlantic, then I would want a Captain like Ericson to get me through it safely. If you were worried about the weather and u-boats, wait until you meet 1st Lt Bennet (Baker) who is excellently entertaining as an abusive bully and gives the new bugs a terribly hard time, the only time you see him happy is when a plate of sausages arrive, to which he cries, “Snorkers! Good ho!”.
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| 1st Lieutenant - and don't forget it |
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| The officers mess aboard Compass Rose |
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| Action Stations! |
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| A Flower Class Corvette |
Then comes a short spot of shore leave, Bennet gets horribly drunk and Lockhart and Morrell see their opportunity to get rid of him, making life on the Compass Rose that bit more bearable. The war takes a turn for the worse, with the Nazis capturing the port of Brest in France and thus increasing the numbers and effective range of the wolf packs. This really is the last thing they needed, and the general feeling of ‘we’re all doomed’ comes across brilliantly. They’re soon on the ‘Gibraltar run’ and on a head long collision course with a swarm of u-boats. German spotter planes fly overhead out of range and report their positions to the wolf packs. The frustration is paramount, surface vessels like this were sitting ducks against such tactics. This part of the film has some excellent action scenes, interspersed with real footage of anti submarine warfare. If you want to see what real depth charges look like when they go off, look no further. Then comes an agonising decision when a u-boat is suspected of hiding beneath some survivors from another ship.
There is a great scene when some Norwegian sailors who were picked up by the Compass Rose come to thank Ericson, he, though haunted by the horrors of recent events has taken to the gin. The Norwegian philosophically says, “There is war, there is no blame, there are thoughts, and for thoughts, there is gin,” great bit of advice if ever I heard it. Soon there comes a chance to take on their elusive nemesis face to face as a u-boat surfaces within range. The excitement is plain to see, for a moment gone is the frustration of not being able to hit back. Later come the obligatory engine problems and tense moments waiting, adrift. The dream ticket during the Atlantic campaign was a re-fit, as it meant some well needed shore leave. Cue the all too familiar home front stories of arriving back to bombed homes. In our times of instant communication with personal emails and sms, it is shocking to think that the first a service man returning from the front would know of such tragedies would be on arriving home. There is also the love interest, Viginia McKenna and Donald Sinden make a fine couple.
Leave is soon over and the men are back in the thick of it, just when you least expect it ‘BANG!’ they get hit, exactly how it would happen. There are some very dramatic, emotional and hard hitting scenes of the ship going down. The screams of the men drowning and burning below decks will haunt you as they do Ericson. If you survived the initial blast and sinking, worse was to come. You could look forward to a slow and lonely death of hypothermia or de-hydration while clinging to a frozen life raft somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic – the ultimate nightmare. Some are lucky enough to get picked up and make it home. Ericson and Lockhart included. Ericson earns a promotion to command a flotilla of convoy escorts and after a pink gin in London, Lockhart decides to become his number two, instead of taking his own command.
On to the Russian convoys, if you thought the Atlantic was cold, think again. More great action scenes ensue including a fine battle with a u-boat. Ericson is so keen not to give up the hunt, at one stage resorts to amphetamine to keep him awake so as not to let it slip away. Eventually the war ends, and you cannot help but feel overjoyed and relieved that they made it through. If you want a genuine picture of what it was like to be in the Royal Navy and serve in the Battle of the Atlantic then this film is it. The Cruel Sea – one of the greatest naval war films ever made.
12. Letters From Iwo Jima / Flags of our Fathers
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Anthony Beevor, author of Stalingrad and many more WW2 bestsellers, I asked him what is favourite WW2 movie was, and after explaining that there was a lot of very bad ones, he went for these, especially Letters.
So the story goes, the makers of these films only set out to make only Flags of our fathers, the tale of the invasion of Iwo Jima and the men behind that iconic image of the stars and stripes being raised atop Mt. Surabachi. However, when researching the Japanese side of the defence of Iwo Jima, it was decided that their story was one that should be told in detail, and so after a chat, Spielberg told Eastwood to go make a second movie. ‘Letters from Iwo Jima’ is as based on letters that were found years later, that were written by the doomed Japanese soldiers to their families. It is technically two separate films, but I think they should be watched together, as they were filmed at the same time, with the same crew etc. Some scenes of the invasion are the same scene shot from different angles. So I shall include them as one ‘double movie’.
So the story goes, the makers of these films only set out to make only Flags of our fathers, the tale of the invasion of Iwo Jima and the men behind that iconic image of the stars and stripes being raised atop Mt. Surabachi. However, when researching the Japanese side of the defence of Iwo Jima, it was decided that their story was one that should be told in detail, and so after a chat, Spielberg told Eastwood to go make a second movie. ‘Letters from Iwo Jima’ is as based on letters that were found years later, that were written by the doomed Japanese soldiers to their families. It is technically two separate films, but I think they should be watched together, as they were filmed at the same time, with the same crew etc. Some scenes of the invasion are the same scene shot from different angles. So I shall include them as one ‘double movie’.
Iwo Jima was arguably the bloodiest battle of the Pacific War. Of the 18,000 Japanese soldiers defending the island, only 216 survived. And for the first time US casualties outnumbered Japanese. The island itself was made up of a barren, black volcanic sand, with little cover, overshadowed by the daunting Mt. Surabachi, rising from the ocean like a dark, menacing fortress, within it the Japanese had constructed hundreds of impenetrable defensive fire positions all linked by 18kilmoteres of tunnels. It was also part of Japan, so was defended with a suicidal tenacity even more intense than previously experienced, basically as a US Marine it was your worst nightmare, and it had to be taken, inch by inch. It would take 6 weeks and cost the lives of 6,800 Americans and a further 20,000 wounded.
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| that picture |
Up until 2006 there had only been the 1949 John Wayne classic ‘Sands of Iwo Jima’ which is a great movie, but it doesn’t come close to Clint Eastwood's double header. One of the most iconic images of the 20th Century is the photograph of the Marines raising the flag at the top of Mt. Surabachi, this follows their story, don’t expect all blood and guts and battle scenes. If you are after a step by step account of the battle for the Island, then you’re better off with episode 8 of the miniseries The Pacific or the John Wayne movie, although there are some great actions scenes so don’t worry, it’s well worth a watch. There is a lot of stuff about the guys involved back home in the States trying to raise money for war bonds to fund the war, which I found myself fast forwarding through, and it’s for this reason, for me. Letters from Iwo Jima is the better movie.
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| General Kuribayashi |
Letters from Iwo Jima is the Japanese defenders story. The main character is General Tadamich Kuribayashi played by Ken Watanabe, he is given the command of the Island, and straight away changes the defensive strategies already in place. Favouring the high ground as opposed to beach defenses. He knows that this is a suicide mission, but, will still do his everything in his power to defend Imperial Japanese soil. He is familiar with and a lover of American culture, which gives the film its anti war message. As an ex Olympian equestrian, the story flits back and forth to his memories from visits to the United States.
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| saigo |
The other main character is Saigo, the conscripted private in the front line, who didn't want to leave his wife and child behind, and unlike the majority of his comrades does not particularly want to die. This is much more of a film about about the events that took place on the island and the battle for Iwo Jima then than ‘Flags’, It is also a superior out and out war movie to ‘Flags’, but I am of the opinion you can’t really watch one with the other.
11. Downfall / Der Untergang
In 1942 Traudl Junge was 22 years old when she got the job as a secretary working for Adolf Hitler. She has described him as a ‘pleasant boss and fatherly friend’ surely a candidate for the world’s most misleading character reference, just how wrong you can be Traudl? Some may remember her being interviewed in ‘Nemesis’ episode 21 of The World at War documentary series. Anyway, she was by his side until the bitter end, and her book ‘Until the final Hour’ gives a fascinating insight into the final moments of the Third Reich and Nazism. Along with the memoirs of Albert Speer, and books by Joachim Fest, Gerhar Boldt, Ernst-Gunther Schenck and Siegried Kappe combine to provide us with a screenplay telling the definitive account of what actually happened.
The movie opens with a contemporary interview with Traudl, which gives the film a chilling gravitas and sends a shiver down the spine. The initial scenes are at the Wolfschanze in East Prussia, but as the Red Army advance westwards, we cut to the Fuhrerbunker where Hitler is celebrating his 56th birthday, Traudl is awoken by Russian Artillery and the feeling of impending doom. Its not all set in the bunker, we do get out onto the streets and see the bigger picture in and around Berlin, the pathetic ten or eleven year old boys and girls of the Hitler Youth and their futile, suicidal attempts at defending the city from the Red Armies approaching tanks. Then there's the hapless, elderly and ramshackle Volksturm who just want to go home. One of the books the film is based on is Ein Arzt Erlebt Hitlers Ende in Berlin by Doctor Ernst Gunther, and the experiences of Dr. Gunther provides a good sub plot, and a character the viewer can empathise with, he sometimes seems the only sane man a midst all the insanity. By this point many Berliners have given up and we see scenes of debauched carefree parties among the anarchy that is breaking out.
In 1942 Traudl Junge was 22 years old when she got the job as a secretary working for Adolf Hitler. She has described him as a ‘pleasant boss and fatherly friend’ surely a candidate for the world’s most misleading character reference, just how wrong you can be Traudl? Some may remember her being interviewed in ‘Nemesis’ episode 21 of The World at War documentary series. Anyway, she was by his side until the bitter end, and her book ‘Until the final Hour’ gives a fascinating insight into the final moments of the Third Reich and Nazism. Along with the memoirs of Albert Speer, and books by Joachim Fest, Gerhar Boldt, Ernst-Gunther Schenck and Siegried Kappe combine to provide us with a screenplay telling the definitive account of what actually happened.
The movie opens with a contemporary interview with Traudl, which gives the film a chilling gravitas and sends a shiver down the spine. The initial scenes are at the Wolfschanze in East Prussia, but as the Red Army advance westwards, we cut to the Fuhrerbunker where Hitler is celebrating his 56th birthday, Traudl is awoken by Russian Artillery and the feeling of impending doom. Its not all set in the bunker, we do get out onto the streets and see the bigger picture in and around Berlin, the pathetic ten or eleven year old boys and girls of the Hitler Youth and their futile, suicidal attempts at defending the city from the Red Armies approaching tanks. Then there's the hapless, elderly and ramshackle Volksturm who just want to go home. One of the books the film is based on is Ein Arzt Erlebt Hitlers Ende in Berlin by Doctor Ernst Gunther, and the experiences of Dr. Gunther provides a good sub plot, and a character the viewer can empathise with, he sometimes seems the only sane man a midst all the insanity. By this point many Berliners have given up and we see scenes of debauched carefree parties among the anarchy that is breaking out.
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| Hitler and the Goebbels children. Their mother killed them all with cyanide, not quite the Von Trapps |
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| The ghostly and unnerving Hitler Youth Girl |
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| Bruno Ganz as The Fuhrer |
This 1965 film tells the story of the 1944 German Ardennes offensive aka The Battle of the Bulge, named so because of the large bulge it made in the front lines on the battle maps. It was to be the Third Reich’s last throw of the dice on the western front, fought amid the freezing forests and hills of a very cold Belgian winter.
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| Robert Shaw's portrayal of the fictional Col. Hessler is unintentional comedy gold |
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| "Stay Loose" if only they'd taken this fine advice |
The Battle of the Bulge is a no nonsense WW2 movie, with great action, but for me, the characters and acting is among the most entertaining I have seen in any WW2 movie, Robert Shaw as Colonel Hessler steals the show, some of his scenes opposite Hans Christian Blech are priceless (Blech did actually fight for the Germans in WW2 which is how he received the scars on his face) "Conrad, you are a fool"
9. The Battle of Britain
If Tora Tora Tora! (Sorry to mention it again) Married the perfect narrative with perfect ‘real’ technical effects, then The Battle of Britain is its European equivalent. Almost documentary like in their chronicling of events, both movies sum up the no-nonsense approach to WW2 movie making. And why not? There really is no need to make things up. |
| The Cast |
Here in the UK, the Battle of Britain is of course of immense importance, but strategically how important was it to the outcome of the conflict as a whole? Well, firstly the Luftwaffe never recovered from the huge losses of aircraft. More importantly the loss of irreplaceable German pilots and air crew (over 3000) was later to prove crucial on the Russian front, add to this the fact that southern England in Allied hands provided the springboard for a second front and I think it is fair to say it was arguably the most decisive action fought in the war in the west. Also, it was the first ever major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces as well as the largest and most sustained aerial bombing campaign to that date. So, if you’re going to make a movie about this, it better be a good one, and it was.
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| Caine and Plummer |
The Battle of Britain (1969) was directed by Guy Hamilton (Force 10 from Navarone, The Colditz Story and four classic Bond Movies including Goldfinger, Diamonds are forever, Live and Let Die and the Man with the Golden Gun) so with Hamilton in the chair what we get is a damn fine action film, with a straightforward narrative. The screenplay was written by James Kennaway and Wilfred Greatorex, the template for the movie was provided by the 1961 Book ‘The Narrow Margin’ by Derek Dempster and Derek Wood. A huge international cast was assembled including stars such as Michael Caine, Trevor Howard, Ian McShane, Kenneth Moore, Laurence Olivier, Christopher Plummer, Michael Redgrave, Robert Shaw and Susannah York.
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| Laurence Olivier as Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding |
The film starts with the Battle of France in May 1940 and scenes of defeated British columns and French refugees heading to the coast. A lone spitfire performs a victory roll overhead, one soldier can be heard to mutter, “who the hell is he trying to kid?” As we are then introduced to the RAF pilots including Christopher Plummer (Squadron Leader Colin Harvey) as they are about to abandon their French airfield and head for home, with the unstoppable Wermacht only minutes away. They’re away just in the nick of time as we are treated to some cool scenes of low flying Luftwaffe fighters strafing the base. Early scenes pay attention to the bigger picture, we see ambassadorial manoeuvres between Baron Von Richter (Curt Jurgens) and Sir David Kelly (Ralph Richardson) with Von Richter offering terms to the British. As well as key political scenes between Air Chef Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding (Olivier) and various government ministers, Olivier’s portrayal of Dowding is spot on and you really get the impression of a man with the weight of the free world on his shoulders. The overall feeling of impending doom facing what seemed like impossible odds comes across excellently with a fine combination of good acting an atmospheric musical score.
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| Howard as Air Vice Marshall Keith Park |
AdlerTag (Eagle Day) the 15th August 1940 – the day it kicked off big time, this is when the action properly starts and doesn't really stop until the end of the movie. Note the sinister dark clouds swirling overhead during Luftwaffe scenes contrasting with the glorious sunshine of Biggin Hill. What follows is a chronologically and factually correct portrayal of the events as they happened. Notable scenes include the German’s accidental bombing of London which was to have far reaching effects. We're even treated to Hitler's speech in Berlin - note the strange audience of large middle aged women dressed as Hitler Youth....The Blitz is well covered as are the contributions made by the other nationalities involved in the battle, especially the Polish pilots. The first hints of a potential and wholly unlikely British victory are suggested, with shell-shocked Luftwaffe pilots returning to base bemused and frustrated at the deadly and costly interceptions by the RAF. As at the same time the RAF command are counting up the numbers of enemy aircraft shot down and realising they may just have the edge.
The key moment of the decision and the factors leading up to using 12 Group's ‘big wing’ are well told. The horrors of aerial combat are also illustrated no holds barred, with horrific scenes of pilots burning to death in the cockpits as the smashed up aircraft come crashing down to earth. The Luftwaffe finally throw everything thing they have got at the RAF in an immense final battle of which the combat scenes are unparalleled. Legendary cinematographer Freddie Young notched up some fine moments in his career and this is undoubtedly one of them. In a movie with so much action and explosions, it is interesting how the arrives silently, the silence of the pilots waiting for the scramble that never comes and the silence of the control room, nervously waiting for the phone call from the radar station that never rings. The British realise they've done it, they've held out, as the Wermacht turns its attention eastwards and the invasion is called off. WW2 confirmed air power as the decisive factor in modern warfare and nowhere will you see it better portrayed on film than in the Battle of Britain.
Here's the whole movie. Enjoy!
8. Tora! Tora! Tora!
This is exactly how I like my war films, factual, in a chronological order, no special effects, no love interest/romance, and loads of real ships, real planes and all of them blowing the holy shit out of each other. Tora! Tora! Tora! (which means Tiger, Tiger Tiger in Japanese and was the code word used to indicate complete surprise had been achieved) is a 1970 American/Japanese movie chronicling the attack on Pearl Harbour.
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| Admiral Yamamoto |
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| banzie!!! |
7. Dunkirk
Churchill said of Dunkirk, "wars aren’t won by evacuations", but the successful evacuation of 336,000 British soldiers meant the British could fight on. And with the help of her Allies eventually strike back at the Third Reich and open up a second front.
This 1958 b/w Ealing Studios production, tells the story of the evacuation from three different points of view, the high command, the soldier on the front line and the civilians who ended up making the evacuation possible with their flotilla of small boats. The film was based on two novels: Elleston Trevor's The Big Pick-Up and Lt. Col. Ewan Hunter and Maj. J. S. Bradford's Dunkirk.
John Mills plays corporal ‘Tubby’ Bins, the reluctant hero, an archetypal British Tommy, who doesn't want to be there, but is, and seeing as he is, he’ll do his best. A role Mills seems to relish and one that's tailor made for him. His small section of soldiers become separated from their unit and have to make it back across enemy infested countryside in order to get back to Blighty, this story gives us some thrilling escape and evasion action and a few scuffles with the Germans en route.
The other star is Richard Attenborough, who turns in a convincing performance as John Holden, a mollycoddled civilian who believes that the war should be fought by the soldiers and sailors, but as the story moves on, he realises that he must do his bit as well, encouraged by Bernard Lee who plays newspaper reporter and boat owner Charles Foreman. As the owner of a small boat called the Heron, he reluctantly leaves his wife and baby behind and ends up on the beaches in the middle of the bombs and bullets and hooks up with Mills and Co. The film expertly captures the chaos and uncertainty and will have you on the edge of your seat. A Classic British WW2 film which depicts a time when civilians and serviceman stood toe to toe and made ready for 'total war' and a fight to the death!
This 1958 b/w Ealing Studios production, tells the story of the evacuation from three different points of view, the high command, the soldier on the front line and the civilians who ended up making the evacuation possible with their flotilla of small boats. The film was based on two novels: Elleston Trevor's The Big Pick-Up and Lt. Col. Ewan Hunter and Maj. J. S. Bradford's Dunkirk.
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| John Mills as 'Tubby Bins' taking control of the situation |
The other star is Richard Attenborough, who turns in a convincing performance as John Holden, a mollycoddled civilian who believes that the war should be fought by the soldiers and sailors, but as the story moves on, he realises that he must do his bit as well, encouraged by Bernard Lee who plays newspaper reporter and boat owner Charles Foreman. As the owner of a small boat called the Heron, he reluctantly leaves his wife and baby behind and ends up on the beaches in the middle of the bombs and bullets and hooks up with Mills and Co. The film expertly captures the chaos and uncertainty and will have you on the edge of your seat. A Classic British WW2 film which depicts a time when civilians and serviceman stood toe to toe and made ready for 'total war' and a fight to the death!
6. Das Boot
The second German film to make it into my top ten, understandably the Germans don’t make a lot of movies about world war two, which is a pity, because when they do decide to make one, es ist phantastisch! Karl Donitz always wanted more U-Boats, which luckily he didn’t always get, he knew that’s how Germany could bring Britain to her knees and he was right. If it hadn't have been for Alan Turing and those brain box code breakers at Bletchley park, the Germans would have won the so called ‘Battle of the Atlantic’. Das Boot is set when the tide of the battle was just beginning to turn in the allies favor.
Those seemingly demonic, prowling wolf packs, trawling the Atlantic looking for pray struck fear into the hearts of sailors and seamen. They were like something out of a horror film, like a beast from beneath; a diesel powered steel jaws and harbinger of death! Watching the opening scene in the film you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching a monster movie. Forget the gung-ho cigar chewing yanks or your clean shaven noel coward, welcome to the world of grime, claustrophobia, boredom, lack of oxygen, pubic lice and the sheer terror of life beneath the waves on U96, and possibly, the greatest naval war film ever made
Das Boot was based on the 1973 novel by Lothar-Günther Buchheim, which was based on the real life antics of U96 commanded by U Boat ace Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock, who incidentally served as consultant to the film. It was originally six hours long and screened as series on German TV, then for its theatrical release it was cut to just over two and half hours, avoid this version, you're better off with the 1997 Directors cut, which comes in at just under four hours. Although bear in mind the original 'short' version did get nominated for six academy awards, so I suppose that tells you how good the uncut version is, it gives you much more of an insight into the characters.
The second German film to make it into my top ten, understandably the Germans don’t make a lot of movies about world war two, which is a pity, because when they do decide to make one, es ist phantastisch! Karl Donitz always wanted more U-Boats, which luckily he didn’t always get, he knew that’s how Germany could bring Britain to her knees and he was right. If it hadn't have been for Alan Turing and those brain box code breakers at Bletchley park, the Germans would have won the so called ‘Battle of the Atlantic’. Das Boot is set when the tide of the battle was just beginning to turn in the allies favor.
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| Johan the Chief Engineer, his descent into madness is a particular highlight |
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| the skipper |
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| on the hunt - what a picture... |
The acting is of a much higher standard than one usually gets in war movies, the hand held steady cam cinematography and the amazing make up and costume all go towards making this a faultless piece of cinema. Watch the crew transform from clean shaven, well turned out Kriegsmarine into something resembling big issue sellers. Jurgen Prochnow as the Captain is perfectly cast and very convincing in his role, and Klaus Wennemann as the Johan the chief engineer is also another highlight. If you want realism from a war film, this is for you, if you are a fan of European cinema you will like this even if you don’t normally enjoy war films. And after four hours when the credits roll you'll feel like you've earned your Iron Cross too.
5. Stalingrad
There are hundreds of glamorous movies about WW2 with big budgets and big name stars, but very few focus on the events of the eastern front. Which is a pity, as I believe this is where the war in Europe was won and lost, this is where the heavyweight ideological bout was taking place. The defeat of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad spelt the beginning of the end of the Third Reich, physically and psychologically they knew that too, they would never recover. Stalingrad was a five and bit month long battle which resulted in twice the number of deaths than all combined US/British deaths in the entire six years of war across the globe. It was colossal struggle.
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| the face of defeat |
It was an immense, dirty, political fight to the death, fought in burning factories and sewers amid mass executions, all in freezing temperatures of as low as -30, the typhoid, dysentery, gangrene, frostbite, malnutrition and starvation killed just as many as the bombs and bullets. It was and still to this day remains the largest battle in history and the most decisive, the results of the battle still being felt up to 50 years later. Of the 91,000 German prisoners taken, only 5000 made it back to their homeland to tell the story.
And this 1993 German film tells that very story, the plot follows of a small group of storm troopers who have just arrived in Italy after fighting the British in North Africa. The film follows their story, from enjoying some ‘R & R’ on an Italian beach, their long train journey east across the endless steppe, to their arrival at the gates of hell. The film doesn't give any insight into the high command and the strategic decisions that were taken by the generals, it tells the story of the front line German soldiers and their experiences, so that’s what you get. There are some excellent early combat scenes in the factories, flame thrower fights in the sewers, then as the situation becomes more hopeless and the city is surrounded, we see the inevitable decline of healthy young men into diseased and dying helpless cases, some of the troops make the bid for escape at infamous Pitomnik airfield as many did and died trying to do. There is also a great action scene where the troops dug into snow holes take on some T34 tanks (clip below).
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| before the battle, the pride of the wehrmacht |
And this 1993 German film tells that very story, the plot follows of a small group of storm troopers who have just arrived in Italy after fighting the British in North Africa. The film follows their story, from enjoying some ‘R & R’ on an Italian beach, their long train journey east across the endless steppe, to their arrival at the gates of hell. The film doesn't give any insight into the high command and the strategic decisions that were taken by the generals, it tells the story of the front line German soldiers and their experiences, so that’s what you get. There are some excellent early combat scenes in the factories, flame thrower fights in the sewers, then as the situation becomes more hopeless and the city is surrounded, we see the inevitable decline of healthy young men into diseased and dying helpless cases, some of the troops make the bid for escape at infamous Pitomnik airfield as many did and died trying to do. There is also a great action scene where the troops dug into snow holes take on some T34 tanks (clip below).
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| fighting in the factory district |
4. In Which We Serve
Noel Coward was encouraged to do his bit and make a film that would stiffen the resolve of the British public by his close friend Winston Churchill. And that film would be based on the war time exploits of his other close friend Lord Louis Mountbatten and his ship HMS Kelly. So with no expense spared, Coward was able to put together the dream team of David Lean as editor at the suggestion of John Mills, Lean ended up as co-director once Coward realised he knew infinitely more about the film making process than himself, incidentally this was the first film Lean was credited as director. And a cast including himself (Captain E.V Kinross) Celia Johnson (Alix Kinross) in her first screen role, Bernard Mills (Chief Petty Officer Hardy) John Mills (Ordinary Seaman Shorty Blake) and introducing an un credited Richard Attenborough in his first screen role. Interestingly James Mason’s casting was vetoed by Coward due to his stance as a conscientious objector.
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| Coward as Kinross as Mountbatten |
In Which We Serve is the story of a ship, a Royal Naval destroyer called HMS Torrin to be precise. Setting the scene the film opens with a dedication to Royal Navy, ‘Where under the good providence of God, the wealth, safety and strength of kingdom chiefly depend’.
Followed by scenes of the ship being built in the ship yards, see the sweat and toil of the ship building iron mongers hammering in the white hot rivets.A reminder not to forget those doing their bit that did not wear a uniform. Then on with the action and the 1941 battle of Crete, HMS Torrin is happily sinking German troop carrying boats on their way to invade Crete (which HMS Kelly did in real life thanks to some of the first ever ultra deciphered messages from Bletchley Park).
Followed by scenes of the ship being built in the ship yards, see the sweat and toil of the ship building iron mongers hammering in the white hot rivets.A reminder not to forget those doing their bit that did not wear a uniform. Then on with the action and the 1941 battle of Crete, HMS Torrin is happily sinking German troop carrying boats on their way to invade Crete (which HMS Kelly did in real life thanks to some of the first ever ultra deciphered messages from Bletchley Park).
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| Mills, as Shorty Blake - he had some great character names in WW2 movies |
The action scenes are excellent, enhanced by a human element with the close ups and reactions of the gunners making a direct hit. Sometimes I find cinematic Naval battles fought at distance can lack the human emotion that must be ever present during combat, and surely thanks to David Lean the scenes still impress today. After the battle they discuss what a good fight it was, noting it couldn't have been the ‘Macaronis’ as they are unable to fight ‘due to their warm, languorous southern temperament’ this gem is followed by my favourite line of the movie. Captain Kinross (Coward) is stood on the bridge admiring the sunset with another officer who comments on its beauty and states that he recently received a calendar with similar pictures, to which Kinross quips, “And was there a squadron of Dorniers in the top left hand corner” “no, sir” “and that is where art and reality part company”.
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| "Nothing like a good swim before breakfast!" |
It is not long before we’re back in the thick of the action again, The Torrin is attacked by a squadron of dive bombers, she takes a direct hit and goes down. During these actions scenes real combat footage is used, watch the brave AA gunners still firing as they are submerged, the underwater scenes give us another glimpse of the early technical genius of Lean. There is a shot of a Daily Express front page floating in the water claiming ‘No war this year’ Cowards dig at the newspaper which ran many negative stories about the film while it was in production, especially about how Coward wasn't suitably cast to play an all action hero such as Mountbatten.
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| That looks nothing like John Mills. |
The narrative of the film continues in altered chronology via a series of flashbacks, telling the stories of each of the oil soaked survivors clinging to the life raft. The first set of flashbacks takes us back to 1939 just before war was declared. First one up is Kinross himself, a shot of him drowning fades to an idyllic prewar scene, at home with his beautiful wife Alix and children, notice how they talk unfeasibly quickly, even the kids. It’s through these flashbacks that In Which We Serve becomes more than a Naval war film and gives portrays just as good a picture of the home front as any other film of this genre.
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| Watch the battle of Britain while enjoying a picnic... |
Petty Officer Hardy is badly injured in the life raft, but a tot of cherry soon sorts him out. Cut to his flashback remembering his wife and mother arguing about making tea in the bedroom, "Who does this Hitler think he is?" the mother asks, "that’s the spirit" replies Hardy. We see John Mills (Shorty Blake) listening to Neville Chamberlains infamous and ominous speech declaring that Britain is at war with Germany, Chamberlains’ line “You can imagine what a bitter blow this is to me” is met with a perfectly timed “well it isn't a bank holiday for us” from Mills. Christmas in the various households comes and goes, with a toast. The most powerful of which is delivered by Celia Johnson, very emotive and done in one take.
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| The beautiful Celia Johnson making her screen debut |
Back to the life raft and the group are being strafed by German fighters, something which makes your blood boil, so you can imagine how it must have effective wartime audiences of 1942. The flashbacks take us to the battles on the Atlantic convoys; look out for Richard Attenborough’s debut. hen there's the evacuation at Dunkirk, I must say for all the shortages during the war there seems to be no shortage of ciggies, every man and his dog is lighting up at every opportunity. We’re also see the battle of Britain played out in the skies above Beachy head, while Kinross picnics with his wife and kids, who are still despite everything, talking very quickly. We also get a very hard hitting picture of the Blitz and its effects. Wait for the scene between Blake and Hardy afterwards, some very fine acting. And an unfinished letter, like so many lives, thrown into the sea. The survivors finally get picked up, once safely aboard Kinross’ priority is to see how his men are doing, one of the men says, “We were worried about you sir” “Nothing like a good swim before breakfast” replies the Captain. Soon they’re safe and sound in Alexandria and the ships company part company, all individually saying good bye to the Captain. Many of these extras were real seamen on active service. In Which We Serve is a masterpiece, technically brilliant, emotionally captivating, and arguably the finest British war film to be made during the war if not since.
Some kind fellow has uploaded the whole movie. Enjoy.
Some kind fellow has uploaded the whole movie. Enjoy.
3. The Longest Day
D Day, 6th June 1944, the largest invasion in the history of the world, even Stalin was in awe, Churchill said, “There has never been such an undertaking in the history of war” and with The Longest Day, we get a film worthy of the event. This 1962 three hour long epic was originally black and white, but there is a colour version now available. It tells the story of the events that day, from the sea sick soldiers waiting on the ships and the agonising decisions of high command, should we go or postpone? Through to the assault on the beaches and the capture of bridges and towns.
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| iconic ending |
It had a big name cast including John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Sean Connery, Richard Burton, Peter Lawford, Rod Steiger, Kenneth More, and Richard Todd.
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| one of 'the few' |
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| omaha beach |
2. The Thin Red Line
Nine months after Pearl Harbor and numerous successful Japanese actions and advances across the Pacific, the first US Amphibious assault on Japanese held Island was at Guadalcanal in August 1942. The battle for Guadalcanal was an indication of the long hard slog to come, battles of attrition against a suicidal enemy fought in the most difficult tropical conditions of disease infested jungles. "There's only a Thin Red Line between the sane and the mad." so goes the saying.
Nine months after Pearl Harbor and numerous successful Japanese actions and advances across the Pacific, the first US Amphibious assault on Japanese held Island was at Guadalcanal in August 1942. The battle for Guadalcanal was an indication of the long hard slog to come, battles of attrition against a suicidal enemy fought in the most difficult tropical conditions of disease infested jungles. "There's only a Thin Red Line between the sane and the mad." so goes the saying.
This 1998 film directed by Terrence Malick is about that battle for Guadalcanal. It's a remake of the 1964 movie of the same name, and based on the novel by James Jones. it’s a beautifully crafted film with an art direction rarely seen in WW2 movies, it was Malick’s first film in 20 years and was a resounding box office and critical success nominated for seven Academy Awards including: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score and Best Sound Mixing.
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| no sign of the enemy, only silence |
There’s no shortage of big names in the cast, Nick Nolte, Sean Penn, John Cusack, George Clooney, John Travolta and Woody Harelson to name a few. The first cut apparently ran for five hours and had performances by Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Sheen, Gary Oldman, Jason Patric, Viggo Mortensen and Mickey Rourke removed for the final cut. Makes you wonder how good a ‘redux’ style directors cut would be?
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| battle shock |
The movie starts with the story of two of the soldiers AWOL and living a seemingly ideal life with the natives, one soon ends up back on board and under arrest. Then comes the landing on Guadalcanal, Malick perfectly captures the fear and the tension of waiting for contact with the Japanese, you expect some D Day style storming of the beaches, but nothing, you know the enemy are there, but where? Nothing but the eerie silence as the breeze drifts through the strange grass.
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| Sean Penn, Nick Nolte and Elias Koteas contemplate the plan of attack |
1. A Bridge Too Far
I was about 9 years old when I unexpectedly caught A Bridge Too Far early one Saturday evening on TV and I couldn’t believe my luck. I was transfixed. This was better than Batman and it just didn’t end. I was in WW2 Heaven.
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| Michael Caine as Col. Vandeleur alonside Edward Fox as Gen. Horrocks |
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| Anthony Hopkins as Col. John Frost |
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| Hardy Kruger, playing an SS officer, he was actually in the SS during WW2 |
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| Sean Connery as Maj Gen. Urquhart |
A Bridge too far is World War Two on a stick with lights on, the only thing missing is Hitler himself. Easily my number 1.
