Epic World War Films

simisker said:
I'll also add to the voices recommending A Bridge Too Far. It's long, but it's considered a pretty accurate account of Operation Market Garden - something that'd be worth reading up on to get the most from the film.
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The book (by Cornelius Ryan) is unbelievable. I read my old dog eared copy for the fifth time the other week.
 
I cant recommend Band of Brothers enough, its the best depiction of the reality of war and its effect on real people I have ever seen, must have watched it about 10 times and still so many places that get that lump in my throat.
 
I didn't care for Black Hawk Down either, just couldn't get into it and felt no attachment to the characters.

Two others:

Thin Red Line
Tora Tora Tora
 
Agree with Band of Borthers.

One or 2 episodes get a bit dull. But the episodes in Carentan and the Ardennes are up with Saving Private Ryan. Must watch tbh.
 
Memphis Belle's pretty good...

A taster:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU5TKCxZ0s4

A more modern alternative, Flight of the Intruder is an excellent aerial war film - great footage, real planes :)

The book's good too!

For infantry/tank - barring the mentions already, must watches are:

The 9th Company (pretty horrifying Russian film) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl7cVRCmWSU
The Beast / Beast of War (excellent film) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9CjUW9QJvc

Beast of War is a very intense film - it's about a sole tank crew stranded in the middle of Afghanistan and their attempt to at least return to base intact, before they all go insane. Good cinematography as well and very underrated.
 
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Das Boot, you cannot get more epic than that really. It's nearly 5 hours long if you get the proper uncut version, and never dips in its narrative. The tension and atmosphere in the submarine is portrayed incredibly well.
 
Dougsnake said:
Band of brothers is well worth watching :) also try letters from iwo jimi i thought it was slightly better than flag of our fathers even though its subtitled japanese.
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I really like Letters from Iwo Jima, over Flags, I was absolutely gripped by it.

I adore A Bridge Too Far too, quite a epic cast list

Lashout_UK said:
Memphis Belle's pretty good...
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Agreed

Dambusters is still a great film too
 
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Casualties of War was pretty good (Michael J Fox and Sean Penn). I'm struggling with Saints and Soldiers though... comedy music not even funny the first time!

There's also a Korean(?) film that's meant to be highly recommended.
 
Castor said:
Kelly's heroes:D
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No need for the sheepish grin! It's an outright classic... Well okay maybe I'll add a grin too. :D

I'd personally go for The Longest Day, purely for the French commando set piece. Or perhaps I'll go for "Where Eagles Dare." I mean, Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton gunning down half the German Army. What's not to like?!
 
A lot of great suggestions here. Das Boot and Band of Brothers are favourites. Another one to consider is Downfall, its in German and portrays Hitler's end in his bunker - worth a watch!
 
Zulu
Brotherhood (its in korean but better than probably all the movies mentioned above, I'm not even joking it is stunning)

Bridge too far

Watch those 3 and you will be a satisfied chappy.
 
I read the book of Blackhawk Down a few times before seeing the film. It is so condensed there's no way you could get to know the characters, or see all the deeds that were done during the mission. But it had its moments. Gary Gordon and Randy Shugart's last stand made my hairs stand on end when I saw it. The death of Griz stood out. Hoot (Bana) was bad-ass.
Still, it had too much of the Bruckheimer cheese attached.
 
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