Reviews

I loved the 1939 version of this tale and still remember "Surely you will miss your tongue?" or "If he loses he will kill us for revenge and if he wins he will kill us for sheer joy." THe 1939 was coherrent and disguising himself as a mute Sengali to infiltrate the lines was logical. The plot device used here was ludicrous at best. There was only one battle scene and no massed attack at Omdurman. Finally the closing scene where the General's tale of the Crimean War is told to be an accident was omitted from this movie. Disappointed. Reply to me at barontroll@cs.com

Hell is for Heros is a hard hitting drama of WWII. A squad on the Sigfried Line is to hold the line for an entire platoon. Faced with a German pillbox and mine field to its front, the squad must hold and yet deceive the Germans as to their strength. There is great human drama as well as gritty infantry action. A well written drama even has a clever way to work a Bob Newhart telephone routine into the action without it seeming forced. Bobby Darin gives a good dramatic performance, along with Harry Guardino, Nick Adams, Fess Parker, Mike Kellen and James Coburn. An unforgetable war film.

Baa Baa Black Sheep or Black Sheep Squadron is an exciting TV series about Pappy Boyington's VMF 214, a USMC fighter squadron of WWII vintage. The characters are likeable and Robert Conrad really fills the bill as Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, Medal of Honor winner and multiple ace in the Pacific. The aerial sequences are outstanding and the use of combat footage is skillful. I watch the show every opportunity I can get and enjoy the episodes that feature combat and not the ones where a black sheep is caught behind enemy lines

I first saw The Ugly Dachshund before I owned or shall I say a longhaired dachshund owned me. After seeing the movie the second time, I realized the dachshunds did not need extra training to totally upset a household. A delight to all dog lovers and dachshund enthusiasts in particular. Although the title pooch is a great dane, it is a "doxie" movie delight.

The fog of war is redefined down to what is left of a US Marine Corps Platoon on a Japanese held island. The lieutenant, a former chemistry teacher and seven members of his original command must find where the Japanese have hidden rockets before the battalion attacks. Characterizations are typical of a Lewis Milestone move and avoid the formula cliches. To the platoon are added a combat historian and a suave, debonaire interpreter. Many future stars are featured in this stirring film at early stages in their careers. As an Reserve Army Colonel and a high school chemistry teacher this film strikes home. Do they find the rockets? You must see this film to find out.

With a minimum of blood and gore and a maximum of character development this war drams follows a platoon of "Texas Infantry" as they take a walk in the Italian sun from Salarno to a farm house, their objective. Texas Infantry, the 36th Infantry Division, Texas National Guard, is their outfit. Their LT is killed on the landing craft and they are lead by their platoon sergeant. When he breaks down after an attack on a German armored car. Dana Andrews takes over. SGT Porter, played by Herbert Rudley has a different kind of wound and has broken down. (I went to grade school with Rudley's son.) As they progress inland you get to meet the members of the platoon. You also see how they contend with war. One soldier wisecracks, one writes letters to his sister in his head, one and another they unfold themselves to us. They must assault a farm house occupied by Germans. The house is sorrounded by a brick wall. Each soldier must face the ordeal of close combat. The film is not about a great battle, or an epic struggle is is merely a "Walk in the Sun."

First a correction in the credits, Red Buttons was Private Dutch Schultz, who gets caught on the steeple in the French Town of St. Mere-Eglise. Second one comment refers to John Wayne as a Captain, he was Lt. Colonel Benjamin Vandervroot, a battalion commander with the 82nd Airborne Division. This ensemble movie is a classic and inspiring story of D-Day. It successfully conveys the fog of war. It also shows that the most carefully planned battle still must rely on rapid improvisation. The production values are outstanding and as I write this comment, I feel myself on the Orne River Bridge with the British Glider forces and hear the bagpipes in the distance which means Lord Lovat and the commandos are near by to relive the company of glider-troops who must "Hold the Bridge, until Relieved." Private Ryan was the war on the level of the patrol, The longest day included the Invasion of Normandy from the individual service man to the members of the High Command on both sides.

First a correction in the credits, Red Buttons was Private Dutch Schultz, who gets caught on the steeple in the French Town of St. Mere-Eglise. Second one comment refers to John Wayne as a Captain, he was Lt. Colonel Benjamin Vandervroot, a battalion commander with the 82nd Airborne Division. This ensemble movie is a classic and inspiring story of D-Day. It successfully conveys the fog of war. It also shows that the most carefully planned battle still must rely on rapid improvisation. The production values are outstanding and as I write this comment, I feel myself on the Orne River Bridge with the British Glider forces and hear the bagpipes in the distance which means Lord Lovat and the commandos are near by to relive the company of glider-troops who must "Hold the Bridge, until Relieved." Private Ryan was the war on the level of the patrol, The longest day included the Invasion of Normandy from the individual service man to the memebers of the High Command on both sides.

As an army officer with 36 years of service in both active and reserve components, I deplore the low ranking enlisted man's view of the war as gospel. As for fragging it was the junior officer who was killed by the enlisted man.

As for the action, time must be compressed so that a composite of actions is portrayed and that license is permitted. Viet Nam was not much of a war (compared to WW II) but it was the only one we had. We were insufficiently ruthless in the conduct of the war in Viet-Nam. Hanoi was never made to look like Hamburg, Dresden or Tokyo, that is bombing!!!!!

As Brigadier General Frank Savage, Gregory Peck gives a memorable performance as the newly assigned Commanding Officer of a "Hard Luck" Heavy Bombardment Group based in England in 1942. He replaces "Keith Davenport", played by Gary Merrill an officer universally admired by his command. General Savage is viewed by his command as a heartless Martinet. Dean Jagger won a supporting role Oscar for his performance states that he is only taller than Colonel Davenport. General Savage's introductory speech inspired me throughout my 35 year army career and the film is used as a text command.

Combat!--A hard hitting WWII adventure series that featured top flight writing and character development. Frequently "guest stars" appeared in single episodes, for example Tab Hunter appears as a major league baseball player who eventually proves himself as a combat infantryman. Another guest star was James Coburn as an English speaking German soldier, disguised as an American corporal, whose mission is to infiltrate the American lines. The two lead roles of Lieutenant Hanley and Sergeant Saunders portray realistic combat leaders of World War II. This series represents the zenith in the careers of Rick Jason and Vic Morrow.

A war movie that concentrates upon bonds formed between a Marine Lieutenant, a former High School chemistry teacher and the 7 men of his original Platoon. A tense drama that hinges on the Battalion that has only 24 hours to find the location of the Japanese rockets that will decimate all the marines who have to attack. Character development is excellent and the Lewis Milestone touch is evident in this stirring drama of the Pacific war.