Archive for the ‘The War Room’ Category
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17
Sep
2011
The War Room: So Proudly We Hail! (1943)
Once again school has restarted and my available movie time and blogging time has disappeared so this will be my last entry in the series (until maybe next summer). Hope you enjoyed the posts!
The Plot
A group of military nurses originally depart for an easy tour in Hawaii, but are re-routed to the Phillipines after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Each of the three main women, Lt. Janet “Davy” Davidson (Claudette Colbert), Lt. Joan O’Doul (Paulette Goddard), and Lt. Olivia D’Arcy (Veronica Lake) has a relationship either past or present with a soldier. Lt. Davy meets Lt. John Summers (George Reeves) while en-route to Hawaii and the two begin a relationship that is tested when they are soon separated after landing on the island of Baatan. Davy’s unit is faced with daily bombardments by the Japanese, diminishing supplies, and a never ending line of sick and wounded men to help.
What I like about the film
So Proudly We Hail! is a great example of a war film that is both entertaining, but also has a purpose. The film does an excellent job of conveying the emotions and struggles of WWII participants who were not soldiers in name. I was quite surprised when I first watched the film at how honest the film was about the brutality the military nurses faced during the war – Veronica Lake’s story in particular (no spoilers here!). The scenes when the military is evacuating Baatan and when they are trapped at the Malinta Tunnel are especially compelling and intense.
The real focus of the movie though is the hardships the women face with their respective soldier love interests though, so if you typically avoid war films because you hate explosions I think you can still enjoy this film. And don’t worry, it’s not Saving Private Ryan levels of explosions. In addition, Paulette Goddard, in an Academy Award nominated performance as Lt. O’Doul, acts as the morale booster for the unit and brings some humor and lightness to an otherwise serious film.
On a side note, I found this video a while back that featured Veronica Lake promoting a new, factory safe hairstyle – just another way Hollywood stars supported the war effort on the home front during WWII.
2
Aug
2011
The War Room: The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
I’m sure most of you classic film fans have already seen The Best Years of Our Lives, but for those of you new to classic film this is a must see! This film isn’t set on the battlefield, but instead tells the story of the soldiers after the war is over.
The Plot
Three World War II veterans return home at the end of the war in hopes of restarting their lives where they left off. Sergeant Al Stephenson (Frederick March) comes home to his wife (Myrna Loy) and two children only to find that he feels like a stranger around his own family. Captain Fred Derry (Dana Andrews) returns to his wife (Virginia Mayo) that he married just before shipping out and barely knows. Fred is a decorated Air Forces Captain and bombardier, but is unskilled as a civilian and has difficulties finding and holding a job. Homer Parish (played by nonprofessional actor Harold Russell) lost both hands while in the Navy and struggles with the guilt of burdening his fiance with his disability.
What I like about the film
The Best Years of Our Lives is extremely moving and emotional. It’s message about the hardships war veterans face after returning home is just as relevant today as it was 65 years ago. Harold Russell is one of the highlights of the film and puts in an amazing and genuine performance as Homer despite not being a professional actor. Russell lost both hands while serving as an Army instructor and was discovered by director William Wyler who saw him in a film about rehabilitating war veterans. Russell deservingly won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and also an honorary Academy Award for his performance and service.
There is one particular scene that has stuck with me in particular. Dana Andrew’s character Fred visits an airfield that has been turned into an aircraft boneyard for hundreds of aircraft. The imagery of the planes waiting to be scrapped and turned into manufactured homes mirrors the fate of the returning servicemen who must reform their own lives. The scene is haunting and sobering, but ends on an uplifting note.
6
Jun
2011
The War Room: The Man Who Never Was (1956)
The Plot
Set during WWII, The Man Who Never Was follows an operation by the British Navy devised to deceive Germany into thinking the Allies plan to invade Greece while their true objective is Sicily. In order to do this, the Navy plants a body in the ocean off Spain with a fake British Naval Officer identification and fake letters indicating the Allies would be invading Greece. German Intelligence Service then sends an Irish spy to confirm the invasion plans. The Navy then attempts to stay one step ahead of the spy in order to prevent Germany of learning about their true intentions. Clifton Webb stars as Lt. Cmdr. Ewen Montagu, the officer who originally conceives the plan and oversees that no detail is forgotten.
What I like about the film
The film is based on a real WWII operation, “Operation Mincemeat,” and shows the tactical side of war behind the lines as opposed to on the ground fighting. The film focuses on the preparation, planing, and problem solving that goes into forming the operation. I found the film to be dramatic, suspenseful, and emotional. How will the Navy find a convincing body that appears to have drown? How will they assure that the body will be make its way into German hands? How will they determine if the documents were actually intercepted by Germany? These are a few of the obstacles the Navy tackles to ensure a successful mission that I found compelling. The film is mostly historically accurate in regards to the operation, but does contain some fabrications like the Irish spy.
The Man Who Never Was contains no footage of fighting so its a great film if you’re at all interested in historic events or fascinating real life stories. The actors are all excellent and there’s even a cameo from the actual Lt. Cmdr. Montagu as an Air Marshall who expresses doubts if the operation can be pulled off.
9
May
2011
The War Room: Stalag 17 (1953)
I first came across Stalag 17 sometime early in high school when AMC was running it for what seemed like twice a day for a couple weeks straight (I mean seriously, they get a hold of a film and play it to death, right?) My dad was watching it on TV and I came by and thought, “Oh look, a black and white war film. Booorrring.” Except that soon I found myself asking questions and getting interested in the plot. A couple years later, I added the film to my personal collection and was finally able to watch the whole thing through.
The Plot
The film takes place in the German prisoner-of-war camp, Stalag 17, during World War II. At the beginning of the film, two men from Barracks 4 have planned an escape but are caught by guards who, as the prisoners conclude, seem to have been informed of the plan. The likely suspect is William Holden’s character, Sefton. Sefton is cynical, selfish, and willing to make a profit any way he can so he seems like a natural traitor. The stakes are raised when the men decide to try and help a new prisoner, Lieutenant Dunbar, who the Nazis have decided to send to Berlin for questioning, escape. Who is giving the inside information to the guards and will he be caught in time for Dunbar to make his escape? You’ll have to watch the film to find that out.
What I like about the film
Like most Billy Wilder films, the writing is snappy and at times comical. An example is when Animal, one of the men in Barracks 4 who has an obsession with Betty Grable, finds out a new prisoner does impressions:
Animal: Hey… do Grable.
Bagradian: Now see here, Scarlett… I’m crazy about you and always have been. I gave you kisses for breakfast, kisses for lunch, and kisses for supper… and now I find that you’re eating out.
Animal: Not Gable – GRABLE.
Even with the bits of comedy the film is still quite suspenseful. Wilder’s work behind the camera draws the viewer in and makes them feel like they too are in the barrack and have a stake in finding the informer. The film was shot in sequence and supposedly none of the actors knew which character was the mole. William Holden is especially excellent as Sefton and won an Academy Award for the part. Check out director Otto Preminger in a rare appearance in front of the cameras as the German commander of Stalag 17.
Join us for our next installment of The War Room which will be on the British film, The Man Who Never Was (1956).
26
Apr
2011
The War Room: Give War A Chance
A piece of advice: if you recommend a film to me, DO NOT describe it as a “war” movie. If you do, there is a 99.9% chance I will not watch it. If we watch movies to escape, then the last place I want to escape to is a battlefield.
But I’ll admit there are probably some great films I’m missing out on because of their “war” label. When Alix mentioned Stalag 17 to me as a modern-day counterpart to The Departed, I immediately said “Isn’t that a war movie?’, the disgust in my voice not too well hid. When she gave a quick run-down of the plot it actually seemed, well, interesting. Fancy that.
Watch along with us this summer as we look at notable classic war films with the peace-lover in mind.
25
Apr
2011
New Series: The War Room
Summer is almost here which means school will be out and I will actually get a chance to do something other than study. Like watch movies! And blog! And we’re kicking off the summer with a new series!
Sometimes when I mention a film to Lindsay her reply is, “Isn’t that a war film?” and I instantly notice her disinterest. While I completely understand not wanting to watch a whole film filled with guns, and tanks, and explosions, there are lots of “war” films that are way more interesting than they may initially seem! Therefore, I’m beginning a new series about classic war films that I think shouldn’t be avoided because you think it may be boring or brutal or just not your kind of film.
Not every war film is Apocalypse Now
The first film I will be talking about is Stalag 17 (1952) which was written and directed by Billy Wilder (who also directed Sunset Boulevard, Some Like It Hot, and Double Indemnity). Stalag 17 is a great example of a “war film” that doesn’t really even deserve to be called a war film. Its more of a mystery/whodunit with a twist of comedy and a touch of history on the side. So hopefully you’ll give some of those war films you’ve been putting off seeing another chance. I promise, there are some good ones out there!
