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Since Clint Eastwoods new movie, Flags Of Our Fathers ,comes out tomorrow, MSNBC has done a article about the top World War II films that have been done. I'm not sure how I feel about the list though. What do you think?
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Tastes and sensibilities over the years have certainly changes, so some of the more romanticized films on the list that were made years ago might seem tame in comparison to some modern entries that involve a grittier realism. But what they all have in common is the ability to capture the impact of World War II on mankind:
John Sturges directed this testosterone-filled, fact-based adventure yarn about the mother of all escape attempts from a German POW camp. The iconic image is that of Steve McQueen high-tailing it away from his Nazi pursuers, but summing it up by that alone is selling it way short. The strength of this picture is in the battalion of supporting actors playing expertly crafted roles, among them Charles Bronson, Sir Richard Attenborough, James Garner, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn and David McCallum. There are equal amounts of revealing character moments and white-knuckle thrills, thanks to the crackling screenplay by James Clavell and W.R. Burnett. The film was passed over by the Academy, garnering just one nomination for film editing. But it has gone on to occupy a hallowed place in the annals of war films as well as inspiring new generations of motorcycle enthusiasts.
Honorable mentions:
Tastes and sensibilities over the years have certainly changes, so some of the more romanticized films on the list that were made years ago might seem tame in comparison to some modern entries that involve a grittier realism. But what they all have in common is the ability to capture the impact of World War II on mankind:
Warner Bros.
Universal Studios Home Video / AP
John Sturges directed this testosterone-filled, fact-based adventure yarn about the mother of all escape attempts from a German POW camp. The iconic image is that of Steve McQueen high-tailing it away from his Nazi pursuers, but summing it up by that alone is selling it way short. The strength of this picture is in the battalion of supporting actors playing expertly crafted roles, among them Charles Bronson, Sir Richard Attenborough, James Garner, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn and David McCallum. There are equal amounts of revealing character moments and white-knuckle thrills, thanks to the crackling screenplay by James Clavell and W.R. Burnett. The film was passed over by the Academy, garnering just one nomination for film editing. But it has gone on to occupy a hallowed place in the annals of war films as well as inspiring new generations of motorcycle enthusiasts.
Honorable mentions:
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