War

  • Bohdan Poreba – Droga na zachód AKA Road to the West (1961)

    1961-1970Bohdan PorebaDramaPolandWar

    Quote:
    During the last days of WWII, an old railroad worker and his assistant guide a train liaded with explosives to the Western front. The journey is a perilous trek through rough terrain, occupied by ruthless German soldiers, desparate deserters, and dangerous gangs seeking easy money.Read More »

  • Arthur Lubin – Francis AKA Francis the Talking Mule (1950)

    1941-1950Arthur LubinComedyUSAWar

    The truthful soldier Stirling didn’t know how to lie about his source of information, the talking army Mule, Francis, so he was treated as a lunatic and led to one after another hilarious situations, where the mule was the only one that appeared in his right mind. In the process of all this, the mule assisted in uncovering a spy, Mareen, who pretended to be lost among the jungles, but was actually…Read More »

  • Blake Edwards – What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? (1966)

    1961-1970Blake EdwardsComedyUSAWar

    Synopsis:
    American officers Lt. Christian (James Coburn) and Capt. Cash (Dick Shawn) are among the soldiers ordered to take over a small town in Sicily during World War II. Remarkably, the townsfolk have no problem being occupied by the American troops — they just want to ensure that their annual festival goes on as planned. With wine flowing freely, Christian, Cash and their peers soon get in over their heads, leading to lots of confusion on the part of both Allied and Axis forces.Read More »

  • Sam Wood – Command Decision (1948)

    1941-1950PoliticsSam WoodUSAWar

    Synopsis:
    General Dennis of the US Force in England in World War II finds that he must order his planes deeper and deeper into Germany to prevent the production of military jet planes that will turn the tide of battle to the Germans. He must fight congressmen, and his own chain of command to win the political battle before he can send his planes out. His problem is complicated by a very narrow window of good weather necessary to allow his effort to be successful. Adapted from a stage play, it attempts to look at the challenges of command in the political arena.Read More »

  • Rudolph Maté – The 300 Spartans (1962)

    1961-1970EpicRudolph MatéUSAWar

    A colorful action film about the Battle Of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. in which the Spartans defend themselves for a Persian invasion against overwhelming odds. King Leodinas (Richard Egan) rallies the locals to stop the attack of thousands of plundering Persian invaders led by evil King Xerxes (David Farrar). Sir Ralph Richardson as Themistocles of Athens leads the international cast this the spectacular cinematic conflict that has more emphasis on action rather than historical accuracy.
    — Dan PavlidesRead More »

  • Jerzy Hoffman – Potop AKA The Deluge (1974)

    1971-1980EpicJerzy HoffmanPolandWar

    Nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar in 1974, this follow-up to WITH FIRE AND SWORD is set in the 17th century during the Swedish invasion and occupation of Poland, known as The Deluge, which left the country in ruins.
    Based on a novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz, Deluge follows the romance between a violent soldier and the young woman who tries to tame him.Read More »

  • Václav Marhoul – Tobruk (2008) (HD)

    2001-2010Czech RepublicDramaVáclav MarhoulWar

    Nominated for eight Crystal Lions (the Czech Republic’s equivalent of the Oscars), and a substantial domestic hit, war film “Tobruk” reps a solid work of craftsmanship in every department. Story of a bunch of grunts who get shipped out during WWII to the North African frontline in Tobruk, Libya, doesn’t score many points for originality, but the pic tells its tale well, without sentimentality, and features vigorous, intense action sequences. In a healthier economic climate, writer-helmer Vaclav Marhoul’s sophomore feature might have flown the Czech flag in cinemas offshore, but these days its best shot is in ancillary pickups.Read More »

  • Heddy Honigmann – Crazy (2000)

    1991-2000DocumentaryHeddy HonigmannNetherlandsWar

    Deeply moving account of dutch war veterans from recent conflicts (the Congo, Bosnia/Herzogovina etc.) who are struggling to come to terms with their post-war lives. The crutch many of them use is music, specifically a single song, which either kept them going while they were on active duty or is a rooting experience for them as they recall the horrors of their war experiences. Read More »

  • Chan-wook Park – Gongdong gyeongbi guyeok JSA AKA J.S.A.: Joint Security Area (2000)

    1991-2000Chan-wook ParkSouth KoreaThrillerWar

    Synopsis:
    In the DMZ separating North and South Korea, two North Korean soldiers have been killed, supposedly by one South Korean soldier. But the 11 bullets found in the bodies, together with the 5 remaining rounds in the assassin’s magazine, amount to 16 cartridges for a gun that should normally hold 15. The investigating Swiss/Swedish team from the neutral countries overseeing the DMZ suspects that another, unknown party was involved – all of which points to some sort of cover up. The truth is much simpler and much more tragic.Read More »

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