Dunkirk

[BarryW]

Just back from seeing this film

I did like how it was c0ncentrating on the experiences of men involved at the front line rather than those at a senior level directing the operations and the political leadership. I found it very effective not sticking to a single 'timeline' like a more standard approach.

It was apparent that they used two mk1 Spits and a MkV to make up the 'vic' but at least they removed the cannons from the V, though I did spot the cannon bulges in one shot. But in most sequences and close ups they focussed on the two Mk1s.

Even the use of Buchons did not really jar with me. In most shots it was not clear that they were Buchons at all thanks to clever cinematography.

Yes the beaches were not packed enough. Perhaps there should have been more chaos, more abandoned equipment, maybe the streets of Dunkirk were too clean, there were not enough little ships, there were too few destroyers and it was not clear about the importance of the mole. Maybe the Spit glided too far and too long and there were no landing gear tracks in the sand. So what.

It was a gripping film from the perspective of a few people and just how aware were these people of the numbers of ships anyway......

If you have not seen it then go to see it and just ignore the niggles and enjoy the film for what it is. You won't be disappointed.

[stona]

Sound advice Barry.

It is a film made for our entertainment. I appreciate the effort evidently made to remain as faithful as is reasonably possible to true events, but it is not supposed to be a documentary

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

I wasn't too impressed with it to be honest. Think I just built it up in my head too much before going to see it and was expecting too much. Decent film but not the best. 7/10

Just finished watching the star (a Russian film) really good worth a watch if you don't mind subtitles. I tend to like most Russian made ww2 films they just seem to get it right.

[tr1ckey66]

I really enjoyed it. It is relentless though and you feel quite drained afterward but I really thought it was a good film. As for the MkV Spit I really can live with that. To be honest I thought the aerial sequences were excellent. Far rather real aircraft than CGI - like the really awful 'Red Tails'. I know there will be people on the forum that feel completely the opposite but thats ok, tastes differ.

BTW I saw 'Dunkirk' at BFI Imax - now that was intense!!!

Cheers
P

[Guest]

I read somewhere a while ago they are remaking Battle of Britain! Hope it isn't true doesn't need doing! I watched it the other day and it's still great now

[tr1ckey66]

Yes, there's also the new 'Dambusters' movie to be directed by Peter 'Lord of the Rings' Jackson (also of Wingnut Wings!)

Paul

[tr1ckey66]

Although, a Ridley Scott 'Battle of Britain' sounds pretty good to me.
Cheers
P

[stona]

Although, a Ridley Scott 'Battle of Britain' sounds pretty good to me.
Cheers
P

As long as it's not another rehash of Wood and Dempster's 'The Narrow Margin'. Things have moved on a long way since that was written and a film with a better appreciation of the conflict, which really serves as the back story, could be made. That doesn't automatically mean a better film, it's a great film, the BoB, but again, not a documentary. I watched it a couple of months ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. You have to enjoy these films for what they are, some of the aerial sequences are absolutely stunning and I'm sure I've mentioned Susannah York in her undies before! There's no point in watching them if you are just going to nit pick every historical inaccuracy, where's the fun in that? Where would that leave The Dirty Dozen or Where Eagles Dare?
A bad film is just a bad film....Pear Harbor or U-571 anyone?
Cheers
Steve

[Guest]

I even love fury which most people I speak to didn't Enjoy it for what it is. Even though battle hardened ss troops struggle to take out a static Sherman from point blank range with panzerfausts who cares

[BarryW]

I have to say I actually enjoyed Red Tails. OK, its not history, there was some dodgy CGI, but if you just treat it for what it was then you can enjoy it.

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Dunkirk was entertaining at best, if you ignore the modern day shop fronts along with how close the French defensive lines were to the beach, the amount of time the Spitfire glided for let alone managing to shoot down a Stuka in full dive whilst it was gliding! On top of that the bullets through a metal hull of the boat, how far out said boat then got whilst flooding. The RC Stuka crashing into the harbour, the "broom handle" holding the Spitfires prop in place as it burnt away with not a sign of a merlin engine, the mentioned Spitfire on fire clearly made of anything other than metal.
Apart from that it was entertaining, certainly not draining, watch the series Pacific for draining!!

I should add that I think Chris Nolan is the most over paid rubbish director in Hollywood,,,,, ok let the flaming commence

Adrian

[tr1ckey66]

Like I said, tastes differ. I think all of them entertain, some of them more than others and we all have our favourites.
I love the original BoB film but I'm certainly not against a remake in principle. Besides if it's crap you can always watch the original. There's been at least 3 remakes of 'The 39 steps', yet the most popular is probably the Hitchcock version (not the original).

For me, what put me off 'RedTails' wasn't so much the CGI but the caricature portrayal of the German pilot (complete with duelling scar!) I bought the blu-ray and I wanted it to be good but was disappointed. I guess I prefer my war films with a bit more realism.

BTW, a 20mm bullet would go straight through that hull

Cheers
P

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

BTW, a 20mm bullet would go straight through that hull

Cheers
P

Pity they were firing small arm rifles then at 7.92mm :P

[tr1ckey66]

Pity they were firing small arm rifles then at 7.92mm

Yeah, you're probably right with the rifle round but the shooter does remain a mystery. It could be an AA battery on the cliffs but I think the penetrating round would have taken the victims head off.
That said...

Here's a quote from a Kar 98 owner...

It's very hard to say what the exact effect on target is.
I have a Kar98. It fires a 7.92x57mm round. We shoot at steel plates at 200, 400, 600 and 800m increments.
The plates are about 10mm thick. The bullet can sometimes punch through at 200m but definitely not beyond that range.
The holes on the 10mm steel plate is about pencil size. Definitely no dilation past the bullet's own diameter.

Interesting

Cheers
P

[BlackMamba]

About a month ago, I visited the Dover Castle. While there, I took a guided tour through the actual operations room from where the entire Dunkirk operation was planned and executed. Still haven't seen the movie, though.