Favourite War films

[Mini Me]

Here's another little know Gem from the 1950's. Starring Richard Basehart, (star of TV series, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea), Decision Before Dawn. I saw this one time only in the late sixties........never to be seen again. What was most memorable about it was the fact that there were a lot of shots of actual German equipment rolling down roads etc. might have been old newsreel footage but am unsure. Has anyone else seen this movie? Rick H.

[Nicko]

There are loads of films in this thread that I have seen and enjoyed, but a few that haven't been mentioned and that I have liked:

The Train with Burt Lancaster as a French resistance fighter.

The Silver Fleet. Ralph Richardson as a Dutch submarine builder.

Kajaki. Not an easy watch, but worth the effort to see what our guys had to deal with in Afghanistan.

And a slightly left field choice...... Atonement.


Nick

[Airborne01]

Yes, but apparently the nickname pre dates the trousers. It was picked up in the Peninsula....no I didn’t remember it, I looked it up LOL.....

Something to do with picking cherries from an orchard, prior to an engagement, that stained their overalls so members of the Regt told me. Typical cavalry - always late for the party!

[Airborne01]

hi Guys

My list would include:

the 1970's film Waterloo
Cassablanca, (although it's not really a war film)
The cruel sea
The wooden horse (the Carry On actor Peter Butterworth was one of the POW's who vauted day in, day out to cover the digging. He auditioned for the film but was not 'heric' or athletic enough for the film!
Bridge too far
The great escape, even though it is probably one of the least accurate films made.

the list could go on and on, but for sheer fun I will end with the David Niven film "Appointment with Venus": David Niven, an army officer is tasked with saving a pedigree cow form the Germans when the Channel Islands were occupied. It was filmed mostly in Sark.
Peter

Venus, WHAT? And you watched that --- the mind boggles!

[Airborne01]

[/QUOTE]

There are loads of films in this thread that I have seen and enjoyed, but a few that haven't been mentioned and that I have liked:

The Train with Burt Lancaster as a French resistance fighter.

The Silver Fleet. Ralph Richardson as a Dutch submarine builder.

Kajaki. Not an easy watch, but worth the effort to see what our guys had to deal with in Afghanistan.

And a slightly left field choice...... Atonement.


Nick

Kajaki - excellent! Politicians should watch it before they decide to scrimp on War Pensions. (Apologies to Admin - mea culpa)

[Steve-the-Duck]

Silver Fleet, oh yeah
Another couple set in the Netherlands not previously noted

Operation Amsterdam
One of Our Aircraft is Missing - how could I not mention that before!

[Peter Gillson]

Venus, WHAT? And you watched that --- the mind boggles!

Yep. A long time ago, but I recall it being a gentle, comedy, very British humour.

peter

[Airborne01]

Yep. A long time ago, but I recall it being a gentle, comedy, very British humour.

peter

I may have to check that film out purely on the basis of your last comment Peter!

[spanner570]

Another less known, but cracking film, 'Days of Glory'. (2006) Both this and 'Saints and Soldiers' I mentioned earlier are both low budget gems, with relatively unknown actors.

[Peter Gillson]

I may have to check that film out purely on the basis of your last comment Peter!

A sheer coincidence, but it is being shown tomorrow (28/5) at 3.00pm on Talingpics TV (306 on freesat). I've set it to record - hope it is as nice as I remember.

[Airborne01]

A sheer coincidence, but it is being shown tomorrow (28/5) at 3.00pm on Talingpics TV (306 on freesat). I've set it to record - hope it is as nice as I remember.

Thanks for that Peter! I hope I can source it - and your recommendation is valid

[Guest]

A film part of the war but an unusual part to be portrayed.
A story of sadness then friendliness then love & nostalgia.

Superbly written filmed & edited. My favorite of all time.
John Thor plays a remarkable part.

Goodnight Mister Tom. with John Thor as Mister Tom.

A group of evacuated children from London descend on a
small village. Mister Tom a cantankerous widowed fellow is
persuaded to look after Willie.

They do not get on but by & by they grow on each other . A very lovely tale.

Laurie

[Steve-the-Duck]

The Foreman Went to France - another not in my collection - Tommy Trinder and Gordon Jackson double act - and a very good sequence on how a British squaddie (Trinder) spots a fake Officer

[Mini Me]

Mel Gibson's We Were Soldiers I don't think, has been mentioned........If so, apologies. Rick H.

[Strenko J]

A Bridge too far was my first war movie and one of my faves
also the Big Red one or anything with Lee Marvin in the military movie are also favs