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IMHO even the worst war movies have had their moments. Enough to justify the movie ticket at any rate. The worst films, I would have to say were...

Pearl Harbor (although the digi-Battleship Row was amazing).
Patton (I just did not like that movie. Say what you will, but to me it seemed very superficial, despite the fact that George C. Scott is a wonderful actor).

and last and most odious was Thin Red Line. My apologies to the fans of the movie but if someone hadn't told me before hand that it was a big-budget war flick I would have confused it with a student film shot on a budget of $15 over a 3-day weekend.

Enemy at the Gates wasnt that bad. I admit that I went int there with such low expectations that they had nowhere else to go but up. On the whole, I think they did a better job of capturing the mentality and spirit of the time than I ever expected from a Hollywood war movie.

On the whole, however, I think that my ability to speak Russian has spoiled me. Being able to speak another language opens up a whole new vista of cinematography, as I'm sure our German friends would agree. I think that Russian war movies are hundreds of times better, more accurate and thrilling on a smaller budget.

ORIGINAL: Feinder

Anybody ever seen "Wake Island" (1942).

Yes, it's an old propoganda film. It's horrible, but you have to consider the time.

I think you guys take some these films way too seriously. Are you looking for a TRUE historical account of the battle? or something you can enjoy.

Yeah, this was horrid, everyone dies at their post.

I think that all movies which used big-budget actors are horrible war movies. In the end it turns problematic as the actor themselves cannot portray anything but (at least by the end) an absolute hero (take Saving Private Ryan for example). War movies built around actors are pathetic (Battle of the Bluge, Pearl Harbour, Patriot, U-571, etc.) while those that have the story more important than the actors tend to be better (The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far, Bridge over the River Kwai, All Quiet on the Western Front, etc.) may have big actors, but no single one dominates (i.e., it isn't THEIR story).

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

and last and most odious was Thin Red Line. My apologies to the fans of the movie but if someone hadn't told me before hand that it was a big-budget war flick I would have confused it with a student film shot on a budget of $15 over a 3-day weekend.

Hardly agree with that. I think its probably one of the best war films I have seen, at least it had some semblance of trying to analyse what war is about/the futility of war. It depends what you look for in films though I guess.

by far the Thin Red Line!!!![&:][&:][&:]

ORIGINAL: kev_uk

Hardly agree with that. I think its probably one of the best war films I have seen, at least it had some semblance of trying to analyse what war is about/the futility of war. It depends what you look for in films though I guess

That's not it at all. It was a miserably failed, clumsy attempt to make a thoughtful anti-war "war" movie.

The problem with TRL isn't that it wasn't a rip-roaring patriotic explosion-fest, it was that it was cliched and ham-handed.

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo
Enemy at the Gates wasnt that bad. I admit that I went int there with such low expectations that they had nowhere else to go but up. On the whole, I think they did a better job of capturing the mentality and spirit of the time than I ever expected from a Hollywood war movie.

Enemy at the Gates had the best sets I've ever seen in a war movie. Really made me believe it was Stalingrad.

Ending, as others have noted, was horrible.

If you're at all interested in the subject matter, read the novel "War of the Rats." Has the same characters as Enemy at the Gates (since both were based on real characters) but has nothing to do with the movie, and pre-dated the movie. The ending sniper duel in War of the Rats is one of the best things I've ever read.

ORIGINAL: freeboy

sounds like you don't like ch?

Chucky Heston was not quite vile, what was vile about Midway was after paying UpChuck, they did not even have enought money to do those "model ships in the bathtub blowing up" sequences to show the action, ala In Harm's Way.

Hell, as mere teenager (with good intentions mind you [:D]), I filled my USS Missouri full of gunpowder with a fuse and floated her down the creek . . . KABOOOOMM! Thus providing better special effects than Midway!

ORIGINAL: JohnK
If you're at all interested in the subject matter, read the novel "War of the Rats." Has the same characters as Enemy at the Gates (since both were based on real characters) but has nothing to do with the movie, and pre-dated the movie. The ending sniper duel in War of the Rats is one of the best things I've ever read.

Yes, I read that before I saw the movie. In fact, I make it a point to read books that movies are based on before I see the film. It was a good read although the book vs movie thing suffers from the same ailment as "Devils and Angels"/Gettysburg, namely, its historical fiction. Having said that, I enjoyed both EatG and Gettysburg very much.

As long as I'm on the subject, the one book I had not read before seeing the movie was "Starship Troopers", that I read after watching the film. And as long as we're talking about "war" movies, ST has to be one of the best blockbuster shoot-em-ups ever. Not quite sure if you guys will accept it into the war-movie discussion here, but still worth a mention.

Worst Movie:

Breakthrough! the horrid sequel (with Richard Burton as Sgt. Steiner) to the superb Cross of Iron.

. . . I enjoy almost any war movie with any redeeming value -- even Battle of the Bulge, because of the great Panzer recruits singing scene -- and even (or especially) well-done movies with an anti-war message . . . Deer Hunter, All Quiet on the Western Front.

That said, I am among those who really, really, disliked Thin Red Line. It was a great National Geographic Nature Documentary. It was a horribly long and turgid war movie. I remember the 'false ending', then finding out there was another 20 minutes of voiced-over "O, My soul . . ." thought-dialogue, and hoping that the landing craft carrying our heroes away from the 'Canal would hit a mine and put everyone out of our misery.

I have to say Pear Harbor is the worst, they had how much money and talent available, and this is the best they could produce?