TV Heads Up.

Turner Classics is showing A Bridge Too Far tonight.

8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time


Yowser !
Jiggersfromsphilly

Band of Brothers is rerunning on HBO, as well. Beginning Monday evening at 9:00 p.m. over three nights in a row. Check your local listings and the HBO site schedule. BK

Thanks Tony. I haven't seen it since seeing it in the theatres back when. They never show it on TV I think becasue of it's length. I'll be interested to see what I think this time. I wasn't wowed by it the first time.

Thanks for the heads up!

Dale

We should probably have a separate thread for TV heads-ups.

SQUARE AWAY! And crack on all sail. HORNBLOWER'S BACK! Ioann Gruffudd and crew are back with two new episodes on A&E on Tuesday and Wednesday. I'll leave it to Foxhole Company to inform us whether the actor who played Jack Foley (and who was a major character in the previous Hornblowers -- what, Archie Kennedy?) makes a comeback.

Guffudd is a superb young actor who didn't let his ego get in the way of taking a miniscule part in "Black Hawk Down," and who, memorably, was Damian Lewis's romantic rival in "the Forsythe Saga."

He is a terrific Hornblower. While it's hard to follow Greg Peck in that role, he brings it off.

We already have that thread: (Media Alerts in BHQ)

http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/index.php?showtopic=626

I'd be very interested to read some new opinions/findings/discussion on ABTF in the proper topic in Appell8's movie corner...

Doug, you've probably haven't watched "Warriors" yet, the movie with Damian Lewis and Ioann Gruffud as British officers in Bosnia, 1992. Shame on you

Mark

Mark, Shame on all of us. I knew we had some sort of Media Alert thread, but I thought it had been usurped into Battalion HQ and morphed into WBG site bulletins or something. If I can move this over, I will.

Meantime, FYI, in the US, "Warriors" was released as "Peacekeepers". It's worth a view, hard to look at in some places, but no harder than some of the newsreels from that time. I don't know if it's available on video here, but we have a few friends who have a tape in the US format. Sue?

By the way, Dirigiboy posted about the upcoming Hornblower airings, but I inadvertently killed it while moving it. Ooops! However, I did invite Alan to repost, but maybe he didn't get my message.

BK

PS: It turns out the thread is just buried in the forum where it appears. This thread will fall away soon enough as well.

I saw that trailer very cool!

Actually BK I did get your email, but at that point my old computer was on it's last legs and it was getting increasingly harder to post anything--------it kept erasing my comments, which was very frustrating. I opted to say the heck with it. In the intrim I have gone out and bought a new computer so am back up to speed. Anyway, I figured someone would come along with the news, which I feel we all agree is good news.

I had no idea that Ioann Gruffud had a part in Black Hawk Down! I've watched it a couple of times and never noticed him, which is why this stuff is good to comment on. Someone is always coming up with interesting facts.

I will have to look for this tape, I've never seen it, but it sounds intriguing. What is the conscensus on acting and authenticity?

Alan,

This was my post in Non WWII War movies, regarding "Warriors", posted Nov. 2002:

....Tonight we watched a rental DVD movie which impressed us very much and also featured Damian Lewis. We would like to share it with you. The movie, "Warriors" (1999), a film by Peter Kosminsky, is a BBC production, likely to have been broadcasted on television in the UK before as a mini series.

The story is about a British battalion being sent out to Bosnia in 1992 under UN mandate for an observatory and humanitarian mission. Although the characters are fictional, the movie is based on actual statements and testimonies of British militaries that served in Bosnia. The movie is filmed in a documentary style, which makes you as watcher directly involved in its action and horrible events. As the battalion is operating under UN mandate, they have no permission to interfere in action, are not to choose side and are not allowed to rescue citizens who are threatened by their aggressors as this would encourage the “ethnic clearance”.
Confronted with all horror, killing, massacre and rape, you can see the frustration and desperation evolve in the group. Just wanting to help, but not being allowed, caused tremendous emotional stress by the soldiers involved, continued in their lives after their tour.

The civilian war in former Yugoslavia is one with great complexity, which this movie shows in a manner that is very confronting and just not to understand. Just picture yourself in your own neighbourhood where houses of your neighbours are marked with a blue cross (don’t bother) or not (burn down), merely on religion or ethnic grounds. As we have not learned our lesson of WWI and WWII…

Mark


Mark

Yep. I do have a converted to American format video of Warriors/Peacekeepers. I've sent it off to several forum members so far. Anyone else wants to borrow it just PM me and let me know.

Sue

That's the one with the subtitles, right, Sue? Just kidding, sort of. Some of the British accents are so rich, I had to rewind now and again.

Mark, your review is a very good one. The film delivers all the ugly violence of the combatants and stomach turning frustration of the "peacekeepers" unable to do anything substantive to save life. Very hard to watch. But that shouldn't stop anyone. BK

Mark, your rebuke is noted and accepted. I will try to seek out a copy. y.o.s., Doug

Okay, moving to Appell8's Movie Corner ... fasten your seat belts ...

OK, guys, I know I'm gonna tick a few off, but I watched it the other night, and remembered why I didn't like it 25 years ago!

The casting MAY have been the worst in the history of movies. First, I'm not big on having 30-50 huge stars in the same movie. It starts looking kinda silly. And Elliot Gould as that goofy Colonel, standing by the exploding bridge, 88's blowing up 20 feet away, water cascading down on him, chomping on his cigar saying "S**t!!" was about where I turned it. And Ryan O'Neal as a Lt. Gen. at about what, 28-30 years old and pretty as a picture? I kept waiting for Sean Connery to get into his Aston and blast 'em with some really cool hardware. I wanted to choke Edward Fox's character. Robert Redford was way out of his zone (watched the Horse Whisperer tonight, that's his zone), and Gene Hackman as the Polish Officer with that accent, I mean, did you guys like this movie, really?!!!

Imagine BoB with Brad Pitt as Lt. Winters, Ralph Fiennes as Nix, and Robin Williams as Wild Bill!!! They chose a bunch of relative unknowns with the only ones really known being David Schwimmer and Dale Dye. Same with "Ryan", except Tom Hanks, who can pull anything off.

OK, so there's my Roger Ebert review. I'd give it a C minus, only because of all the cool hardware and good action scenes. But they achieved zero character development (didn't have time-too many to cover!) and the ones they tried shouldn't have been there in the first place. I remember a reviewer at the time it came out renamed it "A Movie Too Long" and I'm with him. "My Butt's Too Sore" would have been another good one. No movie should be over 2 1/2 hours, period.

Tell me why you liked it, if you did!!!

Regards,
Dale

I think it is a great picture Historically speaking. It is very true to the events.



Major Julian Cook



Robert Redfords (played Major Cook) actions were a compilation of what several troopers did on the Highway Bridge including the actions of T. Moffatt Burriss.

One of the fiew characters who was not based on fact was Elliot Gould. Perhaps it would have been better if it were someone like Dick Winters. I am not sure how close he was when the Bridge Blew. I do recall that Wild Bill was very close when it went. He said, "The Jerries Blew it up in our faces".

My father remarked that the "Wall Crossing" was much tougher for the first wave then depicted and the second wave got more enemy artillery. He told me he thought that depiction was more like the second wave got.

It was a big operation and the producer had to cover an entire Airborne Armies operation. I think he did a great job. B+ a classic!

I love A Bridge Too Far, despite all of its manifold weaknesses and its bitter anti-war message (stated by Rundstedt at the start of the film and Sosabowski at the end).

Ryan O'Neal was fine as Gavin, as he was one year younger than Gavin at the time of the battle. Gavin was 37 and the youngest general in the US Army at the time. Screenwriter William Goldman said he got a lot of flak on that, especially as the much older Robert Ryan (with gray hair) played Gavin in The Longest Day. Nobody bought O'Neal as being Gavin. Goldman said he should have included a reference to Gavin's youth in the screenplay.

The original screenplay was five hours long and had all five of the VC incidents at Arnhem/Oosterbeek. Huge amounts were cut out, so that Goldman could keep to the movie's theme: cavalry riding to the rescue, but not getting there in time.

I would love to see the original script.

If you had to pick a glorious mission that portrays the tragedy of war this was a good battle. Fine troops wasted on the battlefield. Some of the incidents that were depicted were picked apart by the critics. One was the trooper who threatened to kill the Dr. unless he worked on his pal. It happened that way. I think the Polish troopers were shown as a little too tragic.

When it comes around again on the History Channel check out History Vs. "A Bridge Too Far".

Despite some bad casting/character depicting, like Elliot Gould indeed, I think the movie is outstanding. Outstanding for us WWII movie adepts, because of its depiction of Market Garden. Only weakness in my opinion is the emphasize on the British failing, which is quite overdone. For that, the movie does not show an accurate view for viewers who are not literate about the history. Same goes for the lenght of some scenes (like the ride of the trucks with the boats).

As to the actors/characters:

Edward Fox as Lt.Gen Brian Horrocks in the briefing scene "Just think of us as the Cavalry". Brilliant.

Dirk Bogarde as Lt. Gen. Frederick 'Boy' Browning, excellent performance.

As well as Anthony Hopkins as Lt. Col. John Frost.

Not to mention Maximillian Schell as Bittrich.

And finally, I thought Sean Connery did pretty well as Urquhart.

ABTF is still in my top 5 of favorite WWII movies.

Mark

As I've previously posted on ABTF, I agree with Jim and Mark. I put ABTF in a different category in my Master list (anyone still consult that?), but I gave it full marks.

DESPITE Elliott Gould, Ryan O'Neill, and the James Caan sequence. I agree that Gavin was young enough for O'Neill to have played him, and the resemblance is not far off, but Jim Gavin deserved an actor with greater skills to portray him. I know that the Caan sequence comes directly from the book, but it goes on far too long and, as the primary sequence related to the 101st, gravely shortchanges the 101st's contributions to the campaign.

I generally agree with Mark as to favorite performances, though I would rave more than he does about Anthony Hopkins, who was riveting. I agree with Mark about Edward Fox: I can watch his "cavalry riding to the rescue" scene over and over. And have. Dirk Bogarde was great in the role, though as David and I have discussed, the portrayal was not fair to the historical Boy Browning. Maximillian Schell was excellent, as he has been in most of his roles. And I would add Michael Caine as a dashing Joe Vandaleur. I'm a bit more equivocal about Sean Connery, but I can be persuaded that he brought off a good Urquhart.

I agree that the massacre of the Poles was overdone, though Gene Hackman performed some choice rants as Sosabowski. And, while I'm not a Redford fan, I thought he was OK as Cook/Burrris. (I trust "Cheers" fans will have noticed Cliff Claven as one of Redford's LT's.)

Also, a very fitting tribute to the Dutch Resistance. And to the Dutch civilians of Oosterbeck.

Finally, some great, great spectacles: the fight for the bridge at Arnhem, PIAT's and all. First rate. As was the assault over the Waal. Keepers, both.

I return to watch this one again and again. Full marks, Doug

It's my favourite WW2 film, definitely. It's just got such an epic feel and scale.

I especially loved the portrayals of John Frost and Brian Horrocks.

It's got my favourite music ever as well.

Reminder that there is a SPECIAL EDITION DVD coming out in April, I think. I've had a preview copy of this for ages from an undisclosed source. The special edition will be on two dvds - there's the film itself of course; various documentaries including an awesome one with veterans; and commentary for the film including some of the crew. GET IT WHEN IT COMES OUT!

WOAH!

It is NOTED. I can hardly wait!

For the record, I agree with Doug and Mark and you Max. It must be my favorite WW2 movie too.

Darn it - why couldn't they have made the film five hours long ????

I have to agree with you as well the music is very good.

Edward Fox as Lt.Gen Brian Horrocks in the briefing scene "Just think of us as the Cavalry". Brilliant.

I agree with you and Doug that was an excellent scene!

Max,

They can. Its called a director's cut. and they usually include the cut sequences.

OODA!
Jiggersfromsphilly

Unfortunately it doesn't come to 5 hours tho......

OK, to find points of agreement I liked some of Doug's points. Max Schell can't be bad in anything, like Judgement at Nuremberg. And Dirk Bogarde WAS really good. Michael Caine, too.

That's where I get gripped up. To me, a movie, any movie, has to be cast well, or I can't buy into it. I just thought there were so many HUGE goofs in casting it took away from the message of the movie, which you're right, Jim, was hard to capture anyway given the scope. I think the movie could easily have been a classic with a better casting director and a screenplay rewrite. And a film editor. But I'm talking "movie" points here. And it's one of the few to go indepth on Market Garden, so that's a plus. Still, to me a C minus as a movie, which is about where the reviews and response from the public fell in. This was not an award-winning movie or one that made money I'm sure. I wouldn't be surprised if they lost their shorts on this movie, given all the talent.

By the way, Cliffy Claven shows up in the most unexpected places. He plays a soldier who takes Margaret Bourke-White to see and take photos of Ghandi in prison, in "Ghandi". For a guy that's best known for being a know-it-all in a little bar, he's rubbed elbows with some of the greatest moments on film. Wild...

Well, I guess that puts me in the minority here but my review stands!!! Catch me this Thursday night on my TV show (Denver 9) where I review The Cat in the Hat. Bring your barf bags for this one...

Regards Movie Lovers,
Dale

Dale,

I saw The Cat in The Hat yesterday with my 7 and 5 year old daughters.

Yes the acting is over the top by adult standards and the plot is thin. But the little kids in the theater roared at every scene.

It appears that the studio must have done some serious focus group and demographics to keep it on target for the age group.

I guess Joel Segal, Leonard Maltin, Gene Schalett , et al will have to wait outside while their kids watch it.

OODA !
Jiggersfromsphilly

PS I took a nice 35 minute nap during it

I'm waiting for the directors cut of "Band of Brothers". Another 80 bucks to HBO

Tony,

Broader point well taken! My 4 and 6 year old loved it, we hated it. But I digress...

See ya,
Dale

Jiggers, You have 7 five year olds? Wow. Whatever you do don't take them to see "Bad Santa." He's bad. Says the F word a whole lot which may offened some people. I on the other hand wondered why they called him " Bad Santa."

The story was huge 35,000 men,300 miles 9 days and Six bridges. I don't know if the movie was a great money maker. I do know that some reviews were favorable "monumental and surprising" (Los Angeles Times), "Spectacular and stunning" (The Hollywood Reporter and "the definitive WW II movie" Saturday Review.

A DVD advertisement suggest the reason that so many stars were in this film was that "in a film such as this, with so much happening, the character has to knock you over in the first five or ten seconds. So you need bloody good actors with star quality to make for understanding."

As far as I know, the SE edition of the DVD has already been released. It's available in the Netherlands, so I can't imagine it would not be in the rest of Europe and in the US.

Mark

Great, they're doing a new special DVD, and I've already got the DVD.

I guess I have a birthday present for somebody!

The Special edition DVD of ABTF has only just been released in Britain in the last week, I got my copy today and just watched the documentary on the bonus disc. Very good, the special features are titled, A bridge too far: heroes from the sky, documentary. A distant battle:memories of OMG. Trivia tarack ,photo gallery and other bits.

Also I got the Battle of Britain on DVD today as well.

Andy