"The Pacific"

[iceman]

Is anyone else as excited as me about watching "The Pacific" series that starts next week? (8:30pm Wednesday, Ch 7).

I absolutely LOVED "Band of Brothers" (have watched the whole series at least 3 times), and early indications are that The Pacific is just as good if not better.

Really really excited! I know I'll be buying the box set as soon as it's available!

[Craig.a.c]

Looks like it will be a great series.

Anything from Hanks and Spielberg is going to be awesome though.

[lacad01]

Yep, definitely looking forward tot it.

[astronut]

Ditto!!

[norm]

Saving Private Ryan was on again and that was a brilliant movie, so looking forward to The Pacific.:)

Norm

[AdrianF]

Tried to watch Saving Private Ryan twice and fell asleep twice.
Maybe 3rd time lucky

Adrian

[kinetic]

We've lost count how many times we have watched B.O.B. Mike.
It's one of those rare, well made productions where it's not
typical over the top formula war action. For us it's emotional stuff
and the inclusion of the real war veterans obviously gets you in.
Even Dick Winters talking about what his grandson asked him at the end
still brings a tear. Every time. It's so raw and honest.
I sincerely hope that the Pacific doesn't let all that down.
I hope it's doesn't degrade back to formula stuff to just cash in on
B.O.B's success as a fine production.
B.O.B. doesn't glorify war. It just showed what the poor buggers went through.

Steve

[h0ughy]

I have seen the first 4 episodes - it is indeed a great series. the first two are great for the introduction and immersion into the series, the third seems to move slow but that is the intent, however it picks up in the 4th. I am so looking forward to the rest of the series. Though i will say its not one for the kiddies to see - very strong themes.

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

Yes, agreed. The Yanks are nowadays criticised often for being warlike, but their campaign in the Pacific was a very different matter for them, and us too.

Many of their island battles produced casualty figures more akin to WW1, for instance, more than 12000 Americans were killed at Okinawa, with 1000's more dying later of their wounds.

Then what of the Japanese? 110000 dead in the same battle, and no-one knows accurately how many civilians died there.

So I'll be interested to see how the series treats this. It is known that the American population by mid 1945 was becoming so restive about the lengthening casualty lists (and they lost over 135000 killed in Europe too) that it was a major factor in President Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan. It is estimated that if mainland Japan had been invaded, there would have been about 400000 Allied casualties.

I'd like to see more Australian movies along these lines too (remembrance I mean). Kokoda was fairly good at that I thought, and gave a picture of the conditions there, but Australians also endured many awful battles later.

I can't say Cheers about this

[kinetic]

There are parts of Terrence Malick's 'The Thin Red Line' that have the same
underlying atmosphere and emotion.
When James Caviezel's character is narrating scenes of imagery like
beautiful rainforests and streams and closeups of insects and you
know the tension is building to a terrible conflict ahead.
Pure beauty mixed in with him saying:

This great evil. Where does it come from? How'd it steal into the world?
What seed, what root did it grow from? . Powerful and emotional stuff.
That's rare in war stories. Most of the rest of the
film is formula stuff though in my opinion.

Steve

[wavelandscott]

I've watched some of "The Pacific" and think it is pretty good but I enjoyed Band of Brothers better...

[Baddad]

Hi Mike, Hi Norm, :)
Its the first I have heard of "The Pacific". Not much of a movie fan.
I did like B.O.Bros. and Saving Private Ryan. Not only did the series and movie have good story lines but also realism.:eyepop:

Old soldiers will tell you that both movies have that 'OMG' its just as it was.
Then the goose bumps start.:eyepop:
From your recommendation alone I'll be looking for 'The Pacific', Mike. Thanks. :)

Additionally we are nearing Anzac Day. A time to recognise what the people represented in these movies went through so we can look freely through our scopes. It could have been different.

Cheers Marty

[multiweb]

Yeah the trailers look great. Really looking forward to the series too. Band of Brothers is one of my fav too. I have the whole boxset and watched it many times. I really enjoyed the commentaries with the real characters from the movie talking about their experience during the war. It was interesting to refer to the movie and you could really feel what they went through especially when they're talking about their fallen mates and they're short of words with overwhelming emotion. Pretty deep stuff.

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Looks like it might be OK. A little too much melodramatic "mush" in the trailers, but hopefully that'll be minimal.
BoB was superb.
Fingers crossed.

[Tandum]

I don't think it's in the same league as Band of Brothers. Seems like just another war flick to me.
But hey, I thought the hurt locker was rubbish :question:

[Analog6]

We are looking forward to it too. BOB is a much watched series here. The acting and direction are superb and it is so real, not the over-glamourised hype. Saving Private Ryan is a big hit here too.

A movie you'll enjoy if you liked these two is The Lost Battalion (2001 made for TV movie with Ricky Shroder).

Synopsis from IMBD: As the First World War draws to a close, American troops penetrate deep into German held French territory, under pressure from French and British allies to advance quickly and smash the last of the German Army in France. "The Lost Battalion" is the true story of a group of 800 American soldiers, attached to the 77th American Division, who were ordered to advance into the Argonne Forest, against heavy German resistance, and hold their position at whatever the cost.

Interestingly, this is a remake of a silent movie made in 1919 with most of the characters played by themselves.

From IMDB: As much as possible, the enactment of the events were made with the original people who survived. Actual maps and documents were used in the film, which was authorized by the U.S. Government. Some footage by the U.S. Signal Corps was also used in the film.

I'd love to get hold of a copy of that one, but no one even seems to know where it is kept.

[MuntiNZ]

Mate I wanna see them do a roman army flick!!!!
Is any one getting sick of WW2 stuff to now?
But I reckon a roman war movie would be totally epic so long as it doesnt have Russell Crowe in it!!! :lol:

[rat156]

I, like many here, have managed to see the first four episodes. I'd have to agree with the general feeling, that it's not quite as good as BoB. I also have the box set of BoB and my family complains whenever I watch them as I put the sound up too loud apparently.

There are some challenging concepts in The Pacific, the fourth episode in particular has highlighted some of these, I can't say too much more without spoilers.

Unfortunately there are historical inaccuracies which have pervaded through this series from BoB which make the action scenes a bit "Hollywood".

Overall, must see TV, I am an unabashed fan of HBO productions, this one is still very good.

Cheers
Stuart

[MikeyB]

The 2001 remake of "The Lost Batallion" (directed by Australia's own Russell Mulcahy, of "Razorback" and "Highlander" fame!), is available on YouTube in nine 10 minute segments, starting here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLhasKqP3Yw).

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

We just went to see Hurt Locker, and I thought it was really patchy. The parts which should have had a big message were just skated quickly, such as when the bomb tech returned home and found he had disconnected from the world.

Cheers

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

Write in to Doug Anderson at the Sydney Morning Herald. He has a column on that sort of thing.

Cheers

[Hans Tucker]

I am stuck in an endless loop switching between The Pacific on seven and new episodes of Big Bang Theory on nine. Before anyone suggests it no I don't have a recording device...hence I am stuck in this loop.

Sheldon & Leonard in the Ball pit...damn funny :rofl::rofl:

[Hans Tucker]

Simply brilliant first episode of The Pacific...even with my 1/2 hr channel hoping.

[AdrianF]

I fell asleep during the 2nd part. Damn Apnea/Hypopnea.

Adrian

[goober]

Anything from HBO is worth a look. I watched the first hour of The Pacific last night ... well, that and the advert popups and tatts results. You think they could desist a little from that sort of stuff, after all this is "The Fight For Australia" (tongue in cheek).

Band of Brothers was all about a company and the men ... 3 platoons of paratroopers. I suspect The Pacific will feel quite a bit different ... it's a theatre of war that covers nearly half the globe.

[Nesti]

After watching the Advertising Trailer on the TV I was totally turned off. Luckily I had just watched the US Airways thingy, and it started playing just after. Once I saw the into credits to The Pacific I realised it was made to follow-up Band of Brothers, so knew it would be good.

It was a good two episodes. I enjoyed them.

I wish someone would do the same thing for the Battle of Long Tan (D. Company 6 RAR versus D445 NVA), that was an amazing event. A small group of us had the privilege of taking them (the Vets) down to the range for a shoot of the new Steyr Aug's the Army bought back in 89; such great people to spend some time with.

From time-to-time during 'The Pacific', it story breaks and the actual Vets talk about their experiences and how they felt at the time (as with Band of Brothers also). I can't help but hear the same type of people in both programs, even though they all look different, they all have the same humble, honest and empathetic demeanor...the Long Tan Vets I met were exactly the same; not a hint of ego amongst them.

I think the wrong people are the world leaders quite honestly.

Yes, if this comes out in a box-set, I'll be getting one for sure.
The Pacific, Band of Brothers and From the Earth to the Moon for those cold, wet winter evenings. ;)

[leon]

Couldn't get into it myself :shrug: switched it off half way through and did some computer work instead.

leon :thumbsup:

[Waxing_Gibbous]

It was very good I thought. Hence I'll wait for the DVD. :D
I was in Australia for 6 days before I realised Channels 7, 9 & 10 weren't info-mercial channels.
Every time I turned from ABC or SBS - there was a commercial! On every channel. Seriously.
I thought because I was in a Hotel, I had to subscribe to get regular telly.
So now when a promising show like "Pacific" pops-up, I watch an episode or two, and if its any good, wait for the DVD.

[I.C.D]

Hi all
How many vet's do we have out their .I am ex army nasho (1966-1973)days didn't go over seas as i was not allowed because it was late in 1971 and stop troops from going over.

Ian C

[Kal]

I watched the first double episode, and I enjoyed it. I'll second the comment regarding commercials - I'll start recording future episodes on my HDD recorder so I can FF the commercials when I watch it.

I haven't watched band of brothers yet, by the sounds of it I should be going out and getting myself the box set!

[iceman]

I enjoyed the first 2 episodes, but at this stage Band of Brothers is still MUCH better. Much more in the way of action etc.

It will be interesting to see how/whether they follow some of the individuals, like they did with BoB.

[Jen]

:lol::lol:

I missed it :rolleyes:

[Nesti]

As yet I haven't picked-up a vibe like early-on in BoB however, perhaps Spielberg and Hanks want to wind it up slowly. Also, they've got to be careful not to make another BoB, but in the Pacific...perhaps they're after an entirely different feel.

I say give it time; they've had so many successes in the past and know the formula back-to-front.

Don't forget, from historical accounts, the war in the Pacific was much more violent and brutal than the war in Europe; Europe was open country compared to the dense environment of the Pacific islands, this called for close-quarters hand-to-hand combat...rifles were regularly traded for entrenching tools and flame throwers, with counter-attack after counter-attack...starvation and disease too...and the mountainous jungle/rainforests adds to the misery.

I'm hoping it will kick-off big time!

Check out the number of battles at the bottom of this page (staggering number)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_War

[snowyskiesau]

Compared to Band of Brothers, I was disappointed with the first 2 episodes.

Lots of action, although most of it was in the dark, but after 2 hours, I didn't know any more about the men fighting that when it started. Perhaps it was all the ads that made it a bit disjointed.

Hopefully we'll learn to care more about the characters in coming episodes.

[For those that missed it, there's a repeat at 23:05 tonight]

[Liz]

Thought it might have got better reviews from you guys .... so noone has been shedding a few silent tears. :sad:
Didnt watch it myself ... not into war films. :shrug: Have too much other stuff still to watch.

[that_guy]

For All people who , missed it a repeat of the episodes are on seven at 11:30 PM Today!! I'll watch it cos its straight after batman returns!!

[snowyskiesau]

And for those who missed last nights repeat, there's yet another repeat tonight on 7TWO at 9:30PM.

[that_guy]

hehehe...

[mikemasey]

Why does there have to be a message? Afterall you did GET the bit about being "diconnected", job done then!!!!!!!!!!!

[GeoffW1]

:lol::lol::lol::lol: No no, you missed the point. I thought the BALANCE was wrong. I take it you liked the movie.

Cheers

[Exfso]

I have now watched the first 6 parts, and it is now winding up a bit, must admit, it was slow to start with. Whole different scenario though, compared to BoB, that was just brilliant.

[mikemasey]

As it happens yes I did, not to heavy or moralising. Not a film to rave on about but good enough to stand up on its own. I did like the begining but do agree that the bit when they are in the desert shooting up a house with what must be solder's of fortune was a bit strange and didnt seem to go anyware, except to show that the main man was a good chap as he let his team have the last of the drink. But realy there are enough doco's with real men and real events we dont need to watch very sanatised hollywood films of unreal things.

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

Fantasizing a bit now, I'd like to see a movie (or a series, don't mind) roughly reproducing the tone of the book "Tobruk" by Peter Fitzsimons, on that battle. Sort of an Aussie "Private Ryan".

We are too small a market though, so it can't happen, but in my little daydream the themes would be the Australian style of mateship in war, and the strange contrast between the extreme harshness of the conditions and the last echoes of chivalry ever seen in modern warfare.

Rommel was an honorable general, and treated prisoners well. He was eventually forced by Hitler to take poison.

Back in "The Pacific", a sobering book which shows what a shock it was for young untried troops to carry out an opposed landing against a dug-in and fanatical enemy, is "One Square Mile of Hell - Tarawa" by John Wukovits.


Cheers

[iceman]

Now that would be great!

What a fantastic book that was.

[Paul Haese]

I want to say right from the start that I am not starting a fight here, however I do want to say this.

I find the concept where people say they enjoyed watching this type of film a bit of a worry. War is not enjoyable and if many of you had trained in the Armed forces you would be as horrified as I am about the comments made here. I know you are saying you think the filming, acting and script is good but let me say when people start shooting at you for real you don't think any of this stuff is great, fantastic or excellent and no it ain't exciting either. At a time in which our 95 year of ANZAC is upon us I feel saddened that people want to see simulated war films and feel we have become a bunch of voyeurs. War is the worst form of political negotiation and while these films are trying to show the hardship, just encourage goulish appetites for more bloodlust. Believe me when someone shoots at you for real you nearly **** yourself and you are not thinking about the action. You are wondering if you are gonna live through this and praying to god that you do. Bruce Ruxton is right there ain't no atheists on the battlefield.

Anyway I will go back to my imaging now. Just wanted to say what I was thinking about this stuff.

[TrevorW]

Paul even though I enjoyed "Saving Private Ryan", "Band of Brothers" and are yet to watch "Pacific" without falling asleep the enjoyment which is probably the wrong word more a case of respect that stems not from the glorification of war but the portrayal of how men and women suffered during these conflicts and are still suffering in some ways because of them and hoping that my children or grandchildren will never have to endure the hardships and sacrifice enforced upon so many to protect our freedom.

[Analog6]

Paul I think a lot of people say 'enjoyed' but what they mean is what I feel, I appreciate the opportunity to experience in some small way what our soldiers went through, to increase my understanding of their role.

I had many friends who went to Vietnam and some who did not come back, and I have some dear friends who came back very damaged. Yes, I think most of us realise it is no picnic.

It is simply a poor choice of wording.

[Vartigy]

Pacific has an interesting take on a very integral part of our war history. Personally, I can't wait to see Under Hill 60. Strikes home amongst the mining industry.