"The Pacific"

[Exfso (Peter)]

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 (Mike)]

Originally Posted by GeoffW1

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

Cheers

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 (Geoff)]

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 (Mike)]

Originally Posted by 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.

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 (Odille)]

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.