The Pacific

[Jareth]

Thin Red Line is my favorite. It's only fault being it was more an "art" film than a hardcore combat film. And let's not forget my grandfather who was a Captain in the forgotten merchant marines! Torpedoed by the Germans, in a lifeboat for three days then cluster bombed by the Japanese. It is that one dud cluster bomb that fell behind him on the bridge that started my interest in Japanese militaria! If the bomb had gone off I wouldn't be here today...or I might be a Marine Corp collector .

[Striking 9th]

I don't know, I didn't find The Thin Red Line to be very memorable. It's almost like Hollywood always misses with Pacific War movies... think about it... Pearl Harbor, Windtalkers, Flags of Our Fathers. They are all either too over the top or disjointed somehow.

I'd love to see a good Army or Navy movie, have they ever done a high budget film about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis? How about the battle of Manila? It could be quite epic.

I am more of a scene watcher. I watch the whole thing then watch the scenes individually. That is why I love (Kagamusha now available on blu-ray!!!!) watching stuff at home. I can rewind and watch again and again. TRL had some block buster scenes in it. The landing, assault on the hill top positions, Attack through fog with clock ticking in the back ground, Attack through village, Muddy camp life, R&R around Henderson field, Japanese company moving towards the camera from up stream, ect, ect. It also had some intensely personal moments with very timely and to the point narration. When Jim Caviezel is looking down at the face of the dead Japanese soldier and the narration is telling about how their lives were the same. That is powerful stuff to me. When the guy is waiting for the Japanese officer to die so he can pull out his gold teeth. He motions to him with a "no no" finger like my Mom would do when she wanted me to stay out of something. They look up at the vultures circling overhead waiting for him to die as well. Later the same GI throws the teeth away with the voice of the Japanese officer whispering "Never to forget"and laughing. Very powerful symbolism and cinematography at work there. The two GI's fighting in the mud with the narration saying "War makes dogs out of men" or something like that. I love it! It did have it's slow moments but was still the best on the subject imo. I have been told that Mickey Rourke had a part in the movie as a sniper. These scenes were completely cut from the movie for some reason. I hope a directors cut comes out that includes these scenes. He is a great actor that could have helped in some spots during the film. I do believe he is pictured in one frame (with no dialog) but that is it. Anyway, I am really looking forward to this series as well. Like said above. Enough with the hype. Roll it already!
Scott

[Striking 9th]

Thin Red Line is my favorite. It's only fault being it was more an "art" film than a hardcore combat film.

Very good assessment Jareth. I think that is why I love it so. They were not afraid to mix the two which is akin to mixing oil and water.
Scott

[blinky]

[quote=Striking 9th;3487716]C'mon Blinky, your p i s s i n g in my Udometer and telling me it's raining .

It's seawater!!! That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

I forgot "The Great Raid" and was trying to forget that cinematic abortion "Pearl Harbor" but I've considered both of them more along the lines of a tax write off than actual movies. "Thin Red Line" is one that I have to agree with you about though I wish they'd have cast it a bit better which is a minor point.
Personally I just think there are so many stories more worthy and, to be honest, a lot more interesting than the USMC in the Pacific. You are right about Australia, that's why a movie about New Guinea would have been sooooooo much better. All this series will do is reinforce the general idea the war in the Pacific was won by the Marines as B.o.B. did for the Airborne in Europe.

[BPA-Paul]

At the end day ! ... if The Pacific is half as good as The Band of Brother's....It's going to be a "Super" mini series, which i think it will be the most accurate WWII Pacific based movie done thus far.

Also had the chance to be on set while filming some action scene's...WOW !

[Westmark]

***

[Westmark]

I don't know, I didn't find The Thin Red Line to be very memorable. It's almost like Hollywood always misses with Pacific War movies... think about it... Pearl Harbor, Windtalkers, Flags of Our Fathers. They are all either too over the top or disjointed somehow.

I'd love to see a good Army or Navy movie, have they ever done a high budget film about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis? How about the battle of Manila? It could be quite epic.

Matthew good analysis. I personally can't wait!
Scott, I too thought the Thin Red Line was a powerful film, specifically for the points you mentioned. While good, I feel the USMC will finally get its due with the Pacific. With Hanks and Speilberg I would wager it's gonna be fantastic.
Best regards,
Todd
Todd