Quote:
Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
It was captivating when it first came out simply because it was so different from prior films... but it has since been totally overshadowed by Band of Brothers. Hanks obviously learned from it. I have a copy on VHS, but doubt I'll watch it again, but I WILL watch BoB time and time again. Just wish that someone could afford to do something similar for the Canadians (they should film THE LONG ROAD HOME, by Fred Cederberg).
|
Strange I never did warm to SPR for me it always had that slightly contrived element of Hollywood. I think it has something to do with the way the camera angles are set up so that each time frame has a small segment of story in it, having said that the actual landing sequences are very powerful.
BoB on the other hand is for me ground breaking stuff. The utter futility of war is so skilfully demonstrated not by set piece vignettes but by the use of seemingly totally pointless loss of life coupled with a chilling acceptance of others involved. It has all the more poignancy for the OCMPG as all of the English actions took place in local villages and airfields. I know a number of local people who remember those guys being here in 1943/44.
I don't know about you Geoff but I have to be in a certain mood to be able to view BoB or else I find it has a really depressing effect on me. That to my mind is powerful stuff. I agree with you and hope one day that either British and/or Commonwealth forces can be treated in a similar vain, sadly I fear it will not attract the same level of investment
Pete