Favorite character in a War movie?
05-25-03, 03:29 PM
#1
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Thread Starter
Favorite character in a War movie?
In recognition of Memorial Day weekend, a moments pause to remember those whose time on this Earth was far shorter than it might have been.
I was going to make this a "your favorite war film" thread but I recall that has been done somewhat frequently so I thought I'd try something similar yet a little bit different (I didn't do a search so I hope this hasn't been done recently).
Who is your favorite/most memorable character from a War film? Or if you wish your favorite acting performance in a War film? I'd also be interested in reading why you made the choice you did.
Hmmm.........with so many war films among my favorites, I can't seem to answer my own question. Give me a sec.........
Though someone else came to mind first, I suppose - at this moment - I'll go with the "character" of Audie Murphy as played by Audie Murphy in the 1955 WWII film To Hell and Back (is this film slated for a DVD release?). Audie Murphy was the most decorated U.S. soldier in WWII (someone correct me if I am wrong in the details).
Though I forget more often than not, I try too keep in mind the things Audie Murphy (and certainly countless others like him) had to face while still in his teens. When the "pressure" of life starts to get to me or, for instance, when I hear athletes talking about the pressure they face in game situations, I sometimes - again...not often enough - wonder what guys like Murphy would have to say about it all.
Audie Murphy died - an untimely and tragic death - in 1971 at the young age of 46. Ironically, his last film in 1969 was entitled A Time for Dying.
In other matters, just a quick - on topic - programming note. A terrific WWI film called The Fighting 69th is on TCM tonight (Sunday night/more correctly Monday morning). It stars James Cagney in one his most memorable (in my opinion) performances. This film is not yet available on DVD.
Monday, May 26th at 2:30 AM
The Fighting 69th (1940)
A braggart soldier learns the true meaning of heroism when he joins World War I's all-Irish unit.
James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, George Brent. D: William Keighley. BW 79m. CC
And lastly, a very partial list of War films you might wish to consider in making your selection (I'll type until I get tired (I plan on getting tired quickly)).
Saving Private Ryan
The Thin Red Line
Kelly's Heroes,
The Dirty Dozen
Midway
Pearl Harbor
The Big Red One
Tora, Tora, Tora
The Green Berets
Platoon
Hamburger Hill
Pork Chop Hill (now I'm getting hungry)
The Battle of the Bulge (see what over-eating gets you)
Von Ryan's Express
The Great Escape
Battleground
A Walk in the Sun
Where Eagles Dare
The Eagle Has Landed
Patton
The Sands of Iwo Jima
The Fighting Sea Bees
Flying Tigers
Flying Leathernecks
Dark Blue World
Operation Pacific
Guadalcanal Diary
Run Silent Run Deep
The Enemy Below
Hell in the Pacific
None but the Brave
The Bridge at Remagen
A Bridge Too Far
Bridge on the River Kwai
The Longest Day
Objective Burma
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
Destination Tokyo
Bataan
Back to Bataan
The Halls of Montezuma
Sahara
The Purple Heart
Away All Boats
Merrill's Marauders
Go Tell the Spartans
Enemy at the Gates
The Blue Max
Wake Island
The Fighting Sullivans
The Steel Helmet
They Were Expendable
PT-109
Sergeant York
etc., etc., etc.,.........................
I was going to make this a "your favorite war film" thread but I recall that has been done somewhat frequently so I thought I'd try something similar yet a little bit different (I didn't do a search so I hope this hasn't been done recently).
Who is your favorite/most memorable character from a War film? Or if you wish your favorite acting performance in a War film? I'd also be interested in reading why you made the choice you did.
Hmmm.........with so many war films among my favorites, I can't seem to answer my own question. Give me a sec.........
Though someone else came to mind first, I suppose - at this moment - I'll go with the "character" of Audie Murphy as played by Audie Murphy in the 1955 WWII film To Hell and Back (is this film slated for a DVD release?). Audie Murphy was the most decorated U.S. soldier in WWII (someone correct me if I am wrong in the details).
Though I forget more often than not, I try too keep in mind the things Audie Murphy (and certainly countless others like him) had to face while still in his teens. When the "pressure" of life starts to get to me or, for instance, when I hear athletes talking about the pressure they face in game situations, I sometimes - again...not often enough - wonder what guys like Murphy would have to say about it all.
Audie Murphy died - an untimely and tragic death - in 1971 at the young age of 46. Ironically, his last film in 1969 was entitled A Time for Dying.
In other matters, just a quick - on topic - programming note. A terrific WWI film called The Fighting 69th is on TCM tonight (Sunday night/more correctly Monday morning). It stars James Cagney in one his most memorable (in my opinion) performances. This film is not yet available on DVD.
Monday, May 26th at 2:30 AM
The Fighting 69th (1940)
A braggart soldier learns the true meaning of heroism when he joins World War I's all-Irish unit.
James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, George Brent. D: William Keighley. BW 79m. CC
And lastly, a very partial list of War films you might wish to consider in making your selection (I'll type until I get tired (I plan on getting tired quickly)).
Saving Private Ryan
The Thin Red Line
Kelly's Heroes,
The Dirty Dozen
Midway
Pearl Harbor
The Big Red One
Tora, Tora, Tora
The Green Berets
Platoon
Hamburger Hill
Pork Chop Hill (now I'm getting hungry)
The Battle of the Bulge (see what over-eating gets you)
Von Ryan's Express
The Great Escape
Battleground
A Walk in the Sun
Where Eagles Dare
The Eagle Has Landed
Patton
The Sands of Iwo Jima
The Fighting Sea Bees
Flying Tigers
Flying Leathernecks
Dark Blue World
Operation Pacific
Guadalcanal Diary
Run Silent Run Deep
The Enemy Below
Hell in the Pacific
None but the Brave
The Bridge at Remagen
A Bridge Too Far
Bridge on the River Kwai
The Longest Day
Objective Burma
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
Destination Tokyo
Bataan
Back to Bataan
The Halls of Montezuma
Sahara
The Purple Heart
Away All Boats
Merrill's Marauders
Go Tell the Spartans
Enemy at the Gates
The Blue Max
Wake Island
The Fighting Sullivans
The Steel Helmet
They Were Expendable
PT-109
Sergeant York
etc., etc., etc.,.........................
05-25-03, 08:42 PM
#7
DVD Talk Hero
It's very difficult not to say Virgil Hilts from The Great Escape (particularly since he's the pitcher for The Pork Chop Express), but for now, I'll say Maggio from From Here to Eternity.
das
das
05-25-03, 09:44 PM
#8
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Kilgore from Apocalypse Now.
05-26-03, 01:12 PM
#14
I'd like to serve with:
Lt. Kelly (Kelly's Heroes)
Capt. Gaff (The Thin Red Line)
Sgt. Elias (Platoon)
Sgt. Zack (The Steel Helmet)
King (Platoon)
Animal Mother (Full Metal Jacket)
Doc Johnson (Hamburger Hill)
Cpl. 'Stitch' Jones (Heartbreak Ridge)
Pvt. Daniel Jackson (Saving Pvt. Ryan)
Brownie (Casualties of war)
The Roach (Apocalypse Now)
Diaz (Casualties of war)
Pvt. Griff (The Big Red One)
Will Knot (A Midnight Clear)
Pvt. Ash (The Thin Red Line)
Lt. Kelly (Kelly's Heroes)
Capt. Gaff (The Thin Red Line)
Sgt. Elias (Platoon)
Sgt. Zack (The Steel Helmet)
King (Platoon)
Animal Mother (Full Metal Jacket)
Doc Johnson (Hamburger Hill)
Cpl. 'Stitch' Jones (Heartbreak Ridge)
Pvt. Daniel Jackson (Saving Pvt. Ryan)
Brownie (Casualties of war)
The Roach (Apocalypse Now)
Diaz (Casualties of war)
Pvt. Griff (The Big Red One)
Will Knot (A Midnight Clear)
Pvt. Ash (The Thin Red Line)
05-27-03, 12:58 AM
#21
DVD Talk Gold Edition
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Favorite five:
1. Tom Hanks - Captain Miller Saving Private Ryan
2. Willem Dafoe - Sgt. Elias Platoon
3. Tom Berenger - Sgt. Barnes Platoon
4. Alec Guinness - Colonel Nicholson The Bridge on the River Kwai
5. Matthew Modine - Pvt. Joker Full Metal Jacket
Most underrated:
* Steven Weber - Sgt.(?) Worcester Hamburger Hill
1. Tom Hanks - Captain Miller Saving Private Ryan
2. Willem Dafoe - Sgt. Elias Platoon
3. Tom Berenger - Sgt. Barnes Platoon
4. Alec Guinness - Colonel Nicholson The Bridge on the River Kwai
5. Matthew Modine - Pvt. Joker Full Metal Jacket
Most underrated:
* Steven Weber - Sgt.(?) Worcester Hamburger Hill