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11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

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11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Old 05-17-20, 10:46 AM
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11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Welcome to this year's Historical Challenge. Time is counting down. Challenge runs Dusk on May 21 - Dawn on July 5 2019.

Movies and TV content about an historical figure, event or period are eligible. Genres also include Westerns, War Movies, Biographical films and Period Films.

Documentaries of any sort.

Zeitgeist Wild Cards. These are for films that aren't technically period films, but are time capsules of their era. Films like Rebel Without a Cause, Easy Rider, Saturday Night Fever, Valley Girl. They might have been contemporary when released, but they forever represent their time periods. We have three on the checklist, but the actual amount is unlimited.

Total counts really aren't as important in this challenge. Most of the eligible films tend to be rather long, so go ahead and watch Lawrence of Arabia or Barry Lyndon. You can count however you wish. Each episode can count as a single entry rather than the standard 2 broadcast hours equals an entry. If you have specific questions about a film's eligibility, then please ask in the thread.Don't abuse the Zeitgeist Wild Card. We're talking the type of film you would consider dressing up as at a theme party. For instance, Vanishing Point takes place in the 70s and is dated, but you wouldn't say it represents what we think of as the 70s, compared to something like Billy Jack, with its 70s era hippies/Kung fu pseudo-spiritualism cheesiness.

I'm allowing in time travel fantasy as long as the time travel is just an element to get the character to the past. Examples would be A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Voyagers!, Outlander, Life on Mars, Quantum Leap, and the like. We're not talking something like Doctor Who, but programs where the protagonist is put back to previous time period and has to deal with it in a non sci-fi way. Fish out of water type stories or those with strong history elements. You can back load these on the final day so they can count for the Sci-Fi challenge but you are welcome to watch them whenever you wish for this challenge.
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Old 05-18-20, 12:34 AM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

11th year now. Great,

I bought a lot of disc's this past year which would qualify for this challenge. Some titles were, Midway, 1917, 300 Spartans blu. Taza Son of Cochise ( coming next week ) Band of Brothers, Ulzanas Raid, Waterloo, just to name a few. Looking forward to getting started with this.

Last edited by JOE29; 05-19-20 at 01:22 PM.
Old 05-24-20, 10:56 AM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Forgot that this started already. I might watch a war movie tomorrow, but otherwise will likely wait until June 1st to really start.
Old 05-24-20, 01:19 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

I’ve been resisting watching eligible titles (broke down and watched the Mr Rogers doc a week or two ago), so good to know we can start counting. Unfortunately the last two nights that would’ve counted went to Memento and Happy Death Day.
Old 05-24-20, 01:26 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

I watched a couple to take a break from DS9 in the MYO challenge. Both were first time viewings - Darkest Hour and Dunkirk, both from 2017. While both were OK they were nothing all that special. I liked Darkest Hour much more than Dunkirk but really expected more from both.

In Darkest Hour, Gary Oldman was serviceable as Churchill but I never believed him in the role. He had some of the mannerisms but it always felt just a bit off. I also expected more than a telling of Churchill's first few weeks as PM. The best parts of that one were nothing the film makers did, but Churchill's speeches. While I enjoyed the scene with Churchill on the "underground', it was a fabrication loosely based on what he actually did with some regularity (sneak out to speak with people on the street for their opinions). Much has been made of the makeup and how convincing it was. I disagree. I *never* saw Churchill but always Oldman in less than convincing makeup. I never felt like I was watching Churchill, but rather an actor trying his best to be a convincing Churchill. I wasn't convinced.

I don't think I knew Dunkirk was a film by Christopher Nolan (written and directed by Nolan) or I might have not bothered as I generally do not care for his work (no, I did not like his Batman films). The cinematography was generally quite good but I just didn't like the way he chose to tell the story. I much prefer the 1958 British production.

Maybe I went in with too high expectations based on reviews. I'm glad I've seen them but doubt I'll ever watch either again as there are other movies that, IMHO, tell these stories much better.
Old 05-24-20, 03:28 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

I had insomnia last night, so watched a war movie that was on MGM HD. It was The Gallant Hours ​​​​​​, and starred Jimmy Cagney in a very convincing role as Admiral Richard Halsey. It was filmed like a case study, with narration sprinkled throughout the movie.
Old 05-26-20, 02:33 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Watching The Lone Ranger on various channels has me remembering when I was growing up in the 80s. I don’t remember the year, but I remember there being both a Lone Ranger and a Zorro as part of the Saturday morning cartoon lineup.
Old 05-27-20, 09:18 AM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

I'm going to start watching my recently acquired Land of the Lost episodes and finally watch the only film I haven't seen of this year's Oscar nominees yet, the documentary The Cave.
Old 05-27-20, 01:10 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

I'm off to a great start.

I spent the weekend with the new German Blu-Ray edition of MAJOR DUNDEE. This is a major upgrade, in that it adds a new commentary by Glen Erickson that details the plot of the film as it was intended to be and discusses scenes either cut or not filmed.
Then I watched the terrific new 3D Blu-Ray of TAZA, SON OF COCHISE, very entertaining with some beautiful 3D vistas.
Old 05-28-20, 06:04 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

I’m always happy when Nat Geo Wild does special weeks dealing with nature documentaries. This week is even better, because ocean documentaries are among my favorite nature shows. Man vs Octopus was just aired, and it dealt with comparing octopuses to humans. They are indeed a magnificent animal.
Old 05-31-20, 08:04 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Enjoying my time in this History Challenge. Slowed down the past few days had things to do. I may slow down even more with my new job kicking in this week.
I was planning on having a greatest showing ever this year, being out of work. But it looks like that will change.
Old 05-31-20, 09:09 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Originally Posted by Doc Moonlight
I'm off to a great start.

I spent the weekend with the new German Blu-Ray edition of MAJOR DUNDEE. This is a major upgrade, in that it adds a new commentary by Glen Erickson that details the plot of the film as it was intended to be and discusses scenes either cut or not filmed.
Then I watched the terrific new 3D Blu-Ray of TAZA, SON OF COCHISE, very entertaining with some beautiful 3D vistas.
I'm interested in the Major Dundee bluray. Since it is an upgrade from my regular DVD version. Also I received the Taza bluray last week also. I was happy with it. I didn't use the 3-D though.
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Old 06-03-20, 01:33 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

I got Pearl Harbor in last month’s digital sale, and am watching it for the first time in at least 10 years. As a sappy period romance, it’s not that bad, and I haven’t gotten to SPOILER ALERT the attack yet.

I discovered that the Xbox Vudu app has a genre filter sort for history, but of course it’s only as good as it’s tagging. It has Pearl Harbor, Evita, and The Right Stuff, but not, say, Hidden Figures (which is tagged as drama and special interest, though some movies have three tags).

Originally Posted by JOE29
Enjoying my time in this History Challenge. Slowed down the past few days had things to do. I may slow down even more with my new job kicking in this week.
I was planning on having a greatest showing ever this year, being out of work. But it looks like that will change.
Sorry about the new job, Joe.
Old 06-04-20, 11:42 AM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

I'm about to get Disney + and I was wondering what other than the DisneyNature features are documentaries and be recommended to watch.
Old 06-04-20, 11:44 AM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Originally Posted by Giles
I'm about to get Disney + and I was wondering what other than the DisneyNature features are documentaries and be recommended to watch.
Free Solo, the Imagineering Story, and Prop Culture should all qualify.
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Old 06-04-20, 01:12 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Pretty sure I’ve been meaning to watch Free Solo forever and still haven’t, will aim for this weekend.
Old 06-04-20, 02:45 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Originally Posted by Giles
I'm about to get Disney + and I was wondering what other than the DisneyNature features are documentaries and be recommended to watch.

There are also National Geographic nature documentaries. I’ve been slowly working my way through Hostile Planet ​​​​​​.
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Old 06-05-20, 12:15 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Just watched King Arthur- I didn't think that Clive Owen was the right actor for the part of Arthur. He just didn't seem like the right look for the part.
Old 06-05-20, 12:59 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Just finished Pearl Harbor and will put it away till Dec. 7, 2041. The battle scenes hold up pretty well, but I’m sure there’s more like it in better movies.

Originally Posted by JOE29
Just watched King Arthur- I didn't think that Clive Owen was the right actor for the part of Arthur. He just didn't seem like the right look for the part.
For me, the biggest Arthurian abomination was Richard Gere as Lancelot in First Knight.
Old 06-05-20, 07:32 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Originally Posted by shadokitty
There are also National Geographic nature documentaries. I’ve been slowly working my way through Hostile Planet ​​​​​​.
thank for the recommendation.

I just bought the "Seven Worlds, One Planet" 4K UHD and wow, wow, wow, wow, wow ... wow - the imagery and clarity of 4K is beyond stunning. After those episodes I'll have to dive into the Nat Geo docs.
Old 06-05-20, 07:46 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Watched the terrific German anti-war film THE BRIDGE on the Criterion Channel last night. Really packs a wallop! I was surprised about how good the action scenes were. This isn't always the case with "message" films.
Old 06-07-20, 07:46 AM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Originally Posted by davidh777
Just finished Pearl Harbor and will put it away till Dec. 7, 2041. The battle scenes hold up pretty well, but I’m sure there’s more like it in better movies.



For me, the biggest Arthurian abomination was Richard Gere as Lancelot in First Knight.
I agree. Although I didn't see this movie. But Gere as as Lancelot doesn't sound too promising.
Old 06-07-20, 09:01 AM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

Originally Posted by davidh777
For me, the biggest Arthurian abomination was Richard Gere as Lancelot in First Knight.
Originally Posted by JOE29
I agree. Although I didn't see this movie. But Gere as as Lancelot doesn't sound too promising.
I 2nd Davidh777. Gere as Lancelot just doesn't work.
Old 06-07-20, 06:10 PM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

did a double feature of 'Go for Broke!' a 1951 Van Johnson movie about the 442nd Regimental Combat Team of Japanese-American soldiers during WW2, followed with the 2016 musical 'Allegiance' starring George Takei and Lea Salonga which was also about the combat team as well as the Japanese internment camps in the U.S.
Old 06-08-20, 10:28 AM
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Re: 11th Annual Historical Challenge Discussion Thread, 22 May 2020-5 July 2020

I've been catching up on In Search Of... - a series I purchased several years back and just stuck on the shelf. It's an interesting time capsule of what "mainstream America" generally thought about certain subjects. Some of it is woefully dated, information wise, and other episodes nothing more than teases for deeper subjects. It's still quite fun...

I got my grandson (16yo) to watch The Longest Day with me over the weekend. He likes WWII material and had never seen that film before. He liked it and gave it high praise while saying "Lots of my friends wouldn't like it because of the way it can be slow at times." Not slamming it for being "slow" but that it's a genuine look at things, a movie that makes you pay attention and think, and not start-to-finish wham/pow action sequences so common to almost all movies made these days. I didn't bring up any of the inaccuracies as, in the end, they really don't matter that much. When I told him the size of the shells the Iowa class battleships fired from the main guns he was amazed.

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