Written as part of the weekly blogathon hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves. Join in by picking three movies that fit the week's theme and saying a bit about them!
A rather big topic for this week's Thursday Movie Picks: Oscar's favorite war, World War II.
I'm generally not a huge fan of war movies, to be honest. But there are some really good ones made with WWII as backdrop, so here we go!
Forbidden Games (René Clément, 1950) The horrors of war, as seen through a child's perspective. This uniquely moving film tells the story of a young girl (Brigitte Fossey, in an incredible performance) whose parents are killed in a air raid while she saves the family dog. When the dog dies as well, she meets a young boy in the countryside, and the two of them start a cemetery for animals, and steal crosses from church cemeteries. Alternately darkly funny and poignant, Forbidden Games is a classic that everyone should see.
The Thin Red Line (Terrence Malick, 1998) The most beautiful war film ever made. Taking the Battle of Guadalcanal and refracting it through a diverse (ridiculously starry) cast of men of different backgrounds and beliefs, Malick confronts the terrible psychological cost of war in a way that only he can. The result is the best war film of 1998 (I SAID IT), and possibly ever.
Inglorious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino, 2009) World War II as only Quentin Tarantino could film it, Inglorious Basterds is ridiculously entertaining, and not just in a revenge fantasy way. Each scene is so marvelously constructed (the bar! the movie theater!), and each one is better than the next. Fantastic performances from Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger, and Mélanie Laurent anchor the film, it's Christoph Waltz, as renowned "Jew Hunter" Col. Hans Landa that steals the show, in a flat-out brilliant Oscar-winning performance. It may be too violent for some, but I love every second of this, and agree with the famous last line: "This may just be my [read: Tarantino's] masterpiece."
Though like all Malick films Thin Red Line is too long it is overall a brilliantly constructed picture. I was glad I saw it in the theatre during its initial release it helped me focus in on the film. His meditative style often makes it more difficult for me to stick with them outside that milieu.
I'm no Tarantino fan by any measure but of his films Inglorious Basterds is the one I liked the best. I won't watch it again but I really did admire the performances and most of the filmmaking.
Haven't seen Forbidden Games, it always seemed so dark and sad but it's a great pick!
Unlike the WWI theme a few weeks ago WWII provided a plethora of choices. Staying away from the battlefield I decided to focus on films about people on the periphery of the conflict, not directly in the fighting but definitely impacted by it.
To Be or Not to Be (1942)/To Be or Not to Be (1983)-As Hitler rises to power annexing portions of Europe life continues as usual at the Warsaw theatre owned by bickering married couple of renown, Joseph Tura/Fredrick Bronski (Jack Benny/Mel Brooks) “World famous in Poland!” and Maria Tura/Anna Bronski (Carole Lombard/Anne Bancroft). When the wife becomes enamored of a young flyer Lt. Sobinski (Robert Stack/Tim Matheson) they rendezvous while her hambone of a husband takes forever to get through Shakespeare’s soliloquy of the title. Suddenly Poland is attacked and the couple and their troupe of performers find themselves involved in the serious business of espionage to aid the war effort. The films, very similar in layout and execution, provide an interesting contrast in the way comedy about a serious situation can be played, the subtle almost gallows humor of Lubitsch and the broader stroke of Brooks. Both are successful though Lubitsch’s viewpoint is probably the more trenchant and timely. This was Carole Lombard’s final film, she was killed in a plane crash returning from a war bond tour the day before the planned premiere. The opening was delayed and her line “What can happen in a plane!” was excised (though it has been restored to current prints).
The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)-Filmization of the young Jewess’s journal of her time hiding away with her family and assorted friends from the Nazis in a small attic apartment. Wrenching and sad but also full of observation about the human condition and a young girl’s journey toward adulthood. Shelley Winters won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her work as the high strung Mrs. Van Daan.
Confirm or Deny (1941)-During the London Blitz American war correspondent “Mitch” Mitchell (Don Ameche) will use any scheme-coastal wire, war orphan Albert’s (a thirteen year old Roddy McDowell) carrier pigeons etc.-to expedite news to his Stateside editor before anyone else. Meeting teletype operator Jennifer (Joan Bennett) on the night an air raid destroys his office he convinces her to let him use the machine, hidden in a hotel cellar, to send reports. Despite falling for him Jennifer argues with Mitch that his ambition to be first from the front is compromising intelligence work against the Nazis. When tragedy strikes he’s forced to question his methods, all the while New York keeps sending the same message over and over again, "Confirm or deny?”
Don't get me wrong; Forbidden Games IS dark and sad, but it's also surprisingly light in parts. It's just beautiful. Please see it!
I can't BELIEVE I didn't think of To Be Or Not To Be! Both versions are so great in different ways. I SLIGHTLY prefer Brooks's film, but that may be only because I happened to see that version first. Either way it's a foolproof story and a perfect case study for how to do a remake right.
And of course I can't think of To Be Or Not To Be without thinking of Truffaut's The Last Metro, with Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Dépardieu, which is also about a theater in a occupied country during WWII, although it's a drama. Very beautifully done and it's such a pleasure to see two stars as big as Deneuve and Dépardieu in a film together.
There have been many, MANY versions of The Diary of Anne Frank, and while each has something to recommend it, this one really is the best. Everyone in the cast is so great I can't think how they managed to single out Winters for Oscar, but that's just AMPAS being AMPAS I guess!
I hate to admit this but I haven't seen The Last Metro, so many films so little time. I'm constantly working on my foreign film knowledge but I can only do so many in a short period and then I need to take a break. I just saw two Brigette Bardot films, Contempt was great!, and the Danish drama Gertrud-as a lead up to Drew's 64 Fisti awards-which I liked...the lead actress Nina Pens Rode was amazing and have The Soft Skin coming up so now Forbidden Games and Last Metro have to wait for a while but they're both definitely on my to see list!
I love Inglourious Basterds. Not my fave QT flick, but I love it, nonetheless. Waltz and Pitt both lit up the screen. Haven't seen your other two. I'm flat afraid of Thin Red Line because...well...Malick. I'll watch it one of these days.
Inglorious Basterds isn't my favorite QT flick either (that would be Kill Bill, Vol. 1. EASILY), but it just might be his best. Most of his films are SO CLOSE in quality, though.
Half of The Thin Red Line is a great "traditional" war film, half of it is an expressionistic, almost experimental work of art. The two halves fuse together better than you'd think, but if it's not your thing I can imagine being very bored through a lot of it.
I would love to see Forbidden Games and have added this to my list. I feel bad about the puppy....not the parents but the puppy...I know, I'm strange. I was not enamoured at all with the Thin Red plot as I liked to call it. I should give it another try since I heard raves about it and saw it in the theatre and was underwhelmed. I really enjoyed Inglorious Basterds from the cinematography to the use of colours and music.
OH NO, don't try Thin Red Line again if you didn't like it on the big screen. If you didn't like it there, I can't imagine you liking it at home, and it's LONG.
I don't blame you about feeling bad about the puppy in Forbidden Games. AT. ALL.
I love Inglourious Basterds. So entertaining. Could have easily picked it myself. I said my peace on The Thin Red Line vs. Saving Private Ryan on my post, so I'll refer you to that. It's a great movie, but it isn't SPR. Great picks!
Though like all Malick films Thin Red Line is too long it is overall a brilliantly constructed picture. I was glad I saw it in the theatre during its initial release it helped me focus in on the film. His meditative style often makes it more difficult for me to stick with them outside that milieu.
ReplyDeleteI'm no Tarantino fan by any measure but of his films Inglorious Basterds is the one I liked the best. I won't watch it again but I really did admire the performances and most of the filmmaking.
Haven't seen Forbidden Games, it always seemed so dark and sad but it's a great pick!
Unlike the WWI theme a few weeks ago WWII provided a plethora of choices. Staying away from the battlefield I decided to focus on films about people on the periphery of the conflict, not directly in the fighting but definitely impacted by it.
To Be or Not to Be (1942)/To Be or Not to Be (1983)-As Hitler rises to power annexing portions of Europe life continues as usual at the Warsaw theatre owned by bickering married couple of renown, Joseph Tura/Fredrick Bronski (Jack Benny/Mel Brooks) “World famous in Poland!” and Maria Tura/Anna Bronski (Carole Lombard/Anne Bancroft). When the wife becomes enamored of a young flyer Lt. Sobinski (Robert Stack/Tim Matheson) they rendezvous while her hambone of a husband takes forever to get through Shakespeare’s soliloquy of the title. Suddenly Poland is attacked and the couple and their troupe of performers find themselves involved in the serious business of espionage to aid the war effort. The films, very similar in layout and execution, provide an interesting contrast in the way comedy about a serious situation can be played, the subtle almost gallows humor of Lubitsch and the broader stroke of Brooks. Both are successful though Lubitsch’s viewpoint is probably the more trenchant and timely. This was Carole Lombard’s final film, she was killed in a plane crash returning from a war bond tour the day before the planned premiere. The opening was delayed and her line “What can happen in a plane!” was excised (though it has been restored to current prints).
The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)-Filmization of the young Jewess’s journal of her time hiding away with her family and assorted friends from the Nazis in a small attic apartment. Wrenching and sad but also full of observation about the human condition and a young girl’s journey toward adulthood. Shelley Winters won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her work as the high strung Mrs. Van Daan.
Confirm or Deny (1941)-During the London Blitz American war correspondent “Mitch” Mitchell (Don Ameche) will use any scheme-coastal wire, war orphan Albert’s (a thirteen year old Roddy McDowell) carrier pigeons etc.-to expedite news to his Stateside editor before anyone else. Meeting teletype operator Jennifer (Joan Bennett) on the night an air raid destroys his office he convinces her to let him use the machine, hidden in a hotel cellar, to send reports. Despite falling for him Jennifer argues with Mitch that his ambition to be first from the front is compromising intelligence work against the Nazis. When tragedy strikes he’s forced to question his methods, all the while New York keeps sending the same message over and over again, "Confirm or deny?”
Don't get me wrong; Forbidden Games IS dark and sad, but it's also surprisingly light in parts. It's just beautiful. Please see it!
DeleteI can't BELIEVE I didn't think of To Be Or Not To Be! Both versions are so great in different ways. I SLIGHTLY prefer Brooks's film, but that may be only because I happened to see that version first. Either way it's a foolproof story and a perfect case study for how to do a remake right.
And of course I can't think of To Be Or Not To Be without thinking of Truffaut's The Last Metro, with Catherine Deneuve and Gerard Dépardieu, which is also about a theater in a occupied country during WWII, although it's a drama. Very beautifully done and it's such a pleasure to see two stars as big as Deneuve and Dépardieu in a film together.
There have been many, MANY versions of The Diary of Anne Frank, and while each has something to recommend it, this one really is the best. Everyone in the cast is so great I can't think how they managed to single out Winters for Oscar, but that's just AMPAS being AMPAS I guess!
Haven't seen Confirm or Deny but it sounds good!
I hate to admit this but I haven't seen The Last Metro, so many films so little time. I'm constantly working on my foreign film knowledge but I can only do so many in a short period and then I need to take a break. I just saw two Brigette Bardot films, Contempt was great!, and the Danish drama Gertrud-as a lead up to Drew's 64 Fisti awards-which I liked...the lead actress Nina Pens Rode was amazing and have The Soft Skin coming up so now Forbidden Games and Last Metro have to wait for a while but they're both definitely on my to see list!
DeleteI love Inglourious Basterds. Not my fave QT flick, but I love it, nonetheless. Waltz and Pitt both lit up the screen. Haven't seen your other two. I'm flat afraid of Thin Red Line because...well...Malick. I'll watch it one of these days.
ReplyDeleteInglorious Basterds isn't my favorite QT flick either (that would be Kill Bill, Vol. 1. EASILY), but it just might be his best. Most of his films are SO CLOSE in quality, though.
DeleteHalf of The Thin Red Line is a great "traditional" war film, half of it is an expressionistic, almost experimental work of art. The two halves fuse together better than you'd think, but if it's not your thing I can imagine being very bored through a lot of it.
I would love to see Forbidden Games and have added this to my list. I feel bad about the puppy....not the parents but the puppy...I know, I'm strange. I was not enamoured at all with the Thin Red plot as I liked to call it. I should give it another try since I heard raves about it and saw it in the theatre and was underwhelmed. I really enjoyed Inglorious Basterds from the cinematography to the use of colours and music.
ReplyDeleteOH NO, don't try Thin Red Line again if you didn't like it on the big screen. If you didn't like it there, I can't imagine you liking it at home, and it's LONG.
DeleteI don't blame you about feeling bad about the puppy in Forbidden Games. AT. ALL.
Haven't seen Forbidden Games but I'll definitely check it out. And I absolutely love the other two.
ReplyDeleteForbidden Games is GREAT. An absolute classic.
DeleteLove Thin Red Line! Even though Leto is in it for 5 mins and they kill him instantly :lol: But yeah it's definitely the best war movie I've seen
ReplyDeleteLOL at your Leto obsession! It's just such an unbelievably beautiful film, in a totally unexpected way.
DeleteI really like Inglorious Basterds too. The Thin Red Line has been on my list forever. I have no idea why I haven't seen it yet.
ReplyDeleteThe Thin Red Line is SO beautiful. But it is LONG. So if you don't like Malick, I wouldn't try it.
DeleteI love Inglourious Basterds. So entertaining. Could have easily picked it myself. I said my peace on The Thin Red Line vs. Saving Private Ryan on my post, so I'll refer you to that. It's a great movie, but it isn't SPR. Great picks!
ReplyDeleteI could debate Thin Red Line vs. Saving Private Ryan FOREVER.
Delete(Just don't get me started on Shakespeare in Love vs. Saving Private Ryan lol)