Saint Michaels', for the first time in weeks, is not merely a lurking shadow;its' illuminated clockface like a milky, yellow oculus judging me, JUDGING ME!!!!
Anyone who's a true afficianado of the combat film genre knows that the quote (and link) above is the line that actor James Whitmore yells as he sees his shadow caast against the snowy ground for the first time in weeks during the grueling action in and around Bastogne. The film is simply called "Battleground" but it's a true keeper. It easily ranks in my top 10...maybe even my top 5 (Sweet Shatner!) combat films. Which would put in in the lofty company of Klimovs' "Come and See" and Spielbergs' Klimov tribute ;~) "Saving Private Ryan".
OK, so that's significant because of this; look at the photographs. That right, babies; SUN! The first in 45 days. I half expected to see gaggles of Allied aircraft through the parting clouds...
Well, the sun has dissappeared as I type this. I'm under the S.A.D. lamp. Sigh. The sound of distant artillery would complete, nicely, this general atmosphere.
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5 comments:
Ah, the great James Whitmore. Not only can he act up a storm (The Asphalt Jungle--one of my personal favorites) but the guy can grow tomatoes the size of basketballs! Miracle-Gro is like steroids for vegetables!
Hey Tony, I'm curious if Hell is for Heroes made it on your top ten list. How about Enemy at the Gates?
Unfortunately, no. "Hell is for Heroes" did not make the cut. It has that backlot, hollywood location feel to it. It clearly has that Gonzo-war movie flavor that makes "Kelly's Heroes" rock, which IS on the top ten. The incomparable Steve McQueen could not cause me to overlook the things about "Hell.." that others find enjoyable about the movie. If it's any consolation,"The Sand Pepples" did land in the top ten (although not a true war film).
Have you ever seen the Klimov, Fred? I say it that way when referring to "Come and See"; like actors refrain from calling "MacBeth" by name while in a theater. Enemy at the Gates...yeah that's pretty good. Top 15.
What about Dam Busters? What about We Dive at Dawn? Cross of Iron? Run Silent Run Deep? the Blue Max? The Battle of Britain? And my personal fave The Enemy Below??? huh? huh? Am i showing my age here?
BTW-45 days since sun? are you mad? I thought for sure i saw a football game being played there a couple weeks ago: bright sun, gorgeous fall day. maybe you were drawing and missed it...
Yeah, those are cool. I saw a new oldie tonight, "So Proudly We Hail" Claudette Colbert and George Reeve, 1943. Nurse in the Pacific. Good stuff. Veronica Lake blows herself up! 'Cross of Iron', 'Platoon', 'Malta Story'...Holy Shatner!..."SAHARA", the one with Bogart. "Gettysburg"..."Flight of the Intruder" has it's merits. "Deer Hunter"...
Let's compare notes and make a hellacool list.
el Dooglas said-
"I thought for sure i saw a football game being played there a couple weeks ago: bright sun, gorgeous fall day. "
Like Michael Rooker says in "Henry: Potrait of a Serial Killer"; "...Fuck the Bears!"
They don't rate no Sun mister man!
Sure..it could have been sunny ONE day.
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