The War

[Cav Dog]

Anybody watching the Ken Burns WWII documentary on PBS? It has great historical footage, some of which is in color. It is a great resource for how troops and vehicles look in the field. I hear it is already available on DVD from Amazon.

[Cpl_Blakeman]

I have been watching it. I like how he isn't trying to make it a history lesson, but a more personal experience through the eyes of those that really experienced it.

[Zippy]

Dont you think it should be called America's part in the war.

just another bemused Canadian

mike

[Cpl_Blakeman]

I thought that was kind of implied, though they do talk about some other countries, just not in the detail as the US troops.

In my opinion it would have been better to call it 'The War: Four Towns' as it is basically the story of how the war affected those four towns.

[Scott Washburn]

I suppose that every person from every country that was in anyway involved in World War II would tend to think about "The War" as something they had a personal claim on. It was 'Their War". Sure, other folks were involved, but it was also something personal.

And it's amazing the impact WWII still has on people. I was born in 1955, ten years after the war ended. I grew up during Vietnam. And yet, today, if anyone says "The War", I immediately think of World War II. It was just such a central focus of my parent's generation and that seeped down into me, too. Sadly (?) I don't think it will seep any further. My own kids (who are more interested in history than most) look at WWII as ancient history.

[DeanMartin54]

i myself would really like to see a production like this from a german perspective and maybe even a russian perspective. id also really like to see a documentary more machines of war mentioned nad explained, from armored cars to heavy tanks to experimental projects, to stukas and teh Flying Pancake! but in regards to the war, my hats off

[chrisswim]

I series has a focus on the personal aspect. It is good that it has history woven into the series. People's memories are not always accurate. But nice flavor. A little slow. There are not many hispanics.

[AllenTC2]

Actually, IIRC, Ep. 2 or 3 had quite a few references to Hispanic contributions during the war, specifically members of the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion.

[Thunder]

The Hispanic issue some people have with this series is getting really annoying.

[Mickel]

Could you please explain for those of us not able to see it? Or is it going to turn into a flame war on here, in which case, don't worry about it...

Mike

[Thunder]

I don't have anything else to say, except I think the series is pretty good. If you haven't heard about the politics going on related with it, consider yourself lucky. They have covered this topic excessively on NPR and other news here in Tucson. This forum should not head down hill with political issues and that’s why I put up my last post.
Thanks.

[WHM]

I have not had the opportunity to see this documentary, but having seen Burns's previous ones on the Civil War, baseball, and jazz then, sight unseen, I would suppose it to be first rate.

At the risk of interjecting a change of tone that may not be entirely within the subject, it would have been nice if he did one for the Vietnam veterans.

I think the WWII vets have been nothing but honored. There never is the question of their honor, or the righteousness of thier cause. If any were portaryed in movies as having problems from the war it was always understood. The Viet vet though has often been portrayed as a psycho killer. The Vietnam vets were slandered, much to the shame of this country. The country owes them a debt that never has been paid.

The German Army came home in 1918 and the "stab in the back" myth was born. The Vietnam vets came home and got on with their lives. These guys were as much heros as the WWII vets (some of whom were in Vietnam).

Watch the movie Memphis Bell and see how the characters are portrayed, then look at Platoon. Have to admit Saving Private Ryan was the first WWII movie where you see American troops shoot prisoners. It happened, and I am not criticizing. If you ever read Steel Inferno by Micheal Reynolds he summed up basically as "you had to be there" to understand. And no he didn't excuse it.

The only movie I can think of that put the GI in a positive way was Once a Soldier. Damn good book if you haven't read it.

Spare me any rants about politics, I ain't interested.

So say I.

[WHM]

Almost forgot, Zippy our bemused Canadian. Ten thousand of your countyrmen cam south and served in American forces. You guys got some draft dogers.

It is my opinion we got the better of the trade.

[Cpl_Blakeman]

I am just glad that Peter Jackson is covering the first world war. A lot of movie houses like the WW2 films because of all the hollywood background from that war. Movies were a key place to get visual depictions of that war and I think it carried over into the industry.

I would love for someone to do a film about the first real military operation after the revolution, the Barbary Pirates war.

[skypig53]

I would love for someone to do a film about the first real military operation after the revolution, the Barbary Pirates war.

Actually they are. Google "Tripoli Movie". Its been off and on for years but it looks like its going to get made in 2009. If you ever get the chance I recommend the book The Pirate Coast. Its covers the lead up and aftermath of the war but its practically a biography of William Eaton. At the risk of getting political we could all learn a lot from that war as it pertains to the current one in the Middle East.