SSG: Spy/Spec-Ops Group discussion
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fave flicks from Feliks D.
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Setting: Contemporary Africa; southern half of the continent. Mixed scrubland and desert.
Weapons: Machine pistols; + specially designed hi-tech crossbow for eliminating sentries
Enemy: African dictator and his minions
Goal: release an imprisoned political rival so that he can be established as new ruler
Hooey factor: none
Summary: another fun romp with aging mercenaries Burton and Harris offered hefty fees to pull one last job. They assemble a team of their old camrades--creaking and groaning--and actually manage to acquit themselves decently; successfully engineering the rescue of their target from a desert compound. Then, it all goes wrong as their employer betrays them and leaves them there to rot. Very touching ending; good meaty parts for all involved. Particularly shining is Roger Moore, who in this flick shows a hard-nosed tough-guy flair he should have deployed in his Bond films. Great to see three legendary Brit stars in one movie; obviously enjoying themselves. Interesting perspective on African racial tension too. Be warned: several scenes are particularly violent.
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Setting: 1970s. South Pacific Island. Jungle
Weapons: Machine pistol, knives, bayonets, home-made mantraps.
Enemy: communist axis
Goal: mano a mano duel to the death
Hooey factor: none
Summary: interesting and startlingly cool plot. Tensions between East & West coming to a head--rather than allow anything to touch off a nuclear response, the USA and the Commies decide to 'serve honor' by selecting one soldier from each side, to represent their national interests. They arrange for them to fight it out with each other --to the death--on a remote jungle island. It's a neat throwback to the concept of 'single combat' from the chivalric age. McGavin (unusual casting but he does a fine job) is dubious about his being chosen for this wacko assignment in the first place--but he soon learns that he has to simply wade in and get the job done, or else. Sam Elliott in a supporting role. Neato.
A hardy "Hoo-wah!" for Objective Burma (former US paratrooper here). And Wild Geese.Jeez...too many great ones to list in one night!
I'll start with The Dirty Dozen. (Quite different from the book and that's kind of a good thing IMO.)
They weren't OSS but it's hard to say they weren't SpecOps.
Weapons: submachineguns, machinegun, rifles, Jim Brown, Charles Bronson...oh, you meant weapons of steel...
Enemy: The Wermacht.
Goal: Massacre the top Kraut brass.
Hooey factor: I'm sure there was some, but I only remember the cool stuff.
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Journalist Bob Green says when he was a teen, the whole country was anticipating the release of 'Dozen' primarily for one reason: they looked forward to the chance to see Jim Brown run in the flick. And they got it! Its the highlight of the film!
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Errol Flynn to Henry Hull (with completely straight face)
"I didn't know journalists drank--"
'The Dirty Dozen'
Lee Marvin to Robert Ryan
"Y'know, the men consider you a cold, 'tight-lipped' officer. But you're really..quite emotional? Aren't you?"
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I may get booed down for this one, but I thought that 'Inglorious Basterds', while obviously a satire of war/spec ops movies, was hilarious. In particular, I loved Christof Waltz (I hope I got his name right) in the role of the SS officer: his performance was truly masterful. The movie actually used some very pertinent pieces of spec ops tradecraft (correct use of verbal expressions and signs, accents).
On a more serious note, 'The Dirty Dozen' is hard to beat and is a classic. So is 'Wild Geese'. I also highly recommend 'The Eagle Has Landed', with Michael Cain.
One war movie that left me with a bad taste in the mouth was 'A Thin Red Line'. A lot of philosophical nonsense and gratuitous scenes in that movie.
On a more serious note, 'The Dirty Dozen' is hard to beat and is a classic. So is 'Wild Geese'. I also highly recommend 'The Eagle Has Landed', with Michael Cain.
One war movie that left me with a bad taste in the mouth was 'A Thin Red Line'. A lot of philosophical nonsense and gratuitous scenes in that movie.
Feliks wrote: "'The Wild Geese': Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Roger Moore, Hardy Kruger.Setting: Contemporary Africa; southern half of the continent. Mixed scrubland and desert.
Weapons: Machine pistols; + ..."
Loved the Wild Geese. I agree with the point about Roger Moore. He finally got a chance to do some proper acting and did a fine Daniel Craig impersonation as a cold blooded soldier. That scene in the beginning where he's force-feeding a hoodlum narcotics was epic.
Michel wrote: "I may get booed down for this one, but I thought that 'Inglorious Basterds', while obviously a satire of war/spec ops movies, was hilarious. In particular, I loved Christof Waltz (I hope I got his..."I second that. Inglorious Basterds was a fine satire of war thrillers in film. You got Mr Waltz's name right. Can't wait for him to see him in action as Blofeld. He's got the acting chops to rebuild the character into a menacing villain once more.
Anyone remember The Devils Brigade with William Holden and Richard Dawson.Another favorite and with a great cast is Kelly's Heroes..
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But there's no one single standout action scene in that movie. Its all about the training camp, really. Frankly, Richard Jaeckal nearly stole the whole flick with his bald-headed athletic performance. Short-stature guy but man, what athleticism.
p.s. Richard DAWSON? I don't recall Richard Dawson in that movie. I don't know that Richard Dawson has ever appeared in any decent film other than 'King Rat'? Correct me if I'm wrong?
'Wild Geese' (I've mentioned it several times in this group) is an oft-neglected gem. Eh, but what has Roger Moore got to do with Daniel Craig? Craig wasn't even around then. Unflattering way to describe what Moore did--this was I feel, probably his best role. He basically played a 'Simon Templar' fop character for his whole career *except* for this lone flick. So astounding that he couldn't see the value of such a role. He almost stole the movie.
I refuse to discuss any Tarantino film. I find him and everything he's ever done revolting and disgusting to the nth degree. Makes my blood boil!
'Eagle Has Landed'---YES. I am sure everyone here knows how much I admire that flick. I've posted about it enough. John Sturges directed it, that says it all. Sturges actually has a very surprising filmography--did you know he also directed 'Satan Bug' and 'McQ' (John Wayne as a Seattle cop?)
p.s. Actually 'Daniel Craig' is a current-era fraud which turns my stomach. Sorry to be blunt, but I find him a popinjay. Do you know he is afraid of water? Insists on wearing a lifejacket whenever he's around h20? And did you know that he was seen in a gay district kissing another man on the lips egaaaaaaaahhhhhhhd!!!! Worst choice of Bond actor ever. Not to mention blonde. Please, stop even mentioning him in this thread.
You can now 'booo' me if you wish. :D
I need to see The Wild Geese again, along with Shout at the Devil..Bitter Victory with Richard Burton is pretty good war drama about a special mission to grab some documents from Rommels HQ.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050126/?...
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When I think of Burton and North Africa I think of 'The Desert Rats'
How about 'Play Dirty' with Michael Caine?
Caine sure made a helluva lot of films.
Feliks wrote: "You don't say! I don't know that one. Thanks. (p.s. directed by Nicholas Ray?!)When I think of Burton and North Africa I think of 'The Desert Rats'
How about 'Play Dirty' with Michael Caine?
Ca..."
Cain is another great one, liked him in California Suite as well, had a great range of abilities..
But I always see Mr. Caine as Lt Bromhead and Colonel Steiner..
The Devil's Brigade kind of annoyed me. One reason was, all the troops just sat around and BSed in all the scenes, and construction work off-screen just made the camp magically pop up around them as they were grabassing. Little stuff like that bothers me--like showing GIs in the barracks being woken up by Reveille.
Eagle Has Landed was solid, from what I remember.I share Feliks' contempt for Tarantino, and I raise him an equal dislike of Brad Pitt. Having said that, Inglorious Basterds was the most I've liked the work of either. Pitt was hilarious.
I barely remember Darby's Rangers. Anybody remember that one?
Just barely, do remember James Garner in it, need to revisit that film again one of these days.
Feliks wrote: "Well I sure do recall 'Devil's Brigade' because I'm a William Holden fan; and it was fun to see him co-star with his good friend Cliff Robertson. Both Oscar winners, fyi.But there's no one single..."
Sure.
Mod
Guns of Navarone anyone. The end sequences shot on the island of Rhodes.Peck with - Remeber, I speak German. Perfect!
As for weapons we go from knives, stens, to explosives.
I have to watch Objective: Burma! again. Not a whole lot of flicks about my Airborne forbears. Errol Flynn did a good job, as I recall.
I developed a love for "The Guns of Navarone" rather late in life possibly because of t.v.s over-saturation of this film during the 1960s. But having seen this film in its 'proper" format at a local revival house, it now (for me, least) sits firmly within the "category" of "they don't make'em like that any more".Also, any interest in "The Sand Pebbles" ? So much more than a war movie. Great Robert Wise, read show direction as well.
Bob wrote: "I developed a love for "The Guns of Navarone" rather late in life possibly because of t.v.s over-saturation of this film during the 1960s. But having seen this film in its 'proper" format at a loca..."Yep, The Sand Pebbles is one of my favorite movies, and it's a goooood book as well, great great movie.
Wow. First saw The Sand Pebbles as a teenager and didn't know what to make of it. But it intrigued me to the point that I read the book, too. Initially I (mistakenly) assumed the setting was the Boxer Rebellion.I'd like to know a whole lot more about the China sailors and gunboats like the San Pablo, but aside from the Sand Pebbles, there's not much out there.
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Now, this is a much lesser sister to 'Algiers' I'm speaking of. It is modest and bargain-basement. No comparison between the two. 'Power Play' (sometimes entitled 'State of Shock' or 'State of Fear' or something like that) never won any awards and is near-forgotten these days.
That being said, there is much to fascinate, in this humble little flick. It's unusual in many ways.
'Power Play' is a UK+Canadian production and is set in an abstracted, unnamed Latin American nation (although--somewhat amusingly--filmed in Canada). This fictional Latin nation is in the stranglehold-grip of a long-time dictator, a 'Papa Doc'-like figure.
The simple plot describes the rise of dissent among its military leaders (of whom Hemmings is one). Increasingly frustrated with years of waste and excess; the generals reluctantly begin to launch an overthrow in order to institute a representative democracy.
This film was a personal project of actor David Hemmings, who produces as well as stars (I always liked Hemmings, although he was sometimes lampooned for his wooden acting). Anyway he has a firm, sure hand over this story here. He oversees all the production details, and unites the final delivery together very thoughtfully and calmly at the end.
The rest of the cast offers quiet, restrained performances to suit. There's top talent on hand, in Peter O'Toole and Donald Pleasance. Both give very sober and serious performances. Pleasance, you may remember, was a POW in WWII and always brings an extra dimension to any such role. In this story, he is the dictator's intelligence chief who must uncover the military conspiracy. Pleasance's agency routinely commits atrocities in his search for treason and disloyalty.
O'Toole meanwhile, portrays a tough tank corps commander--his tanks are the key element needed by the conspirators to make their plan succeed. It's great to see him paired with Hemmings--two firebrands of the early 1960s together in a late 1970s project like this; a serious project--playing tempered, full-grown men.
It's a small role, but O'Toole is like a live wire here. Acting-wise, you might say this is really O'Toole's movie. His presence completely overshadows the gentle, subdued style of Hemmings. But Hemmings is playing a warm-spirited, very humane character, and his idealism (always shining in those puppy-dog eyes of his) is the perfect foil to the taut, harder-edged O'Toole.
I don't know how else to describe the charm of this flick. It's dark in many ways; Orwellian, Kafka-esque. The presence of English actors, with their sallow complexions and anglo voices in a supposed Latin setting adds to the surreality. As well as the foliage appearing very coniferous and European. You don't really know where all this is happening. There's a fine build-up of suspense as the revolt approaches and at the same time, the spy-chief draws ever closer to exposing their scheme.
There is some great (but brief, since this is low-budget) footage of modern military equipment. Uniforms and flags are all genericized. The story thus seems watchable at any date and still rings relevant; especially since the germ of the tale is the cyclical nature of government power itself. Fun fact: this is the only movie ever adapted from a military manual (a technical treatise on coups).
It's just a quirky, strange, penetrating film which somehow stays with you. Highest recommendation.
on Wikipedia
Feliks wrote: "I see I've been remiss in failing to add one of my favourite military titles to this list. We've already spoken of 'Battle of Algiers' and another one in the same vein (and I pretty much adore it) ..."Thanks for sharing that one--have to look for it.
I'm email-pals with some Vietnam vets, a couple of them SF. One of them recommended Go Tell the Spartans. I was pleasantly surprised. It's set during the early days of the American military involvement--before marines and infantry began arriving in force. Very interesting flick, and some authentic characterizations.
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He was rather stiff, I thought, in From Here to Eternity. He seemed a lot more comfortable in this role. Of course he plays a field grade officer instead of a senior NCO, but I don't think that has much to do with it.Maybe this isn't it, either, but I can't help noting that in FHTE he was a peacetime garrison soldier, but in GTTS he's a field trooper who has seen the elephant. The respective attitudes fit my experience with both types of soldier.
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It's called, 'The Guardian'. Not to be confused with some K. Costner schlock. This is a quiet, forgotten sleepy little low-budget flick. Stars Martin Sheen and Louis Gossett, Jr.
Decent enough production quality for a CBS(?) movie and fine work by the always-reliable Sheen. Gossett, though--with his superb screen presence--walks away with the film.
What's great here--besides the badass Gossett--is the story.
An upscale hi-rise apartment building in Manhattan is experiencing--with the neighborhood around it--an ncrease in crime and break-ins. The tenant's association --of which Sheen is a prominent member--outvotes him in deciding to hire a permanent 'security expert' for their building. That character is played by Gossett.
Sheen is against the whole idea. He doesn't want to live that way, scared of the world outside. He believes in communication, remediation, outreach, etc.
Gossett's character is a thorough professional. He's a military veteran with tons of experience. He wears a suit, and knows security inside/out. He takes his job very seriously. He asks for --and receives--a free hand in doing whatever he has to, to "keep the tenants safe".
To him, this means instituting a curfew, hi-security locks and gates, profiling for all visitors and deliveries, surveillance, etc etc etc. The building becomes a mini-police state. A case of the 'cure' being worse than the 'disease'. So then it becomes a battle of wits--and will--between Gossett's character and Sheen's character.
It's just a fascinating story. Highly-recommended.
Setting: WWII. Jungle.
Weapons: Machine pistols with silencers; some hand-to-hand combat.
Enemy: 'the Nips'
Goal: rescue a spy and his daughter trapped behind enemy lines
Hooey factor: unlikely element of Law's character allowing himself to fall in love during the mission.
Summary: apart from the romance angle, you really just can't help but enjoy a film with these three great action-movie-stars all in one film. Briskly-paced; lots of bullets being sprayed over everyone's head. Gibson is in top form, doing all sorts of acrobat maneuvers. But Neill is the coolest with his Aussie boonie cap, hardly saying a word, but firing his pistol from the hip.
When I think of spec/ops films this one usually comes to mind first.