[Milsurplus] TBY on Saipan '44 ?

[Todd, KA1KAQ]

On 10/27/05, Mike Morrow <kk5f at earthlink.net> wrote:
<snip>

> >Band of Brothers has to fit somewhere in the "most credible" accounts,
>
> My vote for the best WWII movie, for attention to detail and interesting story line, goes to "Das Boot," although "Band of Brothers" gives it very strong competition for that honor.  Get the DVD containing the complete six-hour mini-series as it was shown on West German TV, not one of the various shortened theatrical releases.

Absolutely! Hadn't even thought of that, being more in the USA/WWII
mindset. Never knew there was a mini-series, only the 4 hour screen
version. I always preferred the original German-language version with
subtitles, although the way they overdubbed the english version is
remarkable. I'll find the full series DVD, thanks for the head's up.

> Probably the most inaccurate thing portrayed in "Das Boot" is all the jumping around that takes place on the submarine as depth charges explode nearby.  A submarine under depth charge attack does not jump around at all.  No depth charge is strong enough to move such a large mass as a submarine even a couple of inches through incompressible water.

I always figured it was as close as they could come to showing the
concussion, something you would more feel than see.

> I really despise a movie like "U-571."  It is sheer nonsense, totally devoid of historical basis.  For such an abomination, Hollywood wouldn't even bother to at least choose one of the many U-boat numbers that were never assigned to a real boat.  There was a real U-571, moderately successful with 44,000 GRT sinkings credited to it, and subequently lost in combat.  The movie is a dishonor to the crew of the real U-571, which is "still on patrol."

Agreed. I know many Brits took offense to it as some claim by us that
we had been the ones to sieze the first Naval enigma. Yet another
opportunity for Hollywood to give America, as well as the military, a
black eye. Certainly one of the few times (IMHO) when those over there
had a legtimate gripe about us and our portrayal of WWII history.

While Pearl Harbor was based in some historical fact, the actual
portrayal left me feeling as least as disgusted as U-571. I bet Jimmy
Doolittle would roll over in his grave if he knew who portrayed him in
that mess. No idea how U-571 did at the box office, Pearl Harbor did
poorly initially, and only slightly better in re-release after
September 11. Too bad, with the special affects they had at their
disposal along with some great cinematography, it could've been huge
had they stuck to the actual story and focused on real participants.

> Unfortunately, not much radio action was shown in "Das Boot," though the reconstruction of the radio operator's station is dead on accurate, just as was the entire set used as the type VII-C U-boat.

I clearly remember the scene where the radio op is listening for enemy
craft and gets that look on his face like....oh sh@#!

Most viewers would be put to sleep by the radio-intense parts that we
radioheads and history buffs would drool over. I'd compare it to
watching the AKC show for those who see dogs more as pets and less as
objects of prize-winning pride. Or a golf tournament. (o:

> At least the BC-611, BC-654, and BC-1000 made appearances in "Band of Brothers."

Having the actual participants giving their input before each episode
was a stroke of genius. It certainly gives the series a very human, as
well as believable and credible touch. Seeing those guys under fire
could be easily mistaken for special effects were it not for the
actual accounts.

It's clear that they wanted to make the account as accurate as
possible, despite the few instances of sensationalism. Spending the
extra time and $ for accurate radio gear was a good investment, and a
natural one.

~  Todd, KA1KAQ