The Great War

Starring:Great War
Studio: SHANACHIE
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Critically hailed as an instant classic, Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima is a masterwork of uncommon humanity and a harrowing, unforgettable indictment of the horrors of war. In an unprecedented demonstration of worldly citizenship, Eastwood (from a spare, tightly focused screenplay by first-time screenwriter Iris Yamashita) has crafted a truly Japanese film, with Japanese dialogue (with subtitles) and filmed in a contemplative Japanese style, serving as both complement and counterpoint to Eastwood's previously released companion film Flags of Our Fathers. Where the earlier film employed a complex non-linear structure and epic-scale production values to dramatize one of the bloodiest battles of World War II and its traumatic impact on American soldiers, Letters reveals the battle of Iwo Jima from the tunnel- and cave-dwelling perspective of the Japanese, hopelessly outnumbered, deprived of reinforcements, and doomed to die in inevitable defeat. While maintaining many of the traditions of the conventional war drama, Eastwood extends his sympathetic touch to humanize "the enemy," revealing the internal and external conflicts of soldiers and officers alike, forced by circumstance to sacrifice themselves or defend their honor against insurmountable odds. From the weary reluctance of a young recruit named Saigo (Kazunari Ninomiya) to the dignified yet desperately anguished strategy of Japanese commander Tadamichi Kuribayashi (played by Oscar-nominated The Last Samurai costar Ken Watanabe), whose letters home inspired the film's title and present-day framing device, Letters from Iwo Jima (which conveys the bleakness of battle through a near-total absence of color) steadfastly avoids the glorification of war while paying honorable tribute to ill-fated men who can only dream of the comforts of home. --Jeff Shannon

On the DVDs
Like the film itself, the two-disc special edition of Letters from Iwo Jima is predominantly Japanese in content, and that's as it should be. Disc 1 presents the film in a flawless widescreen transfer, with a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack that perfectly captures the film's wide dynamic range. The optional subtitles can be turned off for those wishing to immerse themselves in a completely Japanese viewing experience. Disc 2 opens with "Red Sun, Black Sand: The Making of Letters from Iwo Jima," a 20-minute behind-the-scenes documentary that concisely covers all aspects of production, from director Clint Eastwood's initial decision to create a companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers, to interview comments from principal cast and crew, the latter including Flags screenwriters Paul Haggis and Letters screenwriter Iris Yamashita, costume designer Deborah Hopper, editor Joel Cox, cinematographer Tom Stern, production designer James Murakami (taking over for the ailing Henry Bumstead), and coproducer Rob Lorenz. "The Faces of Combat" is an 18-minute featurette about selecting the Japanese (and Japanese-American) cast of Letters, and how they were chosen through the international collaboration of Eastwood's long-time casting director Phyllis Huffman (who turned over some of her duties to her son while struggling with terminal illness) and Japanese casting associate Yumi Takada, who filled important roles with Japanese celebrities (like pop star Kazunari Ninomiya, who plays "Saigo") and unknown actors alike.

"Images from the Frontlines" is a 3.5-minute montage of images from the film and behind-the-scenes, set to the sparse piano theme of Eastwood's original score. The remaining bonus features chronicle the world premiere of Letters in Tokyo on November 15, 2006. The premiere itself is covered in a 16-minute featurette taped at the famous Budokan arena, where we see the red-carpet procession, a full-capacity audience despite cold November weather, and introductory comments from the film's primary cast and crew, many of them quite moving with regard to the satisfaction of working on a film that helps Japanese viewers come to terms with a painful chapter of their history. The following day's press conference (at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo hotel) is a 24-minute Q&A session covering much of the same territory, with additional testimony from principal cast & crew. Throughout this two-day event, it's clear that Eastwood (referring to himself as "a Japanese director who doesn't speak the Japanese language") was warmly embraced by the Japanese, and that Letters from Iwo Jima had served its intended purpose, reminding us of the horrors of war while uniting both Japanese and Americans in somber reflection, 61 years after the battle of Iwo Jima. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima tells the untold story of the Japanese soldiers who defended their homeland against invading American forces during World War II. With little defense other than sheer will and the volcanic rock of Iwo Jima itself, the unprecedented tactics of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai) and his men transform what was predicted to be a swift defeat into nearly 40 days of heroic and resourceful combat. Their sacrifices, struggles, courage and compassion live on in the taut, gripping film Rolling Stone calls "unique and unforgettable." It is the powerful companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers.

Customer Reviews:

Great historical WWII film.......2007-07-07

Well I never learned any of this in history class!! An Amazing look into the hearts and minds of the Japanese. Really wonderful and lovingly done. My heart broke for them, for the way they fought even though it was a complete loss. A great companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers.

Excise the PC section..........2007-07-07

And you would have had a decent picture of the Japanese side of Iwo Jima. But, a thoroughly unneccesary section of the film where first a captured Marine is treated humanely by Baron Nishi, and then shortly thereafter, surrendered Japanese prisoners are executed by another Marine, sits in politically correct smugness smack in the middle of an otherwise decent film. It may make the "anti-war" message, but it rang false, and at that point the film faltered. True, earlier a Marine captive was shown beaten and bayoneted, but this was juxtaposed with another Japanese being burned to death, as if the Marine captive was being punished for that death. The reality of these battles was something else.

The historian William Manchester was a young Marine in the Pacific and in his book, Goodbye Darkness, about his experiences said that there was a tacit understanding between the Marines and Japanese in the island campaigns: neither side took many prisoners. At least while the battle was raging. That was just the way it was. Each campaign was a fight to the death. He also pointed out that the Marines always had help from native islanders against the Japanese, not because the islanders loved Marines or even knew what an American was, but because they hated the Japanese because of their brutality toward these conquered peoples.

Too bad, because otherwise this was a fine film pretty fairly showing the view from the other side of the cultural divide. It demonstrates the crazy waste and harshness of the Bushido code, most especially as it is sternly and unthinkingly applied to the average drafted Japanese soldier. It illustrates how these unyielding notions caused the needless sacrifice of their own troops in forced personal suicide and suicidal frontal assaults on fixed positions. It also showed the human dimension of these men left to do nothing else but die on that sulfurous rock. I had no problems with those elements of the film that depicted the common humanity of men with families and love of their country.

I liked the view of the unconventional General Kuribayashi's strategy, often undone by the willfully obtuse views of his own officers, and the equally effective view of life as lived by the common soldier, often starved and beaten by these same latter day samurai. The action scenes, as in Flags of Our Fathers, were well done and the production design I so admired in that film is, of course, still present here.

I liked the actors and the interplay between them. I admire the production values and this is often a quiet and interesting film. I certainly have no problem with seeing the flip side of the battle depicted in Flags of Our Fathers. I think the film was doing quite well in depicting the humanity of soldiers who, by and large, would rather be home or anywhere else. It didn't need any extra "message" slipped in, and while it might not bother others, I found it an unneccessary excess plea, and a bit disingenuous. At any rate, the film is worth seeing.

Definitely Worth Watching.......2007-07-05

Letters From Iwo Jima is dark. It is claustrophobic. It is gritty and painful and full of rocking explosions and the clatter of machine guns. It tells the story of Japanese soldiers on Iwo Jima fighting for honor and to return home.

The characterizations were moving and original. The people in the film truly were human and showed the impact that war takes on the spirit. The atmosphere communicates completely the desperation and hopelessness of the soldiers and the numbing feeling of being so long in battle.

The script and the acting were both excellent and believable. I applaud the casting of Ninomiya Kazunari as Saigo, one of the main characters, a young soldier who just wants to return home to his wife and unborn child. Though the blurb on the back of the DVD case doesn't even mention Saigo, his story is part of the main focus of the story. I am very proud of Nino for being cast in this role. He is one of the reasons I saw this movie and I was not disappointed.

All in all, Letters is not a fun movie to watch. It's dark and bleak but it's a movie that most people, at least in the U.S. and Japan, should see. In the end, it is heart-wrenching and I was very glad that I'd seen it. It humanizes the war and makes you face the reality that our enemies of the time suffered as much as we did. As many have said, it tells the "other side of the story," and it's a story that we need to hear.

Good movie, not historicly correct.......2007-07-04

Not as good as Flags of Our Fathers, it doesn't show the true brutality of the Japanese. Its view is very sympithetic to the Japanese, but still a good movie.

Worst I've seen by Clint Eastwood.......2007-07-04

Watched for 1hour 14 minutes in disappointment. The script is terrible. Don't make the mistake of watching this movie. Why all the hype? How can this be a Clint Eastwood directed movie? Firstly, this movie makes fun of sacrifice. It makes fun of the Japanese commitment to Japan. For sure I do not know precisely what happened at Iwo Jima, all I know is that 22000 fought till only 216 remained. That is a victory. As big as the firefighters of 9/11. It is something, it seems that Clint Eastwood, that willingly directed this movie, will never understand. Having no choice in life but to die honorably.

Iwo Jima was a last-stand before the enemy reached Japan, much like the Alamo. Soldiers don't harbor anti-war sentiment when your home and family is threatened - you pull together. Fight and die together. I didn't get the idea that there were 22000 soldiers on the island. The American forces were realistically depicted. This is a clear anti-war movie - only problem is that it makes fun of the commitment of a die-hard enemy facing destruction.

The History Channel Presents Last Stand of the 300 - The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae

Average customer rating:

One of the Best Documentaries EVER by the History Channel
Excellent DVD on ancient Greece.
It was awesome
Excellent and Fantastic

The History Channel Presents Last Stand of the 300 - The Legendary Battle at Thermopylae
Starring: Daniel R. Wolfe , J.B. Gardiner , Anton Burman , Orion Barnes , and Kenny Kilfara
Director: David Padrusch
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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300 (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (Widescreen Edition)
Rome - The Complete Second Season
Letters from Iwo Jima (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Decisive Battles of the Ancient World (History Channel)

ASIN: B000OIOPPE
Release Date: 2007-07-31

Description

The legendary battle of Thermopylae is still acknowledged today for its brilliant military maneuvers and the well-trained and fearless soldiers who fought to the death. THE HISTORY CHANNEL® presents a detailed account of this legendary battle, examining the events leading up to the conflict, the tactical expertise that allowed the outnumbered Greeks to stall their mighty foes, and the bloody encounter itself. Find out how an army of a few hundred men overcame impossible odds and witness the conflict that altered the course of Western civilization.

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best Documentaries EVER by the History Channel.......2007-05-25

The History Channel has presented a mixed of bad and good documentaries, but the "Last Stand of the 300" is definitely one of the best that they've ever produced! I wholeheartedly agree with previous reviewers that this is an excellent and well-researched documentary about the Battle of Thermopylae--one of history's most famous last stands of all-time.

The overall presentation of this epic battle is superb. Great visuals, music, dramatic reenactments, and knowledgeable scholars provide a very enlightening and fascinating account of the events preceding and following the 3-day battle at Thermopylae. The battle itself is examined and analyzed in meticulous detail--military tactics and strategies discussed from both sides of the war (land and sea).

As reviewer, Raffaele Vardavas mentioned, this documentary does resemble a little like the movie "300," which gives it a more appealing and cinematic look. The fighting sequences--especially during the last stand--are wonderfully portrayed.

The performance of the 300 Spartans--including the 700 Thespian soldiers--has been hailed as an outstanding example of courage against insurmountable odds. Among the Greeks, the Spartan defenders were the 'bravest of the brave' and their enormous sacrifice helped saved the future of Greece and unknowningly "altered the course of Western civilization." As one of the world's greatest and most symbolic events in history, this DVD is a must-have for all!

(Note: I have the PBS DVD of The Spartans, and also think this one is NOT as exciting to watch. Instead, the PBS presentation feels like a tedious 3-hour lecture in a history class. "Last Stand...300" is way better!!! Don't hesitate to buy).

Excellent DVD on ancient Greece. .......2007-05-22

Fantastic DVD on Thermopylae and Spartan history. Very well researched and presented. This is the ONLY DVD I have ever seen (using real people) that actually have them keep the phalanx formation. They mention the Spartan agoge and delve quit deeply into the agoge system and Spartan way of life. This is an excellent summarie of Spartan life style. It also covers the Persian side and tells us how the amazing Persian invasion came about, how the crossed the hellespont, how Xerxes was raised, etc. it also addresses all the other city states and battle tactics and takes you through to the conclusion of the battle and the ultimate conclusion of the Greek/Persian wars. (something that my Greek history teacher failed to do :() It also breifly goes over marathon which is nice. The DVD is fun and entertaining. Well worth the buy.

It was awesome.......2007-05-21

I watched this the very first time a few months ago, and then again over the weekend. It only got better. This is the REAL story told historians about the battle at Thermopylae. Now I want to see Hollywood's version "300" now that they've made it into a blockbuster. I hope they stick to the facts and don't make this great moment in history a joke. Regardless, I'm buying the history's channel DVD. It was excelelnt

Excellent and Fantastic.......2007-03-31

They showed this documentary on the History channel to accompany the release of the movie 300.

In contrast to the movie 300 (which was ok -see my review) this documentary is excellent. It is really a movie-like documentary with a lot of action.

Graphically it resembles a little the movie 300 since it uses a lot of computer graphics and non-realistic red looking skies. However, here Persians really look like Persians.

The content is excellent. Although I have read about the battle of Thermopylae from many different sources, I learned about things I did not know before and gained a more detail knowledge. However, like in the movie 300 here again Leonidas seems to be much younger than he really was by 480BC.

What I particularly liked was that the documentary focused both on the land battle of the Spartans and sea battle of the Athenian fleet. This really showed how brilliant and well coordinated the Allied Greek strategy was. Most other sources just focus on the land battle and pay minor attention to what happened in the flanking sea. The mastermind Themistocles is well represented and a decent length of the documentary is dedicated to him.

The Spartans and their society are accurately represented. They were not fighting for a new era of freedom which was at the time being brought forward by Athenian democracy. They were fighting to preserve their own, non-free un-democratic system and were hostile to the spread of democracy to other Greek city states. However, their last stand was not solely to seek "a beautiful death" but instead to cover the retreat of their fellow allied soldiers. Maybe, also to give an example from which the allied Greeks would stay united against the Persians for the sake of their sacrifice.

The sound tracks that accompany the scenes are excellent. However, they could have used them more often and they could have raised the volume a little too.

I enjoyed watching this documentary even more than the other two excellent documentaries on the Spartans (one from the History channel and the other by PBS).

Highly - I repeat highly recommended - to people interested in ancient history and battle strategies and warfare.

Average customer rating:

An Long, but Intriguing Epic!
Gettysburg
Historical Referance
For Civil War Enthusiasts...
LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!

Gettysburg (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Richard Anderson , Royce D. Applegate , Tom Berenger , Bo Brinkman , and Dwier Brown
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Gods & Generals
The Killer Angels
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The Blue and the Gray (The Complete Miniseries)

ASIN: B00003CXA6
Release Date: 2004-02-03

Amazon.com essential video

Three days in the summer of 1863, at a place called Gettysburg. Although it received a theatrical release, this four-hour depiction of the bloody Civil War battle was shot as a made-for-television film. But no taint of cheapness or shortcuts should stick to this magnificent picture (well, except maybe for those phony-looking mustaches). Based on Michael Shaara's book The Killer Angels, this film takes a refreshingly slow, thorough approach to the intricacies of battle. In ordinary circumstances, those intricacies might seem of importance only to fans of military strategy or Civil War enthusiasts, yet in Gettysburg they come across as the very stuff of life, death, and unexpected heroism. If the film has a problem, it's that it climaxes too early: the first long segment, detailing the struggle of a "civilian soldier," Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Jeff Daniels), to hold his ground against long odds, is an enthralling piece of moviemaking. Daniels, in a heartbreaking performance, does his best film work. Other cast members include Tom Berenger, Sam Elliott, and Martin Sheen as Robert E. Lee. Richard Jordan, in his final role, gives a powerhouse performance as Confederate general Lewis A. Armistead. Oh, and you can also try to spot Ted Turner, whose company produced the film, as a Confederate soldier. Writer-director Ronald F. Maxwell seems inspired by the gravity of the battle; long as it is, every moment of Gettysburg is informed by a nobility of purpose. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

An Long, but Intriguing Epic!.......2007-07-09

This film was Ted Turner's baby. He wanted to produce a movie that re-enacted the bloddiest battle on American soil. When it was completed, the film was over 4 hours long. Much too long for theatrical release. So he premiered it on his cable network, TNT in 1993. The battle scenes itself are worth the long run time. It's not too graphic and works as a historical referrence. That may be it's downfall, as well. Another is the long stretches of dialogue. Though needed for continuity, after a while, the film started to suffer from overindulgence. If you can endure it's length, you might find this film rather entertaining. Give it a try!

Gettysburg.......2007-06-12

Gettysburg is a great movie that was inspired by one of the most decisive battles during the Civil War. Ronald Maxwell, the director, hired a historain, James McPherson so help him in making sure the battle scenes were as true as they actually happened in 1863. Gettysburg has three days of fighting along with events that led up to the war making it very gory and action-packed. There is alot of death in this movie but since Gettysburg was one of the bloodiest battles with 50,000 American casualties, the amount of death in the movie is appropriate.
The first day of fighting consists of Buford trying to maintain his position in Gettysburg to make sure that the Union army has the best land position. The second day of fighting is centrally located at Cemetery Hill, Little Round Top, and Culp's Hill. The third and final day at Gettysburg consisted of one of the most famous battles at Gettysburg: Pickett's Charge. This is the day that Lee realizes that he has to retreat due to too many Confederate losses.
This movie is, historically, very correct. The locations of the battles are historicall accurate along with the general's names. Mostly everything in this movie was, in McPherson's eyes, historically accurate. One can learn alot about the Civil War by watching this movie because it shows how the soldiers felt and lived and the effects of war on them. It also talks about past and upcoming issues in the war. This was a great historical movie but also very entertaining and i would recommend it to anybody that was interested, or wants to become knowledgable about the Civil War.

Historical Referance.......2007-05-24

I found this movie to be an excellant composite of historical facts and charactors.
Heavilly based on the book "Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara.

For Civil War Enthusiasts..........2007-04-19

Turner Pictures' "Gettysburg" is the lengthy but fascinating dramatization of Michael Shaara's classic Civil War novel "The Killer Angels." At mini-series length and populated with an army's worth of solid actors, "Gettysburg" delivers the gripping story of the three-day battle as experienced by some of the key personalities.

Among the highpoints:

Sam Elliot as hardbitten Union Cavalry General John Buford, who recognized the value of the terrain at Gettysburg and whose decision to stand there helps bring on the battle.

Jeff Daniels is absolutely superb as Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain of the 20th Maine, a professor at Bowdoin College become a leader of men at war. Jeff Daniels manages to capture both the intelligence and the determination that won Chamberlain a Medal of Honor in the desperate struggle for the end of the Union line at Little Round Top.

Tom Berenger gives a nuanced and conflicted performance as Confederate General Longstreet, Lee's most reliable Corps Commander, who advises Lee against the Battle at Gettysburg and who must overcome his better instincts to execute Lee's orders.

Martin Sheen does his best to deliver as Confederate General Robert E. Lee, but only just fails to capture the charisma and the hidden steel that made Lee such a deadly and successful battlefield commander for so long. Perhaps the best of his performance in this movie is his meeting with his missing cavalry commander, J.E.B. Stuart, after the second day of battle.

The movie was filmed over the actual ground at Gettysburg using properly equipped re-enactors who add much authenticity to the battle scenes. The sharp-eyed viewer will enjoy picking out a number of actors hiding behind more or less authentic period whiskers. The magnificent score adds to the appreciation of what was at stake at Gettysburg, while the prologue and epilogue provide a haunting sense of the harsh fates awaiting many of the key players in the battle.

This movie is most highly recommended to fans of the Civil War who are prepared to overlook some TV-movie production shortfalls for an entertaining and educational dramatization of the Civil War's most fateful battle.

LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!.......2007-04-14

Gettysburg may seem kinda long for most people, but it is defenitley worth the time! I have watched it many, many times over! Civil war buff or not, you need to watch it!

Kingdom of Heaven - The Director's Cut (Four-Disc Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

Balian, knight, defender of Jerusalem
Great way to waste your money !!!
Kingdom of Deeez
Outstanding!!!
And then some

Kingdom of Heaven - The Director's Cut (Four-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Martin Hancock , Michael Sheen , Nathalie Cox , Eriq Ebouaney , and Jouko Ahola
Director: Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000EHSVQ4
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Amazon.com

It's hard to believe Ridley Scott's handsome epic won't become the cinematic touchstone of the Crusades for years to come. Kingdom of Heaven is greater than the sum of its parts, delivering a vital, mostly engrossing tale following Balian (Orlando Bloom), a lonely French blacksmith who discovers he's a noble heir and takes his father's (Liam Neeson) place in the center of the universe circa 1184: Jerusalem. Here, grand battles and backdoor politics are key as Scott and first-time screenwriter William Monahan fashion an excellent storyline to tackle the centuries-long conflict. Two forward-thinking kings, Baldwin (Edward Norton in an uncredited yet substantial role) and Saladin (Ghassan Massoud), hold an uneasy truce between Christians (who hold the city) and Muslims while factions champ at the bit for blood. There are good and evildoers on both sides, with the Knights Templar taking the brunt of the blame; Balian plans to find his soul while protecting Baldwin and the people. The look of the film, as nearly everything is from Scott, is impressive: his CGI-infused battle scenes rival the LOTR series and, with cinematographer John Mathieson, create postcard beauty with snowy French forests and the vast desert (filmed in Morocco and Spain). An excellent supporting cast, including Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, and David Thewlis, also help make the head and heart of the film work. Many critics pointed out that Bloom doesn't have the gravitas of Russell Crowe in the lead (then again, who does?), but it's the underdeveloped character and not the actor that hurts the film and impacts its power. Balian isn't given much more to do than be sullen and give an occasional big speech, alongside his perplexing abilities for warfare tactics and his wandering moral compass (whose sole purpose seems to be to put a love scene in the movie). Note: all the major characters except Neeson's are based on fact, but many are heavily fictionalized. --Doug Thomas

On the DVD
The Kingdom of Heaven Director's Cut is truly a DVD set of biblical proportions. If you are familiar with Ridley Scott's excellent, albeit massive, extended DVD sets for Gladiator and Black Hawk Down, you have a pretty good idea of what you are in for with this set. The biggest difference--unlike the Gladiator Director's Cut, which had some nice new scenes that really didn't add much to the film--is that this cut of Kingdom of Heaven is a drastic improvement over the theatrical release. This extensive 194-minute version brings the film back to Scott's original vision, maintaining an impressive balance of history, plot, and believable period reenactments and battle scenes. The best way to describe the improvements on the extended version is the film is now able to breathe a bit more, it's less choppy, and it has stronger character development. In addition to the extended scenes (which now span two discs in a clunky Road Show presentation), there is an exhaustive three-hour, six-part documentary detailing every aspect of filmmaking from the development of the "idea" through post-production and release. Also included are three feature-length commentary tracks, the best being the first with Ridley Scott, writer William Monahan, and actor Orlando Bloom. Included on the original release but missing from this set are the A&E/History Channel documentaries, the theatrical cut of the film, and "The Pilgrim's Guide," the fantastic text commentary which pointed out the historical anecdotes as the film played. Fans of the film and completists will probably want to hold onto both versions. However, those picking up Kingdom of Heaven for the first time need only to look to this definitive version. --Rob Bracco

Description

Among the best directors of our time, Ridley Scott (Gladiator), contributes generously to this extraordinary Collector?s Edition of Kingdom of Heaven. Featuring his Director?s Cut of the film and hours of fascinating extras including a six-part tour from conception to completion of filmmaking this definitive set makes what Variety called a "genuinely spectacular" film even more so!

An epic marvel that's as beautifully acted as it is visually awesome, Kingdom of Heaven stars Orlando Bloom as Balian, a Jerusalem blacksmith who has lost his family and his faith. But when his father (Liam Neeson) shows him his destiny, Balian vows to defend his country, and in the process, falls in love, becomes a formidable leader, and steps forever into history

Customer Reviews:

Balian, knight, defender of Jerusalem.......2007-07-07

I loved this picture. There is nothing about it that I would change. The extended version is the best. It brings certain characters full circle. I know it's not a factual account but I enjoyed the story line. I like the fact that Balian rose to the occasion and became the man his father knew he could be. This version I enjoyed the most, it gave more back ground on Balian and his father. I have the original version and then I bought this one. I'm glad I did. I've already seen it countless times because I enjoy Orlando's movies so much. It makes me wonder how much he is like the characters he plays. Balian, knight; defender of Jerusalem, setting off the feeling you can do anything. For him, I think I would.

Great way to waste your money !!!.......2007-06-28

This is one of the worst films ever made, maybe even worse than "Waterworld," if that's possible. The scenery is excellent, the costumes are great; but it all goes downhill from there. The story is this convoluted ridiculous farce about a blacksmith who suddenly becomes a knight and then falls in love with the Queen of Jerusalem...um...I think. Actually the story is so poorly told it's not clear who is who...but more importantly, I don't care because the story and the acting is so superficial I ended up hoping everybody would end up dying in a mass apocalyptic attack on the walls of Jerusalem. The script read as if it was written by a 7th grader who read a couple Skakespeare plays, looked at a couple "Medieval History" websites one night, and wrote a script, full of the most predicable trite cliche's ever written. The director has NO understanding of the crusades, and what they were about. He has the main character saying some trendy politcally correct jargon like "Jerusalem does not belong to one religion, but to all." There is not a single crusader who would have said that! And then at the end he vows not to surrender to the invading army, and then goes out and surrenders, and then everyone hails him as a hero because he surrenders. This movie is indicative of the whole mindset of the country where giving up fighting for something noble is better than fighting for what you believe in. Total trendy liberal ideology disguised as a historical epic. Don't waste your time or money on this silly over rated farce.

Kingdom of Deeez.......2007-06-27

The amount of development that went into this movie was amazing. I thought this movie was good in theaters...until I saw the directors cut which should have been in theaters...As a whole the movie made more sense in the directors cut...it made a good movie even better...longer but better... If you are into these types of films this is a must have...
Check it Fooo!

Outstanding!!!.......2007-06-27

Absolutely amazing! The Director's cut is like an entirely new movie!! It doesn't matter what faith you claim, this movie does not choose sides. Truly one for the shelves.

And then some.......2007-06-27

When I saw this movie for the first time un cut it was fantastic. The HD version is far more than I had anticipated. The story is much more complex and makes much more sense. It seems the original release was a dumb-down version of the real story. Picture quality is amazingly clear with lush colors. Even if you have this movie on DVD it is worth getting for Blu ray. You dont know what you are missing

Average customer rating:

Midway - a true account
A great movie
Miracle at Midway
Weak Technically, Still Great in its Genre
Midway was the foundation for victory in the Pacific

Midway (Collector's Edition)
Starring: Charlton Heston , Edward Albert , Henry Fonda , James Coburn , and Glenn Ford
Director: Jack Smight
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
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Patton

ASIN: B00005N5S3
Release Date: 2001-10-30

Amazon.com

Six months after the Japanese destroyed the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor, the Americans discovered the Japanese were planning to seize the Naval base at Midway Island--a perfect staging point for invading Hawaii or the mainland. Outnumbered four to one, the Americans won a surprise victory and shattered the backbone of the Japanese Imperial Navy. This 1976 film feels more like a history lesson than a drama, but World War II buffs will appreciate the attention to historical fact (especially the way in which fate and a few bad decisions turned the tide), as well as the generous use of actual battle footage. The all-star cast includes Robert Mitchum, James Coburn, and Cliff Robertson in cameos and a whole slew of familiar TV faces in supporting roles. Hal Holbrook is fun as an oddball intelligence officer. --Geof Miller

Customer Reviews:

Midway - a true account.......2007-07-05

If you want to know the amazing events which took placed which turned the WW2 Pacific War tide to the favor of the U.S. Navy, then you have to watch this movie which by the way has a fantastic cast. Big stars and talented character actors come together to present one fine telling of the Battle of Midway. There is action, stradegy, personal drama, bravery, subperb filming, and more. This movie excellently done.

A great movie.......2007-07-04

I bought this movie for my parents. They lived during this time and are very interested in WWII movies.

Miracle at Midway.......2007-06-22

1976's "Midway" is very much in the tradition of other World War II movie epics such as "The Longest Day" and "A Bridge Too Far" in packing a star-studded cast around a key battle. "Midway" depicts the surprising June 1942 victory by a U.S. Naval Carrier Task Force over a far larger Japanese Fleet attempting to seize Midway Island, located north west of the Hawaiian Islands.

Henry Fonda stars as Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Nimitz. On the basis of intercepted Japanese communications, and against the advice of his staff, the soft-spoken but tough-minded Nimitz gambles his three surviving aircraft carriers on the opportunity to ambush the Japanese Fleet near Midway. Hal Holbrooke has a nice cameo as the eccentric Naval cryptographer who made the key intelligence assessment. Robert Mitchum also has a nice cameo as the famous fighting Admiral Bill Halsey, bed-ridden with a tropical skin disease, who must defer command of his carrier task force to Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance (played by veteran character actor Ed Nelson). Overall command of the U.S. force would be exercised by Admiral Jack Fletcher (a pitch-perfect performance by Glenn Ford).

The connecting thread in the long (two-plus hours) movie is fictional Navy Captain Matt Garth (played with jut-jawed determination by Charlton Heston). Garth, a fighter pilot recovering from a wound, starts the movie as Nimitz's aide, is transferred to Spruance's staff for the Midway mission, and ends up back in the cockpit of a dive bomber for the decisive air strike against the Japanese fleet. His life is complicated by a sub-plot involving the arrival in Hawaii of his estranged son (played by Edward Albert), a rookie naval aviator who is engaged to an interned Japanese-American woman. Garth's attempts to help his son make contact with his fiance draw the ire of security forces, while his request to an old friend (Cliff Robertson in a cameo) to look after his son results in the son's precipitious transfer to one of the Midway-bound carriers.

The engagement at sea interweaves movie scenes with real combat footage from the battle. The action shifts rapidly between the Commander and staff of the Japanese carrier force and the pilots of a variety of U.S. aircraft seeking and then attacking the Japanese ships. The resulting sequences may replicate some of the chaos of combat but are apt to be confusing to the average viewer. The respective fates of Garth and his son provide a poignant ending to the battle.

"Midway" does a reasonable job of narrating the story of an almost miraculous U.S. victory. The production values, in terms of authentic-looking ships, aircraft, vehicles, and uniforms, are solid. However, the insertion of "name" actors in a variety of small roles becomes almost distracting, as none of these parts get enough screen time for real character development. The edited VHS and DVD versions of the movie seem to be shorter than the original theatrical release, and to lose some story exposition in the process.

This movie is recommended to fans of the World War II movie genre, who will be able to appreciate the authenticity of the sets and who will find this an entertaining production.

Weak Technically, Still Great in its Genre.......2007-06-01

In the Genre of early post-WW2 films, this is a good Navy flick. The reason the U.S. won the Battle of Midway was because of the first deployment of the Proximity (or Variable Time) fuze in 5 inch AA shells, which is probably lesser known and less film-worth, although the History Channel has picked up on its importance. If you want to learn about it, get The Deadly Fuze, a documentary produced by WGVU in Michigan!!!

Midway was the foundation for victory in the Pacific.......2007-05-31

i was 12 when this movie came out. it was a huge blockbuster with an all-star cast led by Charlton Heston as the fictional character Captain Matt Garth. the Garth character was in the movie to add some much needed human interest. Garth was the hero we could identify with and root for. and it also allowed the movie to have Edward Albert portray his son (a fighter pilot) and show how the Japanese were rounded up and sent to internment camps.

if those elements were not in the movie, it simply would have been a documentary of probably the most compelling naval battle for the US during WW II. it was the battle that turned the tide in the US's favor and allowed us to keep the Japanese at bay till we were ready to go on the offensive.

the DVD itself is very good quality with many excellent bonus feautures. i particulary enjoyed the interviews with producer Walter Mirish and director Jack Smight and also Charlton Heston. and there is also a nice interview session with composer John Williams who did a very nice job with the score for Midway.

now let me say something about the confusion regarding the length and scope of the movie. the movie on this DVD is the original theatrical release. there was another version of this movie which was longer and showed the Battle of the Coral Sea (Mitch Ryan starred as Rear Admiral Aubrey Fitch) and also gave Heston a romantic interest with Susan Sullivan playing his girlfriend. this version was made after the fact to accommodate NBC (i believe) so it could have a long two-part movie for its popular Movie of the Week. personally, i liked this longer version better as it gave the movie a lot more meat and made it more interesting. without these additional scenes, the movie seems a bit hurried and uninspired in my opinion.

now on this DVD set they do have the 10 minutes worth of footage with Susan Sullivan in the Bonus section. but for some inexplicable reason there are no shots of the Battle of Coral Sea and that is very dissapointing.

it would have been nice if they could have released this as a 2-DVD set with the second disc containing the longer TV version.

the bottom line is that this is a good movie with a good cast and it is nice to see it with all of the extra bonus feautures as well.

Average customer rating:

Patton
PATTON WAS NOT CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!
AFI rip-off
The best ww2 movie
The Last Generation of True Warriors

Patton
Starring: George C. Scott , Karl Malden , Stephen Young , Michael Strong , and Carey Loftin
Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000EHSVS2
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Amazon.com essential video

One of the greatest screen biographies ever produced, this monumental film runs nearly three hours, won seven Academy Awards, and gave George C. Scott the greatest role of his career. It was released in 1970 when protest against the Vietnam War still raged at home and abroad, and many critics and moviegoers struggled to reconcile current events with the movie's glorification of Gen. George S. Patton as a crazy-brave genius of World War II.

How could a movie so huge in scope and so fascinated by its subject be considered an anti-war film? The simple truth is that it's not--Patton is less about World War II than about the rise and fall of a man whose life was literally defined by war, and who felt lost and lonely without the grand-scale pursuit of an enemy. George C. Scott embodies his role so fully, so convincingly, that we can't help but be drawn to and fascinated by Patton as a man who is simultaneously bound for hell and glory. The film's opening monologue alone is a masterful display of acting and character analysis, and everything that follows is sheer brilliance on the part of Scott and director Franklin J. Schaffner.

Filmed on an epic scale at literally dozens of European locations, Patton does not embrace war as a noble pursuit, nor does it deny the reality of war as a breeding ground for heroes. Through the awesome achievement of Scott's performance and the film's grand ambition, Patton shows all the complexities of a man who accepted his role in life and (like Scott) played it to the hilt. --Jeff Shannon

Description

A critically acclaimed film that won a total of eight 1970 Academy Awards (Including Best Picture), Patton is a riveting portrait of one of the 20th century's greatest military geniuses. One of it's Oscars went to George Patton, the only Allied general truly feared by the Nazis. Charismatic and Flamboyant, Patton designed his own uniforms, sported ivory-handled six-shooters, and believed he was a warrior in past lives. He outmanuevered Rommel in Africa, and after D-Day led his troops in an unstoppable campaign across Europe. But he was rebellious as well insight and poignancy, his own volatile personailty was one enemy he could never defeat.

Customer Reviews:

Patton.......2007-07-04

George C. Scott delivers a towering rendition of the profane, colorful, contradictory Patton, by turns making us admire, revile, and pity this man, who was driven by a profound sense of pre-destination. Karl Malden is superb as Patton's more measured but equally brilliant colleague General Omar Bradley, but this is Scott's show all the way. This won a raft of 1970 Oscars, including Picture and Actor. A must-see.

PATTON WAS NOT CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-06-21

George Patton was a Military Historian, a friend to animals regardless of what you see or hear, and probably the most effective combat strategist of the 20th Century. You can't see this film and see the entire picture. You must read outside of this film, like his own biography "War As I Knew It", as well as read the works by Omar Bradley. Did you know that George Patton was born in Los Angeles County? That's right, like me he was BORN IN L.A. He was born in Pasadena. Did you know he saved the horse breed known as Lipizzaner Stallions from extinction? That's right, the nazi germans had taken the last of what was left of the breed and rounded them up from the rest of Europe to be a nazi prize of achievement, being that they are the most famous and most reliable horses in the world for what was needed in the cavalry. George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and several other famous Revolutionary War heroes rode Lipizzaners. They will not shirk under gunfire or cannon. After the war, the russians had appropriated these animals from the defeted nazis in their sector of conquer, and had planned to have the last of these famous, magnificent animals slaughtered for meat for their soldiers. George Patton found out about this, and forced the russians to turn the animals over to the United States, and Patton himself overseen the safe and secure shipment of these animals back to America. Because of him, these animals survived and thrive today, and to date have sired over 25,000, effectively repopulating the species forever. George Patton also spoke 17 different languages, knew every war and every battle ever fought by anyone in the history of the world, and thought that History should be a priority discipline tought in American schools. He effectively changed the sentiments of the United States Education Department, and now History is taught alongside Mathematics, English, Speech, Physical Education, and all other required pre-teen and teen studies, as a result of Patton's influence. He was a brave human being that was fearless and yes, ruthless, but he was also one of the most far-seeing, one of the most intellectually gifted, and one of the kindest human beings that ever lived. I love this film, but in actuality the slapping incident is taken out of context. You have to realize that some soldiers were put to death for cowardice during World War II. Patton did this man a favor, and like the movie says, he intendid to "ruffle his pride a little bit" and to "remind him of his obligations as a man and a soldier". Don't judge Patton by this film alone. Patton was also a direct descendant of Hugh Mercer, who was George Washington's closest and most trusted friend. General Mercer was killed at the Battle of Princeton during the Revolutionary War. You must understand a man's motive's before you can pass judgement on him. If George believed in past lives, it's because he had a spiritual connection, something that most people don't have at all, with his and our past, as well as the past of people all over the world that did battle for what the believed to be right...Honor, Glory, and Dignity. Never forget that George deeply loved America and all She stands for, and believed in God. Start with this film, and proceed to all the literature about Patton available. He was a remarkable human being that loved God and loved his country.

AFI rip-off.......2007-06-21

The new AFI top 100 film list appeared today and Patton was absent. I will not disparage the films that made the list, but at least 20 of them are lesser films than this masterpiece: oscars for best picture, actor, director, and script. This is a great war film, a great biographical film, a great film. The dialogue is consistently memorable, the set pieces unforgettable. Scott is brilliant; this is his masterwork (in a career consisting of multiple contending efforts). If you have not seen this film see it now. As one of my college teachers once said, "If you have not read The Brothers Karamazov go directly to the library and do it. You might die without having read it." The same advice applies to Patton.

The best ww2 movie.......2007-06-14

Patton is a great bio and war movie. Patton is accurate the dialouge when he slaps the solider at the hospital is word for word what was said. The combat scenes are realistic and the rivalry with Montgomery is. At Sicily Patton was determined to beat Montgomery to Messina and did at great cost.When Pattons army is going up those icy roads to releive Bastonge is one of the best parts, and a highlight of ww2. Patton has a great theme song. The opening speech is memorable George s. Patton was one of Americas greatest generals and this movie shows why.

The Last Generation of True Warriors.......2007-04-02

War reached its ultimate state - in both grandeur and tragedy - with WWII, and Patton was perhaps the best personification of both its aspects. George C. Scott was in this movie able to capture the conflicts and limitations of modern warfare and to display the ancient traditions of the soldier in a way no one else has. The movie does an admirable job of depicting the final years of WWII from both the Allied and Axis sides of the European war. If the movie can be faulted at all, it is in its tendency to romanticize war though the personality of this great but flawed man.

Average customer rating:

Looking at war from a different angle
Compelling Battles, a Social Conscience, & a Different View of France's Liberation.
Not an Epic - but still a good movie
They were so so days.
worth owning, a war movie that tackles racism and cultural questions

Days of Glory (Indigenes)
Starring: Jamel Debbouze , Samy Naceri , Roschdy Zem , Sami Bouajila , and Bernard Blancan
Director: Rachid Bouchareb
Manufacturer: Weinstein Company
ProductGroup: DVD
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Letters from Iwo Jima (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Breach (Widescreen Edition)
The Last King of Scotland (Widescreen Edition)
The Good German
Army of Shadows - Criterion Collection

ASIN: B000NVT0RU
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Description

(War/Action) Set during WWII, North African soldiers enlist in the French army and battle their way across Europe to liberate the "fatherland" and confront discrimination.

Customer Reviews:

Looking at war from a different angle.......2007-07-08

On one hand you have your pretty typical war story. This movie paints a vivid picture of some violent developments in WWII, specifically with the French battling the Germans. It displays some pretty intense action between the two sides as the brutality of war is exposed.
But what sets this unique film aside is the scorching assortment of emotional depth that is boiling within. There was a great deal of racial injustices the Muslim soldiers were forced to deal with from their French leaders.
Finally, one soldier confronts the staff sergeant, claiming that "German bullets don't pick and choose". He demanded equal treatment if he was expected to lay down his life for the liberation of France.
Another scene I found very powerful--the soldiers were marching through a field when pieces of paper started falling from the sky. The Germans had begun a strategic mental warfare with these notes. They stated that Muslim soldiers weren't born into slavery, and if they crossed over to the German side their lives would be spared. Each one insisted that the French only send you to die. I imagine these mind games must have been tempting for many of those soldiers.
Overall, this is an entertaining and educational look at this small piece of history. It was nominated for an Academy award for best Foreign picture. Plus, the entire ensemble cast were recognized at the Cannes Film Festival with an award for Best Actor. This is a gripping tale definitely worth a look.

Compelling Battles, a Social Conscience, & a Different View of France's Liberation. .......2007-06-30

Director Rachid Bouchareb made "Days of Glory" to draw attention to the plight of men from France's protectorates and colonies who served in the French military during World War II but who were denied their pensions after 1959, because their countries had won independence from France. The film is very politically charged in France, where its title is simply "Indigenes", meaning "natives". It inspired President Jacques Chirac to finally address the pension inequities. Bouchareb doesn't hide his agenda or his bias: The North African soldiers in the film joined the French army mostly for money, occasionally for opportunity. They fought valiantly and loyally to free France from German occupation. They were stifled by discrimination and quotas during the war and discarded afterward. The specific events and characters in the film are fictional, though some French towns were, indeed, liberated by regiments of mostly North African soldiers.

In 1943, France's African Army recruits soldiers from Algeria, among them a young shepherd named Said (Jamel Debbouze), and from "goumiers" in Morocco, including Yassir (Samy Naceri), who hopes to make enough money for his brother to marry well. In 1944, the 7th Algerian Infantry Regiment, under the command of French "pieds-noir" Sergeant Martinez (Bernard Blancan) and Arab Corporal Abdelkader (Sami Bouajila), win France's first victory against the German army in Italy. They arrive in Marseilles to much fanfare, where their marksman Messaoud (Roschdy Zem) begins a relationship with a French woman (Aurelie Bouab). Abdelkader is increasingly frustrated with the lack of promotion and "liberte, egalite, and fraternite" for African soldiers, inspiring a minor civil rights movement. But the war goes on, and the Regiment will be the first French in Alsace, as they attempt to hold the Germans off until the Americans arrive.

"Days of Glory" won't pack the political punch for Americans that it does for French, but this is a terrific war movie. It tells a World War II story that we haven't seen before, and it features two of the most compelling battle scenes I've ever seen: Flushing the Germans out in mountainous Italy elucidates the fear of the soldiers in their first battle and the utter randomness of who lives or dies. The defense of the Alsacian town is in some ways the opposite, as we know the soldiers well by this time and hope they will survive. The four North African leads represent diverse types: Unsophisticated Said's boyish devotion to his Sergeant, mature Messaoud who is not savvy enough to see the hypocrisy around him, mercenary Yassir whose dedication to his comrades grows, and idealistic Abdelkader who hopes their service to France will advance the position of North Africans. Viewers inevitably sympathize with those most like themselves, but those characters involve us emotionally in the events. In French and Arabic with optional subtitles.

The DVD (Weinstein 2007): "The Making of Days of Glory" (24 min) interviews the director, producer, and writer Olivier Lorelle about researching the film, bringing the story of their ancestors to the screen, and shedding light on the role of North African troops. The cast discusses their preparation and characters. Subtitled. "The Colonial Friend" (8 min) is an animated film by director Rachid Bouchareb about the experience of Senegalese infantrymen who fought for France and met a worse fate than the North Africans. The animation style is a unique, eye-catching black-and-white. No dialogue. English and Spanish subtitles are available for the film.

Not an Epic - but still a good movie.......2007-06-25

I would not call this movie an epic, not by a long shot. It is good, yes, the acting in fact is very good - but it is no "Saving Private Ryan".

Much of the fighting is small scale, still good, but not to the beach assault scenes that we have come to expect of great WW2 movie epics. The story to be told, is certainly political, and while it is difficult to get emotionally attached or close to any of the characters in the movie you find yourself angered at the manipulation and lies that are used by the French Officers to coerce and cajole the Algerians to blindly continue the fight for their beloved France.

My only criticism of the movie would be that I found it extremely distracting that one of the main characters, Sai`d (actor Jamal Debbouze) went through the entire war with his right hand stuck in his jacket pocket and I kept wondering why? I later found out that Debbouze, lost the use of his right arm in a childhood accident. But surely, in a war movie such as this you would be able to find ample opportunity to write into the script a reason that would adequately cover such a wound - other than just having the arm super-glued into an army jacket pocket??? I mean to take nothing away from Debbouze's skill as an actor, because I thought he did a great job in the part as Sai`d in this movie, I just think it a shame that rather than allowing me to focus on the character he portrayed so well, my attention was constantly drawn to his damn right hand in that damn pocket!!

They were so so days........2007-06-22

The movie is incoherent. The acting is stiff, not convincing.
There are two touching scenes in the whole DVD. One is where an Algerian soldier stepped on a case of fresh tomatoes and said to his French captain "If tomatoes are not given to everybody, then nobody will get one".
The second is where another Algerian soldier rushed to a room and tried to carry his wounded French captain away from the house while the Germans were entering it. They ended up being killed by the German anti-tank gun. Had the soldier just run away by himself and left his commander behind, he would have had escaped death.
The film is good in term of anti-racism. It is worth renting not buying.
Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, the Longest Day, the Lost Battalion, Gettysburg and Gods and Generals are still the only titles on my list of Best War Movies of All Times.

worth owning, a war movie that tackles racism and cultural questions.......2007-06-21

I like war movies, i glanced at the box in the video store, quickly misinterpreted what it was about and rented it.

From this fortunate mistake came an interesting and worthwhile experience. For i knew nothing about the colonial French army in WW2 and this is an excellently done movie, that not only informs but motivates and interests me in the topic as well.

Usually movies with an deeply felt political or social point, loose the film making quality, sacrificing it for the bigger emotional point that the authors wish to get across. It is rare for a movie to have good historical knowledge-it's often twisted to fix predispositions, good film making technic-character development, coherent plot, and good filming, and a deep political point or as this movie does tackle currently hot button topics. "Z" and "The Battle of Algiers" and "Hell in a Very Small Place" are the only other movies quite like this one that i can remember, combining war with political and social commentary and not loosing sight of the need to present the film technically well.

The big point is explained in the "making of days of glory", the usual dvd additional features, for once worth watching and much better than the usual shovelware. That is for those French citizens today of North African (or Sengalese) descent to relearn the sacrifices their grandfathers and great-grand fathers made in liberating France from the Nazis. As a second point, for those French citizens of European descent to be more aware and thankful for the few remaining ex-colonials soldiers in their midst before they die, and to acknowledge that those people in their lives from Africa have long ago paid in blood for their right to be there and to be genuine Frenchmen.

The movie is about racism, judging a person by the color of their skin or the culture of their parents without making any attempt to hear their stories, to see what they have done, where they have come from or what they believe. The movie in a rather nice but complex way shows several ways that racism twists and distorts human relationships. It is also good to see the arena as something other than the US, for racism is not just an American problem but a human one.

The scene with the tomatoes. Only white French troops are given them, the North Africans and Sengalese are not. But as the movie points out, bullets don't discriminate, they indiscriminately kill anyone wearing a French uniform. The scene with the ballet dancers, culture is deeply embedded in us all and we can only see it oftentimes when it grinds into another one and the differences are made obvious to us. When the main character mounts the box and tells the soldiers that both France and the colonials must change, there is a veiled reference to the post-WW2 colonial wars of independence that make the issues of the movie so complex and difficult to understand. When you see the violence with which the sargent responses to the knowledge that he is a son of a Berber women, you can (as all good movies do) feel both his shame and the surprise of the other man at his comment being so hated when it was offered in deep and understanding sympathy. And that is the great value of learning with movies, the visceral, the emotional impact of images and a story told with them. Now i can, and probably will, look into the issue with more reading, but this is an excellent place to learn something about a neglected and important time in recent history.

Pieces of the movie are very attractively done, the uniforms-baggy North African turbans and robes with sandals, in the French winter (how can anyone live in this cold?, a point echoed in me). The fear, the brotherhood of warriors, the French white women plus the Berber soldier and the way society seems to conspire to destroy their relationship, the way some of them steal from the dead. The movie is full of unique and moving pieces that will make it a movie worth owning and watching again, there is too much going on, too many new connections for the viewer to make to be satisfied with a single pass through it.

I think that this movie is a genuine contribution to the ongoing dialogue between not just the European colonial powers and their African colonies, but between Islam and Christianity, racism and cultural conflicts. I need only remember that Augustine was called names because he was small and dark, for Monica was a Berber, to remember that Christianity is not European, not in origin nor in extent. I can hate and fear Islam as the greatest competitor of my faith, but that does not mean that every Muslim is my personal enemy, nor does it mean that i can't respect and honor them for their good deeds.

it is a worthwhile experience, not only for the excitement and passion but for an analysis of the deeper and more important issues that it tries to teach and push us into. thanks to all involved in making this movie and making it available to me to watch

Average customer rating:

Unique view from the enemy perspective.
Interesting and Fresh perspective
Great Historical Movie
Very good WW2 film from another perspective
Anti-American and BORING

Letters from Iwo Jima [Blu-ray]
Starring: Tsuyoshi Ihara , Kazunari Ninomiya , and Ken Watanabe
Director: Clint Eastwood
Manufacturer: Warner Brothers
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000O77RLE
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Description

Customer Reviews:

Unique view from the enemy perspective........2007-06-28

Eastwood doesn't overplay or melodramatize events, uses flashbacks wisely to flesh out character development, and tells the story of the battle itself in a compelling fashion.

Interesting and Fresh perspective.......2007-06-27

Being nominated for "Best Picture" by the Academy Awards (or something like that), this movie definitely deserves 5 stars. Taking the viewpoint of the Japanese Imperial Army during this battle is also a very interesting concept, and doesn't portray American soldiers in the stereotypical "super human" like they are in pretty much all other war films. The Blu-Ray disk quality is outstanding. Even when played on 480p (not and HD resolution), it appears brighter and fuller than standard DVD when played on a Playstation 3. If you're a fan of war films, and you have the capability to play Blu-Ray disks, this is definitely a movie for you.

Great Historical Movie.......2007-06-27

Letters is a great movie for history buffs. It brings a new perspective to the genre. Great cast and story. The only bugs I had with this movie are that the movie has a very dark setting, lots of blacks and grays. Not much to look at with the HD version. I was alittle disappointed with the menu and bonus features. The presentation was cheaply done and there are little to no features.

Very good WW2 film from another perspective.......2007-06-09

Most people are familiar with WW2 based on the almost romanticized European theatre, while the battles in the Pacific are less common especially in modern films. Go to Japan and they are basically non-existant.
So I believe that it was a sense of duty to the film makers of Letters from Iwo Jima to tell this story, not just to American audiences but especially for Japanese audiences as well. It's a part of history everyone is beginning to forget and the story of the Japanese men on that island needs to be told, and with this film it is told quite well.
The picture and sound are good being on Blu-ray, and it also has several special features such as press interviews with the cast and director, Clint Eastwood, which are very revealing. The extras are not in high-def however, but still looked good upconverted on my Playstation 3 and HDTV.
This film isn't on my top ten favorite WW2 films, but it is very good and easily worth a watch. If you are a WW2 buff you are sure to be pleased.

Anti-American and BORING.......2007-06-03

If you hate America, and ignore history, this is the movie for you. First of all, the movie was extremely boring, mostly dialog (in Japanese with sub-titles), very little war action. As the movie progresses, you see that it is really a thinly veiled attack on America, and on war in general.
The movie takes a huge left turn, exemplified by two scenes. In the first, the Japanese are shown to risk their own lives to run into enemy fire to recover a wounded US soldier, then they treat him with the last of their morphine. This is in contrast to the scene showing a US soldier shooting 2 unarmed, captured POW's who surrendered so the Americans would give them a meal.
Clint Eastwood must have lost his mind if he thinks my grandfater and his brothers in arms EVER shot an unarmed POW.
Please avoid this movie.

Average customer rating:

Director's Cut coming!!!
A good addition to the epic film category
One of the better war movies
An (almost) great movie
HOW DO YOU DISCRIBE EXALINTS

Troy (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Starring: Julian Glover , Brian Cox , Nathan Jones , Adoni Maropis , and Jacob Smith
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002Z0EYK
Release Date: 2005-01-04

Amazon.com

There are many reasons to recommend Troy as a good ol' fashioned Hollywood epic, especially if you've never read Homer's The Iliad. Dispensing with Greek gods altogether, this earnestly massive production (budgeted at upwards of $200 million) will surely offend historians and devoted students of the classics (for them, there's the History Channel's Troy). But there's politics aplenty in the grand-scale war that erupts when Trojan prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) makes off with Helen (blandly beautiful German model Diane Kruger), wife of Spartan ruler Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), whose brother, the Greek king Agamemnon (Brian Cox) prods him into enraged retaliation. Greek warrior Achilles (Brad Pitt) brings lethal force to his battles (and there are many of them, mostly impressive), and his Trojan counterpart, Paris's brother Hector (Eric Bana), adds even more buffed-up beefcake to a film so chock-full o' hunks that there's barely room for Peter O'Toole (doing fine work as Trojan king Priam) and even less for Julie Christie, appearing ever-so-briefly as Achilles's melancholy mother. The drama is nearly as arid as the sun-baked locations (Mexico and Malta) that stand in for the Aegean coast, and many critics suggested that Pitt (who valiantly tries to give Achilles some tormented dimension) was simply miscast. But when you consider that Wolfgang Petersen also made The Perfect Storm, there's nothing wrong with enjoying Troy as a semi-guilty pleasure with a touch of ancient class. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Brad Pitt picks up a sword and brings a muscular, brooding presence to the role of Greek warrior Achilles in this spectacular retelling of The Iliad. Orlando Bloom and Diane Kruger play the legendary lovers who plunge the world into war, Eric Bana portrays the prince who dares to confront Achilles, and Peter O'Toole rules Troy as King Priam. Director Wolfgang Petersen recreates a long-ago world of bireme warships, clashing armies, the massive fortress city and the towering Trojan Horse.

DVD Features:
Easter Eggs
Featurette:3 Featurettes: 1.In The Thick of the Battle: Discover how Troy's epic battle sequences were created--from thousands of warrior-extras training in the scorching heat of Mexico to fierce, one on one duels to the death. 2.From Ruins to Reality: Explore how the ruins of ancient Troy were unearthed, and how Troy's production design magicians created their own version of this breathtaking, legendary city. 3.Troy: An Effects Odyssey: The secrets of Troy's stunning visual effects are revealed--fro
Photo gallery:Gallery of the Gods: Take a computer generated, 3-D tour of Mount Olympus and meet the fabled Gods of Ancient Greece
Theatrical Trailer

Customer Reviews:

Director's Cut coming!!!.......2007-05-03

This news is about a month old as of this writing, but DavisDVD reported on April 3rd that director Wolfgang Peterson is getting $1M and his chance to go back and put out his definitive version of this historical epic film, much like Ridley Scott did with Kingdom of Heaven and Oliver Stone with Alexander.

Apparently, this new cut will be about a half-hour longer and be much more violent along with more sex. (Rubs hands together...)

It'll probably be released on home video in Sept. 2007.

A good addition to the epic film category.......2007-04-17

I know I learned all about Greek history and mythology in high school, but that was too many years ago so I didn't know what in this movie was true to history and what was altered. Maybe my ignorance helped me enjoy the movie more than some. I thought the battle sequences were well done and the costuming excellent. Some of the characters didn't have much to do, while others we were given a good amount of depth to understand their motivations. Peter O'Toole owned the screen in his scene with Achilles asking for his son's body to be returned. Brad Pitt did a nice job with Achilles. The only complaint I have is the nihilistic way the character was written became a little irritating to deal with as the movie went on. Brian Cox is his usual nasty self as Agamemnon and it would have been nice to see Brendon Gleason have a bigger role as Menelaus.

My biggest trouble with Troy is the almost 3 hour length. It didn't need to be that long. A few scenes cut out or shortened would have made a tighter movie. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Troy and would recommend it.

One of the better war movies.......2007-03-18

If you are looking for a great rendition of Homers tale the Iliad then dont bother with this movie. If you are looking for an entertaining movie about warfare during the time of the Greek city states then this is right for you. Not like many other Hollywood war movies where all the good guys live at the end and are able to defeat armies many time their size with little problem...cough...cough...Lord of the Rings. This movie is somewhat realistic where you have the good guys as your fighting soldiers and the higher ups numb or fighting for corrupt or concealed motives (if they are actually fighting at all). The losses of warfare are apparent as some of the more noble and likable characters in the movie lose their lives. It leaves the viewer of the movie wondering if the cost of that war was worth the sacrfices.

An (almost) great movie.......2007-03-09

If I could give it 4.5 stars, I would. For the most part, I thought Brad Pitt was an excellent Achilles, although there were a couple scenes where he spontaneously forgot how to act. The battle-scenes are impressive and the personal dual between Hector and Achilles was very well-done: I'd never seen such a well-choreographed fight with spears.

O.k., so they had to condense ten years of war into two weeks (or whatever), but what can you expect for a 2 hour movie? The Trojan Horse is somewhat underwhelming (but I guess that's to be expected since you know how the story ends).

As long as you're not a Homer purist, then "Troy" will not disappoint.

HOW DO YOU DISCRIBE EXALINTS.......2007-03-09

THIS IS THE BEST OR 1 OF THE BEST THAT WAS EVER SENT

Average customer rating:

See It to Believe It
We happy few!
Maybe The Best Film Adaptation of William Shakespeare Ever Done
Branagh's Best
A Scotsmans opinion

Henry V
Starring: Brian Blessed , Richard Briers , Fabian Cartwright , Patrick Doyle , and Ian Holm
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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