Tycho
08-11-2006, 03:15 AM
This will probably be the oldest movie I start a thread about.
In my quest to learn about World War One, I bought this one based on its award recommendations and a glowing report or two from some of you.
It's a black and white film starring Kirk Douglas (yeah, that's "Romancing the Stone and Basic Instinct's Michael Douglas' father - and they look and sound exactly alike).
Douglas Sr. plays a lawyer turned combat officer in the French army that's locked in combat in the trenches with the Germans.
A superior officer looking to advance his career, orders an ill-fated charge against "the Ant Hill" (a fortified German location) and many of the men are slaughtered by machine guns. Those that survive to retreat are lucky that they did - however the superior commander wants to execute 3 to set an example against acting cowardly. Kirk Douglas' characer returns to his law profession to defend them in a military court martial.
There's plenty of combat on the battlefield and in the courtroom to make me see why this film is so highly acclaimed. It's only a 1 1/2 hour movie as well - but you're seriously swept along for the ride.
I want to thank the guys who recommended it and encourage you to watch and discuss it. Good picture.
In my quest to learn about World War One, I bought this one based on its award recommendations and a glowing report or two from some of you.
It's a black and white film starring Kirk Douglas (yeah, that's "Romancing the Stone and Basic Instinct's Michael Douglas' father - and they look and sound exactly alike).
Douglas Sr. plays a lawyer turned combat officer in the French army that's locked in combat in the trenches with the Germans.
A superior officer looking to advance his career, orders an ill-fated charge against "the Ant Hill" (a fortified German location) and many of the men are slaughtered by machine guns. Those that survive to retreat are lucky that they did - however the superior commander wants to execute 3 to set an example against acting cowardly. Kirk Douglas' characer returns to his law profession to defend them in a military court martial.
There's plenty of combat on the battlefield and in the courtroom to make me see why this film is so highly acclaimed. It's only a 1 1/2 hour movie as well - but you're seriously swept along for the ride.
I want to thank the guys who recommended it and encourage you to watch and discuss it. Good picture.