sonarman65 Reviews

The Cruel Sea (1953)

Simply the absolute best film about men in ships at war

[10/10 · 5 December 2006]

The Cruel Sea (1953) Simply the absolute best film made about men in ships at war., 30 November 2006

(This comment was deleted by you) Having served as a sonar operator in a Cannon class WW2 Destroyer Escort, I will tell you that no movie ever produced comes closer to hitting the bulls eye in the attempt to reproduce the experience of stalking and attempting to destroy a submarine in the cold yet boiling waters of the North Atlantic in a 200 foot long vessel using first generation underwater detection gear(ASDIC) This film could only have been shot in black and white to truly capture the cold, bleak, wet and miserable conditions associated with this difficult job, where just about all concerned would "rather have been somewhere else". Even the musical score evokes a forlorn mood throughout. This is far more an "anti war" film than it is a "war movie". Three scenes define this tale. 1. The Captain's terrible decision to sacrifice innocent lives to destroy an enemy submarine. 2. The rescuing of oil covered half drowned enemy sailors with the obvious indication that they are just men.....like us. This is briefly underscored by the tenderness and care with which they are treated by their British counterparts. And finally 3. One of the finest closing scenes in films. The war is over and the Captain is giving the last perfunctory mooring orders, his First Officer, and by now lifelong friend, by his side. A few brief wistful words exchanged between them, the Captain leaves the bridge, the First Officer lingers a moment to adjust the Pelorus and will also turn to leave for the last time. Camera pans to long shot of ship at anchor on smooth water...alone, against a brooding gray sky, the shrill fading whistle of the Bosun's pipe is heard, (no music) The End. Beautifully understated and unforgettable. I remember thinking that war brings out both the best and the worst in man and even though those who lived it "would rather have been somewhere else", for most, it will remain the high point of their lives. "The Cruel Sea" brilliantly underscores this paradox.

The Great Raid (2005)

An adaptation of real ww2 mission that seemed to fall through the cracks. Thanks to those who took the time to produce this superior "war" film.

[8/10 · 7 March 2006]

If ever a film, especially a film about war, deserved the designation "sleeper", this work should head the list. Over the years I can recall but 7 or 8 war films that I would classify as superior. "Saving Private Ryan", "The Bridge On The River Kwai", "Paths Of Glory", "Das Boot", "The Cruel Sea", "Four Feathers" (1939 version) "In Which We Serve", "Tora Tora Tora" and "The Red Badge Of Courage" with honorable mention to "Gung Ho", "The Enemy Below"( without its ridiculous ending) and "The Battle Of Britain" (if for nothing else than its exquisite aerial sequences). The wonderful picture "Patton" I do not classify as a war film as much as the definitive film biography. And then along comes "The Great Raid". A tight, believable, no nonsense story about a little known operation of WW2, and one that should make all Americans proud. Excluded are ,thanks be, to all the mind numbing clichés',which over the years screenwriters felt duty bound to have our ethnically correct collection of (mostly lovable) G.I.'s, mouth on screen. The palaver to which I refer has ruined many potentially decent films about war and its stern reality. However this neat little film sidesteps the chronic pitfalls of the genre and is meticulous in portraying most of its combat sequences regarding weapons, battle dress, tactics and combat-speak. (take note of the 30 caliber, bolt action, Springfield Rifle Col. Mucci uses at the river instead of the semi-automatic M-1 Garand issued at that point in the war).And when I saw that Captain Dale Dye (USMC Ret.)was military adviser on the set as well as acting in a small part, I knew that all would be in order. The cast is excellent,especially Ben Bratt as Col. Mucci. So if your in the mood for a well above average action flick with a tension filled ending, where you will be cheering for the good guys, "The Great Raid" will not disappoint. (The use of real wartime newsreel footage at beginning and end provides an excellent touch.) NOTE: Because of some brief disturbing violent scenes of executions,I would not recommend this film for children up to age 16. ADDENDUM: The 6th Ranger Battalion was the only Ranger outfit to serve in the Pacific theater. It may be argued that it was the toughest, best trained unit in the U.S. Military. Col. Mucci, a West Point graduate,proficient in boxing,judo,hand to hand combat, use of the bayonet as well as night fighting and small unit tactics, trained his men personally through 1944 in the steaming mountainous jungle terrain of New Guinea. Only the best made it through and they followed one of the most charismatic leaders in the U.S. Army into battle. It is too bad that some of this part of the story did not find its way into the film to let the audience know of the uniqueness of the men being portrayed.

The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes: The Master Blackmailer (1992) Season 2, Episode 1

Screen version of Sherlock Holmes reaches its zenith in Jeremy Brett's portrayal of master sleuth.

[10/10 · 18 January 2006]

After seeing Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, no actor should ever display such conceit as to imagine that he could ever come close to Mr. Brett's portrayal of "one of the most interesting characters in literature". Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes and in my opinion there can be no other. The great actor Basil Rathbone is,I must admit, a close second but, is still second. One might make the argument that Mr. Rathbone's screenplays were inferior to the absolutely top notch productions afforded Mr. Brett and to this I would agree. However when all is said and done Jeremy Brett will always and forever be the only actor to truly "become" Sherlock Holmes. The book should be closed on this subject and we,the public,left to enjoy Mr.Brett's unique performances.

Bill Rogers

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