Wars and ConflictsΒ permalink
War stories that should be filmed?
This discussion has been closed.
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Message 1.Β
Posted by Disgruntled_Renegade (U530059) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Ok this thread is for war novels or real stories that SHOULD be filmed wether for education or just because they would make a damned fine film.
I think anything by Sven Hassel, though Legion of the Damned if we want to go for a more real life story of the war. But only if filmed right. it needs to keep the style, the Humour and Irony of day to day life for a soldier in the 27th "Murder and Arson Regiment" suddenly rudely interrupted by absolutely devestating scenes of sheer horror and brutality and literally as close a look into hell you can get without dying. these books are the most anti war i have ever read, the way the WRONGNESS of it all drips out of them, the hatred for the politicians who have caused it. and can we have a discussion of Sven without someone dragging up that Danish Journalist who claims Hassel is a fraud and never was in the Wermacht - the journo it seems is very very much an admirer of one Herr Hitler, and the SS. how strange he would take offence to anti nazi books..... Svens publishers say that he is in talks with a film producer, so know knows
I would love to see a big budget adaption of Sharpe's Devil also - Admiral Cochrane was one cool man. of course I wish they had made Sharpes Waterloo as a movie with a budget rather than with the usual no budget ITV afforded to Sharpe
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Message 2
Posted by Idamante (U1894562) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
I share some of that journalist's doubts. Legion of the Damned (the first one) MAY be authentic but all those sequels are surely not
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Message 3
Posted by Slimdaddy101 (U2553470) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
My choice would need to be Birdsong, by Sebastian Faulks. It is one of the most claustraphobic, harrowing descriptions of life in the treches ever written.
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Message 4
Posted by Mani (U1821129) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Anything regarding some of the Ghurkha VC winners in the Eastern campaign in WW2.
Suez
Falklands
Tsushima straits
Battles of Alma/Balaclava
The US's Banana Wars
A decent film about the Battle of Thermopylae, and not that one with Steve Reeves.
The French Foreign Legion's last stand at the Camerone Hacienda -
Message 5
Posted by Slimdaddy101 (U2553470) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Now I come to think about it, 'The Somme' by Lynn McDonald is a historical book I would love to see made into a movie. Any first world war movie made to date has never quite hit the mark for me.
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Message 6
Posted by DL (U1683040) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Ok then,
Where to begin?
Firstly, Renegade, agreed on the Sharpe issue. A full on big budget version of Sharpe's Waterloo and Sharpe's Devil would be fantastic (although you'd have to keep the same actors, well, at least for Sharpe and Harper-it wouldn't look the same otherwise!) although I admit I prefer all the "French-Bashing" books rather than the non-Napoleonic ones.
I reckon for a future war film(in the style of a Bridge too far), the ground war in the first Gulf War. None of that "sub-plot" events going on while the war raged stuff we have seen so far (such as Three Kings and the one with the female chopper pilot-sorry can't remember the name!), but a full on war film of the armoured charge into Iraq and Kuwait. The sight of a modern heavy armoured division charging across the desert with guns blazing would look well impressive on the big screen, particularly some of the night battles, they were seriously spectacular!
Sadly it indicates the state of the world today that there are so many wars to base a film on!
Cheers
DL -
Message 7
Posted by Richie (U1238064) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
totally impractical and hugely expensive to film but Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy
Soviet Invasion of Europe, the airbourne attack on Iceland, the naval attack on the US Fleet in teh Atlantic
huge stuff!!! -
Message 8
Posted by grey ghost (U2012073) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
I've always thought that the story of how the Lancashire Fusiliers won six Victoria crosses before breakfast at Gallipoli in 1915 would make a great if somewhat traumatic film,or how about Michael Wittman's single tiger action in the Villiers bocage in 1945.
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Message 9
Posted by DL (U1683040) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Interesting one!
There is much more to Wittmann than Villers Bocage though, he had a couple of hundred tank kills on the Eastern Front too. I doubt that there would ever be a movie made about him though, a brave man and a seriously good soldier he may have been, but he was also a fully indoctrinated Nazi, fighting for the Waffen SS, so any attempt to make a film about him would cause way too much bother for all concerned!
Cheers -
Message 10
Posted by grey ghost (U2012073) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Oops!! it was 1944 not 45 sorry folks.
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Message 11
Posted by DL (U1683040) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Rich how are you!
Red Storm Rising would make a good film sithout doubt (I read it when I was based in Germany, and in the book my division lasted an hour before getting stomped!! Still, we did a lot of damage though!!!), but if we're talking Clancy, then "The Bear and the Dragon" would be a much more outstanding film, with some seriously epic battles (and of course the technical stuff is more up to date!).
Hope all is well mate.
DL -
Message 12
Posted by Slimdaddy101 (U2553470) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Stalingrad by Antony Beavor would be a fantastic film. Assuming it kept true to the book.
Enemy at the Gates was a decent enough book, but a dissappointing movie. -
Message 13
Posted by grey ghost (U2012073) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Valid point taken DL,but remember Hollywood would put its own spin on the story...i can see it now..A young man rises through the ranks,fooled by his political leaders into believing their lies,he fights for country comrades and the love of a good woman..WITTMAN.
Probably starring Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise,if it can be sold Hollywood will sell it,and minor details such as historical accuracy will be forgotten.Cheers Interesting one!
There is much more to Wittmann than Villers Bocage though, he had a couple of hundred tank kills on the Eastern Front too. I doubt that there would ever be a movie made about him though, a brave man and a seriously good soldier he may have been, but he was also a fully indoctrinated Nazi, fighting for the Waffen SS, so any attempt to make a film about him would cause way too much bother for all concerned!
°δ³σ±π±π°ω²υΜύ -
Message 14
Posted by DL (U1683040) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Yeah that is true,
No doubt of course in the end, he would "come good" and realise he was fighting for an "evil cause", denounce Hitler and rip off his Knights Cross and SS insignia, and as soon as he did it, a nasty RAF Typhoon drops down and splats him.
(Wittmann according to Mel Gibson-the Brits are always to blame remember!)
Cheers -
Message 15
Posted by gooserss (U1983611) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
an excellent book that should be made into a film is the Devils guard. Had a copy of this, but have4 lost it at the min - unfortunate as its going for a fortune on the net.
Red storm rising would be cracker.........
invasion - about the chinese invading the usa would be good. -
Message 16
Posted by Mani (U1821129) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
HI DL,
Although we're on your field of expertise, I thought I'd just throw my penny's worth in...
I think Wittmann, although brave was no doubt over-rated. His kills were exaggerated by the regime, for example, taking out a halftrack in a Tiger isn't anything special, yet they were put down as one of his 'Tank Kills' regularly.
Also, I think more credit should go to Bobby Woll (his Gunner) , rather than all of it to Wittmann... -
Message 17
Posted by DL (U1683040) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Hi Mani,
Agreed! His gunner was after all, the one doing the shooting! If you look at Villers Bocage though, it was a clear demonstration of how superior equipment, in the hands of experienced crewmen can take on overwhelmingly superior numbers and destroy them. Not sure of the numbers involved but I think the majority in this battle were Shermans and Churchills. If I remember correctly, Wittmann's Tiger was only stopped when ambushed by a British Churchill at almost point-blank range.
A better example of the man winning the battle rather than the equipment and the man would be Hans Rudel, the Luftwaffe tank-busting ace. I think he accounted for over 300 soviet tanks (and, bizarrely, a battleship) single-handedly in a Stuka (which by this time was seriously outdated). Has he ever been featured in any films?
Cheers -
Message 18
Posted by arnaldalmaric (U1756653) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Disgruntled_Renegade, reply to #1.
I think the defence of Kohima for real.
Flashman at the Charge (or Mountain of Light) for fictional.
Cheers AA. -
Message 19
Posted by DL (U1683040) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Blimey AA,
Kohima would make the "Omaha Beach" scenes from Private Ryan look like a picnic! Kohima was an absolute slaughterhouse!!
Cheers -
Message 20
Posted by wyn8126 (U2577714) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
A film of Taranto....what a magnificent performance
from the Stringbat lover! -
Message 21
Posted by Dirk Marinus (U1648073) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Is there anyone of you who could actually explain to me why it is so important to make films ( or for that case writing of books)regarding certain actions which did occur in WW1 and WW2.
Please believe me if I say that no film producer or an writer can ever exactly reconstruct what happened or took place.He has to rely on what he has been told or read.
I am going as far as to say that even those who were there at that moment cannot exactly describe what did take place.
The eyewitnesses, when relating what happened will, if they cannot recall exactly, tell what they thought did happen or in some cases rely on hearsay from others.
Films and books come close to the truth but, I am sorry to say that is just not enough. -
Message 22
Posted by arnaldalmaric (U1756653) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
DL, reply to #19,
I'd want Kohima as the antidote to Operation Burma, and the general impression that only the Americans fought the Japanese plus you well know my fondness for the XIVth Army. (Please note I am not referring to the public at large, not contributors to this board with "general impression").
wyn8126, reply to #20,
Like it!! May revise my opinion.
Cheers AA. -
Message 23
Posted by arnaldalmaric (U1756653) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Is there anyone of you who could actually explain to me why it is so important to make films ( or for that case writing of books)regarding certain actions which did occur in WW1 and WW2. Β
Dirk, hi,
Just the one reason, summed up as lest we forget.
Aside from this agree wholeheartedly with the rest of your post, with the exception of
Films and books come close to the truth but, I am sorry to say that is just not enough. Β
Aside from time travel there the best we've got?
Cheers AA. -
Message 24
Posted by TonyG (U1830405) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Covenant With Death by John Harris. One of the most powerful WW1 stories I've ever read.
He also wrote Musterin gof th eHawks which would be great but as it was about WW1 air warfare, I doubt that they could recreate it anything like authentically. Not enough Tiger Moths left. -
Message 25
Posted by jesw1962 (U1726423) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
The French Foreign Legion at Camerone Hacendia would be a fantastic film.
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Message 26
Posted by DaveMBA (U1360771) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
There are some great spy stories from the Napoleonic wars, which even include a bit of love interest.
Scarlett Johansen has apparently agreed to do the Napoleon & betsy film
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Message 27
Posted by Richie (U1238064) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Rich how are you!
Red Storm Rising would make a good film sithout doubt (I read it when I was based in Germany, and in the book my division lasted an hour before getting stomped!! Still, we did a lot of damage though!!!), but if we're talking Clancy, then "The Bear and the Dragon" would be a much more outstanding film, with some seriously epic battles (and of course the technical stuff is more up to date!).
Hope all is well mate.
¶Ω³ΆΜύ
All is well here in Wales Dark
Hope that the fens are treating you well as well -
Message 28
Posted by Richie (U1238064) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
oh and I agree that the Bear and the Dragon would make an awesome film its kjust that RSR is a personal favorite of mine
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Message 29
Posted by expat32 (U2025313) on Wednesday, 7th December 2005
Hi,
Bugles and a Tiger by John Masters.
The Road Past Mandalay by John Masters.
A movie of an amalgamation of these two books, or two independent movies, would for me be a must see and surely a rewarding challenge for a good director. After enjoying a good read I’m usually disappointed to no end with the movie. Maybe they should just be left alone.
Cheerz. -
Message 30
Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Thursday, 8th December 2005
I have a book that should be made into a film. But I am still writing it. LOL Started off as a one off short, and now has reached well over 500,000 words, and have not reached half way. Follows a family from 1910 to present day. Any offers on funding. (Cash only, no reciepts given)
Oh I agree about Red Storm. Cracking book.But what about Eric L Harry/ Invasion, or Protect and Defend.
Fred -
Message 31
Posted by supertaps (U1672604) on Thursday, 8th December 2005
"Fighting Mad" - Mike Calvert's autobiography, would make a good film - true story of a real fighting soldier, although the human issues of Mad Mike's later years might gall those who fought alongside him and no film director could resist focussing on them, even though they are glossed over in the book.
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Message 32
Posted by DL (U1683040) on Thursday, 8th December 2005
I have a book that should be made into a film. But I am still writing it. LOL Started off as a one off short, and now has reached well over 500,000 words, and have not reached half way. Follows a family from 1910 to present day. Any offers on funding. (Cash only, no reciepts given)
Oh I agree about Red Storm. Cracking book.But what about Eric L Harry/ Invasion, or Protect and Defend.
Fred Β
Fred
Like it (the comment on writing one)! Am currently struggling with the same thing (an account of army life from 89-98 from an ordinary soldier's viewpoint, then the rather painful process of re-adjusting to "the real world")
and one of the chapters is absolutely made for film-a nice sequence involving driving through snowy mountains in a Warrior AFV (while listening to Aerosmith's "Livin on the edge" on a walkman), and running headlong into a huge firefight-a true life event, and probably the most vivid memory in my entire life! It belongs in a movie....
Any tips greatfully received!!!
DL -
Message 33
Posted by Mark (U2073932) on Thursday, 8th December 2005
Torpedo Run by Douglas Reeman. About a flotilla of MTB's and MGB's sent to help Russia. Brilliant.
The warlord trilogy by Bernard Cornwell. And not like that complete bowl of tripe "King Arthur" film.
YUCH!!!!!!! -
Message 34
Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Thursday, 8th December 2005
Thanks DL. Mine as I say started out as a short. I have reached 1940, but I am not falling into the usual trap, of war stories. One of my heros is on board a Merchant Cruiser. Another one is flying Boulton Paul Defiants. Two are infantry. One heroine has took part in mock battles against the Fleet Air arm, and landed (by accident when her engine cut out) On an aircraft carrier in 1938. I have a second story on the go, for which I have a publisher waiting. (Story line still a secret) The publishers supplied the story line. Hope your book goes well. People forget about the ajustment. My father came home in 1945, and dived into a bottle for 10 years. My father in law had a piece of paper stating he was sane.
Fred -
Message 35
Posted by Mark (U2073932) on Thursday, 8th December 2005
Talking of war movies, has one been done about Verdun in 1916?
Anyone know? -
Message 36
Posted by TonyG (U1830405) on Thursday, 8th December 2005
How about HMS Ulysses by Alistair Maclean? Epic tale.
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Message 37
Posted by rufus_dawes (U2652570) on Thursday, 8th December 2005
hi everyone,
HMS Ulysses certainly deserves a shot, but I also agree that John Harris' s 'Covenant with Death' needs to be made.
It needs to be made on a big scale (big money), otherwise I don't see how anything else would come close to demonstrating the incredible loss of life experienced by Engish forces on the 1st of July 1916.
This is story that needs to be retold to todays generation in a medium that they will enjoy (not stuffy old history books). Regardless of whether we can ever get it 100% correct in terms of factual representation as suggested by another post, I think the memory of all those dead deserve nothing less!
cheers -
Message 38
Posted by TonyG (U1830405) on Friday, 9th December 2005
Dear itsnotmyfault,
Thank you for your support. When you recall the impact that the closing scenes of Blackadder IV had, can you imagine the impact Coveneant With Death would have? You follow the lives of a Pals' battalion from joining up, all through training. You get to know them,their strenghs and weaknesses. And then they go over the top.
The book is so powerful, a film would do well to capture the horror of the last chapters. -
Message 39
Posted by Mark (U1347077) on Friday, 9th December 2005
Channel 4 did a 'drama-documentary' on the Somme. Not really a film but quite impressive. There's a German film about Stalingrad, which is grim.
Why war films? Why not - very few remotely glamorise it and can portray humanity at its best and at its worst. There can be some very poignant moments - one I always find moving is when Kenneth Moore (as Captain Jon Shaphard) finds out his son is alive in 'Hunt the Bismarck'. I doubt the beach scene in Saving Private Ryan made anyone want to sign up.
Films I would like to see made - Kursk; probably hard to portray a human element but the greatest tank battle in history could be a good film as T-34s ram Tiger tanks.
The Yom Kippur war.
I would have to direct any British war films - Blenheim, perhaps, or DLs Op Granby or the Glocestershires in Korea - as I don't trust anyone else not to make us villains! -
Message 40
Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Friday, 9th December 2005
Did anyone catch the story in todays press. They intend to remake "the Dam Busters." but as there is only two flying Lancasters left in the world, One in the U. K., and the other in Canada. Nearly all of the flying scenes, will be done by computer, but the makers promise it will be better than the first film, AND they will use "The Dam Busters." March, instead of writing a new song.
I will wait and see.
Fred -
Message 41
Posted by Disgruntled_Renegade (U530059) on Friday, 9th December 2005
Some Excellent Choices here!!
Red Storm Rising! Why didnt i think of that one! Im aghast about Bear and Dragon :O im sure i bought it, but never got around to reading it, have to dig it out.
to the poster who mentioned bernard cornwalls Warlord Chronicles, my little bugbear that one, how can they ignore it, and then make complete (insert rude word) like King Arthur... Apparantly a TV version was under consideration, with Sean Bean as Dervel Cadarn (fantastic actor, but a bit old for the role now methinks) but it hasnt come to anything, give me a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ production heavily funded by a US company ala Rome, then we would be talking!
Regarding Sven Hassel, i wasnt to clear i think. Sven himself says, Legion of the Damned, is pretty much a factual account of his time in the war, EVERYTHING else is fiction, some of the events were real, or he had heard about that, or the kind of thing he could imagine happening, many of the characters were real people, but the books stick it all together in a fictional mishmash, and they are not in any way a true account and never claimed to be though perhaps some publishers got ahead of themselves? - Porta, Tiny, "Old Man", Julius Heide, were real people Sven had served with, the "official" publishers site has scans of some of Sven's photographs - Sven sitting on a panzer, Tiny in a trench etc, and anyone who has read the books will recall in Legion, the Old Man died in Svens arms, so could not appear in the other books set after that point, another indicator they are fiction. -
Message 42
Posted by DaveMBA (U1360771) on Friday, 9th December 2005
Fred - fortunately, it seems Tom Cruise's daft plan to remake the Battle of Britain as won by the Yanks seem to have vanished.
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Message 43
Posted by expat32 (U2025313) on Friday, 9th December 2005
Fred - fortunately, it seems Tom Cruise's daft plan to remake the Battle of Britain as won by the Yanks seem to have vanished. Β
Should somebody tell Dave about the American, South African, French, Polish, Czech, Australian,Canadian, e.c.t. pilots in the Battle of Britain?
Nnnaaa... -
Message 44
Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Friday, 9th December 2005
Agreed, and the fact the highest scoring British pilot of the Second World War, was a sergeant . The officer class try to forget about that. Oh many years ago, I read a book called "The indians won, based on a little known fact that if the tribes had united after Custer, they could have pushed the whites back back across the big muddy, and it was only because more indians fought for the whites than against. Good story though, because of its side stories. I think it was by the Gorgy Park writer.Thank god on the Tom Hanks. Of course if it been Mel Gibson making it, The Germans would have beaten the English. That man is anti English.
Fred -
Message 45
Posted by DANNY-FRANKS (U2186615) on Saturday, 10th December 2005
Devil's Guard would be a great film if it remained close to the storyline.
One of sven Hassels would be good too....Bloody Road to death or SS General an excellent book that should be made into a film is the Devils guard. Had a copy of this, but have4 lost it at the min - unfortunate as its going for a fortune on the net.
Red storm rising would be cracker.........
invasion - about the chinese invading the usa would be good.Β -
Message 46
Posted by TonyG (U1830405) on Saturday, 10th December 2005
Agreed, and the fact the highest scoring British pilot of the Second World War, was a sergeant . Β
Who was that, then? Pat Pattle is known to have shot down at least 51 and he was a Squadron Leader. -
Message 47
Posted by TonyG (U1830405) on Sunday, 11th December 2005
Agreed, and the fact the highest scoring British pilot of the Second World War, was a sergeant . Β
Who was that, then? Pat Pattle is known to have shot down at least 51 and he was a Squadron Leader. Β
Sorry, dashed that one off in a hurry. Pattle, of course, was South African. But the next highest scorer was Johnnie Johnson, who was an officer. In fact, from the list of top-scoring British Commonwealth fighter pilots I have got, there are no NCO's listed with 20 or more victories.
Did you mean Ginger lacey, who was a sergeant pilot during the Battle of Britain and was the highest scorer during that conflict? He ended up as a Squadron leader. Probably shows that, despite the famour British class snobbery, people with ability did get promoted. -
Message 48
Posted by Jozef (U1330965) on Sunday, 11th December 2005
The life and times of Witold Pilecki. The times would be the violent first half of the the 20th century, but from Pilecki's perspective the war story/stories would be so much different, far more varied and dramatic than most.
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Message 49
Posted by Idamante (U1894562) on Sunday, 11th December 2005
DL & Mani
Be honest, who's going to pay good money just to watch a load of tanks being blown up by some Nazi "war hero"? To make a film you need a STORY and that's equally true whether its a typical corny Hollywood war film or Shakespeare
How about a re-make of The Desert Fox but with a realistic portrayal of Rommel's attitude to Hitler? Do it well and you get exciting battle scenes, a gripping plot about the rise and fall of a popular hero, and a timely message about the corrupting effects of dictatorship. -
Message 50
Posted by Grumpyfred (U2228930) on Sunday, 11th December 2005
Thats the one. Saves me looking him up.
Fred
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