At Ease

The At Ease section is devoted to all the movies we like to watch (drama and documentary). The goal is to provide not only reviews of films but to hopefully bring to light a few you may not have known existed or had long forgotten about. At Ease is organized by the historical period depicted in the film. Send us your favorites.

For more movie information see the Internet Movie Database at http://www.cm.cf.ac.uk/Movies/

Jump to the following sections:

Civil War / Zulu Wars / World War One / World War Two / Korean War / Vietnam War / Cold War Era / Modern

Civil War

Glory

??, 1989, 202 min. Director: Edward Zwick, Color. Starring: Matthew Broderic, Denzel Wasington, Morgan Freedman, Cary Elwes.
The First Black regiment to fight in the Civil War. Great acting by Matthew Broderic, Denzel Wasington, Morgan Freedman, and Cary Elwes. [Info. and Review by Al Carpenter]

Zulu Wars

Zulu Dawn

??, 1979, ??mins ?? Starring: Peter O'Toole, Burt Lancaster
In 1879, the British colonial government of South Africa picks a war with the Zulu Nation, and the arrogant General Lord Chelmsford (Peter O'Toole) leads an army of redcoats into Zululand. The only British officer who seems to know his business is a commander of "Native" cavalry (Burt Lancaster), who proves unable to influent his commander. Incompetence from the high command down to the Quartermaster Sgt. leads to a situation where the Zulu's wipe out an entire British column at Isanduwalla, obliging Chelmsford to withdraw in defeat. [Info and review by William Kerschner]

Zulu

??, 1964, ??mins ??. Starring: Stanley Baker and Micheal Caine
Following the distaster portrayed in "Zulu Dawn", a tiny force of British infantry is surrounded by thousands of Zulu's at Rorke's Drift. The two Lieutenants in command (played by Stanley Baker and Micheal Caine) conduct a brilliant defense in what has been called "the Alamo with survivors". The Zulu's final assault, beginning with a singing duel between the British (singing "Men of Harlech") and the Zulu war chants, is quite simply the best battle scene ever filmed. [Info and review by William Kerschner]

World War One

The Lighthorsemen

??, ??, 1988, 110 mins. Director: Simon Wincer, Color. Starring: Jon Blake, Peter Phelps, Tony Bonner, Bill Kerr, John Walton, and Sigrid Thorton
The Australian Light Horsemen were mounted infantry (not calvary) in the World War I fighting in the Middle East. These brave men fought the deciding battle against the Turkish for Beersheba. Supposedly, it was produced by some Ozzies who were outraged at the Pacifist leanings of "Galipoli" and it's depictions of Ozzie soldiers as sheep heading meekly into the slaughter. [Info. and Review by Al Carpenter]

Paths of Glory

??, ??, 1957, 87mins, B&W. Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Starring: Kirk Douglas, ??
It is an anti-militaristic film that reflects terribly some aspects of the war in France. [Info. and review by Manuel Sifre and Scott Rogers

World War Two

Battleground

??, 1949, ?? B&W. Starring Marshal Thompson, Van Johnson, James Whitmore and Ricardo Montalban
A new guy just out of Airborne School (Marshal Thompson) joins the 101st Airborne as an infantry replacement just in time for the Battle of the Bulge. Actors portraying other members of his squad include Van Johnson, James Whitmore and Ricardo Montalban. The 101st's heroic defense of the crucial town & road junction of Bastogne is viewed through the eyes of this squad of enlisted men, making this the "Platoon" of WWII movies. They are surrounded by German forces and cut off even from air resupply by the weather, and endure cold, hunger, Nazi propaganda and attack by enemy troops (including infiltrators in US uniforms). Several members of the 101st who where there acted as technical advisors and played bit parts. Ted Turner colorized this one, but try to find the original B&W. B&W does a better job of portraying the spooky, foggy Belgian forrest in winter. [Info and review by William Kerschner]

Battle of The Bulge

Warner Brothers, 1965, 141mins Color. Starring: Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw, Robert Ryan, Dana Andrews, and Charles Bronson
This is a novelisation of the german counter-offensive in the Ardennes, Belgium in the last months of the WW II. The german plan consists in a fast attack of a secret panzer division, unknown by the allies, at command of col. Hessler, a brilliant german officer. But as the germans are short in fuel, a crucial movement in the plan is to capture a huge allied fuel deposit. It seems not to be difficult, but... Entertaining, but inaccurate. [Info and review by Jeff Davis ]

The Bridge at Remagen

??, 1969, ??mins Color. Starring: Ben Gazzara and George Segal
A war weary American unit is ordered to capture whole the last bridge left standing across the Rhine before a determined corp of German defenders can blow it up in this WWII movie about futility and bravery. [Info and review by Jeff Davis and Don Wassink]

Cross of Iron

??, 197?, ??mins, ??, Dir - Sam Pekinpah. Starring: James Coburn, James Mason, Maximilian Schell.
This is the film adaptation of Willi Heinrich's book of the same name. It's fairly faithful to the portion of the book that it represents. I liked the idea that Pekinpah didn't try to condense the whole novel into one movie, instead he just used about two chapters.
The story follows the lives of a small group of German soldiers in the Crimea during WWII. Sgt Steiner (Coburn) is their platoon leader, who runs afoul of the new company commander Capt Stransky (Schell), an "Iron Cross scavenger" in Steiner's words (one of the classic speaches in the film BTW). I won't get into the plot any further so I don't spoil it.
I think this is one of the classic war films, maybe even the best ever made. The characters are great, the battles are gory, and, for you purists, the equipment is real. They used Yugoslav T-34s and a variety of good small arms repros. I couldn't spot anything that wasn't period; though the T-34/85 was a bit of an anachronism, at least it wasn't an M-47 (remember Patton, or The Battle of the Bulge?). The only thing I really found fault with was the grizzled old Coburn playing a 25 year old German NCO (Heinrich's Steiner is 25). This movie has outstanding dialog as well: Steiner gets the first two words - "Good kill", and the last two - "Ah sh*t" (as the cerdits roll, don't miss it). I wonder if the symmetry was intended. [Info. and review by Jay Martino

The Enemy Below

??, 1957, ??mins ??. Starring Robert Mitchum, Curt Jurgens
A duel of wits between the Captains of a US Destroyer Escort (Robert Mitchum) and a German U-Boat (Curt Jurgens) in the South Atlantic during WWII. They both use every trick in the book. One of the best Navy movies ever. For Star Trek fans, the episode "Balance of Terror" (which introduced the Romulans) stole the plot of this film almost verbatim (until the ending). Watch both and you'll see. [Info and review by William Kerschner]

To Hell and Back

??, 1955, ??mins Color. Starring: Audie Murhpy, ??
True-life account of the military career of Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in WWII. Native of Texas, he was placed in charge of his many younger siblings on the death of his mother and decided to join the military at the age of 17 to provide for them. His many acts of bravery and heroism during the US military advance through Italy, France and into Germany earn him increasing rank and responsability as well as the respect of his comrades in arms. Eventually he receives two dozen of the highest medals the US and France can bestow, culiminating in the awarding of the Congressional Medal of Honor. [Info and review by Jeff Davis]

Kelly's Heroes

??, ??, ??mins Color. Starring: Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland, Telly Savalas, Don Richols
Clint Eastwood plays a Lt who wants to go get some German gold. The only problem is that it's 30 miles behind enemy lines. The resulting trip is golden Hollywood and very funny. One of the few WW2 films I've seen that makes an attempt to use genuine equipment. This one stuck in my head for this reason. Most just stick an iron cross or a meatball on a Sherman and "call 'er good". Note although very convincing, the Tigers in the film are not actually Tigers. The turrets are too far forward on the chassis. Exactly what was used is anybody's guess but they certainly look good. [Info and review by Jeff Davis and Paul Calvi]

The Longest Day

Twentieth Century Fox, 1962, 178mins Color. Starring: John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Robert Ryan
Tells the story of the D-Day invasion of Normandy in WWII. There are dozens of characters, some seen only briefly, who together weave the story of five separate invasion points that made up the operation. Won Academy Award for photography. [Info and review by Jeff Davis and Don Wassink]

Memphis Belle

U.S. War Department, 1943, 53mins Color (recently distributed by Goodtimes Home Video Corp.)
This is not the Hollywood movie but the original news reel put together by the War Department. It covers the entire period of the Memphis Belle's career and includes plenty of aerial combat footage. Of course being a War Department film, it lacks any hard analysis and is heavy on the propaganda, but this film is still a must see.

Patton

Twentieth Century Fox, 1970, 176mins Color. Starring: George C. Scott, Karl Malden
The story of General George S. Patton, Jr. during World War II. His battlefield genius garners him fear and respect from the Germans, and resentment and misunderstanding from the Allies. A military historian and poet, he believes he was a warrior in many past lives, and that he is destined for something great during this life, but his stubbornness and controversial methods nearly prevent the fulfillment of that destiny. Won Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Screenplay. [Info and review by Jeff Davis and Don Wassink]

Sahara

??, ??, ??, Color. Starring: Humphrey Bogart
A classic WW2 flick with Humphrey Bogart. He plays a Yank sergeant who, with his trusty M-3 Grant, takes on the desert. Really a survival film, full of wartime sterotypes and propaganda, but wonderful nonetheless. Besides, how often do you see a real Grant in action, including interior shots (even if staged)? [Info and review by Ed Gosnell]

Sink the Bismark

??, 1960, ??mins B&W. Starring: Kenneth Moore and Dana Wynte
It's 1941, and the shiny, new and reputedly unsinkable German battleship Bismark has slipped into the North Atlantic to raid British convoys. The effort to hunt her down and sink her is portrayed from the perspective of the staff at Admiralty HQ (Kenneth Moore and Dana Wynter), but there are lots of cuts to the action at sea as the Bismark is attacked by British battlewagons, carrier aircraft, and destroyers. [Info and review by William Kerschner]

War and Remembrance

American Broadcasting Companies, ??, 1394 mins Color. Starring: Robert Mitchum, Jane Seymour, Hart Bochner, Victoria Tennant, Polly Bergen, David Dukes.
Originally released as a TV mini-series. Based on the novel by Herman Wouk. Epic coverage of WWII from the time of the U.S. involvement after Pearl Harbor through August 7, 1945. [Info and review by Don Wassink ]

Cold War Era

Apollo 13

Universal Pictures, 1995, 135 mins Color. Starring: Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, and Ed Harris.
Apollo 13 is a dramatization of the Apollo 13 mission to the Moon. It follows the historical chain of events and facts as well as any Hollywood version can. The film is not only dramatic (even if you know the story) but very emotional. Ron Howard (the director) does a great job of putting the viewer into the lives of the astronauts and their families. Apollo 13 is a wonderful story of human achievement and determination. If you like good movies or have even a passing interest in the space program this film is a must see. Who ever said history was boring?!

The Beast

Columbia Pictures, 1988, 109 mins Color. Starring: Steven Bauer and George Dzhundza
The Beast is the classic tanker movie of all time. We have not seen it in years and would appreciate any further information on it. The Beast is a drama about a Soviet T-55? crew during the end of the Afghanistan War. The tank commander is very good at his job but has started to enjoy it a little too much. The film is a wonderful look at not only a little known war but the lives of a tank crew. The Beast is very technically accurate in both uniforms and equipment; the strengths and weaknesses of a 50 ton tank are well represented. Israeli flick about Russians in Afghanistan. Uses real T-62's and T-55's, albeit most have been regunned to 105's. Has an unforgettable scene where a mudjahadin rebel is crused under the tank treads deliberately to try to make him talk. Didn't work. [Info and review by Paul Calvi and Ed Gosnell]

Fail Safe

Columbia Pictures, 1964, 111 mins Black & White. Starring: Henry Fonda, Dan O'Herlihy, Walter Matthau, Frank Overton, Edward Bins, Larry Hagman, and Fritz Weaver.
The Cold War period was certainly an era all its own in American History. The hysteria concerning nuclear holocaust was quite real. Fail Safe is a drama that addresses the question of what would happen if a nuclear attack was launched by accident. This film's ending is both chilling and unique. As with most Hollywood productions, this film has a number of apparent inaccuracies but they do not detract from the film's enjoyment (where did they get those B-58 Hustlers with side-by-side seating anyway?). With the break up of the Soviet Union, the basic question raised by Fail Safe is still an interesting one.

Korean War

The Bridges at Toko-Ri

??, 1954, ??mins Color. Starring:??
Set during the Korean War, a Navy fighter pilot must come to terms with with his own ambivalence towards the war and the fear of having to bomb a set of highly defended bridges. The ending of this grim war drama is all tension. [Info and review by Jeff Davis ]

Vietnam War

Casualties of War

??, 1989, ??mins Color. Starring: Sean Penn and Michael J. Fox.
During the Vietnam war, a girl is taken from her village by five American soldiers. Four of the soldiers rape her, but the fifth refuses. The young girl is killed. The fifth soldier is determined that justice will be done. The film is more about the realities of war, rather than this single event. [Info and review by Jeff Davis and Scott Rogers]

Full Metal Jacket

??, 1987, ??mins Color. Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Starring: Mathew Modine and Arliss Howard.
A two-segment look at the effect of the military mindset and war itself on Vietnam era Marines. The first half follows a group of recruits in basic training under the command of the punishing Sgt. Hartman. The second half shows one of those recruits, Joker, covering the war as a correspondent for Stars and Stripes, focusing on the Tet offensive. [Info and review by Jeff Davis and Scott Rogers]

Platoon

??, 1986, 120mins Color. Directed by Oliver Stone. Starring: Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger and William Dafoe, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Depp.
A gritty and emotional look at the lives of a platoon of American soldiers as they patrol, fight and die in the jungles of Vietnam as seen through the perspective of a young recruit. Two veteran sergeants clash when one of them precipitates a massacre of villagers. The first movie in Vietnam veteran Oliver Stone's Vietnam trilogy. Oliver Stone has a role for about three seconds until the CP gets blasted by a suicide VC with a grenade. Won Academy Award for Best Picture. [Info and review by Jeff Davis, Don Wassink, and Scott Rogers]

Modern

Crimson Tide

Hollywood Pictures Company, 1995, 120 mins Color. Starring: Denzel Washington and Gene Hackmann.
Crimson Tide is another excellent drama that plays on the question of nuclear weapons in the post-Cold War era. The ending of the film is never really in doubt, but the character interaction and overall question of Navy chain of command make this a white-knuckled ride. The film concentrates on the U.S. Navy submarine command structure and does a good job. Even though the set is supposed to be as close to a real ballistic missile submarine as Hollywood could make it, the actual technical operation of many of the sub's systems seems to be lacking in realism. The sonar crew especially seem to be in the dark much of the time, but these details should not bother anyone other than the most hardcore sailor. The question of command is a unique one and worthy of consideration.

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