Hello all. I pride myself on my knowledge of war movie history however have been a bit shaken recently - I can't think of anywhere better to ask for help. Early post-war productions are a favourite of mine, there was a lot of genuine experience out there at all levels. Even if a film set out to be bunkum, the bearing of the veteran extras could raise it to a worthwhile level - (unlike later where actors found it hard to wear kit, especially a beret, with conviction) I recall an excellent scene bringing the trauma to a personal level - a section of US troops storming a farmhouse realise that the new member who didn't 'make it' was carrying the coffee pot. Cold and cynical dialogue ensues about rescuing the coffee pot. I had thought this was from 'A Walk In The Sun' however it isn't (Film 4 is has it on it's current daytime rotation with Eight Iron Men, Attack! and others). Further info - I am sure it was a Hollywood production as the Germans have the stock M1916 helmets and Maxim guns - similar to Attack!. Also it may be the same film which has an ridiculous attack on a Patton tank (aren't they all!) where the cupola vision blocks are smeared with mud, carried in a helmet, leading to the demise of the crew who emerge to clear it. Ideas gratefully received. Ta.
Not that. I know the supposed Audie Murphy biopic well. The one I am thinking of is Black and White. Thanks
Think it might be "The Victors". And if I am wrong it will go down as me having a senior memory moment. Good luck with nailing it down, Jim.
Two come to mind for being US troops and filmed in B&W. One would be 'Battleground' which I haven't seen in years, and without looking up I think was centred on the Battle of the Bulge. Second would be 'Hell is for Heroes', with Steve McQueen, about a small detachment trying to cover up the fact the rest of their Company had been withdrawn, leaving them with a Squad to hold off a likely German counterattack. I don't recall them being in or near a farmhouse, though there were scenes in proper military bunkers. I can't recall anything on the possible tank scene. Gary
Those are both good suggestions but I don't think either of them had M1916 helmets or Maxim guns, as ceolredmonger remembers.
This is annoying me now; I definitely remember the coffee pot, but clearly nothing else. I don't keep DVDs of American war movies, only British, so this is not going to be cleared up until every forum member watches every possible war movie in their possesion (yet again)!
OK. After a couple of years looking. I am back to a mis-remembered 'To Hell and Back' (I blame the fact we only had black and white telly!). I am however still a film missing from my 'cannon' - It has a totally bunkum ambush of a 'Tiger Tank/Patton' with a helmet full of mud to slap on the vision blocks ....
