The Pacific. New 10 part mini-series by Steven Spielberg

A-58, we watch a lot of Australian tv & movies and I haven't got a clue what the bloke in the Blue said either. I might be wrong but was that an American trying to do an Aussie accent? Its like an an American in a tv sitcom trying to do an English one, either posh beyond belief or a joke Cockney.

I have liked whaht I have seen so far although I think a huge difference this has compared to BOB was the time the latter set in establishing the unit in the USA and in the UK prior to DDay. Pacific was a few minutes of of introduction and then into the Higgins Boats. I suppose that focussing on three different servicemen and units makes this an unfair comparison.

The Battle Scenes on Guadacanal made me glad to not be there. Any feedback from US Vets yet as to authenticity?

Jim
I'm not sure about that, the type of accents, but I have noticed that a lot of the "Yanks" are Australian actors. They do a pretty good job too. There were also many Australian actors in the movie "The Great Raid", set in The Philippines during WW2.

Over on ww2f there is a fairly long running thread concerning the series, but so far no vets from any of those campaigns are members, and not much that I have read so far has a lot to say about the authenticity either. From what I've gathered so far is that most viewers hate it or love it, with not too many in between.

 

There is a USMC vet on here but I've not seen him online for a while now.

 

The battle scenes are very good in my view as an amateur. Would I want to be reminded of such scenes as a Veteran having seen it first hand ? The few Veterans I have seen being interviewed find the recall painful and often upsetting

 

Side Note:

Red Beach, where the US Marines landed on Guadalcanal is now the location of the RAMSI Task Force Base and the Australians landed and deployed from the same beach in 2003 at the time of the "intervention" at the request of the Solomon Islands Government.

The location is the former Guadalcanal Beach Resort! (GBR).

Spider

 

Lots of action in episode 6th. The scenes are very similar to these from Band of Brothers. Impressive.

 

Only seen the first 2 episodes on the Saturday night 'freebie' (but will certainly be getting it on DVD to see the rest). Not as blown away by it as I was with BoB, but that maybe down to my lack of familiarity with the the theatre involved.

I was impressed with some of the attention paid to minor detail (such as the yellow paintwork on the Mk.II frag, correct Navy pattern Id tags, etc), but there's something bugging me (that I can't quite put my finger on) that makes it less of a cinematographic 'experience' than it could/should be.

It seems pretty good so far though.

Dave

 

I have a question that maybe some of you Australians can help me out with. On the third episode, when the Marines were pulled out of Guadalcanal and sent back to Australia for refitting, a couple of the Marines were power drinking at a pub, and these two Australians in blue uniforms walk up to them, then the fight breaks out. The question is, the Australian doing the talking, his accent was so strong I could figure out what he was saying. I watched it several times and still couldn't figure it out. Also, what kind of uniform were they wearing? Yes, I know it was blue, but what service....

Hi all and to A-58

Watched the episode today and what he said was-
" I never thought you would down that Mate!" after the yank drank that concoction they made in the pub. I took me 2 goes to work it out! Did you get the rest, I understood that clearly enough?
As for the uniform, I am still stumped. No hats or shoulder patches to go on, maybe police with the upright collars?? I dont think RAAF or RAN.
regards

Robert

 

Hi all and to A-58

Watched the episode today and what he said was-
" I never thought you would down that Mate!" after the yank drank that concoction they made in the pub. I took me 2 goes to work it out! Did you get the rest, I understood that clearly enough?
As for the uniform, I am still stumped. No hats or shoulder patches to go on, maybe police with the upright collars?? I dont think RAAF or RAN.
regards

Robert
Thanks for the translation friend. So I take it then, the Australian was contemptuous of the American, and was trying to provoke a fight? It looked like he had an agenda, and didn't look as if he was stopping by their table for a friendly chat. Maybe I interpreted it wrong, but that's what it seemed like to me in that scene.

I watched the episode the other night that covered the fighting on Peliliu. Finally something as good as BoB to see. That episode was well made and produced, and is worth the wait, but too bad it took until episode 4 for it to get good.

 

Hi

I think he was a bit drunk and was cheesed off by the yanks being over-paid, over-sexed and over here! It was a common saying for those days. Some people did resent them and he was echoing that. He was not interested in allied harmony, that is for sure!

regards

Robert

 

Hi

I think he was a bit drunk and was cheesed off by the yanks being over-paid, over-sexed and over here! It was a common saying for those days. Some people did resent them and he was echoing that. He was not interested in allied harmony, that is for sure!

regards

Robert
Yes, I'm sure a scene was included to portray that sentiment even if it didn't happen like that in real life (of the author, at the time). Things like that are bound to happen. We fought guys from the other companies at the drop of a hat.

 

I watched Pt 8 the other night and can only say it was fantastic. This series just goes from strength to strength. Very emotive and thought provoking. For me not far behind BoBs.

 

C'mon Spielberg,
Bring on 'Band of Tommys', preferably in the desert.


... we're waiting... unexpectantly.


I was reading how much money Paul MaCartney has. Paul reach in those briming pockets.

 

C'mon Spielberg,
Bring on 'Band of Tommys', preferably in the desert.


... we're waiting... unexpectantly.


VP quite agree that should be the next step.

 

That would be a great idea, what's stopping y'all from doing it?

 

. Also, what kind of uniform were they wearing? Yes, I know it was blue, but what service....

It was a Victoria Police uniform.

 

actually i would like to see a miniseries about the brits in ww2 in the same vein of BOB, be dammed good

 

It was a Victoria Police uniform.
Ok, that makes sense, thanks for the info friend. But I didn't remember seeing a badge on their uniform. Australian police don't wear badges?

 

C'mon Spielberg,
Bring on 'Band of Tommys', preferably in the desert.


... we're waiting... unexpectantly.

British things never seem to have that same 'pizazz' as American stuff. However, if made by Hollywood, I agree, it would be bloody awesome.

Come on Sir Paul, dig deep.

 

A British version won't get made because

a) British TV has no money
b) Although Britian does period dramas well, they only make them if they don't have to spend any money on it (i.e they can film it in Lyme park).
c) Britian cant sell it to the americans.
d) Its cheaper to make 'reality' tv that people can pay to vote on.


Having said that, they might do a 1940-1943 version, but only the home front/home guard i.e. "Band of Bankers"; probably in lyme park.

*Unless we can hire ross kemp and a camcorder for 12p