Red Wings

Yes but Todd did have an actor's ego. Apparently he was offred the part of himself, but said that was to small a part he wanted to be Howard. So Todd as 'Howard' takes a salute from an actor playing Todd reliving Howard at the bridge.

I personally don't see a problem with Richard Todd not playing himself. The film was made almost two decades after the event and Todd would be well over age to play himself as a captain in the original assault action. I see Major Howard being the correct/suitable part of which he was capable of playing. He was there under heavy fire from some very angry Germans in '44, in my books he deserved what part he desired and a lot more.

I would highly unrecommend watching Escape to Athena.

Old filmes: Especially a lot of the black and white British films, most of the actors had actually served and it shows! The drill, kit and reactions are real.

Actors are normally sent for fitting of costume prior to filming. I can imagine Harry Andrews, a WW2 Royal Artillery veteran, who played British officers so often in films, would supply his own uniforms.:laugh:

It's all a bit of give and take and would be impossible to get a perfect film.

 

Old Films (good points) - Other countries shown, not just America. Full size mock up models, blown up. Some believable actors. More patriotic films as tributes.

I am in absolute awe of the actor Richard Todd who played the part of Major John Howard in the 1962 film, The Longest Day, in the scenes of the taking and defending of Pegasus Bridge against German counter attacks. Richard Todd, a captain in the British 6th Airborne Division, was right there at the thick of the fighting at Pegasus Bridge on June 6th 1944.:bow:

Richard Todd during WW2 and in 1962 in The Longest Day (in the middle).

2009.

This just demonstrates how well a war film can be made even on a small budget.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIk98rWnMuA&feature=related

battle of the bulge no ! what about the scene when they sing panzerlied :rolleyes:

Your favourite Panzerlied singing starts at 1 min 28 secs. into the video.:-D

I always liked the beginning of the McKenzie Break with the German POWs singing Erika in defiance of their British captors.

Also in the McKenzie Break there is a CJ-3B jeep posing as a WW2 jeep.:shocked:

One plus point with the old school war films was the theme music; Where Eagles Dare, The Longest Day, 633 Squadron, The Battle of Britain, The Eagle Has Landed, The Great Escape, Zulu.

Now something bad, a German Wehrmacht Saracen in the 1964 film, 633 Squadron. :laugh: