War > Mills, John War > T > Thompson, J. Lee

Advantages: Simply a great film
Disadvantages: Cant really think of any

Another outstanding piece of British Cinema. John Mills plays a Captain charged with getting his ambulance through enemy held desert to Alexandria. He is joined by his Sergeant Major and a couple of female nurses. During the trip they pick up a 'South African' Officer (Anthony Quayle) left behind by his unit during the retreat. The story outlines the trials and hurdles the hardy group face in getting their ambulance back to Alexandria all the while ...
...Matters are complicated by John Mills alcohol problem and Anthony Quayle's seemingly endless supply of Gin. Some of the highlights of the film include the dramatic attempt at 'cranking' the ambulance up a steep slope (makes you sweat just watching it) and the subsequent release of the crank handle by the nurse (not even going to mention women drivers). You can almost see their hearts break as the ambulance hurtles down the slope. Anthony Quayle's ... Read review

Advantages: An excellent selection of vintage war films, perfect for an avid fan of war films, such as myself. Also ideal for anyone who wants to get a taste of this genre.
Disadvantages: May have been better to replace 'The Cruel Sea' with a more classic film such 'The Great Escape' or 'The Guns of Navorone'.

This collection is an excellent selection of vintage war films. Perfect for anyone who enjoys this genre. The Dambuster and The Colditz story are of particular interest to me as they are true stories. Which are portrayed very well in the respective films. The good thing about this being the 'British' war film collection is that there is the absence of the 'american touch'. By this I mean the story hasn't been adapted from the truth in order to satisfy ...
...your a watching as you know what is being showed actually happened. The Cruel Sea is a collaboration of many different seamens experinces during WW2, and shows an excellent portrayal of what these brave men had to endure. However I am a sucker for true stories, so although this story is not unrealistic, i would have preffered a true story such as maybe The Great Escape or The Bridge on The River Kwai. Ice Cold in Alex is of course a classic war film ... Read review

Advantages: Fabulously Entertaining, You HAVE To See What Happens Next! Classic
Disadvantages: None that I can say

...have you reaching for an ice cold lager - it'll also have you with trembling lip and wishing they made more films like this. Grit, determination and strong character shine through. This is a film totally devoid of gratuitous sex and violence - I think the strongest piece of language you'll hear is something like an innocuous "damn" or maybe a "bloody"....it certainly gets no stronger than that! I haven't described much of the action of this film....that's ... Read review

Advantages: all-star cast
Disadvantages: no special effects

...prisoner of war experience captures the true events that took place in Germany's Stalag Luft III, prisoner-of-war camp; This cinema achievement provided an entertainingly satirical view of the courage embraced by the British POWs, whom devised a brilliant plan while under German supervision, and resulted in the first of many successful escapes within Germany during WWII. Steve McQueen/ James Garner/ Richard Attenborough/ Charles Bronson/ James Coburn/ ... Read review

Advantages: Great action sequences
Disadvantages: Slow to start, but gethers pace nicely

...any factual or historic event, Von Ryan's Express stars Frank Sinatra and Trevor Howard and tells the story of survival against the odds in a war torn Europe. Released in 1965, Sinatra plays Colonel Joseph Ryan, a smart thinking American Pilot who after getting shot down by the Italian Army is sent to an Italian run Prisoner of War camp for what is expected to be the remainder of the war. Upon arrival Ryan is immediately made the head of the Allied ...
...turn the soldiers call him Von Ryan for collaborating with the enemy. In fact the heated discussions that take place between Ryan and Fincham are great to watch on screen as you see Sinatra in a different light to other roles that he has played before, something which leads to both men trusting each other by the end of the film. With the help of the Italian Commander, who has now switch sides, Ryan and the Allies hatch a plan to escape and steal ... Read review