HBO's The Pacific mini-series (1 Viewer)

"I didn't like how a lot of the action was in the dark and it was hard to see."

Agree, I've often been frustrated by night scenes - some have been very poorly done. It struck me though, while watching 'The Pacific', how bad it must've been participating in this sort of fighting. There's heaps of stories from the Pacific theatre alone about nights too dark to see a thing and Japanese crawling forward to try and bayonet men in their foxholes. Sledge's book and also 'God isn't here' and others, have some stunning examples of the confusion and terror of night fighting.
 
lancer said:
Been doing my annual re-viewing of The Pacific and I must say that my respect and admiration for this series just continues to grow. I continue to see things/details for the first time. I also find the Leckie character more and more compelling each time I watch. This guy simply defines what war does to an individual, on both the physical and mental level. A superb acting job by James Dale. This series has become one of my favorite war films, right up there with The Thin Red Line and All Quiet on the Western Front (original). -- Al
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I'd agree Lancer, I think the biggest mistake some folks make is comparing this series to the Band of Brothers. It's like comparing apples with oranges really. I can't praise the Marines enough, it was a dirty business. Like many it's taken me a couple of watches to fully appreciate the series. I think the battle scenes were extremely well done and the acting also excellent. I still rate the Thin Red Line as one of the best and Clint Eastwoods Pacific WW2 movies are superb.
 
Lancer & DesertKiwi, can you explain why, The Thin Red Line, is one of your favorite war movies? Like I said in an earlier post, I hated it. What did I miss? BTW, I also didn't think much of Ford's, The Searchers, although I read all the in depth posts by UKReb and others.
 
Go for Broke said:
Lancer & DesertKiwi, can you explain why, The Thin Red Line, is one of your favorite war movies? Like I said in an earlier post, I hated it. What did I miss? BTW, I also didn't think much of Ford's, The Searchers, although I read all the in depth posts by UKReb and others.
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Like you, I didn't wasn't very impressed with TRL when I first saw it in the movies. It was seeing it a second and third time where the movie gripped me. First off, it is gorgeously filmed, in all aspects. I also found the acting to be superior with Nick Nolte very impressive as the Colonel. I also really liked the parts played by Penn, Mihok, Caviezel, Savage, Reilly, Chapman, and the Company CO, Koteas. They all did wonderful jobs in an ensemble type cast. The combat sequences were some of the best I've ever seen on film, including the glimpse of the Japanese that we got. In particular, the sequences crawling through the high grass, not knowing what was ahead, I found very suspenseful and clostraphobic, an effect I've felt in no other war film. The introspective, personal scenes, with the thoughts of the soldiers and their interaction together, also separate this film from most war films. The final ingredient in this film is the outstanding musical score, which I find to be the best score for a war film, or any film for that matter, ever, bar none. Ther is really no part of the film that I don't enjoy. I only wish it was longer, with more of the personal detail found in the book. -- Al
 
Thanks for the input Al. Now that you talked about the high grass, the high grass on the ridge was a good action scene. I think what most turned me off was the art type scenes of a close up of a lizard, leaf or flower. Similarly, I don't like love/girl interests in war movies. If it comes on TV, I'll make it a point to watch it. Let me know if you see it coming up. My wife says I read the TV guide like I'm reading a book.
 
lancer said:
Like you, I didn't wasn't very impressed with TRL when I first saw it in the movies. It was seeing it a second and third time where the movie gripped me. First off, it is gorgeously filmed, in all aspects. I also found the acting to be superior with Nick Nolte very impressive as the Colonel. I also really liked the parts played by Penn, Mihok, Caviezel, Savage, Reilly, Chapman, and the Company CO, Koteas. They all did wonderful jobs in an ensemble type cast. The combat sequences were some of the best I've ever seen on film, including the glimpse of the Japanese that we got. In particular, the sequences crawling through the high grass, not knowing what was ahead, I found very suspenseful and clostraphobic, an effect I've felt in no other war film. The introspective, personal scenes, with the thoughts of the soldiers and their interaction together, also separate this film from most war films. The final ingredient in this film is the outstanding musical score, which I find to be the best score for a war film, or any film for that matter, ever, bar none. Ther is really no part of the film that I don't enjoy. I only wish it was longer, with more of the personal detail found in the book. -- Al
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I couldn't have put it any better than that Lancer, well said sir. The 'high grass' sequence really stands out for me and the photography and music made it special in my opinion. The war against the Japanese was brutal, thoroughly unforgiving and at times very cruel, I think TRL captures all of that, but manages to remind us how beautiful life is. Probably sounds a bit soppy, but I think the film nails this combination really well and is extremely well balanced and acted with a great cast.
 
Sid Phillips passed away. He and Sledge were featured on the series.
MikeNick
 
HBO showed this again today, all 10 episodes in order and watched most of them. Having seen it in a second time, I think it gets better and better. A fine series that suffered by comparison with BOB but stands on its own.
 
No interest in the PTO in this hobby? Of course not,the Japs didn't have pretty uniforms,PZ Vs/VIs,
88s,MG42s et.al.One toy soldier maker told me the campaign was "too brutal" to include for
manufacture.(may change now).
PTO 'items'seldom/not/never seen in ETO......U.S.-fixed bayonets,2 canteens,shotguns,armed medics/Hospital Corpsmen,
flamethrowers(?..possibly??)..No white stars on vehicle sides(USMC only)[white stars on AMTRACS were Army ..their
jeeps,trucks ,tanks,SPGs as well].
Gunnery Sergeant J.Basilone was KIA on Iwo with the 5th MarDiv. He armed himself with a hand -held Special .30 cal.
MG called "The Stinger".
A miniseries on the Saipan Campaign(sealed the Nip's fate..all downhill from there).2nd&4th Mar Divs.& Army 27th Div.
vs.biggest Banzai of the War..4000 Japs up the middle,Smith relieving Smith,indigenous population doing lemming -like
swan dives over a nearby cliff(willingly or'helped 'at Jap bayonet point).Marianas'Turkey Shoot' added to the flavor.
Naaaah..too gruesome..the 'snowflakes' would holler.Hate when they do that.
Jeez..look at the time..nite-all.
 
semperrandyfi said:
No interest in the PTO in this hobby? Of course not,the Japs didn't have pretty uniforms,PZ Vs/VIs,
88s,MG42s et.al.One toy soldier maker told me the campaign was "too brutal" to include for
manufacture.(may change now).
PTO 'items'seldom/not/never seen in ETO......U.S.-fixed bayonets,2 canteens,shotguns,armed medics/Hospital Corpsmen,
flamethrowers(?..possibly??)..No white stars on vehicle sides(USMC only)[white stars on AMTRACS were Army ..their
jeeps,trucks ,tanks,SPGs as well].
Gunnery Sergeant J.Basilone was KIA on Iwo with the 5th MarDiv. He armed himself with a hand -held Special .30 cal.
MG called "The Stinger".
A miniseries on the Saipan Campaign(sealed the Nip's fate..all downhill from there).2nd&4th Mar Divs.& Army 27th Div.
vs.biggest Banzai of the War..4000 Japs up the middle,Smith relieving Smith,indigenous population doing lemming -like
swan dives over a nearby cliff(willingly or'helped 'at Jap bayonet point).Marianas'Turkey Shoot' added to the flavor.
Naaaah..too gruesome..the 'snowflakes' would holler.Hate when they do that.
Jeez..look at the time..nite-all.
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There are HUGE gaps in what could be done for the PTO. The Pacific mini-series touches on some of these but a fleshing out on such campaigns as Guadalcanal would be most welcome. That campaign has everything to draw the interest, naval, air war, and the long campaign on the island itself. Wouldn't mind seeing a good series on the retaking of the Philippines or, for that matter, the initial campaign and the fall of the Philippines. Someone really needs to do top-notch jobs on such battles as Midway and Leyte Gulf. Leyte Gulf could be encompassed in a good series about the Philippines but is complicated and important enough to warrant it's own series. Finally, Tarawa deserves to be done properly, either as a stand alone movie or a mini-series. It was a brief battle, 3 days, but it was hugely important in terms of what the US military learned for future campaigns, what it meant on the home front as a shocking revelation of what final victory in the PTO might entail, and to honor the USMC and US Navy for the sacrifice involved in doing a job that had to be done. -- Al
 
lancer said:
Like you, I didn't wasn't very impressed with TRL when I first saw it in the movies. It was seeing it a second and third time where the movie gripped me. First off, it is gorgeously filmed, in all aspects. I also found the acting to be superior with Nick Nolte very impressive as the Colonel. I also really liked the parts played by Penn, Mihok, Caviezel, Savage, Reilly, Chapman, and the Company CO, Koteas. They all did wonderful jobs in an ensemble type cast. The combat sequences were some of the best I've ever seen on film, including the glimpse of the Japanese that we got. In particular, the sequences crawling through the high grass, not knowing what was ahead, I found very suspenseful and clostraphobic, an effect I've felt in no other war film. The introspective, personal scenes, with the thoughts of the soldiers and their interaction together, also separate this film from most war films. The final ingredient in this film is the outstanding musical score, which I find to be the best score for a war film, or any film for that matter, ever, bar none. Ther is really no part of the film that I don't enjoy. I only wish it was longer, with more of the personal detail found in the book. -- Al
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I too thought the high grass scene very well done Al. Nice detail about not having enough drinking water, etc. Could not put down the book but did not like the movie overall. Don't think it as well done at other movies/mini series. But that's just me. Chris
 
semperrandyfi said:
No interest in the PTO in this hobby? Of course not,the Japs didn't have pretty uniforms,PZ Vs/VIs,
88s,MG42s et.al.One toy soldier maker told me the campaign was "too brutal" to include for
manufacture.(may change now).
PTO 'items'seldom/not/never seen in ETO......U.S.-fixed bayonets,2 canteens,shotguns,armed medics/Hospital Corpsmen,
flamethrowers(?..possibly??)..No white stars on vehicle sides(USMC only)[white stars on AMTRACS were Army ..their
jeeps,trucks ,tanks,SPGs as well].
Gunnery Sergeant J.Basilone was KIA on Iwo with the 5th MarDiv. He armed himself with a hand -held Special .30 cal.
MG called "The Stinger".
A miniseries on the Saipan Campaign(sealed the Nip's fate..all downhill from there).2nd&4th Mar Divs.& Army 27th Div.
vs.biggest Banzai of the War..4000 Japs up the middle,Smith relieving Smith,indigenous population doing lemming -like
swan dives over a nearby cliff(willingly or'helped 'at Jap bayonet point).Marianas'Turkey Shoot' added to the flavor.
Naaaah..too gruesome..the 'snowflakes' would holler.Hate when they do that.
Jeez..look at the time..nite-all.
Click to expand...

Don't understand this post. KC has released a whole line of PTO figs including an Amptrac, flamethrower, etc. Some spectacular dios are posted there. What am I missing? Chris
 
Terp152 said:
Don't understand this post. KC has released a whole line of PTO figs including an Amptrac, flamethrower, etc. Some spectacular dios are posted there. What am I missing? Chris
Click to expand...

Chris,
What I was alluding to here is the heavy preponderance of ETO figures/tanks,etc. in the hobby.
Occasionally a 'burst ' of K&C,Figarti and a few 'new' players as of late for the PTO.Jeez..how many
metal pieces has Britains released/created...ever..(yes a few jarheads but rather innocuous poses and not a Jap
in the bunch)?No one has done an ongoing series dedicated to this theater.Nazis' or bust in this WW2 era hobby.
Still waiting for someone to release a full-blown USMC Sherman(wood sideboards,no ma-deuce,no white stars,
chickenwire/spiked hatch covers,sandbagged rear deck,some w/wading vents intact) but until that time gimme
more Tiger Tanks dammit.
 
Horus said:
There is an earlier 1964 Thin Red Line film with Keir Dullea alas in B&W

Steve

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5FWXe2vcn8
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Thanks for posting this. Must be 50 years since I've seen this version. Certainly not the best war movie but there is plenty of action. Worst errors are the incorrect weapons, with the Japanese using old style Mausers and what look like Madsen light MGs. Both sides use MP 40's for submachine guns, but especially the US troops. At least there were Garands and 1911A1's in evidence. :rolleyes2: -- Al
 
I own both mini-series, BoB and The Pacific.
As stated here multiple times, both are fantastic productions.

However, being partial to the PTO .. I watch "The Pacific" with a greater sense of interest.

Also, as been previously stated I don't believe that there is a valid One <-> One comparison, as there is no valid comparison in the ETO <-> PTO.

There is one scene in "The Pacific" when Leckie is just returning home. Leckie is paying for the ride and the driver won't take his money. The cab driver was in the ETO and commented that he got liberty in major cities and "girls" ... while the US Marines just got Disease and Jungle Rot.

Just re-watched the series this Sat / Sun for some ideas on diorama building.

--- LaRRy
 
For some reason I have been watching this again after many years The PTO has always been of more interest to me but I think BoB was the better mini-series. But not by much.
Mark
 
Larry Allen said:
I own both mini-series, BoB and The Pacific.
As stated here multiple times, both are fantastic productions.

However, being partial to the PTO .. I watch "The Pacific" with a greater sense of interest.

Also, as been previously stated I don't believe that there is a valid One <-> One comparison, as there is no valid comparison in the ETO <-> PTO.

There is one scene in "The Pacific" when Leckie is just returning home. Leckie is paying for the ride and the driver won't take his money. The cab driver was in the ETO and commented that he got liberty in major cities and "girls" ... while the US Marines just got Disease and Jungle Rot.

Just re-watched the series this Sat / Sun for some ideas on diorama building.

--- LaRRy
Click to expand...

Totally agree Larry about comparing the BOB with the Pacific series. I enjoyed watching both very much and they are very different series covering two very different theaters of WW2.
 
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