Valkyrie (3 Viewers)

[nasirkasmani]

Re: Accents?

I've just got back from seeing it and so I can answer my own question.

I prefer older war movies where they at least pretend to sound German like the actors on "Hogan's Heroes".

The American and British accents spoiled the movie for me.

This is how it sounded to me........

First German General: "Let's like, you know, like, kill that Hitler dude, like you know."

Second German General: "I say ol' chap, might cause a spot of bother but it's a smashing idea."

There are so many English speaking German actors who could have played those roles and sounded German whilst doing it.

the movie haven't released here yet in singapore, but i had presumed that the English will be german-accented?

i have an almost natural aversion to Cruise, the last thing i need is the conspirators to sound like a couple of lads from Blighty and some guys from down town New York.

 

[Warrior]

While The General makes a good point, I think he's being a bit sacrastic as to how the actors actually sounded.

Comparing this movie to Saving Private Ryan is like comparing apples to hand grenades, ie, while indeed the Germans in SPR spoke German, none of them were main characters and they had just afew lines, aside from "steamboat willie", and no, he was not the same German that they let go at the radar station who later got in the knife fight with Mellish.

You can't expect the dozens of actors in Valkyrie to all learn German to play their parts correctly. Maybe it's just me, but I could have cared less about accents and speaking German, I find subtitles to be annoying; trying to read AND watch the action is way too distracting to me.

I thought is was a very good movie and a good story, which is all you can ask of a movie. And besides, I really would much rather they speak perfect English as opposed to those 1950's war movies; "Ve have veys of making you talk"...........please.

 

[Spitfrnd]

While The General makes a good point, I think he's being a bit sacrastic as to how the actors actually sounded.

Comparing this movie to Saving Private Ryan is like comparing apples to hand grenades, ie, while indeed the Germans in SPR spoke German, none of them were main characters and they had just afew lines, aside from "steamboat willie", and no, he was not the same German that they let go at the radar station who later got in the knife fight with Mellish.

You can't expect the dozens of actors in Valkyrie to all learn German to play their parts correctly. Maybe it's just me, but I could have cared less about accents and speaking German, I find subtitles to be annoying; trying to read AND watch the action is way too distracting to me.

I thought is was a very good movie and a good story, which is all you can ask of a movie. And besides, I really would much rather they speak perfect English as opposed to those 1950's war movies; "Ve have veys of making you talk"...........please.

I agree with the premise that it is better to have good acting and a good story than to have perfectly accurate accents or language. I am not much of a fan of subtitles either. I still look forward to seeing this one.

 

[Warrior]

Glad to hear you are still planning on seeing it, it is well worth doing so. Plus, the initial Africa Corps scene with Cruise is incredible, I wish they had somehow been able to work a combat scene into the movie as the director/producer 100% nailed all of the German vehicles and equipment, would have been interesting to see a full blown battle with said items..........

 

[lancer]

I agree with the opinions that state acting and story are more important than trying to sound like a German. An actor trying to fake an accent can be excrutiating to the ears. English or American accents are better than fake, wrong accents. On the other topic, "steamboat willie" was the German who shot Hanks at the bridge, correct? -- lancer

 

[Warrior]

Lancer; yes, Steamboat Willie is the German who shot Hanks at the bridge; Upham shot him, but let the rest of the Germans get away (didn't quite understand that to be honest, why let the others go to fight another day?).

He was regular Heer Infantry and was wearing a zeltbahn, while the other German who killed Mellish was SS and had a camo smock...........

 

[Sahara]

Just got back from the MI toy soldier show. I have successfully convinced the wife that I did not spend to much and that I was basically there to browse. Who am I kiddin she knew as soon as I walked in the door that my wallet was alot lighter . Warrior I hated that part where Upham let the rest of the Germans go. I didn't really get it either. Did he not learn his lesson the 1st time?

 

[Warrior]

"I have successfully convinced the wife that I did not spend to much and that I was basically there to browse." You are a good man, perhaps you can enlighten the rest of the collectors as to how to go about pulling this one off, the old "No honey, no spending, I was just browsing all day" line. Others need to know your secret on that one.

So how was the show; are you going back tomorrow or just today?

Regarding SPR, isn't it ironic that the two who survived from the squad were Upham, who had virtually no combat experience and Reiben, who did not want to be there period and almost deserted the squad after the incident at the radar station?

 

[Sahara]

It was a lot of fun! I had planned to attend tomorrow as well but some OT became available through work and I figured I better take it to payoff the items I had just purchased. Warrior have you been to the new location yet? I can't remember if it was last year or the year before when I saw you at a MI show. Its a larger space and is set up alot better IMO. Maybe we'll see you at the summer show, by that time my Redwings should have beaten your Bruins in the Stanley Cup

 

[Warrior]

They moved the show from the hotel to the new location this past summer and with gas at 4.00 plus a gallon, I passed on that show. Glad the new venue is customer and dealer friendly; unless the price of gas gets stupid again, I'll be at the summer show.

Bruins/Red Wings would be great, two of the original six in the finals. I'd take another trip to the finals for Boston sports; that would give us two in baseball, one in hockey, one in basketball and four in football, no city can top that one this decade.

 

[sammy719]

Took the Mrs. to see Valkyrie today and must say we both agreed it is a excellent movie, well scripted, well directed, and even old Cruise played a excellent Staffenburg, two thumbs up...Sammy

 

[The Military Workshop]

Hi Guys,
I went with the family to see it last night and enjoyed it. Was interesting to see most of the actors were English. I did not recognise the Hitler actor but a few of the others (ie. Keitl and the two the civilian coup leaders) you see a lot in UK TV shows but don't know their names. The more well known movie actors played the Generals.
I did not have a problem with them speaking English.
Overall a good movie.
Regards
Brett