Waterloo - Director Sergei Bondarchuk (1 Viewer)

Grognard

Grognard

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Has anyone seen Waterloo (1970) directed by Sergei Bondarchuk? If so what is your feedback? It's currently on my NetFlix queue...Thanks. :D
 
I hadn't seen it in years and I too rented it recently on Netflix; after these many years, the shine has worn off the apple for me on this one, I thought it was pretty bad but for the overhead shots of the French cavalry charge on the British squares.

Most of the scenes where actors were riding horses were pretty cheesy, it was clear the horse was fake and the actor was being rocked back and forth, I was waiting to see a pair of hands pushing on the "horse" to get it to rock.

That said, Napoleonic flicks, like ACW flicks, are few and far between and least there is no phony CGI in this one, all the troops in the shots are real extras............
 
I still think this is one of the most historically accurate films ever made on a grand scale. You can't fault the sequence of events and the use of actors resembling the actual historical characters. Steiger and Plummer were brilliantly cast in their roles as were most of the other actors. I give it two thumbs up! I have seen too many other historical films that don't come close to the actual accounts that it is just discouraging to watch... :(
 
Warrior said:
Most of the scenes where actors were riding horses were pretty cheesy, it was clear the horse was fake and the actor was being rocked back and forth, I was waiting to see a pair of hands pushing on the "horse" to get it to rock
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These shots me laugh when I see them, the horse rigs are absolutely dreadful. :D

I think we are in desperate need of a new and improved high budget Waterloo film now, however this version is very good overall and its always nice to see lots of extras instead of blatant CGI soldiers which Warrior mentioned.

The charge of the French Cuirassiers is one of the best scenes for me and of course the first ever retreat of the Old Guard!
 
Agree with the others. Saw this movie as a youngster and loved it. Saw it again as an adult and was very much less impressed. Good for one viewing just to see the massed cavalry assaults. -- lancer
 
The DVD has a couple of scenes not in the theatrical version. I've heard it called the "European" version. Well worth watching although at times you catch the card board and paper uniforms and bolt action rifles used for the long distance extras.
 
Grognard said:
Has anyone seen Waterloo (1970) directed by Sergei Bondarchuk? If so what is your feedback? It's currently on my NetFlix queue...Thanks. :D
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Haven't seen it yet, but I was looking around the net to see about buying a copy and found some good deals on Amazon
 
Carnahan said:
Haven't seen it yet, but I was looking around the net to see about buying a copy and found some good deals on Amazon
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It is quite dated and the video transfer is hardly the best but it does have some impressive views of Napoleonic tactics. The cavalry charges are a bit incorrect, as are other details but it is well worth watching. It would benifit greatly from a film restoration or remake if you kept the CGI in hand.
 
IMHO buy it, watch it and above all try and enjoy for what its worth. Well before the days of CGI and with a cast of thousands it should rank high in our estimations. Ok not a classic nor the greatest historical war movie ever made but it prompted me as a kid to start reading history and was better than Planet of the Apes.

How many other Napoleonic War films do you know that attempt to recreate warfare in the grand manner in recent times?
 
None other than the Russian version of War and Peace by the same director. The Sharpe series tried on a smaller scale.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone!
FYI one movie I recently enjoyed is Napoléon by Yves Simoneau with Christian Clavier, John Malkovich and Gérard Depardieu. While short and not perfect, the costumes are great, storyboard and acting are not too bad...and it's available on Netflix. :D
 
Scott said:
None other than the Russian version of War and Peace by the same director. The Sharpe series tried on a smaller scale.
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Man, don't get me started on the Sharpe series, the Waterloo episode in particular is just downright comical; never knew Sharpe killed the prince of orange or lead the final charge on the French lines after the Old Guard was beaten back..............
 
Warrior said:
Man, don't get me started on the Sharpe series, the Waterloo episode in particular is just downright comical; never knew Sharpe killed the prince of orange or lead the final charge on the French lines after the Old Guard was beaten back..............
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I quite agree this was a dismal last episode, as it was clearly a tv budget I would have kept the focus on the action around Hougemont or La Haye Sainte and perhaps have the odd referral to what was happening on the main battle field and the Prince of Orange's wig was probably one of the worse in tv history! ;):D
 
Warrior said:
Man, don't get me started on the Sharpe series, the Waterloo episode in particular is just downright comical; never knew Sharpe killed the prince of orange or lead the final charge on the French lines after the Old Guard was beaten back..............
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You have to read the books George. Of course they are works of fiction so the hero is intended to do things no one actually did but the books are extremely well researched and ofter much historical data that you would have to spend weeks finding on your own. Like all television, the TV series is a great compromise for a whole variety of reasons. After you read (or listen to, all are available as ipod or mp3 down loads at audible.com) a book or two, then we can compare notes.:)
 
I've read most of the novels and Sharpe has no trouble commiting murder when he feels he needs to.
 
Scott said:
I've read most of the novels and Sharpe has no trouble commiting murder when he feels he needs to.
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Indeed although never without good cause and the Prince d'Orange was a good cause.;):D Of course we'll never know who shot him but Picton should have or any of the survivors from the three allied battalions he wasted. At least the fourth had the good sense to run.
 
Warrior wrote
"Man, don't get me started on the Sharpe series, the Waterloo episode in particular is just downright comical; never knew Sharpe killed the prince of orange or lead the final charge on the French lines after the Old Guard was beaten back"

George, next you will be telling me Flashman VC was not the hero I think he is !!!!

Regards
Brett
 
Spitfrnd said:
You have to read the books George. Of course they are works of fiction so the hero is intended to do things no one actually did but the books are extremely well researched and ofter much historical data that you would have to spend weeks finding on your own. Like all television, the TV series is a great compromise for a whole variety of reasons. After you read (or listen to, all are available as ipod or mp3 down loads at audible.com) a book or two, then we can compare notes.:)
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Hey, maybe a Sharpe range might be a new sub-series for First Legion to do? I'd much rather they did something like it than you-know-who's figures with the strange circus clown proportions.
:)
Cheers
Harry
 
Harrytheheid said:
Hey, maybe a Sharpe range might be a new sub-series for First Legion to do? I'd much rather they did something like it than you-know-who's figures with the strange circus clown proportions.
:)
Cheers
Harry
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Whatever you say sir.:D I feel sure we will get Green Jackets from FL, it is just a matter of time. I have passed on the CS effort and would do so as well for a family sized edition. God save Ireland.;):D
 
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