Have you ever asked a veteran about war films?

Question

My recently deceased grandfather loved the old war films (eg, Great Escape and the john Wayne stuff) in his later years, but had to walk out of Saving Private Ryan as he actually broke down in the screening.

I was just wondering if any veteran was ever insulted by these older war films as they tend to glamourise war rather than show it in a more realisitc perspective like Saving Private Ryan.

I'm not saying that the latter film is wholly representative of war, but it does seem a lot closer than the older, 1960s films, especially the opening scenes on the beach head.

Any thoughts? Thanks

Answer 1

i dont think u grandfather was insulted by saving private ryan i cried when i watched it too and i wasnt even born in that time. i didnt think it glamourised war in any way in fact i thought it was brutally honest depicition of war and the ppl who fought it...normal ppl like u and me who unitl then had lived a normal life. films like these must surely open up wounds that veterans have pushed to the backs of their minds just so they can try to carry on as normal as they can.

Answer 2

We know a gentleman who survived storming the beach of Normandy. He couldn't even consider seeing "Private Ryan", he knew he would break down.

I haven"t watched it either and we own it. War movies have always disturbed me on a deep level. I am told that movie was based on "The Sullivan Act", which prohibits brothers from serving together in the same unit I think. The Sullivan brothers were my dad's cousins and I know losing all of them at once hurt the family beyond anything anyone can imagine.

Answer 3

No I have not. I am not interested too much in learning about wars.

Answer 4

Many. They are just the same as you and i. Just done a very hard Job and i thank every one

Answer 5

I haven't but I watched Barefoot Gen and it was heartbreaking.