"Historical wars and movies" Topic

What historical war deserves a movie presentation but has not been done?

This thread may bring to light little known movies about "forgotten wars."

Editorial: And M.A.S.H is really Vietnam disguised as the Korean War IMO and such doesn't really cover the Korean War all that well.

And M.A.S.H is really Vietnam disguised as the Korean War

I disagree, the author of the novel on which the film is based served in Korea, not Vietnam. He could hardly write a book about a war in which he was not involved.

"I disagree, the author of the novel on which the film is based served in Korea, not Vietnam. He could hardly write a book about a war in which he was not involved."

Someone had better tell Bernard Cornwall he musn't write any more Sharpe novels….

Max

Both Korea (Bridges at Toko Ri, Pork Chop Hill to name two--plus a few Korean flicks) and Vietnam (Boys of Company C, Full Metal Jacket, and MANY more) have been done by other movies, so whatever category MASH falls in doesn't matter.

Has anyone done a movie on the 1956 Hungarian Revolution or the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia (not exactly fighting in that one, but could make a neat spy movie or political thriller)?

How about the revolutions and minor conflicts of the 1840s in Europe?

Or Palestine/Transjordan in the 1920s? I know Turkey and Greece in that time period have been covered by at least one movie (can't remember the title right now, but it had mercenaries moving through Turkey trying to leave--I distinctly remember a very cool Lewis gun in that movie).

Or how about Crete in the late 1890s--with the fighting against the Turks and intervention by an international force?

Rob

1866 Austro-Prussian War. No really good movie out there for this important conflict.

Wars that many do not know but have movies/ series after them, (number I am aware of)

1864 2nd Sleshwvig-Holstein War (1)

Lopez War (2)

The South American Pacific War (2-3)

The War between France and Mexico (2)

The First Balkan War Bulgarian Front (1)

1877 Russo-Ottoman War (3)

1859 Second Italian War of Unification (1)

Garibaldini Campaigns (1)

Siege of Rome 1849 (1)

Franco Prussian War (1-2)

Though many of these demand a new rendition.

The Sino-French war of 1884 would make an excellent movie, especially the fighting on land. The sea war would be interesting to watch, but a bit lopsided.

"Riding with the Devil" was actually not a bad movie considering some of the A-list actors involved. It portrayed a less glamorous version of being Confederate irregular cavalry.

The way it would be treated on Hollywood today, no war should have a movie inflicted on it.

Once again I will be in awe at the choices people will make for what would make a good movie and remind you that there is a reason movie studios do not consult with Wargamers.

BTW the author of MASH was a conservative who sold the rights to his book. He HATED the movie and in particular the TV show.
He wrote a sequel or two with the regulars spouting off like good God fearing anti commie Americans.
Even if I agreed, I thought they were pretty badly written. The original book was not exactly Tolstoi either, but it gave Hollywood a basic outline.

Dear Winston

Once again we are in complete agreement.

"The way it would be treated on Hollywood today, no war should have a movie inflicted on it. "

I don't want Hollywood to make ANY war movies. Whatever they make will be a disservice and a disgrace tot he men who fought and died in it.

The purpose of history is to provide an actor with a vehicle in which he can star, and to make a bundle for Hollyw3ood.

The Golden Age of Hollywood (and Pinewood!) war movies was immediately after World War 2, when there was a glow of patriotism and returning veterans would star in them, write them and direct them.
That time is long past. 99% of all actors and directors today have the opposite view.

The Seven Years War could stand a few more movies – also the South American Wars of Liberation as well as the Chinese Civil Wars

Has anyone done a film based on the War of 1812?

Personally, I'd like to see a movie set during the Oenotrian War of 1889.

Sure!

Both versions of "The Buccaneer" by Cecil B. DeMille covering the story the Battle of New Orleans (not exactly Doctoral theses) address the War of 1812.

There were some silent films, at least one of which featured "Old Ironsides" duking it out with a "Guerriere" featuring life sized ships (and maybe the real OI?).

But those are the only ones I know of.

And, "Yes!," a good film about the Battle of Chippewa, with old Winfield Scott whupping up the Redcoats, and the famous line by the Brit CO, could make a crackerjack good film.

TVAG

I second the War of 1812.

Another vote for the War of 1812. Lundy's Lane would be a good choice but maybe hard to watch as almost all of the important action happens after dark. Chrysler's Farm would be good also.
I always wanted to see Koniggratz (1866) done in a Gettysburg sort of way too.

Tom D

I would love to see a film about the Great Seige of Malta 1565. Also a few good films about the War of the Roses would be nice.

I think it is time to revisit Waterloo, the battle of the Bulge. There have been some Civil War movies but the one the battle really deserves a movie is Antietam.

Seven Years War
WSS
Thirty Years War
War of 1812
Franco-Prussian War
Mexican/American War (for the big screen)
Saratoga Campaign
AWI Southern Campaign (a good one)
English Civil War
Sino-Japanese
Hundred Years War
War of the Roses
Great Northern War

I've long thought that the Niagara Campaign of 1814 would make a good movie. Battle of Chippewa followed by a love story with a wounded American soldier and a sympathetic Canadian woman (so our wives and girlfriends will go), then Lundy's Lane and finally finish with the assault on Fort Erie. There the young lovers die in the magazine explosion. The guys go "cool!", the ladies go "awwwww" and Hollywood makes money, which means they remake New Orleans. Win-win! Now, who to cast?
Brown?
Scott?
Riall?
Stud-muffin?
Love interest?

I had Lepanto in mind… but then I think what Hollywood can make with it and feel my skin crawl in disgust!

Spanish-American War (naval)
Mexican-American War
War of 1812

Toledo War (1835-1836) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo_War

The Pig War (1859) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_War

Balkan wars 1912-13
link

Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922
link