bluesman-20

The Story of G.I. Joe is a historic film. It's the first truthful look at the infantry men during WWII. there is rain and mud and snow and ice and horror beyond all horror. Loneliness and love. And Men who break during Combat and men who die. Ernie Pyle lived that life marching the same mud filled roads as the Joes and watching the smiling youthful faces full of hope turn old and full of bitterness and regret. Pyle knew what he was talking about he lived it alongside the soldiers that helped win a war. He suffered as they suffered and told their story as honestly as he could and in the end this made Pyle the most beloved War correspondent of his time . And maybe for all time. Pyle had a hand in the making of this film. I've noticed there are people who say this film is dated. Of course its dated Time marches on. and everything changes War changes. This is a look at the War as it was during the years 1939 -1945. Of course its set in the year 1944. And that's why it feels dated to those who were not there. For kids raised on WWII films like saving private Ryan and Band of Brothers with those films you get a good Technicolour look at WWII and a modern feel. But what people forget is back in 1945 there were severe limits placed on what you could see in a movie. This film captures the feel and the essence of what it was like to be a G.I .Joe. Robert Mitchum was made a superstar in his star making role here. The scene that made him a star in which Captain Walker talks about the New ones is perfect and heartfelt. And Ernie Pyle's spirit comes thru as much as his love and affection for the fighting man. with that perfect last line. "For those beneath the wooden crosses there is nothing we can do except pause..and murmur thanks pal thanks ." that sums it up perfectly. Incredible film and a eye opener of what it was like to be a G.I. Joe.

War and Remembrance picks up after where the Winds of War left off. It's late dec.1941 and captain Victor "Pug " Henry fights to get the command of a battleship. and he receives the U.S.S. Northhampton. The beginning of War and Remembrance shows the Allies getting involved in the war and the early losses. It also depicts two major story lines which are both powerful. One is the effect the war has on a military family and the battles they fought. And the other is the Final solution as it effects the Jews . It pulls no punches. It tells no fairy tales it hits you where you live. The Story is powerful and the acting is superb. If you liked The Winds of War you'll like War and Remembrance. But in my mind the Winds of War is the superior of the two. War and Remebrance has the same power. It seeks to tell simply the main story of World War II using the two main families the Henry's and the Jastrow"s and thru them we see the horrors of war. The loss of a son. The persecution of the Jews and the hate that drove men to commit horrors in the names of their country. My one simple complaint is that there simply is not enough of Robert Mitchum in this one. If Winds was Pug's Story then War is Pug's sons story. Byron steps out of the supporting cast and takes center stage. Hart Bochner takes over the role the Jan Michael Vincent did in Winds and makes it his own. Compelling TV at its best.

When the mini series came out in 1983 I was 13 years old. and not interested in Such things. My father on the other hand loved World War II history and he idolized Robert Mitchum. So this series was picture perfect for him. About a week ago I found The Winds of War on Youtube and watched it from beginning to end. After it was over the only thing I could utter was Wow. The Story read like a text book. and the acting on all parts was solid and perfect. Robert Mitchum was the heart and soul of this series. His Captain Victor "Pug " Henry was the man who seen every thing risked everything at his president's say and had a window to history. as a result Pug not only witness history put plays a important role in history. the Sub plots were not as strong as the main story. The Story of Rhoda Henry's affair with a family friend is weak. But still well done. The Subplot of Byron henry and Natalie Jastrow and their problems and romance takes up almost half of the main plot and while it is a a much needed part of the story. sometimes it spins it's wheels. Ali Macgraw while a gifted actress comes across at times as wooden, While Jan Michael Vincent delivers a steady job as Byron Henry And John Houseman as Arron Jastrow seems at times to be a intelligent man who is brilliant on paper but dumb in life. These sub plots drive the main story forward from the beginning of the War in 1939 to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Well done and a major accomplishment in story telling on TV. The Winds of War is a classic story. That has the emotional impact it deserves. And it makes you feel like you were there. A Well done job of writing and acting and a fantastic job done by Dan Curtis who holds it all together.