Personal Boycott of Hollywood Military Films

[The Huskar Social Union]

Well the Tiger in Fury is the only working tiger tank on the planet, and i believe its still kind of sketchy when it comes to working all the time. But it was cool to see an actual Tiger tank on screen.

Well, it was powered by a Tiger II engine... but this was largely because the original engine of 131 had been sectioned for display and is obviously non-op as a result.

Depends on the weapon. For example Mausers. Mass produced, good weapon, easy to maintain, and thus have survived. Wheras something Tiger/Panther tanks, Me 262's... Much harder to come by.

Tbh, the French used Panthers for a time after the war.

Yeah i think that was mentioned in a video by a guy i watch on Youtube called The Mighty Jingles (he mainly does videos on things like World of Tanks, Warthunder etc, but does some videos on the Bovington tank museum and some other places) and he was talking about the Tiger on one of the days it was up and running. I would love to go that museum one day.

Well the Tiger in Fury is the only working tiger tank on the planet, and i believe its still kind of sketchy when it comes to working all the time. But it was cool to see an actual Tiger tank on screen.

Yeah it was really cool to see that old beast actually operating.

Definitely.

[British Prussia]

In A Bridge Too Far they did manage to get Shermans and even Sherman Fireflies (well, some looked like them). But yeah it is to be expected. Especially if you want to see a Tiger tank. At least Fury got the real stuff.

Hogan's Hero's Tiger was an M3 Lee. The opposite of a heavily armoured engineering masterpiece.

Well the Tiger in Fury is the only working tiger tank on the planet, and i believe its still kind of sketchy when it comes to working all the time. But it was cool to see an actual Tiger tank on screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FK3iLaiPis
You might like this. They've got a pretty awesome selection of "Virtually Inside" tank videos.

[The Huskar Social Union]

Well the Tiger in Fury is the only working tiger tank on the planet, and i believe its still kind of sketchy when it comes to working all the time. But it was cool to see an actual Tiger tank on screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FK3iLaiPis
You might like this. They've got a pretty awesome selection of "Virtually Inside" tank videos.

That does look cool, but its not supported on my browser unfortunately.

[Imperializt Russia]

Well, it was powered by a Tiger II engine... but this was largely because the original engine of 131 had been sectioned for display and is obviously non-op as a result.
Tbh, the French used Panthers for a time after the war.

Yeah i think that was mentioned in a video by a guy i watch on Youtube called The Mighty Jingles (he mainly does videos on things like World of Tanks, Warthunder etc, but does some videos on the Bovington tank museum and some other places) and he was talking about the Tiger on one of the days it was up and running. I would love to go that museum one day.

Eh, I live in the same country and have never been, sadly.
This summer if I'm down in Oxford again I might try and go. Or possibly the RAT.

[New Antonalia]

War movies are fine. Not sure why historical accuracy is important in movies. Movies have no obligation to be historically accurate.

That said, many war movies (such as Fury) are fairly ridiculous and the propaganda of the invincible American can get on my nerve a bit.

Actually, war movies have a duty to be historically accurate. If they weren't you would have movies where the lone American goes in Rambo style with a mini gun while the Germans are bumbling around trying to find a pea shooter to try to kill the American. Also, it is as respect for those who fought in the movie. Also, Fury is hardly propaganda, it is a dramatization based on the experiences of Sherman crews towards the end of WW2, now American Sniper (while a dramatization of the book, American Sniper) and movies like The Hurt Locker can be considered propaganda.

[British Prussia]

Well the Tiger in Fury is the only working tiger tank on the planet, and i believe its still kind of sketchy when it comes to working all the time. But it was cool to see an actual Tiger tank on screen.

Well, it was powered by a Tiger II engine... but this was largely because the original engine of 131 had been sectioned for display and is obviously non-op as a result.

Depends on the weapon. For example Mausers. Mass produced, good weapon, easy to maintain, and thus have survived. Wheras something Tiger/Panther tanks, Me 262's... Much harder to come by.

Tbh, the French used Panthers for a time after the war.

I don't think they used them for long. I know the Me 109 late models were popular post-war, as well as the Mausers and STG-44's. I knew the French started rebuilding their military immediately after the war.

[British Prussia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FK3iLaiPis
You might like this. They've got a pretty awesome selection of "Virtually Inside" tank videos.

That does look cool, but its not supported on my browser unfortunately.

Really? Firefox or Chrome should work. If not, there's always the YouTube app on iOS and Android. It's pretty cool. It's a 360° video and you can drag the camera around to look around the tanks.

[British Prussia]

Well the Tiger in Fury is the only working tiger tank on the planet, and i believe its still kind of sketchy when it comes to working all the time. But it was cool to see an actual Tiger tank on screen.

Yeah it was really cool to see that old beast actually operating.

Too bad they ruined Fury in the making of the film. I heard the museum had to spend a substantial amount of money they got from the film just to repair it.

[The Huskar Social Union]

That does look cool, but its not supported on my browser unfortunately.

Really? Firefox or Chrome should work. If not, there's always the YouTube app on iOS and Android. It's pretty cool. It's a 360° video and you can drag the camera around to look around the tanks.

Yeah im using Firefox, i dont know ill give it a try on my Kindle at some point, see if it works there. If not then eh its not really important.

[British Prussia]

Really? Firefox or Chrome should work. If not, there's always the YouTube app on iOS and Android. It's pretty cool. It's a 360° video and you can drag the camera around to look around the tanks.

Yeah im using Firefox, i dont know ill give it a try on my Kindle at some point, see if it works there. If not then eh its not really important.

Nah it isn't, but it's the only 360° video on YouTube I know, if it isn't for the tanks, the fact that it can do that itself is pretty awesome. Perhaps you don't have Flashplayer?

[The Huskar Social Union]

Yeah im using Firefox, i dont know ill give it a try on my Kindle at some point, see if it works there. If not then eh its not really important.

Nah it isn't, but it's the only 360° video on YouTube I know, if it isn't for the tanks, the fact that it can do that itself is pretty awesome. Perhaps you don't have Flashplayer?

Might be that, but eh ill check it later at some point.

[Novorden]

Yeah i think that was mentioned in a video by a guy i watch on Youtube called The Mighty Jingles (he mainly does videos on things like World of Tanks, Warthunder etc, but does some videos on the Bovington tank museum and some other places) and he was talking about the Tiger on one of the days it was up and running. I would love to go that museum one day.

Eh, I live in the same country and have never been, sadly.
This summer if I'm down in Oxford again I might try and go. Or possibly the RAT.

Whilst i live less than an hour from it. When you go I should be your guide, I've been there enough times

[Vassenor]

I've been to Bovington once, a long time ago. If I ever figure out how to get there on public transport I'll have to go back one day.

[Imperializt Russia]

Eh, I live in the same country and have never been, sadly.
This summer if I'm down in Oxford again I might try and go. Or possibly the RAT.

Whilst i live less than an hour from it. When you go I should be your guide, I've been there enough times

It'll be an intriguing day, I'm sure

[Tahar Joblis]

There is an interesting reason why most Hollywood films portray the US military in a very positive light.

The US military is very helpful to Hollywood in obtaining footage... if and only if the military can control how the military is presented in that work. So filmmakers have two choices when they're making a film that involves the military.

They can either get great footage of genuine American warships, planes, tanks, uniforms, et cetera for dirt cheap, or they can build everything themselves through their special effects budget. The latter can be a pretty expensive choice; active cooperation from the US military is worth a lot in terms of the exchange of money for special effects.

As far as enlarging the role of the US military relative to other militaries in a historical context, that has more to do with those films being made for the American market, but the consistent positive messaging has a lot to do with that proffered carrot.

[Napkiraly]

I do wish there were more films that portrayed Canada's military, though. A high production tv show about the Canadian Corps in WWI would be dank. Or a film about, say, Billy Bishop or Tommy Prince.

[Hollorous]

There is an interesting reason why most Hollywood films portray the US military in a very positive light.

The US military is very helpful to Hollywood in obtaining footage... if and only if the military can control how the military is presented in that work. So filmmakers have two choices when they're making a film that involves the military.

They can either get great footage of genuine American warships, planes, tanks, uniforms, et cetera for dirt cheap, or they can build everything themselves through their special effects budget. The latter can be a pretty expensive choice; active cooperation from the US military is worth a lot in terms of the exchange of money for special effects.

As far as enlarging the role of the US military relative to other militaries in a historical context, that has more to do with those films being made for the American market, but the consistent positive messaging has a lot to do with that proffered carrot.

Where's Ferdinand Marcos when you need him?

To explain, Apocalypse Now and Platoon were both rejected by the US military due to their dark depiction of the American armed forces, so the makers of those films went to the Philippines and used the military equipment sold to the Filipinos by the American government. The irony of American directors cozying up to a dictator (well, not technically, but you know the drill) to achieve artistic freedom that they couldn't find in their own democratic country? Priceless.

The lesson is simple. American anti-war filmmakers need to go begging Putin and Xi for favors. Their film will be denounced by the right-wing press anyway, so why not?

[Hollorous]

I do wish there were more films that portrayed Canada's military, though. A high production tv show about the Canadian Corps in WWI would be dank. Or a film about, say, Billy Bishop or Tommy Prince.

There are indeed precious few. I do think some Canadian WWI films exist, but I can't remember any titles.

I'd love to see one about the proto-Canadians beating back the Yank hordes in 1812, especially done in an overly-stylized 300 type way. I say this as a member of the Yank hordes.

There aren't enough war films where Americans are the antagonists.

[Napkiraly]

I do wish there were more films that portrayed Canada's military, though. A high production tv show about the Canadian Corps in WWI would be dank. Or a film about, say, Billy Bishop or Tommy Prince.

There are indeed precious few. I do think some Canadian WWI films exist, but I can't remember any titles.

I'd love to see one about the proto-Canadians beating back the Yank hordes in 1812, especially done in an overly-stylized 300 type way. I say this as a member of the Yank hordes.

There aren't enough war films where Americans are the antagonists.

There's Passchendaele, but that film is utter shite. A Bear Named Winnie is another, but it's all about Winnie the Bear really. Though it does have Michael Fassbender in one of his earliest main roles.

A 300-esque film of proto-Canadians fighting against the American military would be both awesome and hilarious.

"This is madness, y'all!"

"Madness? This, eh! Is, eh! Canada, eh!" *moose kicks American into Niagra Falls*

[Hollorous]

There are indeed precious few. I do think some Canadian WWI films exist, but I can't remember any titles.

I'd love to see one about the proto-Canadians beating back the Yank hordes in 1812, especially done in an overly-stylized 300 type way. I say this as a member of the Yank hordes.

There aren't enough war films where Americans are the antagonists.

There's Passchendaele, but that film is utter shite. A Bear Named Winnie is another, but it's all about Winnie the Bear really. Though it does have Michael Fassbender in one of his earliest main roles.

A 300-esque film of proto-Canadians fighting against the American military would be both awesome and hilarious.

"This is madness, y'all!"

"Madness? This, eh! Is, eh! Canada, eh!" *moose kicks American into Niagra Falls*

Passchendale was the one I was thinking of. Never saw it. Not that enthused.

The opening scene of this hypothetical film ought to be a shot of the Canadian flag rippling in the breeze against the sun a la Saving Private Ryan.

And, obviously, the role of Isaac Brook has Gerard Butler written all over it.

[Napkiraly]

There's Passchendaele, but that film is utter shite. A Bear Named Winnie is another, but it's all about Winnie the Bear really. Though it does have Michael Fassbender in one of his earliest main roles.

A 300-esque film of proto-Canadians fighting against the American military would be both awesome and hilarious.

"This is madness, y'all!"

"Madness? This, eh! Is, eh! Canada, eh!" *moose kicks American into Niagra Falls*

Passchendale was the one I was thinking of. Never saw it. Not that enthused.

The opening scene of this hypothetical film ought to be a shot of the Canadian flag rippling in the breeze against the sun a la Saving Private Ryan.

And, obviously, the role of Isaac Brook has Gerard Butler written all over it.

Yeah, don't see it. Plus most of the film is a romance in Alberta. Very little is actually at Passchendaele.


And Lena Headly can be Laura Secord.

[Seraven]

You know, I always liked that Letters of Iwo Jima is way better than its twin movie (Flags of Our Fathers). Maybe it is because Iwo Jima told the story from the perspective of a conscript/soldier from Japan that is different and rare to see, as Americans have plenty of war movies where it's told from the perspectives of their soldier?

[United Kingdom of Poland]

War movies are fine. Not sure why historical accuracy is important in movies. Movies have no obligation to be historically accurate.

That said, many war movies (such as Fury) are fairly ridiculous and the propaganda of the invincible American can get on my nerve a bit.

Actually, war movies have a duty to be historically accurate. If they weren't you would have movies where the lone American goes in Rambo style with a mini gun while the Germans are bumbling around trying to find a pea shooter to try to kill the American. Also, it is as respect for those who fought in the movie. Also, Fury is hardly propaganda, it is a dramatization based on the experiences of Sherman crews towards the end of WW2, now American Sniper (while a dramatization of the book, American Sniper) and movies like The Hurt Locker can be considered propaganda.

isn't that the one about the insane EOD tech

[The Rich Port]

I personally boycott any movies bankrolled in any way by the American government.

If a movie producers wants to use American military equipment in a movie, they can often petition the Pentagon to help them out by lending or selling them some stuff and giving permission for the usage of military-created merchandise, like old planes, uniforms, Meals Ready To Eat for realistic military chowing, guns, boots, etc.

The Pentagon will only help make movies, though, if they don't portray the American government or military in any way, shape or form that can be perceived as at all negative.

Rather than bankroll propaganda themselves, the Pentagon now lets people like Michael Bay and... That asshole that directed Battleship (Peter Berg?) do it for them.

[United Kingdom of Poland]

I do wish there were more films that portrayed Canada's military, though. A high production tv show about the Canadian Corps in WWI would be dank. Or a film about, say, Billy Bishop or Tommy Prince.

I'd say someone other then Bishop. between his questionable flying habits (like specifically hunting for training flights) and the doubt about his VC winning action, even amongst British and Canadian historians, its going to be hard not to dwell into American sniper-esk chest beating.