What has happened to the war film genre?

I can't remember the last decent war film? I was browsing the shelves at the supermarket whilst purchasing the last of the obligatory booze for tommorow and couldn't help but notice how devoid of war films the dvd section was...

Excuse the pun, but is the genre all but dead?

On the flip side there appears to be no end of shitty US sitcom/reality rubbish and celebrity bollocks

I made the same observation. The absence of anything but "how nice is this shareholder value world" where people are abused and appeased by this crap sickens me.

Reminds me of the Romans: Panem et circenses.

Where did sanity go?

YOU THINK THE WORLD IS SANE !!!

IanS

No just that it once was 

A while ago I heard rumours of a Brit war film set in Norway about Brit commandos starring Shaun Bean and Danny Dyer apparently it was going to be an old skool war film like they did in the 60s and 70s haven't heard any update on it though.

And wasn't there supposed to be a Dambusters remake in the pipeline?

Mollinary

There have been one or two recent films set during the war but i can't remember the last time an actual war film was made.

Indeed, they don't make em like they used to!

For everyone who remembers the old classics like the dirty dozen, bridge over the river kwai, von Ryans express, where eagles dare, guns of navaronne, the longest day and a bridge too far, this is a kick in the head!

I am 27, but unexpectedly a big fan of these types of movies. They were already 'old' when i saw them, but they spoke to me like nothing else! A personal favourite of mine was "the bridge at remagen". I have the longest day in its original black and white rendition on dvd, and many others in colour. I think the discs are getting worn though

The new style flicks like "saving private ryan" and when trumpets fade" are nice too, but don't have that same feeling as they used too, focusing more on blood and gore than a good story and great suspense.

It's a shame they don't make em like tis anymore 

I'm a bit turned off with German tanks represented by M48s think I got that right with a german cross on like The Battle of the Bulge etc but when I was a kid and wasn't the wiser I enjoyed them but now I know what should have been there it takes a bit of magic out of it.Kellys Heroes has to be one of my favourites 3 tiger 1s against a sherman.Apparently the war films in the 60s and 70s were brought about because of the Cold War e.g Germans were Russians in desguise and a lot of the tv shows were aimed at stifling the fears of the russians man from uncle,james bond etc

Well petercooman, you illustrate my point quite well.  Not all of those movies you listed are actual war movies. 

Most are action/adventures set during a war, etc. aren't they?

Quote from: Luddite on 24 December 2012, 09:07:41 PM
Well petercooman, you illustrate my point quite well.  Not all of those movies you listed are actual war movies. 

Most are action/adventures set during a war, etc. aren't they?

Yes they are, and that's why i love them

There is a new Russian film based on Stalingrad coming out next year

Oh and a remake of All quiet on the Western Front, and a film called Panzer 88 which is about a king Tiger apparantly

Quote from: Gran76 on 24 December 2012, 09:02:16 PM
I'm a bit turned off with German tanks represented by M48s

I remember thinking about that while watching "A Bridge Too far", and realising that, at last, here was a war film with real German tanks...

OK, granted, they're Leopards, but they are real German tanks...

That idea still amuses me.

Meanwhile, I'll watch the Liberation DVD set, in Russian, with no subtitles. Can't understand a word of it, but... so many T34s... 

Quote from: petercooman on 24 December 2012, 08:41:02 PM
Indeed, they don't make em like they used to!

For everyone who remembers the old classics like the dirty dozen, bridge over the river kwai, von Ryans express, where eagles dare, guns of navaronne, the longest day and a bridge too far, this is a kick in the head!

I am 27, but unexpectedly a big fan of these types of movies. They were already 'old' when i saw them, but they spoke to me like nothing else! A personal favourite of mine was "the bridge at remagen". I have the longest day in its original black and white rendition on dvd, and many others in colour. I think the discs are getting worn though

The new style flicks like "saving private ryan" and when trumpets fade" are nice too, but don't have that same feeling as they used too, focusing more on blood and gore than a good story and great suspense.

It's a shame they don't make em like tis anymore 

Saving Private Ryan is good untill Delta is "open"... after that PR tour. Switch off.

Problem with the tanks is that none of those is / was left. Some Panzer IV survived in Egypt though. No Panther or Tiger tanks I am aware of.

Quote from: sebigboss79 on 25 December 2012, 11:35:22 AM
Saving Private Ryan is good untill Delta is "open"... after that PR tour. Switch off.

I'd suggest SPR isn't actually a war movie.  Its an adventure/quest that takes place against a backdrop of WWII.  PErhaps as you say, the beach landing is a bit of a war movie but after that...nope.