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mjbryan
Reviews
The World at War (1973)
The best documentary series of all time not just about World War 2
I remember watching this series along with my parents in 1973-4, I was 19 at the time and had studied European History at A level. I still watch the series when it is repeated on cable TV in the UK, as it currently is. The only question I have is the episode regarding the occupation of Holland. and question "why Holland", why not France or Norway or Yugoslavia? or any other country occupied by the Germans. The timing some 30 years after the end of the war meant that many of the senior combatants where still alive and could be interviewed, be it from the axis or allied sides This is the ultimate record of World War 2
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
Total Rubbish
Having read so many reviews regarding this film I was hoping for a masterpiece such as Schindler's List. I was always concerned however about the idea that a German boy could play with a Jewish prisoner through the external camp wire.It is just so absurd. Firstly is the camp an Extermination, Concentration or Labour Camp. If its an Extermination camp then the children, the sick and elderly would have been gassed within hours of arrival. and yet the ending obviously points to it being just so. We are meant to believe that this little Jewish boy,escapes an initial selection, and can spend his day sitting by the external fence - presumably not electrified, and only at the end of his shift runs back with an empty wheelbarrow. Its just so absurd for anyone who knows anything about The Holocaust.
The little Jewish boy doesn't mention to his German friend that they live in fear of beatings, torture etc.
The wife knows nothing about the Final Solution, nor the position her husband will be taking up.
The whole premise is just too absurd for words. And to those reviewers saying that the ending was so emotional, it was just so predictable. Yet we are meant to feel such sadness for one aryan death compared to millions of Jewish deaths...
Total nonsense as a film and a waste of 90 mins
When the Boat Comes In (1976)
The best TV drama series of the 1970s - maybe ever !
I remember first seeing this series in January 1976, and up to that point James Bolam had always been "lazy" Terry from The Likely Lads. Here he plays friendly Jack, canny Jack, but deadly & dangerous Jack. I found the final series - released in 1981 - disappointing by comparison to the earlier series, primarily because the majority of the Seaton family & Matt were not involved; and the final story of gun-running to Spain, hardly credible. However I score the series 10, due to the excellent quality of the acting & characters. Right up until the end, you somehow hope that Jack & Jessie will end up together.
Best moment, was in " Diamiond-cuts-Diamond " when Sir Horatio Manners take-over bid for Ryders Pumps fails, and Jack confronts him with his scam. " I bought a parcel of Ryders shares at 41....you bought them at 80!", and Mannners realisation that this was the plan all along.
Never tire of watching the DVD set - excellent value.
La vita è bella (1997)
Disappointing
I remember the excellent reviews when this film was first released and saw it for the first time this evening but was extremely disappointed. The second half of the film set in the concentration camp was innovative but absurd. The freedom with which the main characters were allowed to roam around with little or no control or obvious violence from the guards made the whole concept slightly ridiculous. Previous reviewers have correctly stated that this film is not meant to be historically accurate, which it obviously isn't. However to even suggest that the main character could have concealed the true nature of the camp from his son, by "the game" was ridiculous. There was no selection process when the train arrived in the camp which of course would have separated the father and son and presumably ruined any pretence of a story. It was so far separated from any reality I was expecting Disney characters to appear with jelly and custard at any time. Hugely disappointing !!