leedswolf
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Brilliant movie. Shout out to Christopher Lloyd also.
The Film Thread
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WolfmanOz
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Well tonight I rewatched a film I hadn't seen since it was first released way back in 1975 . . . Operation: Daybreak.
The film details the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich in Prague, the Nazi commander of the Reich Main Security Office and the acting governor of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.
The assassination, codenamed Operation Anthropoid (in this film Daybreak), was carried out by soldiers of the Czechoslovakian army-in-exile after preparation and training by the British SOE (Special Operations Executive).
For those unfamiliar with Heydrich he was one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany and he was given overall command of the “Final Solution to the Jewish Question” (the Holocaust) in Europe.
Heydrich’s death led to a wave of tragic reprisals by the Nazis where thousands were murdered/executed, including the total destruction of a number of villages (most notably Lidice).
There have been 3 other films which directly covered the events of Operation Anthropoid:
1. Atentát (1964) - an accurate but rarely seen now Czech version.
2. Anthropoid (2016) - a recent and very good version of the story.
3. The Man With The Iron Heart (2017) - a film in 2 halves showing the rise of Heydrich in the 1930s and the events of the assassination, but not overly convincingly.
Operation: Daybreak isn't quite as accurate in some of the finer details as the other 3 films, but it is still very close to the key events that happened way back in 1942, and, IMO, the best version of this story.
The film was directed by the under-rated Lewis Gilbert (Reach For The Sky, Sink The Bismarck!, Alfie, You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, Educating Rita and Haunted) from a script by Ronald Harewood (The Dresser, The Pianist) as the film mostly follows the 2 main Czech protagonists - Jan Kubiš (played by Timothy Bottoms) and Jozef Gabčík (played by Anthony Andrews) - as they parachute into Czechoslovakia, contact the local resistance and plan the assassination.
At the same time the film also shows the activities of Heydrich, played superbly by Anton Diffring, who although a little old for the role, captures the arrogance and cold evil ruthlessness of this man.
Another highlight is the unusual but highly effective music score by David Hentschel in which the music was played on an ARP synthesiser.
This war film is now often forgotten and overlooked but I feel is still one the best World War II dramas ever made based on true events.
The film details the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich in Prague, the Nazi commander of the Reich Main Security Office and the acting governor of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.
The assassination, codenamed Operation Anthropoid (in this film Daybreak), was carried out by soldiers of the Czechoslovakian army-in-exile after preparation and training by the British SOE (Special Operations Executive).
For those unfamiliar with Heydrich he was one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany and he was given overall command of the “Final Solution to the Jewish Question” (the Holocaust) in Europe.
Heydrich’s death led to a wave of tragic reprisals by the Nazis where thousands were murdered/executed, including the total destruction of a number of villages (most notably Lidice).
There have been 3 other films which directly covered the events of Operation Anthropoid:
1. Atentát (1964) - an accurate but rarely seen now Czech version.
2. Anthropoid (2016) - a recent and very good version of the story.
3. The Man With The Iron Heart (2017) - a film in 2 halves showing the rise of Heydrich in the 1930s and the events of the assassination, but not overly convincingly.
Operation: Daybreak isn't quite as accurate in some of the finer details as the other 3 films, but it is still very close to the key events that happened way back in 1942, and, IMO, the best version of this story.
The film was directed by the under-rated Lewis Gilbert (Reach For The Sky, Sink The Bismarck!, Alfie, You Only Live Twice, The Spy Who Loved Me, Educating Rita and Haunted) from a script by Ronald Harewood (The Dresser, The Pianist) as the film mostly follows the 2 main Czech protagonists - Jan Kubiš (played by Timothy Bottoms) and Jozef Gabčík (played by Anthony Andrews) - as they parachute into Czechoslovakia, contact the local resistance and plan the assassination.
At the same time the film also shows the activities of Heydrich, played superbly by Anton Diffring, who although a little old for the role, captures the arrogance and cold evil ruthlessness of this man.
Another highlight is the unusual but highly effective music score by David Hentschel in which the music was played on an ARP synthesiser.
This war film is now often forgotten and overlooked but I feel is still one the best World War II dramas ever made based on true events.
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Hereford Wolf
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Mrs HW and I are watching a lot of 80’s films because we are very sad.
Last night was Lethal Weapon 2.
Really enjoyed it!
Last night was Lethal Weapon 2.
Really enjoyed it!
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Went to see The Many Saints Of Newark tonight. Unfortunately it's extremely forgettable, the plot barely involves Tony Soprano, and other than some nods to characters you've heard of from the TV show it's pretty much a B movie with a fairly dull story.
Disappointing. 4/10.
Disappointing. 4/10.
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Jinky
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Watched No Time To Die last night. I’m a fan of the franchise, so that helps - and I know there will be people on here who aren’t fans of James Bond (and that’s ok).
Daniel Craig does the character justice in his last outing. The ending is absolutely shocking - and I’ve no idea where they take the series from here (obviously I’m not going to post spoilers). It was a fitting end for someone who has completely reinvented the role.
I suspect we will see a very different ‘James Bond’ next time out.
Daniel Craig does the character justice in his last outing. The ending is absolutely shocking - and I’ve no idea where they take the series from here (obviously I’m not going to post spoilers). It was a fitting end for someone who has completely reinvented the role.
I suspect we will see a very different ‘James Bond’ next time out.
Paddingtonwolf
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You need to watch On Her Majesty’s Secret Service with Lazenby before No Time to Die. Definitely.
Dublin Drummer Wolf
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I went to see No Time to Die earlier and can only echo Jinky's thoughts above. The ending was shocking but fitting for one of the best actors to portray Bond. My order of preference for Bond films is now:
- Skyfall
- You only live twice
- No Time to Die
- Diamonds are forever
Dublin Drummer Wolf
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The bad guy didnt win in Skyfall
BillyDee
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Respectfully disagree. Silva's goal was to discredit, humiliate and terrify M before ultimately killing her. Yes, Bond kills him after but it's not even a pyrrhic victory as it was a suicide mission anyway.
Johnny75
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I think that's what makes it so different, the film was never about Bond, he was just a weapon.
No Time To Die is different, the director clearly channels On Her Majesty's Secret Service and you can see/ hear the hand of the excellently posh Pheobe Waller-Bridge. This film is all about Bond and family and his action man status is just the distracting day job.
I enjoyed it and it was a fitting end for Daniel Craig who is up there with Connery as the best Bond.
Paddingtonwolf
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My top five Bond:
Skyfall
Live and Let Die
Diamonds are Forever
The Spy Who Loved Me
Casino Royale
Skyfall
Live and Let Die
Diamonds are Forever
The Spy Who Loved Me
Casino Royale
Alan
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I have to admit something... I've never seen any Bond film. At least, not all at once (obviously with a cultural phenomenon like Bond you pick things up and see clips here and there, like that lady that died by being turned into gold or something).
If I was gonna start, which one is the quintessential pick?
If I was gonna start, which one is the quintessential pick?
sycophantia
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Start at the beginning with Dr No of course
Paddingtonwolf
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The lady that was coated in gold, Shirley Eaton, was dating my Uncle for a brief time in the mid fifties. True fact.
Edit: changed it to mid fifties as she got married in 1957. My Uncle is 87 so that fits about right.
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Paddingtonwolf
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If I was going to start, I would probably suggest From Russia With Love. It’s much grittier. If you go full on Roger Moore silly then it might put you off (although I like the Moore films - bar From a View to a Kill, which should be killed with fire).
Thunderball is bloody good too, to be fair.
Thunderball is bloody good too, to be fair.
