This is really an old favorite that I felt like chatting about :) So, here ya' go: Stalag 17
Plot: The story focuses on a WWII German POW camp ("stalag"), and the events going on in one of the barracks there. We follow the characters dealing with two attempted escapes and the discovery of a spy amongst them, as well as minor adventures of keeping sane and passing time in a POW camp.
This is another classic that's good to see to understand references in modern movies (for example, this and The Great Escape were heavily parodied in Chicken Run), but it's a great movie to watch on it's own merits, too. The movie is so interesting to watch. Sgt Sefton is the main character, the cynical anti-hero that is suspected of collaborating with the Germans in the camp. He is often filmed in shadows, and rarely without a group of people around - you see what the others see of him. As a result, you start to think he might be the collaborator after all (though, it's a movie - you know it won't work out like that) This was very well handled, to keep the suspense and mystery of the stoolie, until the very last.
The acting is awesome. William Holden (Sgt Sefton) earned an Oscar for his work here. He's so cynical, and at the same time charismatic and (for lack of a better word) cool. You're interested in what he's doing, even if you don't like it or approve of it. A lot of the supporting cast went on to have some very solid careers, too, and here they create some very memorable characters. This was based on a Broadway play, originally, and the comedic relief characters of Shapiro and Animal were played by the actors who had originated the roles on stage (something I always think is a good sign). And look - Robert Strauss (Animal) earned an Oscar nomination, too (Supporting Actor)! See, told you it was a good thing :)
The writing was great in this movie. The characters are well-done individuals, not the total caricatures that so often appear in ensemble pieces. And there are just some really memorable lines. One that Zach guffawed out loud at was right at the beginning:
One note about the movie, something some find jarring, is how much comedy (although a lot is darker comedy) is there in the first half of the movie. It's a lot of how the prisoners are making time pass, making their time there a little more bearable. The movie evolves though, as the collaborator's efforts pick up and Sefton comes under increasing suspicion. There's a lot more suspense in the second portion of the movie, a more gritty feel as well. It's not as drastic a shift as in something like Full Metal Jacket (which is almost 2 separate movies) but it is noticeable.
Overall: 5 of 5, but then I like dark comedy-thriller-adventure type movies with good acting and cinematography. :)
This is another classic that's good to see to understand references in modern movies (for example, this and The Great Escape were heavily parodied in Chicken Run), but it's a great movie to watch on it's own merits, too. The movie is so interesting to watch. Sgt Sefton is the main character, the cynical anti-hero that is suspected of collaborating with the Germans in the camp. He is often filmed in shadows, and rarely without a group of people around - you see what the others see of him. As a result, you start to think he might be the collaborator after all (though, it's a movie - you know it won't work out like that) This was very well handled, to keep the suspense and mystery of the stoolie, until the very last.
The acting is awesome. William Holden (Sgt Sefton) earned an Oscar for his work here. He's so cynical, and at the same time charismatic and (for lack of a better word) cool. You're interested in what he's doing, even if you don't like it or approve of it. A lot of the supporting cast went on to have some very solid careers, too, and here they create some very memorable characters. This was based on a Broadway play, originally, and the comedic relief characters of Shapiro and Animal were played by the actors who had originated the roles on stage (something I always think is a good sign). And look - Robert Strauss (Animal) earned an Oscar nomination, too (Supporting Actor)! See, told you it was a good thing :)
The writing was great in this movie. The characters are well-done individuals, not the total caricatures that so often appear in ensemble pieces. And there are just some really memorable lines. One that Zach guffawed out loud at was right at the beginning:
"In our compound there were about 630 of us, all American airmen: radio operators, gunners,
and engineers. All sergeants. Now you put 630 sergeants together and, oh mother, you've got
yourself a situation. There was more fireworks shooting off around that joint..."
I asked him if that was true - he laughed :)and engineers. All sergeants. Now you put 630 sergeants together and, oh mother, you've got
yourself a situation. There was more fireworks shooting off around that joint..."
One note about the movie, something some find jarring, is how much comedy (although a lot is darker comedy) is there in the first half of the movie. It's a lot of how the prisoners are making time pass, making their time there a little more bearable. The movie evolves though, as the collaborator's efforts pick up and Sefton comes under increasing suspicion. There's a lot more suspense in the second portion of the movie, a more gritty feel as well. It's not as drastic a shift as in something like Full Metal Jacket (which is almost 2 separate movies) but it is noticeable.
Overall: 5 of 5, but then I like dark comedy-thriller-adventure type movies with good acting and cinematography. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment