tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post2314870300621395609..comments2024-03-16T10:03:59.180-07:00Comments on The Movie Projector: Complete Reality: The War Documentaries of William WylerR. D. Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-48658033474766193872012-07-04T20:40:24.635-07:002012-07-04T20:40:24.635-07:00Your post on these docs was as interesting as it w...Your post on these docs was as interesting as it was informative, RD! Thanks again for a wonderful blogathon, and for allowing me to be a part of it!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02939607801184112943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-60209957418452467812012-07-02T16:44:31.048-07:002012-07-02T16:44:31.048-07:00Kevin, I found "Twelve O'Clock High"...Kevin, I found "Twelve O'Clock High" outstanding and when I wrote a brief review of it a couple of years ago gave it **** (and I'm not a particular fan of war pictures or Gregory Peck either, but this film was an exception). Beirne Lay, Jr., who cowrote the novel it was based on and the screenplay, was responsible for logistical operations for Wyler's unit during "The Memphis Belle" and it was he who ensured that Wyler had full artistic control of the film. <br /><br />After the war, Wyler briefly worked with Lay and his cowriter on the screenplay for "Twelve O'Clock High" apparently with directing it in mind. But he was under contract to Paramount, and they passed on the script, which then went to Fox. In subject, "Twelve O'Clock High" has a lot in common with "The Memphis Belle" and they would be a great double feature. It would have seemed a natural project for Wyler as a follow-up to "The Best Years of Our Lives."R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-55713748415670574702012-07-02T16:22:32.484-07:002012-07-02T16:22:32.484-07:00R.D. - Great post on this important phase of Willi...R.D. - Great post on this important phase of William Wyler's life. At the Coronado Library that I direct we finished a year-long commemoration of the Centennial Of Naval Aviation, which had its roots in Coronado. We showed several films as well a having other programs and exhibits on that subject in 2011. Alas we didn't show these documentaries since we were focused on the Pacific as this was Naval aviation's theater. Many veterans and their families ahared some of the same type of experiences that you relate. Until the B-17s had fighter escorts attached to their missions (a question of sufficient fuel)they were large targets for everything Germany could throw at them. Although Hitler never conceded the effects of these bombing missions, and thus they didn't cause an immediate end to the war, they slowly eroded Germany's ability to agressively continue making war. One of the most moving accounts I have ever heard about these bombing raids was that of WWII pilot Quentin Aarenson, who flew the Thunderbolt as well as other bombers, made on the KPBS series "The War." Thanks for bringing these two films back to light.Christian Esquevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04442827724576856379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-56222468671300747872012-07-02T13:13:30.828-07:002012-07-02T13:13:30.828-07:00Thanks for this informative and interesting post! ...Thanks for this informative and interesting post! I always find it fascinating to learn about the ways many Hollywood stars and directors were still involved with film even while serving in the armed forces, and the different forms these films took on.Kendrahttp://www.vivandlarry.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-46999264360814111292012-07-02T13:02:11.731-07:002012-07-02T13:02:11.731-07:00My father's best friend was a gunner in a bomb...My father's best friend was a gunner in a bomber during WWII and had nothing but good things to say about "Memphis Belle." I've never seen it, or "Thunderbolt" but your descriptions are most mouth-watering. <br /><br />While a non-Wyler film, he thought Henry King's "Twelve O'Clock High" was one of the most realistic, and greatest, war films he had ever seen. <br /><br />Thanks, RD, for organizing a most entertaining and enlightening blogathon.Kevin Deanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697597405552599370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-75669592904584237452012-07-01T10:00:17.302-07:002012-07-01T10:00:17.302-07:00Mr. Wyler, thank you so much for your comment. I s...Mr. Wyler, thank you so much for your comment. I stated that William Wyler flew five raids based on information in Jan Herman's biography. He writes of that last illicit raid (Wyler had been barred from flying any more missions because of fears of what might happen to him if her were captured by the Germans): "Wyler would fly one more raid on May 29....As his fifth mission, it would qualify him for the Air Medal" (259). Did he get the number of missions wrong? I've gone back and revised that sentence so that it no longer refers to a specific number of raids.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-36707333984438736722012-06-30T19:49:15.614-07:002012-06-30T19:49:15.614-07:00How nice to see these two films covered in your bl...How nice to see these two films covered in your blogathon, as they're typically just footnotes in Wyler's filmography. By the way, my father-in-law was a B-17 pilot during WWII and talked fondly about the "Flying Fortress." I echo the comments of everyone else about the merits of your first-rate blogathon, which featured many first-rate essays on the films and career of Mr. Wyler.Rick29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08358116647815569722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-19622580168346123282012-06-30T16:38:28.580-07:002012-06-30T16:38:28.580-07:00R.D. - what a wonderful topper to a wonderful blog...R.D. - what a wonderful topper to a wonderful blogathon. I enjoyed each and every post and yours is no exception. After these few days, what more is there to say about how great a director Wyler was. Thank you so much.FlickChickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351624749230610755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-40579475166459284332012-06-30T10:00:34.877-07:002012-06-30T10:00:34.877-07:00R.D., First a thank you and kudos for hosting a wo...R.D., First a thank you and kudos for hosting a wonderful blogathon in tribute to William Wyler. Though my focus was primarily on the film I chose as my subject, I learned much about Wyler, the filmmaker and the man, and several of his other films as I researched. The result has been an even greater appreciation for him and his work. And I owe you thanks for that, too.<br /><br />Though aware of Wyler's work on behalf of the war effort, I haven't seen either "The Memphis Belle" or "Thunderbolt." My first reaction to what you describe is a thought that has recurred throughout this blogathon: Wyler was a staging genius. He had many other strengths, of course, but his "instinct for staging" was stunning.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-29900672997054134572012-06-30T08:08:54.077-07:002012-06-30T08:08:54.077-07:00Very well written! Thank you! Actually, William Wy...Very well written! Thank you! Actually, William Wyler participated in 10 missions in B-17's on their daylight bombing flights over Germany. It is interesting to see the statistics on the 8th air force. Overall, the bombing runs did not have much effect on Germany and the toll on the airmen was enormous. Something like 50% of the 8th airforce airmen did not survive 25 missions.<br />Wyler went on his 10th mission on a dare and because a friend said that he would receive some kind of medal for 10 and he figured "What the hell..." That was the flight where he was almost shot down and returned with several pieces of flak that just barely missed him.<br />David WylerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-68417481331617478792012-06-30T04:55:01.750-07:002012-06-30T04:55:01.750-07:00R.D., first of all, congratulations on the success...R.D., first of all, congratulations on the success of the blogathon and thanks for all your hard work in organising it. <br /><br />This is a fascinating posting - I hadn't realised that Wyler was so heavily involved in the war and indeed ended up disabled from it himself, something which must have contributed to the power of 'The Best Years of Our Lives'. So far, out of these two films, I've only seen 'The Memphis Belle' which I just watched before reading your piece - I was wondering how on earth some of this footage was captured on film, and had a lot of questions which you have answered.<br /><br />I saw this film, which is in the public domain, via the Openflix channel at Youtube and the picture quality is reasonably good.(It's also at archive.org, but the picture quality there looked worse, though it may be better if downloaded.) The restored DVD appears not to be available in the UK except on import, ironically, as the famous aircraft was based in my home area, East Anglia, and local landscapes feature heavily in the film. I also remember the later drama 'Memphis Belle' being filmed in the region.Judyhttp://movieclassics.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-38302788636084279702012-06-30T00:18:09.124-07:002012-06-30T00:18:09.124-07:00Because this post is essentially a factual report ...Because this post is essentially a factual report on the subject, I'm going to forgo responding to each individual comment and simply thank everyone who left a comment. This was a challenging post to write because it's so different from the film review I normally write. But I thought the topic was an important one because it covered a period of transition in Wyler's life. The biggest challenges I faced were organizing the large amount of material I gathered from the sources I used and then reducing it to the minimum amount of information that adequately described Wyler's activities in the Second World War.<br /><br />Separately, I also want to thank everyone who left kind comments about the Wyler blogathon. Organizing the blogathon was far easier on my nerves than watching it take shape during the six days it ran! I'm really pleased with the results. Every major film of Wyler's career was covered, in a range of approaches and writing styles that had marvelous variety. I was tremendously impressed with the way the films covered in the blogathon got such careful and thorough treatment.<br /><br />Thanks again to everyone who put so much effort into writing posts for the blogathon, who read posts in the blogathon, and especially to those who took the time to leave such encouraging comments for the bloggers who participated.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-81378976139022703072012-06-29T15:15:42.774-07:002012-06-29T15:15:42.774-07:00Sad to say I have not seen either of these documen...Sad to say I have not seen either of these documentaries, but the beauty of reading this spectacular, ever-fascinating post is one of discovery. When one ponders Wyler, what usually comes to mind are the heated dramas of the late 30's and 40's, and his later successful forays into genre. You could always think that the two films Wyler made here had actually been done by William Wellmann. Your altogether engrossing and provocative essay makes a strong case for Wyler's transformation as a result of the intensity of the war experience. His much celebrated work in MRS. MINIVER and THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES of course was further evidence of his deft handing of this subject, the latter no doubt heavily influenced by his own stint in service.<br /><br />R.D.: I am hardly surprised that this great blogathon's venerable creator and proctor has turned in one of the project's most stupendous pieces, one that is surely the last word on this subject and proof parcel of how vital and influential these film's are in Wyler's career. I have every intention myself to check these out ASAP.<br /><br />Congratulations on the blogathon, which by all barometers of measurement was a huge winner. The amazing time and effort you put in not only in penning this great piece by in support of all your writers was a true labor of love.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-18109938106088506362012-06-29T12:02:25.960-07:002012-06-29T12:02:25.960-07:00"The Memphis Belle" and "Thunderbol..."The Memphis Belle" and "Thunderbolt" are now more than titles on a filmography to me as you paint a picture of a harrowing time and personal bravery.Caftan Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05936895555808823221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-44358271245641626842012-06-29T11:10:11.235-07:002012-06-29T11:10:11.235-07:00This is such a beautifully written and extremely w...This is such a beautifully written and extremely well researched post. It highlighted a, for me, not well known aspect of Wyler's work in documentary film, as well as giving an intense look at the dangers he faced during WW2. This has been an exceptional blogathon, with many great and perceptive posts; and its quality is reflected in your own passion for and writing on the subject of Wyler. Thanks so much!Grand Old Movieshttp://grandoldmovies.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-57389000046200922912012-06-29T08:47:44.179-07:002012-06-29T08:47:44.179-07:00R.D.: So happy you reviewed these films. Last week...R.D.: So happy you reviewed these films. Last week I bought a collection of WWII documentaries specifically for "Memphis Belle," so I can't wait to watch it after reading this review. I'll have to search for "Thunderbolt" as well. This was a crucial entry in this blogathon as it did affect what he did in "The Best Years of Our Lives."Classicfilmboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01278928051994100842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-59547100309583109542012-06-29T08:22:26.396-07:002012-06-29T08:22:26.396-07:00R.D. Have not seen these two films but I will have...R.D. Have not seen these two films but I will have to check with the local library or otherwise break down and buy them from Amazon. You put together two fascinating stories about filmmaking under extremely rough conditions. These two documentaries made for an impressive and smooth transition back to Hollywood with his first post war film, "The Best Years of Our Lives." The three films would make for a affecting triple feature.John/24Frameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14719659042858962026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-36720075954865561322012-06-29T07:52:15.997-07:002012-06-29T07:52:15.997-07:00R.D,
While reading your reviews I kept thinking &...R.D, <br />While reading your reviews I kept thinking "These films could only be directed so beautifully by someone who had experienced war first hand" then you bring up how Wyler was affected by his time on the battlefield. <br /><br />What a huge accomplishment as a director to have your work screened for a sitting president then have it received so well.<br /><br />I saw Memphis Belle only once several years ago but after reading your review of Thunderbolt and now feeling like it was a better film for that genre and for Wyler, I look forward to seeing it. <br /><br />Two very nice reviews with great behind the scenes info and a successful Blogathon you've hosted. <br />Have a great weekend! <br />PagePagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063277863578004836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-4845985231581676502012-06-29T04:37:47.295-07:002012-06-29T04:37:47.295-07:00The win-win situation of participating in this Blo...The win-win situation of participating in this Blogathon has been being introduced to so many terrific sites and learning so much about a director I'm thoroughly convinced has been given woefully short shrift. I knew nothing of these wartime documentaries and I enjoyed your detailing the bravery behind Wyler's efforts and the costly toll (until now I never knew how he lost his hearing! I enjoyed the post a great deal, and as a side note, it was good to read that Bosley Crowther actually had something nice to say about a film. A marvelous post!Ken Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04940648971296673233noreply@blogger.com