War MoviesWar Movies

Group 12Group 12SupervisorSupervisor ：： Prof. Francis PAVRIProf. Francis PAVRI

Dexter ChanDexter ChanElaine ChoyElaine Choy

Iris YuenIris Yuen

ContentContent

1.1. IntroductionIntroduction

2.2. Examples of War MoviesExamples of War Movies

3.3. Movies SelectedMovies Selected

4.4. Movies InformationMovies Information

5.5. History of WWIIHistory of WWII

6.6. Plot Summary and StarringPlot Summary and Starring

7.7. AnalysisAnalysis

8.8. ComparisonComparison

9.9. Changes of War MoviesChanges of War Movies

10.10.Coming War MoviesComing War Movies

11.11.ConclusionConclusion

IntroductionIntroduction

•Media has a great impact on our Media has a great impact on our lives.lives.

•Movie is one of the main source Movie is one of the main source of media.of media.

•Hollywood movies are popular Hollywood movies are popular among the world.among the world.

•Starting from the ancient times, Starting from the ancient times, human beings always have conflicts human beings always have conflicts with each other. War has never with each other. War has never ended.ended.

• In recent decades, World War I In recent decades, World War I (1914-1919) and World War II (1914-1919) and World War II (1937-1945) had led to many (1937-1945) had led to many destructions in the world and destructions in the world and brought long-lasting impacts.brought long-lasting impacts.

•After World War II, the United After World War II, the United Nations was set up in order to Nations was set up in order to maintain world peace.maintain world peace.

•But still, in this past 50 years, But still, in this past 50 years, wars never stopped. For example, wars never stopped. For example, the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the American-Iraq War.War and the American-Iraq War.

• At the same time, Hollywood has At the same time, Hollywood has produced many movies about wars, produced many movies about wars, especially WWII.especially WWII.

• Most of these war movies had good box Most of these war movies had good box office results for all over the world.office results for all over the world.

• In order to have a good understanding on In order to have a good understanding on war movies, six famous films about WWII war movies, six famous films about WWII were selected.were selected.

Examples of War MoviesExamples of War Movies

• Casablanca (1943)Casablanca (1943)• Sands of Iwo Jima Sands of Iwo Jima

(1949) (1949) • Forbidden Games Forbidden Games

(1952)(1952)• The Bridge on the The Bridge on the

River Kwai (1957) River Kwai (1957) • The Great Escape The Great Escape

(1963)(1963)• Patton (1970)Patton (1970)

• The Accompanist The Accompanist (1993)(1993)

• The English Patient The English Patient (1996)(1996)

• U-571 (2000)U-571 (2000)• Pearl Harbor (2001)Pearl Harbor (2001)• Captain Corelli’s Captain Corelli’s

Mandolin (2001)Mandolin (2001)• Windtalkers (2002)Windtalkers (2002)

Movies selectedMovies selected

•The Longest Day [The Longest Day [ 碧血長天碧血長天 ] (1962)] (1962)•Tora! Tora! Tora! [Tora! Tora! Tora! [ 偷襲珍珠港偷襲珍珠港 ] (1970)] (1970)•Empire of the Sun [Empire of the Sun [ 太陽帝國太陽帝國 ] (1987)] (1987)•Schindler’s List [Schindler’s List [ 舒特拉的名單舒特拉的名單 ] (1993)] (1993)•Saving Private Ryan [Saving Private Ryan [ 雷霆救兵雷霆救兵 ] (1998)] (1998)•The Pianist [The Pianist [ 鋼琴戰曲鋼琴戰曲 ] (2002)] (2002)

Movies Info – The Longest Day Movies Info – The Longest Day 19621962

• Box office: US$18 millionsBox office: US$18 millions• Awards: Awards:

Oscar – Best Cinematography, Black-and-whiteOscar – Best Cinematography, Black-and-whiteOscar – Best Effects, Special Effects Oscar – Best Effects, Special Effects Eddie – Best Edited Feature FilmEddie – Best Edited Feature FilmDavid – Best Foreign FilmDavid – Best Foreign FilmGolden Globe – Best Cinematography, Black-Golden Globe – Best Cinematography, Black-and-whiteand-whiteGolden Laurel – Top Action DramaGolden Laurel – Top Action DramaNBR Award – Best Picture (English Language)NBR Award – Best Picture (English Language)

Movies Info – Tora! Tora! Tora! Movies Info – Tora! Tora! Tora! 19701970

• Box office: US$14.5 millionsBox office: US$14.5 millions

• Awards:Awards:

Oscar – Best Effects, Special Visual Oscar – Best Effects, Special Visual EffectsEffects

Movies Info – Empire of the Sun Movies Info – Empire of the Sun 19871987• Box office: US$22.2 millionsBox office: US$22.2 millions• Awards:Awards:

ASC Award – Outstanding Achievements in ASC Award – Outstanding Achievements in Cinematography in Theatrical ReleasesCinematography in Theatrical ReleasesBAFTA Film Award – Best Cinematography, Best BAFTA Film Award – Best Cinematography, Best Score, Best SoundScore, Best SoundDGA Award – Outstanding Directorial DGA Award – Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion PicturesAchievement in Motion PicturesNBR Award – Best Director, Best Juvenile NBR Award – Best Director, Best Juvenile Performance, Best PicturePerformance, Best PictureEtc.Etc.

Movies Info – Schindler’s List Movies Info – Schindler’s List 19931993

• Box office: US$231.2 millionsBox office: US$231.2 millions• Awards:Awards:

Oscar – Best Art Direction, Best Oscar – Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Film Cinematography, Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Music, Best Picture, Best WritingEditing, Best Music, Best Picture, Best WritingAmada – Best Foreign Feature FilmAmada – Best Foreign Feature FilmBAFTA Film Award – Best Actor Supporting, Best BAFTA Film Award – Best Actor Supporting, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Film, Best ScoreBest Editing, Best Film, Best ScoreEtc.Etc.

Movies Info – Saving Private Movies Info – Saving Private Ryan 1998Ryan 1998

• Box office: US$479.3 millionsBox office: US$479.3 millions• Awards:Awards:

Oscar – Best Cinematography, Best Director, Oscar – Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Effects (Sound Effects Editing), Best Film Best Effects (Sound Effects Editing), Best Film Editing, Best SoundEditing, Best SoundSaturn Award – Best Action/ Adventure/ ThrillerSaturn Award – Best Action/ Adventure/ ThrillerEddie – Best Edited Feature FilmEddie – Best Edited Feature FilmBAFTA Film Award – Best Sound, Best Special BAFTA Film Award – Best Sound, Best Special EffectsEffectsEtc.Etc.

Movies Info – The Pianist Movies Info – The Pianist 20022002• Box office: US$44.8 millionsBox office: US$44.8 millions• Awards:Awards:

Oscar – Best Achievement in Directing, Best Oscar – Best Achievement in Directing, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Best WritingWritingBAFTA Film Award – Best FilmBAFTA Film Award – Best FilmBSFC Award – Best Actor, Best Director, Best BSFC Award – Best Actor, Best Director, Best PicturePictureNSFC Award – Best Actor, Best Director, Best Film, NSFC Award – Best Actor, Best Director, Best Film, Best ScreenplayBest ScreenplayEtc.Etc.

History of WWIIHistory of WWII

• WWII lasted from 1939-1945WWII lasted from 1939-1945

• Germany, Italy and Japan (Axis Germany, Italy and Japan (Axis Powers)Powers)

VSVS

United States, Britain, France and United States, Britain, France and Soviet Union (Allies Powers)Soviet Union (Allies Powers)

• 38 million people were killed38 million people were killed

Plot summary & StarringPlot summary & Starring

• The Longest Day (1962)The Longest Day (1962)• On June 6, 1944, because of the On June 6, 1944, because of the

rashness of the Germans and the rashness of the Germans and the well planning of the Allies Powers, well planning of the Allies Powers, the Allies successfully invaded the Allies successfully invaded Normandy.Normandy.

• Starring: John Wayne, Robert Starring: John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, Richard Mitchum, Henry Fonda, Richard Burton, Sean ConneryBurton, Sean Connery

• Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

• By a well planned action, the By a well planned action, the Japanese attacked the Pearl Harbor Japanese attacked the Pearl Harbor successfully on December 7, 1941.successfully on December 7, 1941.

• Starring: Martin Balsam, So Starring: Martin Balsam, So Yamaruma, Joseph Cotton, Tatsuya Yamaruma, Joseph Cotton, Tatsuya MihashiMihashi

• Empire of the Sun (1987)Empire of the Sun (1987)

• In 1941, the Japanese occupied In 1941, the Japanese occupied Shanghai. A British boy called Jim Shanghai. A British boy called Jim was captured in an internment camp was captured in an internment camp and he struggled to earn a life.and he struggled to earn a life.

• Starring: Christian Bale, John Starring: Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel HaversHavers

• Schindler’s List (1993)Schindler’s List (1993)

• A German merchant - Schindler, who A German merchant - Schindler, who was once a war profiteer, used all his was once a war profiteer, used all his money to save 1100 Jews from money to save 1100 Jews from German’s execution in Poland.German’s execution in Poland.

• Starring: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Starring: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline GoodallRalph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall

• Saving Private Ryan (1998)Saving Private Ryan (1998)

• After the invasion on D-Day, Captain After the invasion on D-Day, Captain Miller was ordered to form an eight-men Miller was ordered to form an eight-men squad so as to find a Private Ryan.squad so as to find a Private Ryan.

• Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Jeremy DaviesSizemore, Edward Burns, Jeremy Davies

• The Pianist (2002)The Pianist (2002)

• A polish Jew pianist named Szpilman A polish Jew pianist named Szpilman who survived in the WWII, all his who survived in the WWII, all his families died during the war and families died during the war and Szpilman was helped by a German Szpilman was helped by a German officers, Hosenfeld.officers, Hosenfeld.

• Starring: Adrien Brody, Thomas Starring: Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay Kretschmann, Frank Finlay

AnalysisAnalysis1.1.War is cruelWar is cruel

2.2.War can change War can change people’s livespeople’s lives

3.3.The disgraceful side The disgraceful side of human beingsof human beings

4.4.The respectable The respectable side of human side of human beingsbeings

War is cruelWar is cruel

• The scaring and horrifying scene on Omaha The scaring and horrifying scene on Omaha Beach – Saving Private RyanBeach – Saving Private Ryan

• Ryan lost his brother – Saving Private RyanRyan lost his brother – Saving Private Ryan

• Thousands of gravestones – Saving Private Thousands of gravestones – Saving Private RyanRyan

• The Japanese badly treated the prisoner – The Japanese badly treated the prisoner – Empire of the SunEmpire of the Sun

• Jews were forced to concentration camp Jews were forced to concentration camp and were executed – Schindler’s Listand were executed – Schindler’s List

• The Germans lied to the Jews – Schindler’s The Germans lied to the Jews – Schindler’s ListList

• Many Jews in Poland were killed or forced Many Jews in Poland were killed or forced to leave their home – The Pianistto leave their home – The Pianist

• Jews lost their human rights – The PianistJews lost their human rights – The Pianist• Many soldiers were killed and some of Many soldiers were killed and some of

them even did not have the chance to them even did not have the chance to fight with the enemies – The Longest Dayfight with the enemies – The Longest Day

War can change people’s War can change people’s liveslives

• Jim needed to do everything for Jim needed to do everything for survival – The Empire of the Sunsurvival – The Empire of the Sun

• Jim began to cooperate and respect Jim began to cooperate and respect his enemy – The Empire of the Sunhis enemy – The Empire of the Sun

• Corpoal Upham was very timid but Corpoal Upham was very timid but

he succeeded to killed a German at he succeeded to killed a German at last – Saving Private Ryanlast – Saving Private Ryan

• Schindler changed from a merchant Schindler changed from a merchant who only concerns about money to a who only concerns about money to a man that cares the lives of Jews – man that cares the lives of Jews – Schindler’s ListSchindler’s List

• The German officers started to feel The German officers started to feel sorry to the Jews – Schindler’s Listsorry to the Jews – Schindler’s List

• The Jews were afraid of the Germans The Jews were afraid of the Germans at first but then they tried to fight at first but then they tried to fight against the Germans – The Pianistagainst the Germans – The Pianist

• millions of people had lost their millions of people had lost their friends and families in the war – The friends and families in the war – The PianistPianist

The disgraceful side of The disgraceful side of human beingshuman beings

• Human could do anything for survival even Human could do anything for survival even if they have to betray their friends – Empire if they have to betray their friends – Empire of the Sunof the Sun

• Killing the German prisoner of war – Saving Killing the German prisoner of war – Saving Private RyanPrivate Ryan

• The Germans executed the Jews just for fun The Germans executed the Jews just for fun – The Pianist– The Pianist

• The evil sides of both Poles and Jews were The evil sides of both Poles and Jews were shown – The Pianistshown – The Pianist

• The Germans were rash and they The Germans were rash and they underestimated the Allied – The underestimated the Allied – The Longest DayLongest Day

• The Germans killed the Jews with no The Germans killed the Jews with no reasons – Schindler’s Listreasons – Schindler’s List

• The Jews were humiliated – The Jews were humiliated – Schindler’s ListSchindler’s List

The respectable side of The respectable side of human beingshuman beings

• The mission of saving Private Ryan – The mission of saving Private Ryan – Saving Private RyanSaving Private Ryan

• Insist on combating with the Insist on combating with the Germans – Saving Private RyanGermans – Saving Private Ryan

• The determination of the Allies to The determination of the Allies to fight with the Germans – The Longest fight with the Germans – The Longest DayDay

• The decent side of the Poles and Jews The decent side of the Poles and Jews were shown – The Pianistwere shown – The Pianist

• A German spending all his money to save A German spending all his money to save the lives of the Jews – Schindler’s Listthe lives of the Jews – Schindler’s List

• The Japanese pilots were brave, The Japanese pilots were brave, responsible and loyal to the military force responsible and loyal to the military force – Empire of the Sun– Empire of the Sun

• Dr. Rawlins devoted himself to his Dr. Rawlins devoted himself to his patients – Empire of the Sunpatients – Empire of the Sun

ComparisonComparison

• The influence of the directorsThe influence of the directors• Director of The Pianist: Roman PolanskiDirector of The Pianist: Roman Polanski• Director of Schindler’s List: Steven SpielbergDirector of Schindler’s List: Steven Spielberg• Polanski: People can survive if they try their Polanski: People can survive if they try their

best to live, and people should have the best to live, and people should have the courage to live.courage to live.

• Spielberg: We should remember the Jews Spielberg: We should remember the Jews that were killed in WWII and come across that were killed in WWII and come across the situation that the Polish Jews have come the situation that the Polish Jews have come through.through.

Changes of War MoviesChanges of War Movies

• The Longest Day and Saving Private The Longest Day and Saving Private Ryan (1960s – 1990s)Ryan (1960s – 1990s)

• The Longest Day focused on the The Longest Day focused on the planning of the war but Saving planning of the war but Saving Private Ryan did not.Private Ryan did not.

• Saving Private Ryan focused on the Saving Private Ryan focused on the reflections of human nature but The reflections of human nature but The Longest Day did not.Longest Day did not.

• In Saving Private Ryan, there was no In Saving Private Ryan, there was no longer a clear cut between the good longer a clear cut between the good and the bad, even the Allies could and the bad, even the Allies could have bad soldiers.have bad soldiers.

• In The Longest Day, it tried to show In The Longest Day, it tried to show the great number of deaths, but the great number of deaths, but Saving Private Ryan concentrated Saving Private Ryan concentrated much more on the horrible scenes, much more on the horrible scenes, not just the number of deaths.not just the number of deaths.

• Tora! Tora! Tora! & Empire of the Tora! Tora! Tora! & Empire of the Sun (1970s – 1980s) Sun (1970s – 1980s)

• In Tora! Tora! Tora! , it shows the In Tora! Tora! Tora! , it shows the focus on the planning and process of focus on the planning and process of the attack on Pearl Harbor.the attack on Pearl Harbor.

• In Empire of the Sun, it mainly focus In Empire of the Sun, it mainly focus on the disgraceful and respectable on the disgraceful and respectable sides of human beings. sides of human beings.

• Schindler’s List & The Pianist (1990s – Schindler’s List & The Pianist (1990s –

2000s)2000s)• In Schindler’s List, the Jews were In Schindler’s List, the Jews were

decent and the Germans were evil, decent and the Germans were evil, but the Jews, the Poles and the but the Jews, the Poles and the Germans were not clearly defined as Germans were not clearly defined as good or bad in The Pianist.good or bad in The Pianist.

• The Jews were described as the only The Jews were described as the only victims in Schindler’s List but in The victims in Schindler’s List but in The Pianist, it included decent and evil Pianist, it included decent and evil Jews or Germans.Jews or Germans.

Coming War MoviesComing War Movies

•Master and Commander: The Far Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Russell Crowe) Side of the World (Russell Crowe) – Napoleonic War– Napoleonic War

•The Last Samurai (Tom Cruise) – The Last Samurai (Tom Cruise) – Japan Civil WarJapan Civil War

•Beyond Borders (Angelina Jolie) – Beyond Borders (Angelina Jolie) – Modern war conflictsModern war conflicts

•Paradise (Kurt Gerron) Paradise (Kurt Gerron)

– – WWIIWWII

•Two Men went to war – WWII Two Men went to war – WWII

•The Cuckoo – WWII The Cuckoo – WWII

•The Statement – WWII The Statement – WWII

•The Fog of War – Vietnam WarThe Fog of War – Vietnam War

•Taking Sides – Post WWII Taking Sides – Post WWII

•Legend of Suriyothai – Thailand Legend of Suriyothai – Thailand WarWar

ConclusionConclusion

• War is always a popular genre in War is always a popular genre in Hollywood movies.Hollywood movies.

• War movies enlightened us a lot. If War movies enlightened us a lot. If we could really learn from them, we could really learn from them, many wars may be prevented.many wars may be prevented.

• Further studies suggestions:Further studies suggestions:

• The comparison between the war The comparison between the war fictions and war movies.fictions and war movies.

• How to make a war movie.How to make a war movie.

• Other war movies studies – WWI, Other war movies studies – WWI, Vietnam War, etc.Vietnam War, etc.

This is the end of our This is the end of our presentation.presentation.

Thank you very much!Thank you very much!