World War II Heroes Film Collection (Run Silent, Run Deep / The Great Escape / A Bridge Too Far / The Battle of Britain) (1969) Review

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(More customer reviews)This collection contains four excellent war films, all of them set during the second world war, and all of them made between 1958 (Run Silent, Run Deep) and 1977 (A Bridge Too Far). Run Silent is the classic submarine action adventure film, with Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster fighting each other as well as Japanese warships. This one is rivetting, superbly conveying the fear and claustrophobia of confinement in a submerged tin can, as well as the helplessness and terror of being bombarded by depth charges. The courage of submariners never fails to astound me.
The Great Escape, made in 1962 and starring dozens of famous American, English and German actors, is the true story of a mass escape from a German Stalag or prisoner of war camp. Three hours pass quickly as the splendid cast manage their ingenious escape. The film made a star of the motorcycle riding Steve McQueen, who's terrific, as is everyone else. A Bridge Too Far, directed by Sir Richard Attenborough, is a British production about the failed attempt to capture several bridges leading into Germany in a campaign called Operation Market-Garden, which was conceived by General Montgomery. The operation was a failure and the film is unflinching in describing why. It is a harrowing story. Finally, The Battle of Britain, which features breathtaking aerial photography and vintage Spitfires, Messerschmitts and Stukas. Set in 1940, it shows the British Royal Air Force fighting their desperate battle against the German Luftwaffe for control of British air space to prevent the Nazi invasion of Britain that everyone expected. The airborne scenes are some of the best ever filmed. The film is thrilling and stars the the finest English actors of the era, including Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Michael Caine, Trevor Howard and a young Ian McShane (Deadwood, Lovejoy, Sexy Beast), in his first major film. The picture and sound in all four films are exemplary.
These are some of the finest war films ever made. If you enjoy the genre, you should love these. Strongly Recommended.
Mike Birman

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Disc 1: BATTLE OF BRITAIN Disc 2: THE GREAT ESCAPE Disc 3: A BRIDGE TOO FAR Disc 4: RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP

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