The men of Bravo Company are facing a battle that's all uphill... up Hamburger Hill. Fourteen war-weary soldiers are battling for a mud-covered mound of earth so named because it chews up soldiers like chopped meat. They are fighting for their country their fellow soldiers and their lives. War is hell but this is worse. Hamburger Hill tells it the way it was the way it really was. It's a raw gritty and totally unrelenting dramatic depiction of one of the fiercest battles of America's bloodiest war. Dodge the gunfire. Get caught behind enemy lines. Go into battle beside the brave young men who fought and died. Feel their desperation and futility. This happened. Hamburger Hill - war at its worst men at their best.
Because Hamburger Hill was released less than a year after Oliver Stone's Platoon and within months of Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket, this exceptionally well-made film about one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War was largely overshadowed and overlooked. It's a pity, because in some respects this is the best of the Vietnam films of the late 1980s, at least in terms of the everyday authenticity it depicts. Stripped clean of dramatically extraneous narrative, the movie opts instead for a straightforward approach to its day-by-day account of one of the war's costliest victories--a deadly siege on Hill 937 in the Ashau Valley, where soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division engaged the enemy over the course of 11 brutal assaults between May 10 and May 20, 1969. The film specifically follows the 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, a mixture of "new guys" and battle-weary "short-timers" who fought against terrifying odds and suffered a 70 per cent casualty rate. From first scene to last, Hamburger Hill traces the rise and fall of their battle experience, from the horror of fire-fights to the camaraderie of men who've faced death and survived. Racial tensions flare and subside, trusts are established and courage emerges from unexpected places. Through it all, writer Jim Carabatsos and director John Irvin maintain a purity of focus that pays tribute to the soldier's life without promoting false patriotism or gung-ho theatrics. In addition, the film features a cast full of talented and well-known actors in the early stages of their careers, including Dylan McDermott and Don Cheadle (Devil in a Blue Dress, Boogie Nights). Colour accuracy, image clarity and the explosive soundtrack have been remarkably preserved in a flawless DVD transfer, lending even greater immediacy to this underrated film. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
The men of Bravo Company are facing a battle that's all uphill... up Hamburger Hill. Fourteen war-weary soldiers are battling for a mud-covered mound of earth so named because it chews up soldiers like chopped meat. They are fighting for their country their fellow soldiers and their lives. War is hell but this is worse. Hamburger Hill tells it the way it was the way it really was. It's a raw gritty and totally unrelenting dramatic depiction of one of the fiercest battles of America's bloodiest war. Dodge the gunfire. Get caught behind enemy lines. Go into battle beside the brave young men who fought and died. Feel their desperation and futility. This happened. Hamburger Hill - war at its worst men at their best.
Platoon (Dir. Oliver Stone 1986): Writer/director Oliver Stone has created a personal and searing testament to the men who fought the war in Vietnam. Seen through the eyes of a college drop-out the war is a real nightmare a private hell of fears from outside and in with enemies on both sides of the line. His platoon's allegiance is split between leaders Sergeant Barnes and Sergeant Elias. Barnes is a scar-faced gung-ho fanatic bent on destroying the elusive Viet Cong and anyone who disagrees with him. Elias is a different type of soldier--he has lost faith in the war but not in man. Friction between the two sergeants leads to a second war as deadly as the one being waged against the enemy. Tigerland (Dir. Joel Schumacher 2000): Roland Bozz after being conscripted into the US army joins a platoon of other young soldiers preparing to fight in Vietnam. He has no interest in fighting for his country and tries to get sent home as a trouble maker but his superiors mistake his defiance as intelligence and he soon gets a chance to try his hand at leadership... Hamburger Hill (Dir. John Irvin 1987): The men of Bravo Company are facing a battle that's all up hill... up Hamburger Hill. Fourteen war-weary soldiers are battling for a mud-covered mound of earth so named because it chews up soldiers like chopped meat. They are fighting for their country their fellow soldiers and their lives. War is hell but this is worse. Hamburger Hill tells it the way it was the way it really was. It's a raw gritty and totally unrelenting dramatic depiction of one of the fiercest battles of America's bloodiest war. Dodge the gunfire. Get caught behind enemy lines. Go into battle beside the brave young men who fought and died. Feel their desperation and futility. This happened. Hamburger Hill - war at its worst men at their best.
The tale of a gang killing near a south-east London council estate
It seems that thrillers these days--even good ones--are all about scene-chewing bad guys, cute retorts fit for the Dennis Miller show and one big special effect to end the movie. Well, something like The Peacemaker, the first feature film from DreamWorks, puts the record straight. Here is an expertly paced thriller with a sensible villain, smart instead of cute dialogue, and a focus on action instead of special effects. It's not original, just solid. It's the second of these energetic and effective thrillers that writer Michael Schiffer (Crimson Tide) has penned. The White House Nuclear Smuggling Group tracks down 10 stolen nuclear bombs after a suspicious train wreck in Russia. The acting head of the department (Nicole Kidman) and her military field officer (George Clooney) are off to Europe to track down the bombs. Instead of a Gary Oldman-Bruce Dern madman, The Peacemaker's heavy is an unknown Romanian actor (Marcul Iures) playing a Bosnian rebel who works passionately and quietly. This may be a popcorn movie, but it uses the ripe emotions of the Bosnian War to create tension. This is the best film vehicle yet for the overwhelming charisma of George Clooney as a quick-witted, generally warm Oliver North type who will seek deadly vengeance without pause. He's matched very well by the professional polish of Nicole Kidman who is showing great flexibility in dividing her roles between serious and fun fare. --Doug ThomasOn the DVD: Extras are pretty minimal, with just two very brief featurettes. The first has director Mimi Leder talking about her two stars in between blooper reel outtakes; the second has some behind-the-scenes footage of two stunt sequences, the Viennese car chase and the New York street chase (the latter of which shows George Clooney doing all his own running). Two theatrical trailers complete the package. The feature itself is well presented in anamorphic widescreen and Dolby 5.1.with the choice of English or German language options. --Mark Walker
Really good feature films about animals are as rare as hen's teeth. Based on the classic novel by Henry Williamson, Tarka the Otter is one of the very best. This is one of those highly unusual films told almost entirely from an animal's point of view, yet which refrains from Disney-style sentimentality and anthropomorphism. Set in 1920s England, the film simply follows the life of an otter, and shot over a period of two years captures the glory of the English countryside with some magnificent cinematography. Drama comes not just from the daily struggle to survive, but from the ever present threat of human hunters, and from the vicious otter hound, Deadlock. With narration by Peter Ustinov and a screenplay by the naturalist and author Gerald Durrell Tarka the Otter is a British film classic. While a family film, it is a realistic portrayal of the countryside, and as such contains some scenes that young children and animal lovers may find upsetting. The only other notable feature to star an otter is Ring of Bright Water (1969), while The Bear (1988) is another rare movie to tell its tale from the animal's perspective. --Gary S Dalkin
Cathy is attempting to move on with her life after the death of her husband. Through a year of new beginnings she rebuilds her life surrounded by her sometimes problematic family and friends.
You Call. They Deliver. And It Ain't Pizzas... Tone's life involves carousing through the city with his mates Speed and Bear representing Underworld boss Pops Den. When an ex-girlfriend appears with a daughter he never knew he had his life is transformed into one of lullabies and nappies. But is this really the end of the only life that Tone has ever known?
The first black recruit in his squad, rookie cop J.J. Johnson (Michael Boatman) struggles to adapt to life on the force when confronted by the inherent prejudices and corruption of his precinct. Immediately positioned as an outsider, along with fellow novice cop Deborah (Lori Petty), J.J witnesses at first hand the brutality and implicit racism of his Caucasian colleagues. When an unlawful search results in the arrest of Teddy Woods (Ice Cube) on dubious murder charges, J.J. risks his job and his life to reveal the truth. Directed by Charles Burnett (Killer of Sheep, My Brother's Wedding), this thrilling drama shines a light on the deep-rooted racial tensions of the American justice system and the toll of opposing institutionalised bigotry. Extras/Episodes: Interview with director Charles Burnett Fully illustrated booklet
The complete second series of ITV's London's Burning which followed the lives and tribulations of Blackwall Fire Station's Blue Watch. Viewers loved the quirky but human characters that put their lives on the line with every episode and this set features some of the most fondly remembered including female fire-fighter Josie Ingham 'Bayleaf' 'Sicknote' and 'Charisma'. This set features all eight episodes of the second series originally transmitted in 1989.
The men of Bravo Company are facing a battle that's all uphill... up Hamburger Hill. Fourteen war-weary soldiers are battling for a mud-covered mound of earth so named because it chews up soldiers like chopped meat. They are fighting for their country their fellow soldiers and their lives. War is hell but this is worse. Hamburger Hill tells it the way it was the way it really was. It's a raw gritty and totally unrelenting dramatic depiction of one of the fiercest battles of America's bloodiest war. Dodge the gunfire. Get caught behind enemy lines. Go into battle beside the brave young men who fought and died. Feel their desperation and futility. This happened. Hamburger Hill - war at its worst men at their best.
20 years ago the most famous gangland murders in British history started a war amongst the criminal clans of Essex. With the reverberations of that infamous crime still being felt some two decades later, warring firms vie for control of the lucrative drug trade. When his best friend is murdered at the hands of a rival firm, Danny decides to turn his back on a life of crime rather than seek retribution. But when his world is once again turned upside down by a brutal attack, he decides he must take the fight to the international drug lords responsible.
Jack Rosenthal's prime-time firefighting drama series returns to DVD.
After fighting for their country in the Army friends Chris and Johnny return to South London only to find their home town has changed beyond recognition. With no jobs the two join local gangs work their way to the top and become feared hooligan bosses. The only thing that can top war and threaten friendships is money and power but who will stand their ground and come out on top in the violent and bloody battle between North and South?
The complete fourth series of ITV's London's Burning which followed the lives and tribulations of Blackwall Fire Station's Blue Watch. Viewers loved the quirky but human characters that put their lives on the line with every episode and this set features some of the most fondly remembered including female fire-fighter Josie Ingham 'Bayleaf' and 'Sicknote'.
20 years ago the most famous gangland murders in British history started a war amongst the criminal clans of Essex. With the reverberations of that infamous crime still being felt some two decades later, warring firms vie for control of the lucrative drug trade. When his best friend is murdered at the hands of a rival firm, Danny decides to turn his back on a life of crime rather than seek retribution. But when his world is once again turned upside down by a brutal attack, he decides he must take the fight to the international drug lords responsible.
Jack Rosenthal's prime-time firefighting drama series returns to DVD for series 5!
The complete sixth series of London's Burning features Blackwall Fire Station's Blue Watch in some of their most dramatic stories; collapsing scaffolding and exploding petrol stations counterpoint the more personal stories of the firefighters. It's this combination of drama and personal issues that made London's Burning a huge success for ITV with viewers loving the quirky but human characters who put their lives on the line every week. This set features all ten episodes of the sixth series originally transmitted in 1993. The complete sixth series of London's Burning features Blackwall Fire Station's Blue Watch in some of their most dramatic stories; collapsing scaffolding and exploding petrol stations counterpoint the more personal stories of the firefighters. It's this combination of drama and personal issues that made Londons Burning a huge success for ITV.
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