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As people pour in, it appears I am the only one left with contrarian view. I had watched this movie and didn't realize the scene was really all that special. I

As people pour in, it appears I am the only one left with contrarian view. I had watched this movie and didn't realize the scene was really all that special. I couldn't even recall it, let alone remember it forever. I have seen perhaps hundreds other far more moving scenes in other WWII movies (everything from Schindler's List to Saving Private Ryan to Downfall) that I far more vividly remember. It feels like one of those fallacies where someone will come up with why certain wine is best in the world and then crowd joins in to agree while everyone else wonders what was so special about it.

rajman187 4y ago
Completely agree, unremarkable film that has stood the test of time due, I’d argue, not through substance but sizable celebrity. Certainly important in terms of the history of film
- mixmastamyk 4y ago
  Casablanca begs to be remarked on. As the great piece linked demonstrates.
kergonath 4y ago
> I have seen perhaps hundreds other far more moving scenes in other WWII movies (everything from Schindler's List to Saving Private Ryan to Downfall) that I far more vividly remember. It’s completely different. Schindler’s list is great, but reads like a documentary. Downfall is flashy, but lacks the spontaneity of Casablanca, which was filmed in the thick of it. Completely different atmospheres. Also, if you are into this kind of films, the Pianist is an absolute must-see. I would put it at the same level than Schindler’s List, way above both Saving Private Ryan (which is way, way too much of a Hollywood action movie) and Downfall (which is fine, but really not in the same league).
- hondo77 4y ago
  > ...Saving Private Ryan (which is way, way too much of a Hollywood action movie)... The hand-to-hand combat sequence with Adam Goldberg is one of the most amazing I have ever seen. Not a typical action scene.
  - the_af 4y ago
    That scene is pretty good. Saving Private Ryan has top-notch action and production values (yes, I know about the inaccuracies, that the Tiger tank isn't a Tiger, etc. Still top notch). The problem with Saving Private Ryan is that it looks and plays as American propaganda. American flags waving bookend the movie, there are famous quotes by American politicians, Tom Hank's larger than life "earn this" quote, rah rah rah. That's what makes it "too Hollywood", not that the action is bad. The action is good!
mixmastamyk 4y ago
In other words, you didn't understand it yet. That's ok. Always found it enjoyable myself but I didn't fully comprehend it either until reading and watching again recently after a bout of WWII history. If you've read the linked piece in full, you will on the next viewing. Or course it can't compare to modern production, and even was considered a "filler" film at the time. As it sometimes shows, filmed on the lot in Burbank. Ingrid's daughter is on the disc saying her mother barely remembered making it and was surprised when people asked about it. A lot of folks get tripped up on that and its "economy" of story as others mentioned here. But the important things, power of the screenplay, emotional impact, philosophical questions, performances, and "fit" with history are all top notch. Doesn't really get better than that.
- sytelus 4y ago
  You remind of me Seinfeld episode where Ellen's boss is trying to see what Ellen is seeing in some random art. There is an entire world of elite snobs out there who take pride in being special to see X in Y and scoff at people who don't. Congratualations but no thanks.
  - mixmastamyk 4y ago
    CB is not anything like abstract art that you need to put on a show to appreciate. It is as straight-forward as movies get, and easy enough to understand for a kid. The explanation in this piece enough to appreciate on a deeper level. Some people just like being contrarian. These "elite snobs" are the tiny fraction who reject a good movie simply because being good makes it popular. The club is not selective enough. No soup for you!

rajman187 4y ago

Completely agree, unremarkable film that has stood the test of time due, I’d argue, not through substance but sizable celebrity. Certainly important in terms of the history of film

mixmastamyk 4y ago
Casablanca begs to be remarked on. As the great piece linked demonstrates.

kergonath 4y ago

> I have seen perhaps hundreds other far more moving scenes in other WWII movies (everything from Schindler's List to Saving Private Ryan to Downfall) that I far more vividly remember. It’s completely different. Schindler’s list is great, but reads like a documentary. Downfall is flashy, but lacks the spontaneity of Casablanca, which was filmed in the thick of it. Completely different atmospheres. Also, if you are into this kind of films, the Pianist is an absolute must-see. I would put it at the same level than Schindler’s List, way above both Saving Private Ryan (which is way, way too much of a Hollywood action movie) and Downfall (which is fine, but really not in the same league).

hondo77 4y ago
> ...Saving Private Ryan (which is way, way too much of a Hollywood action movie)... The hand-to-hand combat sequence with Adam Goldberg is one of the most amazing I have ever seen. Not a typical action scene.
- the_af 4y ago
  That scene is pretty good. Saving Private Ryan has top-notch action and production values (yes, I know about the inaccuracies, that the Tiger tank isn't a Tiger, etc. Still top notch). The problem with Saving Private Ryan is that it looks and plays as American propaganda. American flags waving bookend the movie, there are famous quotes by American politicians, Tom Hank's larger than life "earn this" quote, rah rah rah. That's what makes it "too Hollywood", not that the action is bad. The action is good!

mixmastamyk 4y ago

In other words, you didn't understand it yet. That's ok. Always found it enjoyable myself but I didn't fully comprehend it either until reading and watching again recently after a bout of WWII history. If you've read the linked piece in full, you will on the next viewing. Or course it can't compare to modern production, and even was considered a "filler" film at the time. As it sometimes shows, filmed on the lot in Burbank. Ingrid's daughter is on the disc saying her mother barely remembered making it and was surprised when people asked about it. A lot of folks get tripped up on that and its "economy" of story as others mentioned here. But the important things, power of the screenplay, emotional impact, philosophical questions, performances, and "fit" with history are all top notch. Doesn't really get better than that.

sytelus 4y ago
You remind of me Seinfeld episode where Ellen's boss is trying to see what Ellen is seeing in some random art. There is an entire world of elite snobs out there who take pride in being special to see X in Y and scoff at people who don't. Congratualations but no thanks.
- mixmastamyk 4y ago
  CB is not anything like abstract art that you need to put on a show to appreciate. It is as straight-forward as movies get, and easy enough to understand for a kid. The explanation in this piece enough to appreciate on a deeper level. Some people just like being contrarian. These "elite snobs" are the tiny fraction who reject a good movie simply because being good makes it popular. The club is not selective enough. No soup for you!