Katyn: an overlooked but essential World War II movie

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Friday, December 4, 2009 - 3:04 PM Share

Last weekend my wife and I watched Katyn, by the great Polish filmmaker Andrezj Wajda. It is about the 1940 massacre of about 20,000 Polish officers and intellectuals by the Soviets, and also about how the subsequent Communist cover-up corrupted postwar Polish society. It isn't Saving Private Ryan, but this should be on anyone's list of must-see World War II movies.

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CUBDRIVER

9:43 AM ET

December 5, 2009

Actually, I thought SPR was

Actually, I thought SPR was one of the worst war films ever, in its inaccurate and indeed dishonest portrayal of the men of 1944. However, I suppose those who must visit World War Two as tourists might well have a different view of Mr Spielberg's Hallmark greeting card. I was a soldier in the 1950s, and I can testify that nothing--but nothing!--in that movie truly represented either the mindset or the training of GIs of that generation. (Bandoliers? Get real.)

As for Katyn, I think it may well be the finest film ever made. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford

TYRTAIOS

2:57 PM ET

December 5, 2009

Vive la guerre

Give this guy a jingle about your thoughts on SPR, he runs the technical advisory for all these war movies, and always get's a part in them as well. I believe he played George Marshall's aid in the movie: http://warriorsinc.com/

Incidentally, best war movie is "Twelve O'Clock High" with Gregory Peck, and a cast of notables. It is a study in command; alas, no bandoliers - just B-17's, and 50cal BMGs.

Vive le mort. Vive la guerre

JPWREL

2:51 AM ET

December 6, 2009

Blenheim as if you were there

The finest war piece in film history is the first five minutes of 'The Gathering Storm' with Albert Finney and Vanessa Redgrave. It takes place in the midst of Winston Churchill's dream of his great ancestor the Duke of Marlborough astride his mount amongst the British Foot Guards as they exchange volleys with the French in the great victory of Battle of Blenheim. Nothing like it. If you have not seen it do so!

RUBBER DUCKY

6:04 PM ET

December 6, 2009

Pure wartime flic

'Das Boot' is considered to be the best submarine flic ever made by the WW II submariners who've seen it...

TYRTAIOS

8:30 PM ET

December 6, 2009

D.B.F. :)

A great flic indeed! My first sub experience was with a diesel boat down in Key West. I want to say it was the SEA LEOPARD, out of Norfolk. The crew were very proud of being the last of a vanishing breed. The first thing they taught me and my recon platoon was how to flush the toilet.

6OGUREZ

4:40 AM ET

December 7, 2009

Jersey City, NJ

to those who don't know. Jersey City, at Exchange Place has a Katyn memorial... and it is nearly right across from the site of the Towers.

I've taken to foreign films about "the big one" so I add my choice- Der Brucke (The Bridge).

TIMBERLAND

9:09 AM ET

December 8, 2009

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7:04 AM ET

December 11, 2009

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