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An Honest Documentary About the Italian Campaign.

posted 15 years ago by rmax304823
9 replies | jump to latest

"The Story of G.I. Joe" is about as good a treatment of the troops that we're liable to get but it's a bottom-up point of view. The most honest treatment of this horrifying and fruitless campaign is in a documentary from the History Channel called "Up the Boody Boot." You can buy it from places like Amazon.com but it's only available on VHS and isn't listed on IMDB.com for some reason. (It's about two hours, minus commercial time.)

The documentary, narrated by Fritz Weaver, doesn't pull any punches. It names names, gives credit where it's due, and faults openly some of the Allied commanders, chiefly Mark Clark and Gen. Alexander. It's pretty brutal and includes shots of Allied dead, their faces obscured.

The focus is on the landings at Anzio, where my Uncle Florian was hit in the spine, at what came to be called the Battle of the Caves, and become a paraplegic. Another old friend, now aged, spent a year in hospital and almost lost his leg. James Arness of "Gunsmoke" fame was also on the beach.

I can't recommend the documentary highly enough for anyone who wants an analysis of the Italian campaign rather than a flag-waving tribute to men who were unquestionably brave but misused.

[–] fnj2002 15 years ago

Thanks for the heads up! The DVD is now in stock and readily available:

http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=68771&v=history_subject_world -history

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] steve112547 11 years ago

I do think this film recognizes the tedious misery of the Italian campaign,in the grim hopelessness of digging miserable bunkers in the ceaseless rains, and the repeated patrols where fewer and fewer return to their lines.

(edited) There is some minor character stereotyping, but remember it's all based on the brief snapshots in time that Pyle's newspaper features conveyed back to the families at home.

I found the last segments very realistic, especially the grim scenes of the bodies coming down from the front on muleback to be laid out face up in a row. For 1945 audiences, eager to see both the media icon Ernie Pyle, and also what their sons endured, it must have been agonizing. Of course Pyle was dead, KIA (as some of the solder-extras were also), by the time that the film was released.

A great film if you give some thought to the backstory. BTW, August 3rd, Pyle's birthdate, is a New Mexico state holiday!

[–] mlaiuppa 9 years ago

In what way was the dog a plot flaw?

During WWII animals were mascots and pets of soldiers a lot more often than is thought.

The Polish Corp II had a pet bear they enlisted as Private Wojtek who went to them to the battle of Monte Cassino. the bear carried shells and stacked munitions boxes and they eventually adopted an emblem of a bear carrying shells as their company emblem. The bear stayed with them until they were deployed to Scotland after the war and ended up in Edinburough Zoo. The company also had a dog and a monkey.

[–] steve112547 9 years ago

You're right and I was too nitpicky about some minor plot gimmicks.... watched it again on Memorial Day weekend, and I appreciate this film as much as ever if not more. Some chapters are stronger than others, but that's moviemaking. Thanks for the post -

*Everything happens to me! Now Im shot by a child! (T.Chaney)

[–] chrissso 8 years ago

I do not filled this documentary listed anywhere ... can you be more specific?

[–] rmax304823 8 years ago

Sorry, chrisso. The word "documentary" in this title may be misleading.

It's a feature film starring Robert Mitchum.

[–] chrissso 8 years ago

No I have seen the RM film ... but you mention a ...

"documentary from the History Channel called "Up the Boody Boot." You can buy it from places like Amazon.com but it's only available on VHS and isn't listed on IMDB.com for some reason. (It's about two hours, minus commercial time.)"

I think it sounds most interesting and would like to watch. Can you help.

[–] rmax304823 8 years ago

Yes, it's a fine documentary, narrated by Fritz Weaver. It doesn't seem to be listed at IMDB.com. I have it on VHS. As far as I know it's not available on DVD.