MovieChat Forums > The Long and the Short and the Tall (1961) Discussion > One of the best British films about WW2

One of the best British films about WW2


Forget about the miniscule budget & studio-bound locations as the performances of the actors as the patrol tears itself apart are fascinating and totally riveting.The way the tension is slowly cranked up to breaking point as the Japanese close in is superbly handled by Leslie Norman(Dunkirk)and the ending is unexpected but ultimately more satisfying.Hard-hitting drama in the early 60`s and still pretty powerful today.

This was released on an H.M.V. DVD store exclusive boxset (Went The Day well,The Wooden Horse,I was Monty`s Double)in 2002 but may be deleted now although the other 3 have since been released separately-all except this one.Picture quality of LST on this particular boxset is ok although image is panned-scanned except for the opening credits which are framed approx 1.66:1. A shame that such a quality film has been treated with such disdain.

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I agree wholeheartedly. Brilliant writing to make the charcter who was the biggest pain in the ass, the ultimately most heroic both as a human being and a soldier. I thought all the actors, particularly Harvey, Harris and Takaki were fabulous. I have a vhs of it and have been waiting for years for a good dvd print

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It's a bit overwrought and wordy - thespians in full cry in the middle of the jungle - and you can't help thinking, 'What a shower.' Interesting but very much of its time.

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I failed to see the wordiness, and it certainly seemed extremely natural as opposed to thespians in a jungle. I wonder if Megato even saw this movie. It was the best example of writing for a war movie I ever saw. Not a bit of exhibitionism. Everything was totally real. Especially the characters.

I've seen many movies which look like actors spouting lines. This is as far from that as any I've seen. I'm a trained actor and playwright. I can tell the difference. But it should be clear to any person.

I saw it when I was a kid, and of all the movies I saw, this one had the greatest effect on me. I didn't know the title for twenty years or more. I wonder if it even aired during that span. I can't say I had so much time that I could watch and wait to read each weekend's summary of movies.

This may be the most ironic movie ever made, when you think of all the situations. Of the war monger who can't wait to surrender, of the meek soldier who winds up shooting first, of the seemingly sane leader showing a bit of self destruction in his decisions, of the least likely man turning hero. And all of it utterly believable, which I believe has to be attributed to a total of all the parts-writing, directing, acting, everything.

I have ranked this as one of the top five movies of all time every time I make a list.

Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time

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Totally agree with most replies, profundly affecting war movie, which uses its micro rather than macro scale to great effect. The film is rare in the war genre in that it humanises the enemy. Moreover, it allows the Japanese soldier to act as a mirror to the other character's belicosity and in the end they find their own inhumanity reflected back at them. I also loved the class fissures that were constantly utilised throughout the movie. These themes may have been foregrounded far more in the Kitchen Sink dramas of the time and yet they are still here in this film and used to great effect.

My only gripe (not even that really) was the performance of Harvey - I thought he was very good for the most part. Although it was such a terrific role one could consider it actor-proof. Bearing that in mind I would have loved to have seen what O'Toole, or even more Finney at his angriest would have made of it.

To surmise, it is stagey, it is wordy, it is static, and yet despite that I feel it is one of the greatest war movies ever made achieving a resonance and a profundity that well meaning but overrated movies such as Saving Private Ryan, Platoon, et al., can only dream of.

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I usually don't pat people on the back, but japs said it very well for sure. Good going japs. Classic movie that I can't wait to get on sale at a flea market

Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time

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I would love to see this film on a good widescreen DVD with all possible supporting material. It's far too good a story, and far too good a film, for it to be languishing in limbo.

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[deleted]

Forget about the miniscule budget & studio-bound locations ...
... the flaky, wavering accents and the constant bickering of the characters. No, sorry I couldn't. This is a very ordinary film. Give me Leslie Norman's Dunkirk any day over this in terms of British WW2 films.🐭

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