Best WWII TV Series Ever (period) - Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976) Discussion

[–] viking04 15 years ago

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion.
I have fond memories of this series from my childhood. However, watching it again on DVD, it pegs out the cheese-o-matic pretty hard. The 'reality' is about a .25 on a 10 point scale. Some episodes, I just skip, primarily because I don't want to completely wreck my good childhood memories.

For a really good WWII series (Victory at Sea and World at War are in a completely different category), check out COMBAT!. Yes, they use M-3 halftracks, 1/2T Dodges, and M-37's for German vehicles (and most of the M-1 carbines are post-war), but by and large, it is a good series, that is far closer to reality than Black Sheep.

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[–] clarinath 15 years ago

12'oclock high and Rat Patrol are better than Black Sheep Squadron. At least I think they have stood the test of time better. I LOVED the Black Sheep as a kid, I would make a foxhole out of blankets and hide in my room until the air raid sirens went off, then go running in and jump into my foxhole with my plastic GI Joe helmet on and watch the show from there. I just can't watch it anymore after becoming a hard core history buff and reading about Pappy and his exploits and seeing the reactions from actual pilots from VMF214.

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[–] jstang411 15 years ago

Both you and viking04 are right that there are a whole lot more realistic shows, but this one is the one I own for pure entertainment value. It is just a good watch.

I read Pappy's biography and another book on VMF 214 and also seen a history channel documentrary that included interviews on him from some of his pilots, but I'm a little scared to ask what else you gathered on him. My impression was that he was difficult (ala Patton in a more loose going way) and a drunk off-hours, but I thought his men appreciated him.

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[–] clarinath 15 years ago

From what I have seen and read just about every man who flew under Pappy Boyington loved him as a commander and respected him as a fighter pilot. His after war years left alot to be desired from his pilots and even though they knew he was down on his luck and getting lost in the bottle they still couldn't forgive him for the work he did on Black Sheep Squadron.

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[–] RavenQuote 14 years ago

I watched the Black Sheep when I was little. I also liked Combat! and The Rat Patrol too. I have RP on dvd.

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[–] TorontoJediMaster 14 years ago

Boyington's men respected his abilities as a pilot and a combat leader.

However, they were all angry about how the television show portrayed the squadron. One of them -who had become a successful trial lawyer in his civilian life- thought about filing a lawsuit but decided against it because it would just bring it more publicity.

The thing that made them all angry was how they were portrayed as a group of disciplinary cases who were given the choice of flying with the squadron or a court martial (something out of The Dirty Dozen). In reality, all of them had exemplary service records before and after their squadron service. It was only Boyington who had any sort of history of disciplinary problems. He had a long history of trouble with alcohol.

Frank Walton, the squadron's intelligence officer was recruited for the squadron due to his civilian background as a member of the Los Angeles Police Department and Boyington's propensity for drinking. He was warned that Boyington was a heavy drinker and tended to get belligerent when drunk. Walton was sent to the squadron because he was a strong, athletic man and -from his years on the LAPD- had experience handling belligerent drunks. He was expected to physically keep Boyington out of trouble.

Walton later wrote a history of the squadron and showed regret that Boyington -who was a great fighter pilot and could have written his own ticket after the war- wasted all of his opportunities due to his drinking.

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[–] kimpunkrock 14 years ago

BBBS ia great but my favorite is Combat.

http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/index.jsp?cid=186977

The Truth is out there.

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[–] rockmail 13 years ago

Ugh. You could not be more wrong. Although I enjoyed this series while I was in school, it has HORRID writing and production values. It's on a par with Gilligan's Island. Entertaining, but certainly not great.

Hogan's Heroes is actually a better written and produced show, although a comedy.

In American series, Rat Patrol and Combat are far superior, and you should check out Colditz for a good UK series.

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[–] BiffGG 13 years ago

The first couple years of Hogan's Heroes were pretty good but the last few were cartoonish. The premise by the end of the series looked very silly on par with Gilligan's Island. I certainly agree with the notion that BSS was certainly entertaining if nothing else. Probably its greatest strength were the actors. Simon Oakland's, Dana Elcar's, and Red West's characters were good contrasts to the VMF 214 pilots and I savored General Moore's and Colonel Lard's brief apearances. Good guest stars including Charles Napier (Blues Brothers, Rambo Part II), Clyde Kusatsu, and George Takei. I was always a fan of Robert Conrad. I agree once the more you know about the real VMF 214 and the Pacific theater the less credibility the show has.

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[–] jejozi 12 years ago

Nah. As much as I enjoyed BSS, Combat and 12 o'clock High were better.

This will be the high point of my day; it's all downhill from here.

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[–] jstang411 11 years ago

I like both of those, but Ba Ba is just a whole lot more fun to watch.

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[–] dinerfood-901-211557 9 years ago

It's up there with Hogan's Heroes, Rat Patrol, the ones I like.

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[–] jstang411 9 years ago

Love the dynamic btwn Hogan's Heroes and Rat Patrol.....just a good watch.

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[–] captwampler 9 years ago

Yeah, I can name on me better.
12 O'Clock High. They never had silly "Lambs" or a longhair kid at a pilot.

Combat! Another great WWII show.

Both were Quinn Martin Productions

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[–] jstang411 9 years ago

I like both 12 O'Clock High and Combat, but they didn't have quite the feel and production quality was less (understand that has to do with when they were made). Black Sheep wasn't from a different cut of cloth, but guess I'll take it for the entertainment factor.

Will also take the Dirty Dozen over the Longest Day. So might just be me.

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[–] rockmail 9 years ago

Not even close, lol. BSS started out as a lightweight action/adventure show, and turned into a romantic comedy soap opera during the second season.

There are a few DOZEN shows that are much better TV show set during the time period, much less better war dramas.

You are wrong beyond imagination.

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[–] jstang411 9 years ago

There are a few DOZEN shows that are much better TV show set during the time period, much less better war dramas.

You are wrong beyond imagination.

First off, what show is your personal favorite WWII series is a subjective choice. Happen to be a fan of this one.

But are there even, better or not, "a few DOZEN shows" set during WWII? Even if there are, I have not seen them and remember that we are talking about a time before the TV was around. Started watching the tube in the 70's and love he topic.....so there must have been a bunch in the 50's and 60's other than Combat, Rat Patrol and a couple others.

So am wondering what fact you have that fuel your imagination being blown.

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[–] rockmail 8 years ago

I think perhaps you're showing your love for Stephen J. Cannell productions, which is a valid point. He created a lot of higher than average shows and perhaps you're enjoying his early genesis. I can see that.
Unfortunately, he hadn't really grown into his higher quality peak yet until you get to Rockford files and beyond, and if I was watching old TV shows of his for the first time, I wouldn't waste much time on BBBS, and I'd spend my viewing time on Rcokford and beyond.

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