The Big Red One - The Reconstruction details
| Format: | 15 DVD |
|---|---|
| Starring: | Robert Carradine, Mark Hamill, Lee Marvin |
| Director: | Samuel Fuller |
| Genres: | Action/Adventure - War, Drama - War |
| Studio: | WARNER HOME VIDEO |
| Name | Discs | |
|---|---|---|
The Big Red One - The Reconstruction |
15 Feature | |
The Big Red One - The Reconstruction - Bonus Features |
15 Bonus |
DVD Information
| Run time: | 2 hours 36 minutes |
|---|---|
| Rental release: | 02 May 2005 |
| Main languages: | English |
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Most helpful review
"Factual Life based on actual death"
By Northernsky (318 reviews) from Halifax , 25 Jul 2005[Highly rated reviewer]
This is the restored version of Director Sam Fullers WW2 epic, the original was deemed too violent by the studio (Imagine, a violent war film…..tsskk) and cut to ribbons so it made no narrative sense. Original material has been added by a restoration team and now this is a film with the resolute stamp of empirical authority. Fuller fought in WW2, taking part in the Omaha beach landings and his minds eye view of proceedings lends this film a veracity few can match.
The main characters are all part of the 1st Infantry, the “Big Red One” of the films title, named after their insignia,. Ex Marine Lee Marvin in his last great role plays the gruff Sergeant along with Privates Griff, Zab Vinci and Johnson. Griff is played by Mark Hamill at the peak of his “Star Wars” fame. We follow them from North Africa to Sicily onto Omaha Beach and through Europe until they liberate a Concentration Camp in Czechoslovakia. The film is a series of intense battle sequences, interspersed by periods of quiet reflection, jokey banter and the cold dread of death.
There is grim humour in the script, but also poetry and understated emotion. Modern films about war are now made by people referencing other war movies and while The Big Red One doesn’t have anything as viscerally shocking as the opening sequence of “Saving Private Ryan”, unlike that jingoistic preposterous movie it rings true with an almost documentary realism.- Was this review helpful to you?
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(36)What was all that about?
By thekinginyellow (3 reviews) from Derby , 12 Jul 2012I have just watched this film and though it has some interesting scenes, it is just that. Full of interesting scenes with no actual plot as though the film-makers were making stuff on the spot. Disappointing.- Was this review helpful to you?
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Grity War Film
By Michael from Hampshire , 19 Apr 2012Lee Marvin is always good, and no change in this grity (if not dated by today's standard) war film. As usual, the Americans win the war without regard for other nationalities, but this film is still worth watching.- Was this review helpful to you?
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the big red one is too big to handle
By SirSaucyRascal (35 reviews) , 31 Jan 2012see this !
they just do not make movies like this anymore !
how can they !
these actors do not exist anymore
& neither do these directors - which is one hell of a shame !- Was this review helpful to you?
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Epic war film, through the eyes of an infantryman
By a customer from Orpington , 08 Jun 2009Very powerful World War II film, interestingly starting off in black and white, capturing an 'old' feel to the footage. Very good performance by Lee Marvin, good support from Mark Hamill (moving beyond being Luke Skywalker... it's a shame he didn't get more film parts). A good mix of debating the ideals of war and showing good battles. Interesting use of gallows humour, it really gives you a sense of real war, as the director did actually fight in WWII.
Perhaps under-appreciated. Should be watched more!- Was this review helpful to you?
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Big Red One disappoints
By a customer from Cheshire , 24 Dec 2008I hadn't seen this film since I was a kid. Alas, my expectations were much lower as a youngster. When I watched the film this time, I was very disappointed with everything: the plot, the drama, the battle scenes, the acting and the historical accuracy is cheap, amateurish and unimpressive. This film is all over the place and is well out dated. I felt as if the director and the producers made a half hearted, rushed effort to tell this story. The only reason I gave this 2 stars is for the Concentration camp scene, which is superbly done and rises above the rest of the film. I recommend watching Band of Brothers instead.- Was this review helpful to you?
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