Generation Kill

[seany t]

Well, a bit late to the party but just finished watching all 7 hours and must say I thought that was a colossal piece of work. Brilliantly acted, stunningly filmed, really funny / sad / gripping / interesting. It probably won't get raved about as much as The Wire or various other HBO shows but it's a blinder.

Brief premise: Based on a book written by a reporter from Rolling Stone magazine who joined one of the first Recon Units to invade Iraq in 2003. He becomes friends, rides up front in the convoy and witnesses 16 missions first hand, from **** ups to heroic acts, poor leadership to brave deeds, the balance between war and humanitarian aid.

TRAILER:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjrU2RbMhpQ

Been geekily reading up on it tonight as to how accurate it is too. A couple of soldiers actually played out their roles all over again so vouched for it's truth, though one ex-Marine did think the scathing attack on one or two of the Generals was a bit dramatised (though in all fairness, 3 others didn't) in the DVD Documentary.

And this article written by the real General in question is interesting, especially when taken alongside the journalist's lengthy retort in the comments:
http://commentaryongenerationkill.blogspot.com/

Anyhow... watch it if you haven't. Especially as so many of you love Modern Warfare and The Hurt Locker. I only wish they'd make more...

(Best fact I learned tonight about it? That the main guy (also in 'True blood') is Swedish and has a very thick accent in real life apparently...)

 

[Pubey]

It's absolutely amazing. The book is fantastic too

 

[seany t]

It's absolutely amazing. The book is fantastic too

Yeah I think I'll have to track it down.

Not often I get blown away by a TV Programme but this is so brilliant from start to finish.

It's interesting in 'the making of documentary' that they seemed to film it in sequence too, meaning the guys got to know each other more as it went on and grew increasingly tired. 7 months it take to make. On location. They had to do a boot camp too including night missions!

 

[BrettieAngell]

I need to watch this!

 

[seany t]

I need to watch this!

Cheapest place I can find it is CD-WOW for £14.49:
http://www.cdwow.com/DVD/generation-kill/dp/5686825

Well worth it. Over 7 hours long, and with great extras and commentaries.

Heartily recommend it, it's totally different to every account of front line war I've ever witnessed.

 

[Pubey]

Fruity Rudy!!

One of the actual Marines to star in the film.

 

[seany t]

This is an interesting interview with Fick, who was the young captain who defied his commander's order.

http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/events/2006/07-13-nathaniel-fick.jsp

He discusses the disagreement they had at the 45 minute mark. He was my hero in the show...

Favourite bit of the programme? The reporter running for cover in a snaking S shape. Amazing...

 

[Pubey]

This is an interesting interview with Fick, who was the young captain who defied his commander's order.

http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/events/2006/07-13-nathaniel-fick.jsp

He discusses the disagreement they had at the 45 minute mark. He was my hero in the show...

Favourite bit of the programme? The reporter running for cover in a snaking S shape. Amazing...

Yeah Nate Fick is a hero.

I really liked all the banter in the Humvees.

And Screwby:'(

 

[J]

Read the book first... as it's always better to read first i feel, let's you picture it yourself! But the series was pretty gripping stuff... good efforts all round.

 

[Alexis_SUFC]

Absolutely brilliant mini series, I haven't got round to reading the book yet but really want to. I agree about Frick, he was my favourite character in it, although the guys that randomly sing are pretty funny.

One of my favourite scenes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqEF49IsenU

Stay Frosty.

 

[seany t]

Absolutely brilliant mini series, I haven't got round to reading the book yet but really want to. I agree about Frick, he was my favourite character in it, although the guys that randomly sing are pretty funny.

One of my favourite scenes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqEF49IsenU

Stay Frosty.

That's a great scene. I caught that scene on Channel 4 and it's what made me go out and buy it.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Watched the first episode last night. You can definitely tell its written by The Wire guys, think I'm going to like this!

 

[seany t]

Watched the first episode last night. You can definitely tell its written by The Wire guys, think I'm going to like this!

Good work.

The other weird thing about the show is that I feel like I have a far better understanding of the complexities and difficulties of war now, as opposed to the 'goodies vs baddies' of yesteryear's portrayals.

So when I see a news report about Afghanistan, I 'feel' like I have a slightly better understanding of how hard it must be conducting an operation of that type...

 

[BrettieAngell]

Good work.

The other weird thing about the show is that I feel like I have a far better understanding of the complexities and difficulties of war now, as opposed to the 'goodies vs baddies' of yesteryear's portrayals.

So when I see a news report about Afghanistan, I 'feel' like I have a slightly better understanding of how hard it must be conducting an operation of that type...

Read D-Day by Stephen E Ambrose!! The orginsation that went into that is truly mind blowing!

 

[Mad Cyril]

Better than Band of Brothers, not a patch on The Wire or The Sopranos.