"The Pacific" - can it possibly live up to expectations?

[EmergencyIan]

I'm hooked and really am looking forward to the subsequent installments. Both episodes have left me wanting more.

- Ian

 

[Doublegun]

I too wish there were a little more historical commentary before/after the episode. Example: what were the tolls of wounded and killed and how long did the battle last.

That last scene in Episode 2 got me - I choked up. "Everybody has heard of Guadalcanal. The 1st Marines are on the front page of every newspaper in America. You guys are heroes." What a way to sum up the story - perfect.:eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Norumbega]

For those who study WWII photographs, that last scene from Ep. 2 was not lost on those who remember it's real archival cousin. It plays off of that iconic photo of the young, weary Marine on the mess decks after returning from what I believe was Tarawa, if I remember correctly, though I could be mistaken.
In the photo his face is dirty, hair disheveled, and his eyes are trained on nothing else but his coffee mug which he clutches with both hands, while sitting alone at a table.
Perhaps someone else here can remember that photo and post it. I couldn't find it.

 

[EmergencyIan]

I finished watching the 3 episode a few minutes ago. I really like the way the series is progressing.


- Ian

 

[Andykev]

I was disappointed in this series...so far.

I was a bit disappointed and am not as happy with this production as I was with "Band of Brothers".

The action is great, but I find much of the scenes are at night and hard to see....and tonight's Episode Three...well, it wasn't what I expected.

I guess I compare it to "Band of Brothers" which was superior in my opinion.

I prefer the BoB script where they follow the same company through the war, opposed to this approach of separate soldiers from different view points.

Also, I was able to record on DVD Episode One, but Episode Two was "restricted" on my HBO. I did not try tonight. Anyone else have this problem? I am assuming that being on HBO it was OK to record...maybe it has to be PPV.

 

[Baggers]

Maybe I'm just a old f**t

I'm with you, Andykev. I wasn't impressed with episode three at all.

First, and most importantly, did they really need the almost explicit sex scene(s) to advance the story? Or is it required these days to crank up ratings? It takes away from the series' usefulness as a learning tool in my opinion.

Other issues:

I haven't read any of the source material that this series was based on. Did someone really shoot at cattle from the train on the way to a road march?

And why is it that nobody in the wardrobe department can iron a shirt worth a darn? Also, did the USMC version of the "Ike" jacket really fit that badly, or was that just another production let down?

And was there a reason for Leckie's 1st. Division patch to be on his right shoulder while everyone else had theirs on the left?

Finally, what unit were those two Aussies who started the bar fight from? Their uniforms looked very "sterile" to me, no insignia on them at all. And those stiff, too large white collars. Very strange.

 

[Hondo]

In agreement

I'm also with Andykev and Baggers, Its not even close to Band of brothers.
Was the sex scenes really that necessary? Good grief,
lets it on with the story.
BTW I thought the two Aussies were wearing priest collars lol

 

[Doublegun]

What material is the story based on? Two of the three main characters wrote books based on their experiences (Helmet for a Pillow, is one), and then there is Spielberg's reputation for historical accuracy, so while the stories so far may not have been what we expected, there is little reason to question whether this happened. In fact, if you read toward the beginning of the thread, there are posts from FL's members in Australia who wondered if this would be covered in the story. Honestly, I had no idea troops were sent to Melbourne after Guadalcanal for R&R.

As for the sex, it was a little disappointing to see it in there BUT there was also at least one fairly explicit sex scene in BoB (Episode 8 or 9).

According to the production notes, there was no way to focus on a single unit because unlike the ETO, there were few units in the PRO that stayed together. Also, the casualty rates were much higher so it was virtually impossible to focus on one group.

It's not BOB II, but a separate production. I think I actually like the cinematography better in this series, but it is early.

One other thing I have realized: I did not really fall for BoB until I was able to watch the episodes back-to-back. I suspect the same will be true of The Pacific - it will be better when multiple episodes can be watched back-to-back.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

I have no issue with the sex scene, if it leads to a larger story idea. I just have a problem with the entire series. It's just not very good, and on nearly every level; story telling, pace, acting, directing. It's very... well, average, isn't it? And with Band of Bros. being the obvious benchmark, this doesn't even approach it. Band was so very good, because of the story telling and the character development, none of which we've seen here.

 

[jake431]

I'm going to buck the trend here, and say...I appreciate this more than Band of Brothers. I think Pacific is doing a good job illuminating the difference between the European Theater from the Pacific Theater. I own, and enjoy BoB very much. But I enjoy the way the story is constructed in Pacific so far. In particular, at least with Guadalcanal, they did a good job showing how the flow of combat was very much small in scale, and the big picture wasn't being considered as much as being alone, malarial, and isolated, with no supplies. Certainly the tone of the show aligns very closely with my Grandfather's war diary (he was a B-24 Co-pilot in the central pacific, flew 30 missions between Nov 1943 to May 1944) and goes a long way to dissipate some of the larger than life heroics that we've painted our veterans with from that war. I think it does them a good service to show them as young scared kids doing their best in a very tough situation, rather than the usual hagiography. The fact that they succeeded despite being in over their heads in a lot of ways makes their achievements seem even more impressive.

Lastly, regarding episode three - I've spoken to more than a few active and retired marines about the episode and all who have seen it, though some of them bemoaned their battle dress uniforms, thought the way it protrayed relations with the opposite sex to be quite accurate, and apparently especially in Austraila where the women, it seems, still love Marines to this day.

 

[GallatinHatMan]

My father enlisted in the Marine Corps in November 1942 after a childhood friend, Quinn Curry, was killed with the 1st Division at Guadalcanal. I find that Pacific has what I call the "ring of truth." That means that I appreciate the sense of the times it depicts. I've studied the details of the first three episodes looking at equipment and uniforms and, so far, have found they they have tried to be as authentic as possible. There was an earlier comment here about the ill -fitting uniforms depicted in Australia. What needs to be remembered is that these already lean Marines who survived Guadalcanal lost an average of almost 20 pounds. I found the ill-fitting uniforms to be true to the history.

 

[Spitfire]

So it was premier night over here, and I've just seen the first part.
I hope it gets better.

The characters did not grab me, the story did not grab me, so whats left?
I'll give it another chance next sunday - and then we'll see.[huh]

 

[Hondo]

Part Four

This series is cooking, much better than part three, guess I expected too much
too soon, its working out fine as part four can testify. I especially like the images color, it didn't really hit until now, its splendid, my father joined the US Navy around 1943; serving on destroyer escort through much of the same scenes, area in pacific, every single sailor, soldier, and civilian in this played some type of role, I thank them all and appreciate them better. The greatest generation. well done, can't wait for part five :eusa_clap

 

[Norumbega]

Granted, a bit of a vested interest, but I agree. I liked Ep. 4 The next one will be Sledge's introduction to Peleliu, and if you've read Sledge's book, the description of him going over the rail of his AAV and feeling white hot tracer rounds almost graze his face is astounding.
It's about to get brutal.

 

[Talbot]

I can't believe it!

Its made its way to free to air TV down under (I don't have cable).

This is a definite must watch for me. My wife's father died from TB contracted in the islands. She'll be watching intently as well.

Talbot

 

[Spitfire]

So it was premier night over here, and I've just seen the first part.
I hope it gets better.

The characters did not grab me, the story did not grab me, so whats left?
I'll give it another chance next sunday - and then we'll see.[huh]

Part two didn't do much for me either.
I am out of there.[huh]

 

[EmergencyIan]

Part two didn't do much for me either.
I am out of there.[huh]

You may want to stick with it. It gets a lot better.


- Ian

 

[Norumbega]

Ian, if you like it, then that suffices. I'm with you my friend, and keep in mind there are tons of others as well. Personally, I am enjoying the rich colors, the action, and the camraderie between Marines.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

For those who study WWII photographs, that last scene from Ep. 2 was not lost on those who remember it's real archival cousin. It plays off of that iconic photo of the young, weary Marine on the mess decks after returning from what I believe was Tarawa, if I remember correctly, though I could be mistaken.
In the photo his face is dirty, hair disheveled, and his eyes are trained on nothing else but his coffee mug which he clutches with both hands, while sitting alone at a table.
Perhaps someone else here can remember that photo and post it. I couldn't find it.[/QUOTE]

I think this is the photo of young Bob Tuohy you speak of.

Pfc. Faris M. (Bob) Tuohy, 19 holding coffee cup &, along w. his fellow Marines, looking grimy & weary from 2 days & 2 nights of fighting on Eniwetok Atoll during WWII.

-dixon cannon

 

[Hondo]

dixon cannon

Hey there! Good photo, Thanks it says it all.
haven't heard from you in a while, hope your feeling better.
Good to see ya around, Hang in the dude.