Dunkirk: A war film that dares to celebrate a British triumph

[Curious Cdn]

I'm not sure where that comment comes from. Canada has a parliamentary democracy based on British tradition and the only French culture I have noticed outside of Quebec is poutine. And so far as know-how is concerned I think we've done quite well for a nation with a relatively small population and industrial base.

Seriously, it is a fifty-year-old joke. One important attribute that Canadians have (certainly over the other dwellers of this continent) is the ability to laugh at ourselves.

Chill.

 

[Danbones]

How wrong Mr Hitler was.

You didn't notice winston was one of the founders of the dictatorial EU you hate so much?
That was his goal the whole time - Germany stood in the way.

Gee and its pretty damned french around here on the ol' bay, as it is through much of northern (metis) Canada.

...and "poorly planned well executed disaster" is a sardonic type comment directed at the management.
sad lol

 

[petros]

It's a good movie. Saw it at the IMAX last night.

I forgot mention, not only was it an excellent and a must see in 70mm but I also got a free T Shirt.

 

[Curious Cdn]

No Canadian units were involved at Dunkirk..

I made a big mistake earlier when I said that no Canadian units were involved in the Dunkirk evacuation. I just watched the movie and the ghost of an old Canadian sailor bonked me on the head.

The destroyers HMCS Skeena, HMCS Restigouche, HMCS St. Laurent, and HMCS Gatineau all evacuated men off of the Dunkirk beach. Gatineau was the second to last ship to leave Dunkirk, having made six trips and evacuated 3,500 troops.

A couple of weeks later (June 25, 1940), a fifth Canadian Destroyer HMCS Fraser was sunk in a collision with HMS Calcutta while evacuating French troops from another channel port with the loss of 66 men
.
http://www.forposterityssake.ca/Navy/HMCS_FRASER_H48.htm

Lest we forget.

 

[Blackleaf]

Y'know, BL.... You're more Yank than you want to believe - full of shit ... another Sore Joke Porridge

Could you kindly point the inaccuracies in my above posts? There's a good chap.

Interesting that at Vimy there were 97,000 Canadians out of 170,00. I think that is more than half. And in the initial assault no British divisions participated. It is also interesting that the use of the Canadian Corps resulted in a victory after failed attempts by both the British and French armies.

Vimy Ridge: Birthplace of a nation – or of a Canadian myth?

The taking of the ridge was the brief and deadly coda to a months-long campaign of stealthy preparation, led by British Lieutenant-General Julian Byng. The website of the Vimy Foundation, set up in 2006 to keep the battle’s fame bright, claims to see, in the methodical planning, the blueprint for a peculiarly Canadian brand of warfare, unlike the “flamboyant valour or dogged sacrifice” favoured by other nations.

But the command, much of the artillery and logistical work (including 12 kilometres of tunnels) and the supporting troops were British, as were a large number of the soldiers in Canadian uniform. According to Cook, 60 per cent of the first Canadian Corps recruits were British-born. In the Saskatchewan battalion of Lieutenant Colonel D. E. MacIntyre, according to his 1967 account of the battle, Brits accounted for 80 per cent of the men in arms.

Quite a few had probably been in Canada only a few years. Immigration was booming in the years leading up to the war, and half of the newcomers were British. In 1913, a record 400,810 immigrants entered the country, boosting the population by 5.5 per cent. They arrived just in time for the collapse of a land-speculation boom, a terrible wheat crop and a surge in unemployment. A soldier’s pay and a chance to help the Empire win a war that most expected to be short must have seemed, to many of them, a lucky break.

The Globe, April 10, 1917. (Enlarge page in new window)

In the context of the five-week Arras offensive of which it was a part, the battle at Vimy Ridge was a blip of success in a disappointing campaign that ended Allied hopes that the war could be won by summer.

“Canadians Lead in Triumph,” said The Globe’s front page, which assigned the victory to overall British commander Douglas Haig. The Globe didn’t mention the birth of a nation: It had already seen that at the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, where “Canada was christened into nationhood.” Max Aitken (later Lord Beaverbrook) recycled that characterization of Ypres in his 1916 bestseller, Canada in Flanders.

As Dr. Cook says, the birth or baptism metaphor was not a major part of early Vimy commemoration. A more important element was the Christian theme of death and resurrection, which arose initially because the battle happened to begin on Easter Monday.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/battle-of-vimy-ridge-first-world-war/article34515113/

I forgot mention, not only was it an excellent and a must see in 70mm but I also got a free T Shirt.

I can't believe there were no leading roles for women in this film.

This is yet another example of the blatant misogyny at the heart of our society. The film completely ignores the millions of women who bravely fought at Dunkirk alongside their male counterparts and who showed much more coolness under fire than the cowardly scions of the patriarchy. And all for only 77 per cent of the pay that the men were getting.

Disgusting!

 

[Blackleaf]

I wondered how long it would be before the thick-as-two-short planks PC Brigade would attack this film for having an all-white-male cast...

'Historical accuracy... how dare they!' US film critic is ridiculed after complaining there are not enough women and 'actors of colour' in World War II movie Dunkirk

Film critic Brian Truitt hit out at the lack of diversity in the World War II movie
He claimed 'there are only a couple of women and no lead actors of colour'
Truitt is criticised with one reader joking: 'Historical accuracy... how dare they!'

By Scott Campbell For Mailonline
23 July 2017

USA Today writer Brian Truitt hit out at the lack of diversity in Dunkirk which revolves around the British Expeditionary Force

A film critic has been ridiculed after claiming that there were not enough women and 'actors of colour' in World War II movie Dunkirk.

USA Today writer Brian Truitt hit out at the lack of diversity in the movie which revolves around the British Expeditionary Force - an army which did not have females among its ranks.

Despite his historical blunder, the critic generally gave the film by director Christopher Nolan a glowing review - going as far as praising the 'real-life heroism' of the famous evacuation in 1940.

He added: 'Nolan's ambitious story revolves around three tales unfolding at different times over land, sea, and air, only coming together at the end.'

But Truitt lamented the film's lack of diversity claiming 'the fact that there are only a couple of women and no lead actors of colour may rub some the wrong way'.

He has now been criticised on Twitter with one user joking: 'Historical accuracy... how dare they!'

Editor of National Review Online Charles W Cooke jokingly tweeted: 'It was highly problematic that the British Expeditionary Force and the French Army stranded such a monochrome crew.'

Washington Free Beacon's Alex Griswold added: “USA Today’s Dunkirk review is officially as absurd as conservative parodies of the social justice crowd.'

Dunkirk - which stars James D'Arcy and Kenneth Branagh, both pictured above - opens in 1940 with hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops hemmed in by the German Army on the beaches of northern France

Christopher Nolan's wartime film Dunkirk, based on the heart-wrenching story of soldiers being evacuated from the beaches during the Second War War, has been universally praised in reviews.

The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw commended the 'architectural expression of doomed homeward yearning', while The Telegraph's Robbie Collin has hailed the acclaimed director at the 'peak of his power' - both granting the movie a full five stars amongst others.

Nick De Demlyen from Empire referenced the 'incredible' bleak undertones to satisfy the audience's cinematic experience and commended Harry Styles for an 'impressive debut', while Todd McCarthy from The Hollywood Reporter deemed it an 'impressionist masterpiece.'

Christopher Nolan's wartime film Dunkirk has been universally praised in reviews

One Direction singer Harry Styles (above) stars in Dunkirk alongside Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hardy

Dunkirk - which stars Kenneth Branagh, Harry Styles and Tom Hardy - opens in 1940 with hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops hemmed in by the German Army on the beaches of northern France.

The British launched Operation Dynamo to save them between May 7 and June 4 with 338,000 arriving safely in England.

'A genre-defining spectactle': Dunkirk triumphs with glowing reviews all round

A spare, propulsive, ever-intensifying combat thriller, Nolan's history lesson is both a rousing celebration of solidarity and the tensest beach-set film since Jaws - Nick De Semlyen, Empire

Dunkirk is a genre-defining spectacle that is sure to influence not just war movies but cinema for years to come. Complex, compelling and an absolute must-see - George Simpson, Express.co.uk

The period detail is meticulous but never fawned over, the landscapes as crisp as if you were standing on them, the prestige-cinema glow turned off at the socket - Robbie Collin, Telegraph

It is Nolan’s best film so far. It also has Hans Zimmer’s best musical score: an eerie, keening, groaning accompaniment to a nightmare, switching finally to quasi-Elgar variations for the deliverance itself - Peter Bradshaw, Guardian

Although the film is deeply moving at unexpected moments, it's not due to any manufactured sentimentality or false heroics. Bursts of emotion here explode like depth charges, at times and for reasons that will no doubt vary from viewer to viewer - Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter

Read more: Brian Truitt is ridiculed over Dunkirk 'diversity' review | Daily Mail Online
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[Curious Cdn]

I can't believe there were no leading roles for women in this film.

There are no leading roles of any kind in this movie. It is very different and most refreshing. What an interesting concept: historic re-creation through a sort of virtual reality.

 

[taxslave]

Revisionist history. ANyone that thinks the spectacular disaster at Dunkirk was a win for the briddish has never read a history book. Essentially at Dunkirk Hitler won the war for Europe. If it had not been for Canada and the US$ than Germany would probably still rule Europe.

 

[Danbones]

What an interesting concept: historic re-creation through a sort of virtual reality.

History "created" you mean.


..and don't forget the Russians, they certainly did more then their share of the heavy lifting.
Modern nazi types STILL hate them for it.

 

[Blackleaf]

ANyone that thinks the spectacular disaster at Dunkirk was a win for the briddish has never read a history book.

Considering that Dunkirk allowed much of the British Army to escape to fight another day - an escape that was caused by a massive blunder from Adolf because he didn't order his troops to massacre the British Army when they had the chance, instead ordering all his troops to stop their advancement - I can't see how it could be considered to be anything other a massive British victory.

 

[taxslave]

Considering that Dunkirk allowed much of the British Army to escape to fight another day - an escape that was caused by a massive blunder from Adolf because he didn't order his troops to massacre the British Army when they had the chance, instead ordering all his troops to stop their advancement - I can't see how it could be considered to be anything other a massive British victory.

Getting your asses kicked right off the continent and into the ocean can hardly be described as a victory except by the maker of German army boots.

 

[Curious Cdn]

Getting your asses kicked right off the continent and into the ocean can hardly be described as a victory except by the maker of German army boots.

It happened to the Americans in the Philippines, too at Corregidor and the Bataan Penninsula.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Considering that Dunkirk allowed much of the British Army to escape to fight another day - an escape that was caused by a massive blunder from Adolf because he didn't order his troops to massacre the British Army when they had the chance, instead ordering all his troops to stop their advancement - I can't see how it could be considered to be anything other a massive British victory.

I agree completely. To the Brits, running away is a victory.

 

[lone wolf]

Could you kindly point the inaccuracies in my above posts? There's a good chap.

Sure can.... Vimy Ridge was one war earlier ... and Canadians weren't retreating.


Now push off.

 

[petros]

Am I still the only one with an "I saw Dunkirk in 70mm and lived" t shirt ?

 

[Bar Sinister]

You didn't notice winston was one of the founders of the dictatorial EU you hate so much?
That was his goal the whole time - Germany stood in the way.

Gee and its pretty damned french around here on the ol' bay, as it is through much of northern (metis) Canada.

...and "poorly planned well executed disaster" is a sardonic type comment directed at the management.
sad lol

You do realize that nothing in that source contradicts my post. I am well-aware of all the details of Vimy, having read multiple accounts of the battle. Just as Agincourt, Poitiers, and Crecy have passe into British mythology so has Vimy passed into that of Canada, primarily due to the fact that the battle was the first one where the entire Canadian Corps took part. You can downplay Canada's roles in the various wars Britain got into in the first half of the 20th Century, but the fact remains it would have had one hell of a tougher time without the help of Canada, and Australia and New Zealand as well.

 

[Murphy]

Britain is a nation in decline. It has been for a while. They are a country of simple souls who have seen their economic and military influence shrink since the 1800s. More and more, Britain has had to rely on other nations to survive. But it seems the Britons are their own worst enemy. They are destroying themselves while the world watches and laughs.

For the past fifty years or so, the world has seen them for what they really are: A nation of foul smelling, intellectually inferior cretins, who drink to forget the monarchy, their bad teeth, their unhygienic natures and a steadily worsening economy. What makes them truly pathetic is they now feel they have to lie to themselves and the world.

We won the war! We are smart! The world owes us! We saved YOU! Without us, you would be nothing!

Yeah. Try telling that to Africa, Australia, Canada and the US.

There was a time when most Britons were happy in their ignorance. They did not know that they were an inferior subgroup of homo sapiens. Their mental incapacity blinded them to the truth. Perhaps Mother Nature was showing some compassion, preventing the British from understanding how pathetic they truly were.

This is a scene from Star Trek: The Next Generation. It is from an episode titled, Samaritan Snare. A group of aliens called Pakleds are having problems with their ship. The Pakleds are simple souls who Data suggests may have underdeveloped language centres. They seem to be about as smart as an average four year old. They want help with their ship to "make it go". A parallel to the British, who often need help to "make things go".

[youtube]b7FNCdQ_ar0[/youtube]

The feeble-mindedness that used to protect the British from themselves has changed. The Brittunculi have been exposed to the world. In short, their stupid is showing.

They do not want to appear incapable of fending for themselves, so they have decided that history must be changed. They cannot admit that they messed up. Time to revise the books! What works against them is that not enough years have gone by since WWII ended, and they have been caught lying.

But there's more. They cannot say thanks to other countries for helping them out of a bad situation. Thanks for the food, munitions and military support. Thanks for taking some of our children and keeping them safe. I'm sorry that some of your countrymen had to die to save our little island. Their snotty natures prevent them from acknowledging the help they received. They still insist that they did it all.

"We didn't need anyone's help! How insulting to suggest that we did!"

You know what? Their elitist attitude will be their undoing. It's happening now. As the UK is genetically remapped by Mother Nature to rid the planet of their inferior DNA, the rest of the world will wave politely and remind them not to let the door hit their ass on the way out.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Britain is a nation in decline. It has been for a while. They are a country of simple souls who have seen their economic and military influence shrink since the 1800s. More and more, Britain has had to rely on other nations to survive. But it seems the Britons are their own worst enemy. They are destroying themselves while the world watches and laughs.

In the 19th century, they were giants who bestrode the world.

Look at 'em now. Whimpering, nutless pansies like Blackshirt. It's a mystery how they could fall so far so fast.

 

[justlooking]

In the 19th century, they were giants who bestrode the world.

Look at 'em now. Whimpering, nutless pansies like Blackshirt. It's a mystery how they could fall so far so fast.

Mystery ?

No.

A million bright motivated young men with an Empire to administer died in WW1.
Next generation brought up without those men, and had to fight another war with another 500k dead.
2% and 1% of the population, more than double our losses.

This, the introduction of the welfare state, loss of Empire thanks to the US, and women consistently voting
for more and more left wing stuff, and there is no surprise as to why.

Maybe the surprise they haven't completely collapsed yet. Oh right, the unrestricted trillions of debt they have racked up.

 

[Curious Cdn]

Mystery ?

No.

A million bright motivated young men with an Empire to administer died in WW1.
Next generation brought up without those men, and had to fight another war with another 500k dead.
2% and 1% of the population, more than double our losses.

This, the introduction of the welfare state, loss of Empire thanks to the US, and women consistently voting
for more and more left wing stuff, and there is no surprise as to why.

Maybe the surprise they haven't completely collapsed yet. Oh right, the unrestricted trillions of debt they have racked up.

The best and brightest all died, too. Junior officers led their men into battle, Webleys drawn with whistles in mouths. Their survival rate was not high. The ones who made it home to reproduce were the "I'm alright, Jack" survivors.