OT "The Great Escape" movie

Matt · 04-21-2001, 12:31 AM

I watched the first half of "The Great Escape" tonight. Ted, I hadn't watched this in several years and had forgotten that the POW camp Kommandant's name is Col. von Luger! He also carries a Lewger! With actors speaking German, carrying Lugers, MP40s and Mausers, what more could you ask for? Also lots of big-name actors in it, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, James Garner, Charles Bronson and Donald Pleasance. It's based upon a true story too!

04-21-2001, 01:21 AM

I had a German language teacher in high school (those many years ago) that was absolutely FREAKED OUT about how American WWII movies portrayed German-speak as pure GIBBERISH!

I think "The Longest Day" really freaked him out.

It's not German, it's Hollywood German.

Mike

Matt · 04-21-2001, 11:25 AM

That's interesting, Mike.

I don't know enough German to be able to tell but Germans often are stereotyped in movies. The most absurd example I can think of is a scene in "Stalag 17" where the Kommandant puts on his jackboots for a telephone conversation with his superior officer. I studied German for two years in college, but unfortunately have forgotten much of it due to no opportunity to use it.

Matt

04-21-2001, 12:31 AM	#1
Matt User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 196 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	OT "The Great Escape" movie I watched the first half of "The Great Escape" tonight. Ted, I hadn't watched this in several years and had forgotten that the POW camp Kommandant's name is Col. von Luger! He also carries a Lewger! With actors speaking German, carrying Lugers, MP40s and Mausers, what more could you ask for? Also lots of big-name actors in it, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, James Garner, Charles Bronson and Donald Pleasance. It's based upon a true story too!

04-21-2001, 01:21 AM	#2
MK Guest Posts: n/a	Re: OT "The Great Escape" movie I had a German language teacher in high school (those many years ago) that was absolutely FREAKED OUT about how American WWII movies portrayed German-speak as pure GIBBERISH! I think "The Longest Day" really freaked him out. It's not German, it's Hollywood German. Mike

04-21-2001, 11:25 AM	#3
Matt User Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 196 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: OT "The Great Escape" movie That's interesting, Mike. I don't know enough German to be able to tell but Germans often are stereotyped in movies. The most absurd example I can think of is a scene in "Stalag 17" where the Kommandant puts on his jackboots for a telephone conversation with his superior officer. I studied German for two years in college, but unfortunately have forgotten much of it due to no opportunity to use it. Matt