HBO ThePacific

[Fubar1]

One thing I learned a while back from Don Fox is to recreate or play along with a historical account. I had a blast playing along with sections of Don's book Patton's Vangaurd.

So it got me to the thinking about the current HBO series. I'm about to embark my Marines on Peleliu. Here are the sceanrio's I've found that coincide with the series:

Guadalcanal:
Edson's Ridge
Action in th eSolomons
Trouble Along the Ilu
Clash on the Matanikau
Galloping Horse

Tuluvu/Gloucester:
Raggedy Assed Marines

Peleliu:
Hell in the Pacific: Peleliu

[Fubar]

I really want to see this show but dont have a satelite/cable tv. :hissy:

Is it like Band of Brothers and based on real people and events or is it just a work of fiction set in the Pacific?

[billk1]

I really want to see this show but dont have a satelite/cable tv. :hissy:

Is it like Band of Brothers and based on real people and events or is it just a work of fiction set in the Pacific?

It is based on real people who were in the battle, has some good fight scenes but I do not think it is a good as Band of Brothers, just my opinion though.

[Scud]

You can see clips on HBO's site: http://www.hbo.com/the-pacific/index.html

If you compare it to "Band of Brothers" you'll be disappointed. Taken on it's own, though, it's excellent. A lot of it is based on the experiences of Bob Leckie [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Leckie_(author)] who was a friend of my Dad's. One of the first books I read on the war in the pacific was an autographed copy of "Helmet for My Pillow". Must have had an impact, though I hardly recall it. I think I still have it somewhere, but I also have a wife so God only knows what box in the back of what closet it's in.

I'm sure it'll be available to rent/buy soon if it's not out already.

Dave

[Antoni Chmielowski]

I saw the first 2 episodes last weekend and they were good..... however having seen Band of Brothers it wasnt as good.

[Fubar]

Cool thx for the links and your thoughts on the show, i shall keep my eyes open for it on DVD/Blu-Ray.

I'm on a bit of a Pacific rush at the moment as i'm half way through reading Tarawa:A hell of a way to die. Not bad reading so far.

[Yossarian]

I like the Pacific better than Band of Brothers.

Yossarian :smoke:

[Crossroads]

I like the Pacific better than Band of Brothers.

A bit like comparing West Front to Rising Sun? :chin:

Episode Four just aired yesterday evening at this part of world... A re-run today. I've watched the previous three episodes twice each...

I have to say I am with Yossarian.

I mean, the familiar BoB trademarks are there. What makes The Pacific unique is the very different war that was waged in comparison to ETO.

No friendly French villages, no clear front lines nor enemy concentrations, no rules of engagement.

They very much succeed in creating a totally new feeling to viewers as the Marines battle on.

The battles are bloodier, the special effects are bloodier, the men are more violent. At BoB you watched some prisoners get shot. Pacific: you watch the men bayonet and strangle them instead.

With BoB, you are thinking: "You shouldn't have done that". With Pacific you sort of nod your head: "Yes, I can see why you did that".

Especially, having just watched Episode Four where Leckie gets to spend some time in a hospital after yet another very cruel stint at rainforests, I can't but compare to BoB episode Carentan.

While you felt sympathy to Pvt Blythe (BoB) loosing his head, watching what the war does to not only to Leckie, but especially to Gibson, it goes to a whole new level. The visible pain on Leckie's face when he leaves the hospital (at his own request) to return to his unit, it really leaves you with emotions.

[Fubar1]

Scud is correct. Taken on it's own it is excellent. Where BoB was very character driven, The Pacific is action driven. You get to see how hellish some of the Pacific battles were. Germans surrendered occasionally, The Japanese fought and had no fear of death.
Watching some of the scenes it's a wonder that not every Marine got shot

[Major BS]

Here's a question I have about The Pacific that I hope someone here can answer: Were the USMC's vehicles (note the DUKW's and jeeps especially) really painted a shade of green that almost looks Kelly green, rather than olive drab? Am I the only one who sees it?

I can't imagine that this wasn't well researched, given the team involved and their attention to detail. It just struck me that as much color pics/video I've seen of the pacific war (in general) I've never seen this color. I've seen Navy stuff painted that blueish gray, camo vehicles, etc. But never this green color that is most definitely NOT olive drab. I think even one of the tanks in one episode was painted this way.

One of you armored vehicle club guys knows the answer to this. It's buggin' the crizzap outta me.