swojtak Reviews

'Blue Blazes' Rawden (1918)

New Restoration

[9/10 · 18 February 2024]

Just watched today at the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum in Los Angeles,Ca. It was a new restoration so it was watched as it was originally. The movie ran and was accompanied by live piano music. For someone who has only watched old silent movies that have been duped many times, the movie was a real treat. The best part was the scenery. The creation of the weather and sets was so real I felt chills from the snow. People who gave the film a poor rating should watch it again under the same circumstances as I did and then update their review.

The part I wished there was more of was title cards so I could have followed the action better. I guess he thought the minimal cards he had was enough. If given an opportunity to watch it like I did go for it.

My Honor Was Loyalty (2016)

Good Movie For A Movie Not Made in Hollywood.

[9/10 · 29 December 2022]

I thought the movie was good for one not made in Hollywood or with a big budget. Yes, it looked like it was made with reenactors and it was because the credits reflected this fact. However, I think they did a great job with the budget they had. The actors made a big effort to get their uniforms and equipment as accurate as possible.

My big complaint was the narration. It was hard to understand because the female voice had an accent. I turned on the subtitles because of this fact.

The movie was showing late in the war when men/boys were being drafted into the SS. Earlier men who joined the SS would not have questioned the war like some in the movie. The earlier SS were fanatics who joined because the SS was the best and most elite group to join. They especially swore an oath to Adolf Hitler not the country. Later everyone took an oath to Hitler not just the SS.

It would be difficult to imagine boys who grew up in the Hitler Youth, later went to SS training schools and eventually joined Waffen-SS to be soft. If they had of been they would have been weeded out long before.

The Waffen-SS were famous for their very high casualty rate as compared to regular soldiers because the SS were diehards.

Lastly, the narration made it sound all sides were equal regarding atrocities. The difference was the Germans and the SS not just killed but exterminated, committed genocide and murdered on an industrial scale.

Danger Lights (1930)

Monster Trains

[9/10 · 4 August 2022]

The movie was spell binding. Non stop action. Real men and real women. No pretty people shown. The real stars were the giant steam engines with 6 feet tall driving wheels and 20 feet tall cabs and 30 feet long bodies. The steam shovel on the flat bed of the train that was used to move huge boulders and rocks was a bonus. These type men and machines are long gone never to be seen again. I want to buy the dvd if available just to have in my collection.

Rio Diablo (1993 TV Movie)

More True to Life.

[8/10 · 25 June 2022]

I always thought that when a bounty hunter kills the suspect, why do they always leave the suspects guns and equipment? If a handgun costs a cowboy a months or several months wages, they must be too valuable to leave. They should have a early form of recycling. At least in this movie the suspects property becomes a bonus for the bounty hunter.

Wake Island (1942)

Send Us More "Japanese"!

[10/10 · 18 March 2022]

"Send Us More "Japanese", I remember that line from the 1960's when I last saw this movie on black and white TV. The same from the movie Bombardier with Robert Ryan. He broke into a meeting and yelled "The "japanese" just bombed Pearl Harbor"! Something's you just never forget.

The movie is a relic of history but a good thing that it was not changed to be more PC. Like history, good or bad, it should not be changed but appreciated for what it is.

The Execution of Private Slovik (1974 TV Movie)

He Bluffed, They Called, and He Lost.

[9/10 · 14 March 2022]

He was like a poker player who tried to game the system, he bluffed, they called and he lost. He could have tried to be a Conscientious Objector or if he knew he was a coward he should have told them in training he was a coward and would not fire a rifle under any circumstance. He got all the way to the front line and then tried to get out of his duty. That is where he made his mistake. Refusing to do his duty would have saved him but to get to a point and then run away was desertion. Someone had to be made an example of. He drew the short straw and lost.

The Safecracker (1958)

Great Jokes

[8/10 · 8 January 2022]

The safecracker is in the Army. He looks at the bed and complains about the thin mattress. The soldier asks him what did he sleep on before. Safecracker says, "on a double bed with a double mattress". Soldier says, "you must have been in the American Army". To the British, "Yanks are Over Sexed, Over Paid, and Over Here".

Mackintosh and T.J. (1975)

A Great Farewell to a Great Man and a Childhood Hero.

[10/10 · 31 May 2021]

I gave it a 10 not only because it was a very well done movie, a great sound track with Waylon Jennings, great real life photography, and real life characters. In addition, a 10 for a great send off to one of my childhood cowboy heroes. My top 3 were Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, and Roy Rodgers.

He may have made this film as a legacy to himself. He may have wanted his fans to see him as a real man still in his prime and not as a old man. The same with Hopalong because he got cancer and did not want his fans to see as a sick old man.

The Roy Rogers museum was in Victorville, CA but was moved to Branson, Missouri. For more information regarding Cowboy Heroes visit the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum in Los Angeles, CA .

I wish a fond farewell to Roy Rogers, "The King of the Cowboys" who rode off into the sunset and who left a lifetime impression on millions of children and "older" children. There will never be another like him. Lastly, I have to mention Dale Evans and Trigger!

Happy Trails Until We Meet Again!

The Virginian: The Legacy of Spencer Flats (1971) Season 9, Episode 17

Poor Morticia.

[1/10 · 4 April 2021]

Sad. Carolyn Jones is grossly overweight. I paid more attention to how she looked than the story. The story has been done a million times before.

Wild Times (1980)

Authentic in Guns and Costumes.

[9/10 · 6 November 2020]

I like this movie not because of the acting but because of the technical aspects. The movie takes place in the blackpowder era. I look for technical mistakes like using a 1873 Colt Peacemaker revolver in the 1860's or using a Winchester 1894 in the 1870's. Cardiff used muzzle loading, blackpowder, Plains Rifle with a octagon barrel, percussion cap ignition, and looked to be about at least .50 caliber. A muzzle loader like that takes a cloth patch surrounding the ball and then a ball with a short projection that is used to start the ball down the barrel. That is called a ball starter and one the ball is started the ramrod takes over. On the chest of Cardiff was a white handled small knife. That is a patch cutter. The cloth patch is put in front of the bore and a ball put in. The excess patch is cut off using that knife. Cardiff also used a Colt 1860 blackpowder revolver with percussion cap ignition. In the bar scene during the fight the person behind the bar pulled out a rolling block rifle ( you never see these in westerns). During the first shooting scene, Ben Johnson used a Winchester 1894 rifle with the front hand guard removed so it would resemble a Henry rifle. Lastly, watching the movie was like watching a film of family members who are no longer living. These actors are movie icons the likes of which will never be seen again. They have gone to the great Big Wigwam in the sky!

JFK Declassified: Tracking Oswald (2017– )

Mostly Great But A lot No So Great.

[9/10 · 11 November 2019]

Bob kept saying every chance he got that Oswald killed Kennedy! Oswald was never given a trial and the rifle did not have any of his prints on it until the rifle came back from the FBI. In addition, the FBI had to adjust the rifle scope because the rifle could not be shot accurately until that was done. Bob kept saying over and over again that he always believed Oswald killed Kennedy like he was afraid that if he stated otherwise, he would have been prosecuted. However, some of the good parts were when Bob interviewed people in Mexico and Russia. The last witness was a former Cuban Intelligence Agent who made a startling statement. Bob never asks questions about Marina Oswald's family having ties to the KGB or how Oswald was able to return to the US so quickly from Russia. He just stated Oswald got married and returned to the US-end of story. Lastly, the series is worth watching because they did come up with some interesting facts but it had too much melodrama and listening to Bob became like finger nails on a chalkboard.

Rogue's March (1953)

Really Interesting especially the battle scene and the weapons and material.

[8/10 · 15 March 2018]

First off, actually filming in the Khyber Pass was really interesting especially considering the history and the current events. The acting was all right and nothing special. However, like a John Ford movie, the scenery and location are the real actors. To film where the actual events took place was a real thrill. The whole British military experience was also a thrill. Even though a reviewer mentioned the uniforms were not accurate for the period, I thought they were great. To see the training and what they went through was also a thrill. Although, some scenes shown, the men were using a Mauser bolt action type of rifle I do not think was accurate. I thought they used Martini Henry rifles but I could be wrong. I did see some bolt action Enfield rifles too. The battle scene was the most exciting. It showed a camel being used to take a wounded officer back (you will see what I mean). Then to see the soldiers using camels and mules to transport cannons and other weapons that were taken apart and transported on mule back. They showed cannons in pieces on the backs of the animals and then the men, who were military trained, take the cannons, assemble them, load, and actually shoot them. Some scenes the cannons fired and no recoil but some were loaded, fired, and then the cannons recoiled and almost flip over. This was the real thing. When I say assemble, I mean, the cannon barrels were in two pieces, then screwed together and a band in the middle tightened down with a big screw. The wheels put on, the men readied it to fire and then fired. To me, skip the first half and just watch the battle scene and you will be amazed.

Sanders of the River (1935)

Paul Robeson Played a Good Part

[5/10 · 14 October 2014]

I have mixed feelings about this film. First off, like one reviewer, I was surprised at the topless natives. I would have thought the censors would have cut that out. Paul Robeson played a man who made himself a chief so he could run a tribe. In the movie, only the British could authorize a man to become a Chief. I guess the natives were not authorized to make their own Chief--I thought that was strange! Even stranger, a British authorized Chief had to be given a medal on a chain to wear around his neck--kind of what a rapper would wear today. This medal indicated an authorized Chief. Sandy did try to rule in a fair manner, learned native customs, and learned some native languages. I did dislike how the natives had to call the British Lord and to act like children. The British treated the natives like children. The part that Robeson played was of an extremely smart man. Everything the British told him to do after making him Chief he had already thought of and done on his own. The look on Robeson's face was of a man purposely acting like a child while all the time he was ten jumps ahead of the white man. The look on the British was he knew Robeson was smart and Robeson knew the British knew but each had to play their own part. I thought the movie was worth watching.

Code Two (1953)

Just like being back at the Academy!

[9/10 · 13 July 2014]

I was an LAPD Explorer in the late 1960"s and had shot on the Academy pistol range. The movie showed the Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters (outside) before Parker Center was built. It also showed the real Academy with the pool, parade ground, a fenced area, indoor training area, dispatch, and pistol range. The part that was not real was the dining room. The dining room looked like a movie set. Some of the the motorcycle training looked real too like laying down the bike and driving through the cones. Like I learned during my motorcycle training course (civilian), it does not take much of a rider to go fast. The trick is how slow can you go!. It was also interesting how the movie gave a plug for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The movie had everything I like bikes, guns, and cops. What else is there.

Bridge to the Sun (1961)

Nobody Remembers the Victims

[8/10 · 8 April 2014]

I never saw this movie before. I am an avid TCM fan and war movie fan. I think this was the first time it was shown on TCM. Before this film I did not realize there was a peace movement in Japan. The Japanese people also suffered because of their leaders and the average person could only do what they were told. However, after reading some of the other reviews where the reviewer told how much their heart bled for the Japanese, I am not so sorry. Like shown in the movie, when Baker was on the train going to the small village, she saw US servicemen working along side the track. It seems many people don't know how POWs were brought to Japan and used as slaves in the mines and other places. People also don't remember the Bataan Death March and the Rape of Nanking. They also don't remember the medical experiments done on live victims. People also forget that the Japanese started the wars in China, the US, and other countries. The Japanese only cry about what the atom bomb did to them. There is a scene in the movie with Robert Taylor where he is playing the part of Col. Tibbets who dropped the first atom bomb on Japan. This scene is where Taylor's superior gave him a push button and he was asked that if pushing that button would save thousands of American lives, he pushes that button. I would push that button. Like the death penalty in the US, people remember the criminal but they never remember the victims.

Kangaroo (1952)

Every Icon in Australia was in it.

[7/10 · 31 March 2014]

Being half Australian myself and knowing something about Australia, I really liked the movie. In addition, I am a "Paladin" fan so it was great to see Boone in the movie. As far as icons, I saw Chips Rafferty, koala bears, kangaroos, joey's (small kangaroos), two-up (the gambling using two coins tossed up in the air after resting on a piece of wood), the word tucker (food), cockatoos (the white bird), and the Australian Kingfisher bird. There were also the aborigines aka Abos (natives) with their boomerangs and spears with throwing boards (they help throw the spears). Shown too were the Abos on a walkabout. That is where they travel in groups. There was also drought, bush fires, and the men carrying on their shoulders the short whip they use for the cattle. Also mentioned was how good the Abos are in tracking. They are world famous as being the best in the world. Like Chips said, they can track a man by the shadow the man left on a rock a week before. I kept waiting to see what else showed up. For additional information, I can throw a boomerang--ask me how! All in all a good and interesting movie.

Bombardier (1943)

I have remembered this movie for over 50 years.

[7/10 · 23 April 2013]

I saw this movie in the late 1950's or early 1960's on TV and it has always stuck with me. The scene that stands out vividly is when Robert Ryan walks into the church and yells, "The Japs just bombed Pearl Harbor". That scene has stuck in my head over 50 years. Oddly it seems that the ending involves bombing Nagoya. The movie went from Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor to the U.S. bombing the Japanese homeland really quickly. Another interesting thing is the movie never uses the word Norton Bombsight. At the time of the movie, even the word Norton was secret. Also, you never see the actual bomb sight only something being carried in a cloth bag by two airmen. Even a picture of the sight was secret. I did like the picture because it shows the training the men received. It seems like a lot of training just to push a button. I also like of part of the Bombardier controlling the plane. The part of the movie seems right in that the plane, pilot, ground crew, and everything else is there just to take the Bombardier to the target so he can push a button. The Pilot and Bombardier is like playing golf. The drive is for the show (pilot) but the putt (bombardier) is for the dough!. The rest was over the top--the oath and song of the Bombardier. Lastly, wasn't the actor who played the Japanese officer also played "Harry Hoo" on the TV show "Get Smart". All in all a film worth watching.

Force of Arms (1951)

The action scenes and equipment are first rate.

[9/10 · 25 January 2013]

I really liked this movie. I fast forwarded through the love scenes though. I am a Holden fan and I seem to like his snide comments he always seems to make. His comments are usually like "gallows humor". In times of stress everything seems to take on a different view or meaning. I also liked where Holden seems to exhibit PTSD. He talks about the horror of the battlefield and his men dying for no reason. I liked this because I thought the US Government did not want anything but us the good guys and the enemy the bad. Most war movies show us never getting hurt and the enemy all dying, What tipped me off was the word "San Pietro". John Huston made a movie called that and it was banned by the Government and not shown because it showed people actually getting killed. Lastly, all the equipment looked real and used in the real manner even down to the mail room! Usually I can find many errors in guns and ammo. Another good movie to watch is, "Pork Chop Hill" with Gregory Peck. You actually see men using body armor and guns and ammo used in the proper manner.

Operation Thunderbolt (1977)

Military Technique Accuracy?

[9/10 · 10 September 2009]

I really liked this movie. I rented it through Netflix and they do not have the extras so I was not able to see the other parts. I liked where the Commandos were practicing their moves and their exiting the planes and entering the practice buildings. Usually in movies you do not see the training and practicing that goes into a rescue like this. When the Commandos landed they put lights where the other lights were and I wondered why when there were already lights there. When the tower was told to turn off the lights, it all made sense. I wondered why the Commandos were not wearing helmets or caps or something on their heads. I also wondered why, when the plane landed, there were bright lights inside the plane. In a night operation, you would think they would have a red light or no lights at all to enhance their night vision. I did like where the Commandos would throw a grenade in the room first, one man went left and the other right spraying the room with bullets. The part where the Commandos used RPG's to blow up the planes and the control tower was good too. The Uzi's, RPG's and AK47's were real looking and used in a proper manner. I also liked the part with Idi Amin giving a speech to the hostages-he really sounded nuts! All in all I liked this film. I hope to find a DVD with the extras so I can watch them also.

Ambush Bay (1966)

Whats with the hats?

[7/10 · 13 July 2009]

I have seen the movie before years ago on TV and I don't remember much about it from that time. However, this time the first thing I notices all through out the film was-WHATS WITH THE HATS! Each character wore a different style or color hat. I guess the producers wanted the audience to be able to distinguish each actor by the color and style of the hats. Hugh O"Brian was a former Marine so he probably refused to wear an unauthorized COVER (see I did use the right term). His had the symbol in the front. In addition, Mitchem wore jeans. I can't see a real Marine doing that and I also can't see a real Marine talking in such a disrespectful manner. He would have gotten that beaten out of him the first day in boot camp. Me being a gunnut I did notice the man with the M! Garand having the side mounted scope on it (M1D). That really surprised me. When the story opened and the comment was made that the man was an expert with the Garand, he would have carried a M1D and sure enough in the story he did and he used it. All in all it was a good war movie. It was not Platoon but good.

300 (2006)

More Than Meets the Eye!

[10/10 · 13 August 2007]

I heard of the movie but was not really interested in seeing it. I watched the History Channel and became fascinated. I bought the 2 disk set and watched the 2nd disk first. I was disappointed to learn the movie was made from a "comic book". What is this "s_t". I watched the film and was transformed. I actually want to watch it again and again. It was fantastic. I always have been impressed with people or groups who dedicate their lives to-Duty, Honor, Country, Right, Glory and Freedom. The film is violent but not like I thought it would be. It is more like "comic book" violence. There was not one second in the film that was boring. Every second had something interesting in it. It is the type of film that each time you watch it you see something else you did not see the other time. If you want a documentary, this is not for you. Lastly, I am losing weight and going back to the gym to work out and my new workout cry will be "300".

Downfall (2004)

Wonderful. Learn the real end to the Third Reich.

[10/10 · 19 July 2005]

I have been studying about Hitler and the Third Reich since High School and have read everything I could get my hands on. I have also traveled to visit the sites shown in the movie. I also read a review in the IMDb which said the lead actor had heard and practiced Hitler's accent. Usually when you watch movies about history, the writers want to make the movie interesting not accurate. The first thing I look for is the accuracy of the equipment and uniforms and I was most impressed. I found out later the movie company had excellent technical advisor's.

What really left a profound impression on me was how some of the people in the movie would prefer death over surrender. The idea of loyalty, honor, and duty to country was outstanding--like the motto of the SS, "My Honor is Loyalty" or a motto like, "Death before Dishonor". I was so impressed by this that I wanted to climb into the screen and go back in time to be able to be with people like this. I really wished I was back in the Third Reach!

The Final Option (1982)

Soldier of Fortune Magazine Approved

[15 September 2004]

I saw this movie when it was titled, "The Final Option". I was an avid reader of Soldier of Fortune (SOF) magazine and it was recommended as a must see movie. It was noted for its realism. In addition, it was felt the peace movement was actually supported by Russia because by having the "West" disarm, it would allow Russia to get stronger while the West got weaker. You see this in the movie when the bankers help funnel money to the peace movement.

The main reason for seeing the movie was the action by the Special Air Service (SAS). SOF magazine said the SAS cooperated in the making of the movie. I thought the movie was a little long but the action parts were first rate. The final part was the best part. The best part was when the camera was filming through the gas mask and you could hear and see what it is really like to be on the inside. I remember the huffing and puffing and the words, "One terrorist down, one terrorist down" as each one got shot. SOF magazine said when the SAS goes in, there are no prisoners taken-only dead terrorists. As a real law enforcement person I am always complaining how the public has no idea of what really happens during police actions. The public always seems to ask why did the police not shoot the gun out of a persons hand or why did the police shoot or didn't shoot. Split second decisions have to be made and it is so easy to to be a "Monday morning quarterback" They never see the confusion. I think every person who thinks the cops are always wrong should see this movie.

Sniper (1993)

As a Federal Agent I thought it was great.

[2 September 2004]

As a long time Federal Agent and gunnnut I thought it was great. The high light was when the high level government officials called in Zane and told him he would be sent to a jungle, would kill an extremely dangerous drug dealer, he may be killed in the process and they would make Zane (drum roll please)(Tah-Dah!) a GS-9. At this point I burst out laughing. Nobody else said a word. This was the funniest thing I ever heard. I was a GS-11 at the time. This is just like the Federal Government. Officials chose an employee for the "fast track" (usually a brown noser/ass kisser) who they want to rise in the ranks over others more qualified. They team this "fast track" person with an experienced, well qualified, person who will really do the work. The goal being the high officials get the credit along with the "fast track" and the experienced person will get shafted. I liked the movie except for rifle scope with moving lights inside. I am a shooter and I have never seen a scope like this one. However, I did like how the experienced sniper dressed and acted. This was accurate as far as I understand and this is how real snipers really operate.

The Dogs of War (1980)

One of my favorites.

[10/10 · 2 September 2004]

I liked it because it really showed the process of setting up this kind of operation. Usually movies just start and then jump to the action. This showed all the planning and what can go wrong. They make a big deal about the "end user certificate". This is used to show the government where weapons are going to end up. This can be avoided by getting a certificate showing the weapons are going to one place and then the weapons are diverted to another location. I loved the ending. The scene where Shannon and men are in the open shooting was something not done in real life but its point was, these men were in the glory. This is what they live for. They hate every day life. Tom Berrenger said his wife was pregnant and the thought of watching her just "get fat" was making him sick. This was the high point of their lives. It seemed for most of the men this was their last mission. Most people don't understand the mentality. These men know they will die sometime but want to go out in a "Blase of Glory"