Small Scale Military Headquarters

Any of you guys ever seen this movie... "Von Ryan's Express"... a 1965 WWII flick starring Frank Sinatra...??? OK, I will start by saying I've never been a huge fan of Sinatra... don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the Italian crooner, ole' "blue eyes" but I've just never been a big fan of his movies in general, many of which are musicals... but this one is undoubtedly one of his best IMO. Here is the synopsis of the Movie...

At the height of World War II, a group of Allied POWs escapes an Italian prison camp with the help of an idealistic American leader (Frank Sinatra), whose style clashes with that of his second in command (Trevor Howard). Just a few steps from freedom, the men are captured again -- this time by German troops. A series of twists and turns drives them to commandeer the very train that's transporting them to certain death.

Overall I thought this was a very good flick, and I really enjoyed it. As with most Hollywood productions... historical accuracy leaves something to be desired, but one thing I think it did portray rather well, was that the Italians were less than enthusiastic allies of the Germans...

* I liked it. ... It's a true classic indeed.

......... I remember watching it w/ my dad on our New color TV , sitting on the floor , as just a kid then , back in the late 60's .

.......... "Those were the days".


Mitch v MG

OSTKETTEN:

VON RYAN'S EXPRESS was written by David Westheimer, who worked at my old newspaper, THE HOUSTON POST (before I worked there). Westheimer's family was prominent in Houston---a very well-known street is named after them (I've bought models from the Targets, a Wal-Mart and a ToysRUs that are on Westheimer).
Back to the movie, I have the dvd which gives background info on the movie and book. The movie was only inspired by Westheimer's book about his POW days and has very little in common with the book in terms of reality. If I remember correctly, Westheimer wrote a screenplay based on his book, but the studio rejected it as being too bland. Westheimer wasn't happy about the movie since it was mostly fiction, but it made him famous and got him some big bucks.