I mentioned that I was reading 'Charlie Wilson's War' in my main blog, since then there have been a couple of things happen that made me want to write a fuller account of this excellent book. So here goes...

First of all, I am close to finishing the book itself, but also I happened to see the movie. Now usually I wouldn't do the two things at the same time, I would normally read the book then see the film (or vice versa). But the overall sense of the depth of the book made me realize that an hour and a half movie just wasn't going to do the story justice, and I knew that there would have to be a large amount of skating over the intricate plot and so film version would have to be quite different.

This proved to be absolutely correct, and please be aware that the movie is very little more than a dilution of the story of Charlie WIlson and Gust Avrakotos.

'Charlie Wilson's War' - The Movie - is a fine idea, but in a way it is rather like trying to render down The Lord of the Rings in to one film, so much has to be missed out that, in the end, much of the plot subtleties are completely missed. In particular it is the characters of Charlie and Gust and their backgrounds and make up that makes the book so compelling. The book introduces us to people that are so larger than life that - in the end - it is that these people exist at all that is the wonderment!

I also felt very sorry for Gust Avrakotos that he got the - in perhaps his words - the 'shitty' end of the stick when it came to cast member prominence! I found him a wonderful character, and all through the movie it is Gust that you feel is a character that needs to be let off the leash more. The title of the film and the book, sadly, consigned him to a secondary role - but if you read the book you will discover just how pivotal he actually was...

Philip Seymour Hoffman

That said, perhaps because he was the 'shadow warrior' that he was means that he would have been happy with this inconspicuous role. But, ironically, the actor consigned to play Gust was one of the better casting choices in the movie - Philip Seymour Hoffman is becoming one of my favourite Hollywood character actors. His penchant for playing rather idiosyncratic individuals made him an ideal Gust - Philip played the wonderfully skittish 'Scotty J' in 'Boogie Nights and his 'Capote' was spellbinding and won him an Oscar.

(Hoffman's role in 'Charlie Wilson's War' won him the only Oscar awarded out of the 14 nominations for this movie - that of ' Actor of the Year'.)

Of Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts as the other two main protagonists...Well, the least said the better. Although, in the movie's defence, I can maybe see what the producers were trying to do in matching two larger than life actors with two larger than life roles - though I personally found their on screen presence more distracting - perhaps the director hoped that their involvement would distract from the obviously shallow treatment of the subject matter?

To summarize - read the book! Please, please read the book!

If you are at all interested in military history or covert warfare, 'Charlie Wilson's War' is an outstanding story of political machinations, intrigue and double-dealings that will have you chuckling to yourself. The principal characters of Charlie and Gust are the spy version of the odd couple, and just like the original odd couple of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon it is their juxtaposed character flaws that ignite sparks of comic genius and pathos.

The movie version is superficial, character led where it shouldn't be (the choice of principal characters - except Hoffman) and - sadly - factually inaccurate in some of the footage shown as 'real' action sequences from the Afghan-Soviet War.

This movie truly is 'Charlie Wilson's War' Lite.

Interesting after notes:

As far as intrigues go, it's rather interesting to note that the political double-dealing and under the table scheming of the US in Afghanistan is far from over. Reading Janes Defence News today, one of the main topics reported was one regarding a funding, by US Congress, for the upgrading of Pakistan air force F16 fighters.

In the book of 'Charlie WIlson's War', the sale of F16s to Pakistan is one of the early issues which flavours the relationship between the US and Pakistan, and the American's mistrust of an Islamic state. However, Janes reports on a recent decision by the US to funnel Congressional funds to an upgrade and modernization program for the Pakistani F16s, the money being taken - controversially - for a pot designated for the 'war on terror'.

Reading between the lines, it looks like the Pakistanis have finally gotten their way - perhaps bartering the upgrade for some promises to use the F16 in the fight against insurgents in the Afghan-Pakistan boarder region. However, once again, we see American between a rock and a hard place where they are seen as supporting a very unpopular military regime in Pakistan in exchange for the Pakistanis co-operation in the war on terror.

Useful links:-

> IMDB entry for 'Charlie Wilson's War' (2007)
> Wikipedia entry for 'Charlie Wilson's War'
> Wikipedia: The Soviet war in Afghanistan

Don’t panic! They’re back!

Back for one night only, Jonathan Ross hosts a special celebration of Dad’s Army, featuring classic clips, interviews with the original cast, plus a few surprises. It’s being filmed on July 17th at BBC Television Centre, and you could be there. Just follow the link to apply for your tickets – good luck!

http://www.sroaudiences.com

The BBC have comissioned this hour long special programme to be called 'Jonathan Ross Salutes Dad's Army'. This will be an affectionate look aback at 40 years since the programme started by show clips and memorable moments as well as involving some of the remaining cast and writers.

The production company are looking for Dad's Army fans for the audience so here's your chance to get involved! The ticket application has a small Dad's Army related questionaire to complete.

[Credit to the dadsarmy.co.uk for this item.]

Link: www.dadsarmy.co.uk -  Site of the Dad's Army Appreciation Society

And that's not all...

There is still one last chance to see the stage play 'Dad's Army - the Lost Episodes'. Starring Leslie Grantham, this recreation will offer a unique opportunity to see the lost episodes after the originals were erased by the BBC.

Last run - maybe for good - 2nd to 7th June 2008, at the Malvern Theatres, Grange Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3HB. For Telephone Bookings, please contact the Box Office on 01684 892277 - website: Malvern Theatres - Dad's Army

Left: Alan Arkin as Capt. John Yossarian in 'Catch 22'.

However, you could say that it is a consistent theme running through all military comedy that writers focus their attention on the absurdities of war.

The only two British representative in this review, likewise, are intended to be ironic; 'Carry On up the Khyber' pokes fun at the legendary British 'stiff upper lip' and colonialism, while 'The Mouse that Roared' is – largely – some Peter Sellers genius mocking the Cold War politics of the super-powers (this theme is taken one step further is the less successful follow-up 'The Mouse on the Moon').

'Hot Shots Part Deux' and 'Stripes' are perhaps the closest to care free slap-stick and aren't trying to be ironic. Instead they replace irony with absurdity with plot lines so incredulous that one cannot in any way see that they might be glorifying war!

'Mister Roberts' is the dark horse, and I'm sure you have never heard of this movie. But it is a superb ensemble comedy with Herry Fonda, James Cagney and Jack Lemmon, which is almost a comic take on 'The Mutiny on the Bounty'. Cagney plays a wonderful part as a 'Captain Bligh' type personality, who drives his crew to the brink of mutiny in his quest for 'efficiency'.

If I had to pick the 'best' among this list of excellent movies, I would have to suggest that it is 'Catch 22'. I quote Wikipedia (as I admire it's accuracy for once, when it says): “Catch-22 is a satirical, historical novel by the American author Joseph Heller, first published in 1961. The novel, set during the later stages of World War II from 1943 onwards, is frequently cited as one of the great literary works of the Twentieth century.“

Right: Scene from 'Kelly's Heroes', featuring 'Pvt. Kelly' (Clint Eastwood) and the amazing 'Sgt. Oddball' (Donald Sutherland), who - frankly - stole the show. 'Kelly's Heros' is a classic hybrid genre, being part war movie and part heist capper, with a fabulous scene where Eastwood parodies his own Spaghetti Western pedigree.

It can, I admit, make hard watching – the scene where the 'hero' opens the wounded airman's jacket literally haunted me for years! But in many ways, 'Catch 22' rolls up many of the funniest concepts from all the other movies listed into one 'tour de force'.

Useful links:

> IMDB entry for 'Catch 22'
> Wikipedia enry for 'Catch 22', the novel

2. The Phil SIver's Show - 'Sgt. Bilko' (Created by Nat Hiken. First aired: 1955)

3. Black Adder Goes Forth (Written by R. Curtis, R. Atkinson & B. Elton. First aired: 1989)

4. M*A*S*H (Created by H. Richard Hornberger. First aired: 1972)

5. 'Allo 'Allo (Written by Jeremy Lloyd & David Croft. First aired: 1982)

6. Hogan's Heroes (Created by Bernard Fein & Albert S. Ruddy. First aired: 1965)

Looking back over the years there have been some very memorable TV comedy shows with a military theme. I have very fond memories of the 1960s, sitting around a large BUSH black & white television watching shows like 'Dad's Army' and 'Hogan's Heroes'.

Strangely enough, while I must have watched these shows in black & white originally, I always remember them in colour (no doubt confusing these memories with later re-runs).

Despite it's age, 'Sgt. Bilko' is something I got into in later life - never having seen the original runs. Phil Silvers was a powerful and sophisticated presence who I only really appreciated when I was older. Many of his nuances are lost to me at a younger age.

M*A*S*H was less of a comedy series and more of an obsession for those who remember the first airing - I can only really compare it's popularity - in context of today - to shows like 'LOST' and 'Prison Break' in it's pull of weekly audiences.

I was particularly fond of Alan Alda's 'Groucho Marks' style. Sadly, on review of re-runs more recently I found that M*A*S*H had lost something to me. It was very much of it's time, and I find it very hard to watch now.

'Allo Allo' and 'Black Adder goes Forth' initially seem to be from completely different ends of the comic spectrum. One being the bawdy 'Carry On' inspired knock-about based on a surprising few set double-entandres, and the other being more Pythonesque inspired...

But when it comes down to it, behind the pretences, they are both traditional British vulgar humour, and very satisfying that is too!

Right: 'Black Adder Goes Forth' - Captain Blackadder and comrades regail us with a comedy of misfortunes set on the Western Front in 1917. High Brow meeting Low Brow apparently sounds like 'wibble'!

It's very hard to say which of the above comedies is 'best'. But I would say that I would judge a comedy's true quality by the test of time. As I have already mentioned, M*A*S*H is perhaps the weakest in this area - it's particular brand of pathos and irony was historically situated (being an indictment of the Vietnam War). And although the wit and gags of Alder & co. kept the formula rolling, it did lose it's way eventually.

To me, 'Dad's Army' and 'Sgt, Bilko' are much more watchable, even after so long. Both shows had genuine comic geniuses at the helm - on the one hand Phil Silvers, and on the other the largely under-appreciated talent of Arthur Lowe.

Both 'Bilko' and 'Dad's Army' had a superb ensemble cast, and I'm sure we all have our favourite characters. Mine are 'Doberman' from 'Bilko' (Maurice Gosfield) and 'Frazer' (John Laurie) from 'Dad's Army'. However, it was the use of the camera by Silvers and Lowe, their expressions to the audience that make these shows so irrisistable.

----- 

In Part Two of this review of military comedy I will be looking at the big screen, but I would like to end this post with a special mention for two books that mean a lot to me.

I don't actually have that many books of military comey to justify their own review, but 'Hiltler: My part in his downfall' by Spike Milligan and 'The Good Soldier Svejk'  by Jaroslav Hašek are two supreme classics that made me laugh until I cried!

Photo credits: Wikipedia 

RELATED LINKS:

> Wikipedia: 'Dad's Army'
> The Dad's Army Appreciation Society
> Wikipedia: The Phil Silver's Show - 'Sgt. Bilko'
> The Phil SIlvers Appreciation Society
> Wikipedia: M*A*S*H
> MASH4077 Home Page

> Wikipedia: Black Adder Goes Forth

> Black Adder Hall - online home of the Blackadder family

> Wikipedia: 'Allo 'Allo
> BBC Comedy - 'Allo 'Allo page

> Wikipedia: Hogan'd Heroes

> Hogan's Heroes Fan Club

I suppose if I had to say what were my greatest influences from film or other media that I would like to bring into my airsoft hobby, they would have to be either a impression based on one of the great Vietnam movies or a uniform inspired by my favourite TV science fiction show - 'Stargate: SG1'.

Team AKA meets Team SG4!

Luckily, creating a Stargate uniform for airsoft does fit nicely with my involvement in the Russian themed 'Team AKA', as one of the Stargate expeditionary units is a Russian one - 'SG4'. This Russian unit is featured in a couple of the Stargate episodes, notably 'The Tomb' and 'Metamorphosis'. 

Above: The Russian 'SG4' from the Stargate episode 'Metamorphosis'. They are wearing 'Schofield' type camoflague and a variety of Russian weaponary. Photo: 'Stargate: SG1' - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

I won't go into the actual creating and gear list of what a 'SG4' might look like for the airsoft field, I will save that for the appropriate section in the blog, but it's interesting to note this phenomenon of TV to airsoft crossovers.

Usually, airsoft is played as sort of military simulation, or 'Milsim', and uses military scenarios based on historical or contemporary events on which to base the game play. However, another very popular activity in airsoft is 'themed' events, based on players favourite films, TV shows or books.

Combining the interests of 'Team AKA' with a TV show which involves a Russian military aspect adds to the fun of an event, allowing us to beak away from the usual semi-serious nature of Milsim and to let our imaginations run riot.

How does this sort of thing work? 

Obviously, with a science fiction show like 'Stargate: SG1' - which uses a lot of CGI special effects - creating an airsoft scenario which is still faithful to the series is a bit of a challenge in itself.

Just take the issue of costumes alone. Where would you get hold of the gear to create an army of Jaffa?

Quite simply, you would have to come up with a game back story that took into consideration players ability to source appropriate costumes and props. You cannot expect everyone to spend a lot of money and time gathering together 'authentic' Stargate paraphernalia that they may only use once!

Above: This shot clearly shows the 'SG4' badge, as well as a nice view of the AK74 Para with GP-30 grenade launcher. Luckily, getting hold of the badges is the least of my worries if I want to create the Stargate look. A vast range of Stargate memorabilia is available on the Internet and eBay - including this 'SG4' badge. Photo: 'Stargate: SG1' - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.

In the context of my interest in the Russian 'SG4', then, you might have a scenario which would pit the Russians against the American based 'SG1' forces in some sort of political competition to get hold of an alien technology. In the TV series, the Russians are - sadly - often portrayed as protagonists, and rivals to Stargate Command, so this would work as Russian and American uniforms are fairly commonplace on the airsoft field.

Therefore, you might only need to add a smattering of appropriately garbed NPCs (None Player Characters) and some modest props for this to work. As with the show, off-world 'civilians' are dressed in simple fashion - perhaps in robes and basic head-dress to represent a primitive society caught up in the power politics of the two Earth factions.

Ace in the hole

Finally, one common feature of science fiction based airsoft games is the addition of a wild-card player. A  character of special abilities who might be a common adversary to both teams, and who would appear randomly throughout the game to cause a little chaos.

An ideal wild card plucked for the TV series might be an 'Oonas', a predatory alien creature of great strength and power. This character might be impervious to ordinary 'BB' fire, and would appear and disappear in 'hit and run' attacks on the other players.

Credit

I would like to thank the members of the 'Stargater' forum, particularly 'Hawkeye', for their help with my research into 'SG4'. Community forums like 'Stargater' are great places for any airsofter hoping to get the information and ideas in order create a successful crossover event or uniform impression.

Useful links

> Stargater Astrogate - UK based Stargate universe community - www.stargater.co.uk
> Wikipedia: Stargate
> Stargate badges - Blue Tiger Trading eBay store
> Stargate Official Home - MGM

While I do make the connection between this movie and those about America's involvement in Vietnam, there was one strange event in the film that - if true - served to distinguish the two conflicts.

Having graduated from boot camp the Soviet soldiers are given the choice whether they wish to go on to serve in Afghanistan or be transported elsewhere in the Soviet Union to do their military service. The film makers may or may not be trying to make some sort of nationalistic propaganda here, as - predictively - none of the soldiers chose to shirk their duty!

The action scenes are good (in the second half of the movie) - and mainly take the form of the Soviet soldiers of 9th Company, guarding convoys which are constantly being ambushed by the Mujahadeen. There are plenty of incidents which echo the issues that the US soldiers had in Vietnam, and I'm sure are prophetic for our troop in Afghanistan today.

The action culminates with a huge - and spectacular battle - but I won't give away what happens! (We are told in the end titles that this battle was based on real events, please refer to the Wikipedia entry to explore this claim further.)

Suffice to say that this movie should be on your 'Top 10' list of great war movies, though I would still say that Full Metal Jacket is better and more complete war movie.

[Regarding the subtitles: To be honest, it's an action movie, and at times the subtitles are almost superfluous, as it's obvious what's going on. My youngest daughter who hates subtitles watched it and was engrossed.]

Note for airsofters: Best of all about this film is that there is loads of reference material for your Soviet/Russian loadouts - and on how the Russian's liked to wear their kit. In particular, the AK74 Para features greatly, and there are lots of nice touches which show how this weapon was 'dressed' (with field modifications).

Overall, I would give the movie 8 out of 10

It can be had in Blockbuster video store for rent.

Related links:- 

> 9th Company - official movie website
> Wikipedia entry for '9th Company' movie (includes 'spoilers')
> Internet Movie Database entry '9th Rota' (Russian title)