Any good movies for British army?

You know, i've been thinking and in every Napoleonic/Revolution/Seven Years War movie that i've ever seen, the British Army gets jipped. They're either stiff and incompetent (Last of the Mohicans) evil and incompetent (The Patriot) or just plain incompetent (Barry Lyndon). And worse, they're portrayed as red-coated Nazis marching around in straight lines and getting slaughtered by a man and his two pre-pubescent children. *cough*Patriot*cough*. Really, is there any good war movie that portrays the 18-19th century British army in it's full splendour as a finely tuned, high efficient fighting machine?

No army was in it's full splendour or a very effective fighting machine that wore the 18th century equivalent of a hunting safety vest and marched through forests knowing you've got some of the best shots after you, and thier not going to rush out at you. They've got Kentucky Longrifles, descended from Pennsylvania Longrifles, descended from the finest German rifles of the time. And you've got some of the finest Native American warriors and some of the finest Colonials, who've spent thier lives hunting with these beautiful weapons. Add that to the fact they are also some of the finest guerillas in the world, and you've got a pretty one sided conflict.

Your nationalism is getting really old, it was cute in the Mudpit but now that your meddling with historical affairs, it's crossed the line.

Originally Posted by The Sword of Cao Cao

No army was in it's full splendour or a very effective fighting machine that wore the 18th century equivalent of a hunting safety vest and marched through forests knowing you've got some of the best shots after you, and thier not going to rush out at you. They've got Kentucky Longrifles, descended from Pennsylvania Longrifles, descended from the finest German rifles of the time. And you've got some of the finest Native American warriors and some of the finest Colonials, who've spent thier lives hunting with these beautiful weapons. Add that to the fact they are also some of the finest guerillas in the world, and you've got a pretty one sided conflict.

I so do hope your being sarcastic here.

Originally Posted by The Sword of Cao Cao

No army was in it's full splendour or a very effective fighting machine that wore the 18th century equivalent of a hunting safety vest and marched through forests knowing you've got some of the best shots after you, and thier not going to rush out at you. They've got Kentucky Longrifles, descended from Pennsylvania Longrifles, descended from the finest German rifles of the time. And you've got some of the finest Native American warriors and some of the finest Colonials, who've spent thier lives hunting with these beautiful weapons. Add that to the fact they are also some of the finest guerillas in the world, and you've got a pretty one sided conflict.

Your nationalism is getting really old, it was cute in the Mudpit but now that your meddling with historical affairs, it's crossed the line.

It was a finely tuned, highly efficient fighting machine as 18th century armies go. May I also remind you that it was the British that treated the Natives as allies, rather than savages? I still maintain that without the proffesionalizing effort of France and Spain, the Americans would of been unable to win their revolution. Before Saratoga, Britain controlled most of the coast, the Navy had uncontested dominance and all of the prominent ports. Quite valuabe strategic assets. You were saved by foreign countries realizing Britain wasn't invincible after Saratoga. Without their help, decisive battles such as Yorktown would not of been possible, and the war would of dragged on and on and on. Americans would've inflicted high casualties, but would ultimately lose after a lengthy fight. I just don't think they had the capabilities to wage a successful war of independence without foreign aide, as provided by France and Spain. Guerilla fighters they were, and good ones at that, but guerillas cannot take a city. And with the Crown in control of all major population and trading centers, the guerillas are in bad shape. To take an 18th century city, you have to fight in open ground, conventionally, and that's when the regulars would slaughter oh so many revolutionaries.

Originally Posted by Eric

You know, i've been thinking and in every Napoleonic/Revolution/Seven Years War movie that i've ever seen, the British Army gets jipped. They're either stiff and incompetent (Last of the Mohicans) evil and incompetent (The Patriot) or just plain incompetent (Barry Lyndon). And worse, they're portrayed as red-coated Nazis marching around in straight lines and getting slaughtered by a man and his two pre-pubescent children. *cough*Patriot*cough*. Really, is there any good war movie that portrays the 18-19th century British army in it's full splendour as a finely tuned, high efficient fighting machine?

Thats usually what they were (red coated Nazi's). Other than that, you can't blame American movies for toning down the professionalism of the Brits a wee bit.

Originally Posted by Sétanta

Thats usually what they were (red coated Nazi's). Other than that, you can't blame American movies for toning down the professionalism of the Brits a wee bit.

Just like the Americans.. Desert camo'd Nazi's that can't win a war.

not 18th century but zulu is a good movie

The various Sharpe TV Episodes based on Bernard Cornwall's books at a pinch

Sharpe does quite accurately portray the 18th and early-19th century British army. There are about 20 hour long shows, or alternatively, 20 many hour long books

Originally Posted by Shyam Popat

Sharpe does quite accurately portray the 18th and early-19th century British army. There are about 20 hour long shows, or alternatively, 20 many hour long books

The only problem I have watching the Sharpe series is that, after reading all the books with decriptions of the real life set piece battles that took place at the time between thousands of French/British/Spanish troops, is the fact the programmes budget does'nt run to many extras.

It always looks a bit cheap when Wellington is shown riding at the head of about 50 men.

I don't see why you hate Barry Lyndon.

Watch Waterloo.

Good point Eric the British army does get jipped. The RN has a better rep in mainstream films likeMaster and Commander and numerous WW2 films. I guess because few can really dispute historical British naval skill.

Don't get me started on the Patriot... that whole scene of the people in the burning church taken from what the SS did at Oradour-sur-Glane. Shameful.

You know, i've been thinking and in every Napoleonic/Revolution/Seven Years War movie that i've ever seen, the British Army gets jipped. They're either stiff and incompetent (Last of the Mohicans) evil and incompetent (The Patriot) or just plain incompetent (Barry Lyndon). And worse, they're portrayed as red-coated Nazis marching around in straight lines and getting slaughtered by a man and his two pre-pubescent children. *cough*Patriot*cough*. Really, is there any good war movie that portrays the 18-19th century British army in it's full splendour as a finely tuned, high efficient fighting machine?

Try the Hornblower series.
Even though they deal with the Royal British Navy, there's a good portion of red coats in it.

For you I especially recommend the 4th episode. Frogs and Lobsters.
(Though here it's the French royalists who're evil and incompetent, but I guess that doesn't bother you)

The 1939 film The Four Feathers always stirs me, it has it all- Cowardice, courage, duty, honour, sacrifice... it'll tell you more about Victorian England than a hundred books.

Note- It has lots of khaki-clad soldiers shooting, too.

C'mon guys, we're talking about movies here...

Zulu, a remarkable introspective of small unit tactics against an overwhelming native Zulu force. Somewhat creative of course but a splendid depiction of real life events of the most highly decorated Company in British Army history.
No less than eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded on that terrible yet glorious day.

This is a genuine live recording, of the choir of the Royal Regiment of Wales singing their ancient anthem of courage, in the church at Rorkes Drift (the very church where Surgeon Reynolds struggled to save the lives of the garrison) as part of a memorial of some years ago. It is one of the most stirring renditions you may ever hear.....

http://media.putfile.com/Men-of-Harlech


EDIT: This is part of my personal collection and not something that is easily found on the web. Enjoy.



Bravo!

It's not set in the 18th century, but you might want to see Lives of a Bengal Lancer. It's Orientalism at its finest, but the Brits and sepoys kick a lot of ass.

And don't get me started on The Patriot. It was tailor-made for the Middle American Wal-Mart crowd. Come to think of it, Mel Gibson has pissed me off in every movie except for the Road Warrior trilogy.

Bridge Over River Kwai, yes? Sure, not really a movie about the British army in battle - and of course it takes place right after the British army's worst defeat - but it's very nice regardless. Certainly showers lots of praise on the POWs.

Recently I've been seen more of those US armies films like The Letters of Iwo Jima or moreover Flags of our Fathers.
Both are great, but I prefer Iwo Jima a lot. Clint Eastwood is sure goin' big for his age!
Besides these films I haven't seen more army ones. Only army-related films, lol. Like uhmm... Blood Diamonds. England appears a bit...

And then Sharpe and his four chosen men jump into a ditch, kill six Frenchmen and shout "Yes! We've won the Battle of Toulouse!". Possibly before Sharpe romances yet ANOTHER haughty aristocratic lady bored of gentlemanly society and unable to withstand the ravishing potency of his sweaty, unbathed Yorkshire-peasant manliness. And then they all go home for tea and biscuits, possibly.