M-51 Sherman in the Movies

[sassgrunt]

I always thought that this version of the Sherman looked cool, but have never seen anything other than photos of models or the real ones at Latrun. I found some less-popular war movies in the $5 bin at the local big box, and bought a couple. One of these is titled "The Big Red One" and I bought it because I had never seen it before.

I was half-paying attention to the film while working on a model, when all of a sudden I saw that the Axis forces were driving around a bunch of M-51 Shermans! I don't know how many they had running for the film, but one scene shows three of them at the same time. The best scene (as far as watching the movement and listening to the sounds) was at about the 30-minute point. There are a couple other scenes later on in the film showing them again, (all of the Americans call them "Tiger tanks" and point out the "88mm gun" sticking out of a house window as one lays in ambush).

Even though it was all pretty hokey, it still WAS interesting to see and hear them running around. And although they only fired blank charges for the film; it was pretty cool to see the flames erupting from that huge muzzle brake. If you get the chance to rent the film, you might find it interesting also - whether you decide to buy the new Tamiya kit or not..

-Mike

[Saxondog]

Hey Mike. I was curious is Netflix offered in Hawaii ? They have a complete line of B War movies,often using the Russian tanks as German, They have an instant watch library as well which for 10.00 a month is worth it. I v'e slow motioned every tank in as many of these films and the aircraft as well. Pretty interesting new toy for me as only modern technology can freeze frame with clarity.

Blake

[Saxondog]

Just checked they have it in DVD Special Edition only, so I have to wait 2 days to see it. I remember seeing this before and is this the movie with James Colburn playing a SGT. Who had fought in WWI?

Sax

[sassgrunt]

Actually, it's Lee Marvin who plays the Sergeant, (Right - it starts out in WW1). Mark Hammil plays the role of a Private in his squad. Sort of like "Star Wars meets the Dirty Dozen." Not a real edge-of-your-seat movie; but it was very enjoyable to see what these tanks are like in real life. I think am leaning more towards eventually getting one of the new Tamiya ones - after I hit the lottery - than I was before I saw the film.

Yeah, we in Hawaii have pretty much everything you folks do in Tennessee...except for maybe a road that runs more than a mile in a straight line. We DO have an Interstate Highway, though - go figure. My better half has a Blockbuster account right now, but we are on the verge of getting a Netflix account in the future, I think. Thank you for the suggestion - it's gotta be cheaper to rent than to buy. -Mike

[Saxondog]

Hi Mike, I can tell you from experience NETFLIX saves money. On line in my home are 5 computers, you can watch a different movie on each one at the same time,9.95 a month. That's the instant library, then they have the DVD library where they send a movie you chose from a list. Well worth the money for me with 5 people in my home.

Last night I struggled to remember the name of the actor, Lee Marvin,why I could remember this is old age? And the roads in Hawaii certainly are not very long but what a view, I would very much rather be their than Tennessee just now,although today we have a heat wave at 38deg. Blake