We don’t do war movies the way we used to
After watching the new spy/saboteur pilot (X Company) on CBC last evening, I realize that we just don’t “do” war movies the way we used to. Too much attention to the uniforms; too little to the technology.
The premise is based on historical facts, but that whole Official Secrets Act might be hiding more of what actually happened that it should. From the most basic detail; people didn’t sit in temporary buildings near Toronto and “run” agents in Europe by short wave radio, unless propagation was astounding. The “Type 3 Mk II” can still be purchased from online auction sites, so you can do your own tests.
Ditto for trying to knock down a railway bridge, and having the detonator switch unwire at the crucial moment; the agents were amateur, but they did get more than thirty seconds training from a bubble gum comic. And why put your whole team in a church spire while the enemy triangulation van is just outside!
There. Ten minutes of the play by play done for you. Unfortunately, I’ll be back, next week. Nothing else on in that time slot.
My son hasn’t been to war (either). He spent the hour switching hands. One facepalm after another. Those console based war games get it “right” even if the TV folk don’t.
Still too cold to play outside. Maybe in a month or so. Or in another place. Winter is wasted on people like me. Wearing long slabs of wood on my feet while falling down a hill isn’t my game.
