Book or Film Adaptation: Classic Thriller: Night of the Fox by Jack Higgins

This post is a recommendation of three (3) books written by British author Jack Higgins (1929 - ), who is aptly described as "...one of the best-selling authors of popular thrillers and espionage novels."  I thought the excerpt from one of those books was a great way to pique your interest. 

“Rommel.” Hitler smiled a ghastly smile that was almost one of triumph.

“So, the Desert Fox wishes to play games.”

“I’m almost certain of it.”

“The people’s hero,” Hitler said. “We must handle him carefully, wouldn’t you say?”

“Or outfox him, my Fuhrer,” Himmler said softly.

“Outfox him. Outfox the Desert Fox.” Hitler smiled delightfully.“Yes, I like that, Reichsfuhrer. I like that very much indeed.”

♦ The dialogue above is extracted from “Night of the Fox”, a novel by Jack Higgins.


Almost everybody knows Harry Patterson better known as Jack Higgins. He is an international bestselling suspense thrilling author who is among the world’s most popular writers. He is remembered by many for his novel, “The Eagle Has Landed” (1975); but his book “Night of the Fox” (1986) is equally as impressive. Though his books are a work of fiction, the writer’s efforts to research the historical events on which the plots are based were painstakingly real. For example, part of his research involved actually meeting with and reviewing the diaries of a woman who was trapped in Jersey during World War II.

The book, “The Eagle Has Landed”, was adapted to film (1976) which also starred a few of my favorite actors: Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, and Donald Sutherland disguised as Polish airmen. It was a plot to kidnap Sir Winston Churchill.  Intense!

“Night of the Fox”, was also made into a movie (1990) which starred two of my favorite actors, George Peppard (as American officer, Col. Harry Martineau) and Michael York (as high-ranking German officer, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, the “Desert Fox”).

The book “The Eagle Has Flown” is a sequel to “The Eagle Has Landed”. Fans of novels by Higgins consider it worthy as a classic thriller, however, it was not adapted to film.

Nevertheless, if you are compiling a private library of WWII suspense thrillers, this 3-in-1 would be a great addition!

Jack Higgins: Three Complete Novels: The Eagle Has Landed (1975); The Eagle Has Flown (1991); Night of the Fox (1986)

• More books by Jack Higgins

Image credits: Photos found at Wikipedia. General Field Marshall Erwin Rommel in December 1943; and Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-119-08, Erwin Rommel with Adolf Hitler. Book cover at Amazon.



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Operation Chromite (2016); Historical; War; Action; Drama

"Operation Chromite," a South Korean war epic drama about the historical events surrounding the Battle of Incheon during the Korean War. A South Korean Navy Lieutenant must lead a small troop and carry out the covert "X-ray" operation, which must be successful to carry out "Incheon Landing Operation" also known as Operation Chromite.

Lee Jung-Jae plays a South Korean Navy Lieutenant.

General Douglas MacArthur commanded the operation which took place from September 15 to September 19, 1950. The Korean lieutenant infiltrated the North Korean forces and gathered crucial intelligence. The recreation of these events was accurate according to the historical records. “

Operation Chromite” effectively captures the tension and stakes of the military operation. The portrayal of the characters was very intimate and realistic. Viewers could not help but admire their courage, sacrifice, and their indomitable spirit amid the chaos and danger of war. This film is a respectful tribute to the soldiers who played a key role in shaping the course and outcome of the Korean War.

Operation Chromite streaming: where to watch online?

RATINGS:

IMDb: 6.2 out of 10 stars; MyDramaList: 7.8 out of 10 stars

Rotten Tomatoes Indie. “Battle for Incheon: Operation Chromite Official Trailer 1 (2017) - Liam Neeson Movie.” YouTube Video. YouTube, January 24, 2017. Battle for Incheon: Operation Chromite Official Trailer 1 (2017) - Liam Neeson Movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhX4HFsyFsw

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Movie Review: ‘Midway’ (2019) | A Certain Point of View, Too (Reblog)

An excellent review and comparison of two war movies both named "Midway". One released in 1976 with a powerful cast of stars including Charlton Heston and his contemporaries, released in 1976.  Per the reviewer:  "a messy mix of history and melodrama that aimed for historical accuracy but muddled it". Ouch!

The remake released in 2019. The cast? Not nearly as impressive.  Per the reviewer:  "Casual viewers will probably enjoy it; it is, after all, a film about one of the most famous U.S. victories of World War II; ... History buffs, though, will find more that is foul than fair in Midway." Uh-huh. I'm thinking that's not a compliment.

According to the movie reviewer Alex Diaz-Granados, it doesn't matter who the actors were, both films were disappointing. Quite frankly, I am very sorry to read this kind of review of a war movie. US military/war movies are for the express purpose of stoking one's patriotic fervor. It makes no sense to make a war movie that sucks! (O.o) There are veterans still alive who survived World War II. If they watch such movies, what must they think? Eh! It is what it is.  It's a movie!  If you want historical facts on record, you should probably watch a documentary.

I suppose if you just want to be entertained you should add either film to your Watch List.  But it's unlikely that you'll feel like jumping up and singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic when you get to The End.

Movie Review: ‘Midway’ (2019) | A Certain Point of View, Too

Image credit: Blu-ray cover art for Midway. (C) 2019 Lionsgate and Midway Islands Productions
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Related or Similar Content:

Movie Review: Bollywood: Mission Kashmir (2000)

Although Mission Kashmir was released more than 20 years ago, it's still a good movie.  If you have not watched it you should add it to your watch list.  

Mission Kashmir - Where to Watch and Stream - TV Guide

This is a quick movie review/recommendation of an Indian film starring some of Bollywood’s finest: Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, and others. The name of this film is "Mission Kashmir".  My alternate title for this movie is “Crayons and a Pink House”.

When Divyansh Pandey picked this topic to write about, he probably did not realize it but he picked a part of the world to write about that is of interest to me. His description of this wonderland is both charming and sad. In one instance, he calls Kashmir the “Switzerland of India” but in the title of his post, he calls this place “The Bleeding Heaven”. Extracted some profound and thought-provoking statements from the short article written by Mr. Pandey:

“Kids are picked up from school by militants and brainwashed to fight against India. For them, Its like ‘Born in Heaven brought up in hell’.”

(NOTE: The site where the article was published was shut down and I have been unable to find an online copy of the content republished elsewhere on the web.)

My interest in Kashmir developed after watching a film that was released in 2000 called “Mission Kashmir”. It was very sobering and there were two sentences or phrases that played over and over in my mind long after the movie had ended.

Movie Quote 1: “Were you dreaming of a pink house?”

Movie Quote 2: “… placing carbines instead of crayons in the hands of innocent children …”

Please bear in mind that my nationality is American, so my perspectives are that of an outsider. For me, the fragile thread of humanity extends all around the world and can so easily be snapped at any point. Kashmir, in my humble opinion, is one of those points.

A great movie! If you have not seen it, you should add it to your watch list.

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References:

Pandey, D. (2015, June 15). Kashmir: The bleeding Heaven – Bubblews. Retrieved from: bubblews.com/posts/kashmir-the-bleeding-heaven (Article unpublished.)

Shaikh, Mohammed Uzair. (2016, July 17). Tale of Kashmir: Who is entitled to the ‘bleeding heaven’ –India or Pakistan? – India. Retrieved from http://www.india.com/news/india/tale-of-kashmir-who-is-entitled-to-the-bleeding-heaven-india-or-pakistan-1337197/

Original source:  Virily.com

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War Movie Classics: The Dirty Dozen

If you are making a list of greatest war movies, The Dirty Dozen (1967) has to go on that list.  All-star cast. All-star action!  “The Dirty Dozen” is a war movie classic. 

Image credit.

This is my movie review.

Traditionally, in the United States, around Independence Day (4th of July), Memorial Day (celebrated the last Monday in May), Veterans Day (November 11), etc. television stations air military movies that are supposed to foster American patriotism. At one time FoxNews.com published a list of “The 30 Greatest War Movies of All Time”. Some of the movies I picked were on their list. Some were not. But they're still on my list for great war movies.

The Dirty Dozen (1967) is one of them. 

This is a great movie about 12 convicts being given a second chance to start life over if they serve their country on a military mission and of course if they survive. I still enjoy it every time I watch it. These two lines are the ones I still remember. 

*** (Background for the scene: There was an obvious commotion coming from the room; the definite sound of men fighting, or rather … settling their differences in the only way men know how.)

- Sergeant Clyde Bowren: [as Major Reisman exits the room ] : Whats going on, sir?

- Major John Reisman: Oh, the gentleman from the South had a question about the dining arrangements. He and his comrades are discussing place settings now.

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Cracked up (laughed) when the major said that. Some say the movie Inglorious Basterds was inspired by this movie. Well it may have been inspired but it was nowhere near as good as this classic starring some of my favorite actors: Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas and Jim Brown, to name a few. They tried to do sequels but they are not as good as the original. 

No argument that it's a classic.  But some say the movie “Inglourious Basterds ” was inspired by this movie. Inspired?  Perhaps.  Better than?  Not even close!!  Have no doubt Quentin Tarantino, the Director of "Inglorious Basterds", would say "Amen!" to my comparison.  This classic film starred some of my favorite actors: Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas and Jim Brown, to name a few.

Original source

 * * * * * * * * IN MEMORY OF * * * * * * * * 

Remembering the stars who are no longer with us. 

* Lee Marvin (February 19, 1924 – August 29, 1987) 

* Charles Bronson (November 3, 1921 – August 30, 2003) 

* Aristotelis “Telly” Savalas (January 21, 1922 – January 22, 1994) 

* Jim Brown  (February 17, 1936 – May 18, 2023)

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