tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post5888796318464292889..comments2024-03-27T18:40:05.920+02:00Comments on TSorensen 1001 movie blog: Fires were Started (I Was a Fireman) (1943)TSorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-71882203070390678622014-01-10T08:57:39.559+02:002014-01-10T08:57:39.559+02:00Thank you for your comment. That definitely adds t...Thank you for your comment. That definitely adds to the authenticity of the film. It is awesome when you find relatives in historic pieces like this one. It cannot have been without danger to be a firefighter in London during the war.<br />TSorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-75380354075681184912014-01-10T01:31:17.854+02:002014-01-10T01:31:17.854+02:00My grandfather is in the film. You can see him tow...My grandfather is in the film. You can see him towards the end leaning against a wall havingn a smoke. The people in the film were serving fire end and members of the AFS (like my GF was) and were only used when there was no bombing. It was for a period of three weeks and was filmed on location near the river so they could have rejoined their companies if needed.<br /><br />Hope that helpsmickeyjackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11669576982959476760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-69940955568397740272013-06-11T08:34:59.481+03:002013-06-11T08:34:59.481+03:00Don't be sorry, Chip. You are perfectly entitl...Don't be sorry, Chip. You are perfectly entitled to that impression.<br /><br />While this is obviously propaganda, a reality painted to the liking of the producer, I think they went a long way to make it as real as possible. The fire is a reconstruction. There is just no way they could film during a real bombardment. That is not so different from how documentaries are made today. But they went to great pains to give it authenticity. I think that the choice to use real proffesionals at the cost of acting skills gave it credibility and I actually did not find the acting particularly wooden. <br />Concerning taking out firefighters to make a film you have to look at the timing. The Blitz of London was primarily 1940-41. By 42 the attacks had pettered out as the planes were needed in Russia. The bombardments did not actually stop until late 44 but it would never get as intense again so if the firefighting capacity was scaled up to cope with the Blitz, they would by 42-43 have an over-capacity and could allocate men and equipment for a film. <br />At the same time 42 marked a low point in the war for the Allies. There was a definite need to boost morale at home and that need was probably bigger than the need for firefighters.<br />TSorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-52939671292120232812013-06-11T08:22:48.414+03:002013-06-11T08:22:48.414+03:00Well, clearly I am quite alone with my positive ap...Well, clearly I am quite alone with my positive appreciation of this film, so I will not promise too much. I liked it and was very pleased to see. It is always good to go into a film with low expectations.TSorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12208153011927807857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-64394880077698313002013-06-10T20:20:39.429+03:002013-06-10T20:20:39.429+03:00I'm afraid I didn't have the same reaction...I'm afraid I didn't have the same reaction to this film. First, I don't see it as a documentary at all because all of the people are attempting to act parts in a fictional story. And that's my biggest problem with the movie - all of these people are obviously non-professional actors and it shows with the wooden deliveries of their lines. My second problem with it is that I couldn't help but question the waste of firemen and material making this film instead of having them fight the real fires being caused by the bombings.<br /><br />Sorry.Chip Laryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00787403805554027107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2746502363551524682.post-56510619682914539332013-06-10T14:40:19.854+03:002013-06-10T14:40:19.854+03:00Hm. The first time I saw this it left little impr...Hm. The first time I saw this it left little impression. When I watch it again, I'll definitely bear your comments in mind. Thanks!siochembiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11487373396181856763noreply@blogger.com