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Hollywood in the 50s-70s.
I know for a fact that contemporary WW2 movies use vintage productions LLC and repo companies for consultation and supplying films with uniforms and equipment... But what about movies from 50s -70s?
I'm watching dirty dozen (my favorite WW2 movie) and I wonder if any of the uniforms they use were authentic German WW2 uniforms. Of course I've seen some shows and movies during that period where it's easy to tell they were using studio made repos.. but for certain movies... Wouldn't they get a hold of real uniforms and equipment to save time instead of fabricating repos?
I'm no expert ... But some of the props in dirty dozen look authentic. I know they used a sdkfz 251 that was real.. but what about uniforms, weapons, and other equipment?
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07-15-2023 09:33 PM
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In the early films, large quantities of original items were gobbled up. There were crates of this stuff around and film and theatrical costume companies didn’t hang about.
For example, most French Great War uniforms surviving today bear the stamps of a theatrical costumier in Angers. Most German uniforms ended their days in the stores of Sovfilm and Mosfilm (where a goodly few beaten up examples still reside). Then there are all those lovely Denisons which (along with various post-war types in the background), got progressively trashed in A Bridge Too Far... The amount of Marine Corps movies made in the post-war years are largely responsible for its scarcity today - not least the camouflage dungarees used up in The Halls of Montezuma.
Breaks your heart..
Just one of the reasons I don’t like war films.
However, one of the biggest problems facing costume houses is, oddly, ‘uniformity’. Film makers tend to want their soldiers to look pretty much the same - particularly in the background, so there is no distraction from the hero actors (a reality often not understood by re-enactor extras who ‘want to do it right’).
The story has to come first.
As time goes on, the attrition and value of original uniforms and equipment, and, not least, the range of precise sizes required by actors and supporting artistes, has meant that uniformity can only be practically achieved with the large scale manufacture of replicas - ably provided by dedicated film costumiers, the various re-enactment supply companies and specialist tailors.
Imagine trying to kit out Vin Diesel in an all original uniform... within your budget... to a very short deadline!
Props companies are constantly on the lookout for useful and interesting things, original or not (if it looks the part, they need it for an upcoming production, and it’s in budget, they’ll take it), and productions certainly still use original items (most commonly props), though uniforms tend to be reproductions due to the size issues and necessary ‘newness’ of the items in close up and HD.
The same goes for armourers, who now routinely use original, or ‘practical’, weapons up front, and robust, high-density cast rubber examples in the background and for stunts.
It all comes down to practicality; quantity needed, budget and time!
Last edited by Kohima; 07-16-2023 at 07:15 PM.
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Well said sir!
I knew it!! Some "costumes" I see in some of these older movies look too close to the original to be a studio fabrication in the 50s.
But I do relate to your pain.. knowing a lot of originals were butchered by studios.. ugh.
Wow thanks for the info! Very informative!
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My vote goes to Decision Before Dawn, 1951. An endless showing of original combat uniforms, camo parkas, helmets and headgear, an Army crusher and some MP44s. Fun to watch closely. Spies and intrigue.
Decision Before Dawn - Wikipedia
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Quote: "My vote goes to Decision Before Dawn, 1951. An endless showing of original combat uniforms, camo parkas, helmets and headgear, an Army crusher and some MP44s. Fun to watch closely. Spies and intrigue."
Great movie Bill, and some fantastic period items being worn throughout the whole movie...
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Wow I gotta check that movie out! Never heard of it. But sounds good!
Has anyone seen these:
Generation war
Generation War - Wikipedia
Anthropoid
Anthropoid (film) - Wikipedia
None have real items but wow! These are great! Especially anthropoid! I haven't seen a good WW2 movie in a looooong time since.. but this one blew me away!
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by
rusted180
Wow I gotta check that movie out! Never heard of it. But sounds good!
Has anyone seen these:
Generation war
Generation War - Wikipedia
Anthropoid
Anthropoid (film) - Wikipedia
None have real items but wow! These are great! Especially anthropoid! I haven't seen a good WW2 movie in a looooong time since.. but this one blew me away!
Anthropoid is fantastic. I've seen the last 2 or 3 versions of it. The last one I saw in the theatres a few years ago. I think you would like it. Even the dungeon may have a showing in some theatre. In Chgo, the Music Box used to show old movie reruns. Saw Taxi Driver there and it was a treat to see on a big screen! And as far as original militaria in early movies goes, As Mr. Lyons said, you bet they used original kit! Funny thing is, nowadays some collect fake military from war movies. I knew a local collector that had Matt Damon's uniform from Saving Private Ryan. Fake but cool
In this world there's two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig. CE
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Now that is cool! I would love to have major hellstrom's allgemeine uniform from inglorious bastards! Now that character was sinister!!
There was more than one version of anthropoid? One I saw was the most recent one. Are there like different cuts of it?
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Btw... I cannot believe anthropoid got semi bad reviews in the u.s.!!
I thought the movie was great! Even if I wasn't a WW2 collector... I think I would have loved it! It was a very good movie! These critics don't know jack squat!
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