When the Levees Broke – A Requiem In Four Acts (Documentary)

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1. C. O. DeRiemer

   October 17, 2010 at 8:05 pm

   Review by C. O. DeRiemer for The Sea Wolves (Keep Case)
   Rating:
   The Sea Wolves has a number of problems, not just the main bearing. Andrew McLaglen directed the movie, a WWII adventure of spies and explosives set primarily in Goa’s harbor. Three German merchant ships have been interned there, on the west coast of India. Suspiciously, Allied ships are being torpedoed in the area. Look for a German spy operation to learn British shipping schedules and routes; then a way to send that information to the merchant ship that has a transmitter; then a relay to waiting German subs. The British must take action…but Goa is Portuguese. That means neutral. So the Calcutta Light Horse, a part-time territorial unit that is proud of being part of the Raj is recruited. “They haven’t seen action in 40 years. You’re talking about a mixed bag of boozing, middle-aged, pot bellied businessmen,” says a brigadier. “No argument,” says Gregory Peck, playing Colonel Lewis Pugh, “but when the war started every man jack of them volunteered for active service.” Their colonel is William Grice (David Niven). While Captain Gavin Stewart (Roger Moore) of British Special Secret Operations deals with the spies on land, Colonel Pugh, of British Secret Special Operations (or something like that), will lead the Light Horse to board and destroy the German ships.

   McLaglen at his best turned out movies like The Wild Geese, The Devil’s Brigade, Bandolero! and several of John Wayne’s late middle age westerns. Many were reliable commercial hits, but without an original thought in any of them. They’re all skillfully composed of clichés, manly joshing, scenic photography and action. The Sea Wolves might be worth its two hours, but the movie is strictly a professional, commercial and predictable enterprise.

   Besides McLaglen’s unimaginative commercial competence, The Sea Wolves suffers from its structure, and that means it suffers from its two leads. Peck was 64 and looks it. He undoubtedly was hired to sell tickets in the American market. His British accent varies between nonexistent to jarringly phony: “We’re looking for awnsers” “We will keep to the shedjool.” Roger Moore at 53 is beginning to need careful lighting to keep the illusion of being 10 years younger. He gives us only more of Moore, a smooth operator who dresses well, is always charming, and speaks smirking innuendo to the ladies. At one point Moore is shot in the elbow and still puts on his dinner jacket unassisted. You have to admire a man like that. Peck and Moore both try for the old English upper-class insouciance, gallantry-in-the-face-of-danger sort of thing. We wind up with a movie that for its first third is Peck and Moore together developing the plan, then Moore for the second third taking out spies, and then the last third with Peck leading the action to board and destroy.

   As usual with McLaglen, there are some effective scenes…obtaining and putting in shape a rusting hulk that will transport the Light Horse to the German ships…a spy who prefers a knife to end discussions…the determination of Trevor Howard…one or two sad scenes that work…the final ten minutes which is all action. But then there is that awful stiff-upper-lip “English” dialogue written by Reginald Rose, an American. The Light Horse serves up at every opportunity quantities of manly joshing and kidding, seasickness and terrible cooking, and instant volunteering by each man for the most dangerous tasks. At two hours, however, the three-part story, sluggish pacing (especially with Moore’s adventures), and Peck’s accent drain away any consistent excitement.

   David Niven at 70 is the only one of the three stars who seems quite at home with this sort of thing. The occasion, however, is sad. Niven already was showing signs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, from which he would die three years later. The Sea Wolves also features a number of aging British actors playing members of the Light Horse. Although their dialogue, joshing and over-aged running about can make a person squirm in sympathy for them, it’s still nice to see Trevor Howard, Terrence Longdon, Moray Watson, John Standing, Allan Cuthbertson, Percy Herbert and Donald Houston, as well as Patrick McNee.

   The movie is subtitled “The Last Charge of the Calcutta Light Horse.” It really happened. The DVD transfer looks fine. There are no extras.

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2. D. K. Hingle

   October 17, 2010 at 7:44 pm

   Review by D. K. Hingle for The Sea Wolves (Keep Case)
   Rating:
   I first saw this film on HBO. I tuned in because two long-time favourites (Roger Moore & Patrick Macnee) were listed. I watched it over several times, bought it on VHS, and now own it on DVD.

   This is based on a true event in WWII, when the British were losing cargo to a U-Boat pack in the Indian Ocean. Since the problem stemmed from the neutral Portugese port of Goa, nothing ‘official’ could be done. The Calcutta Light Horse, a group of retired British military, are recruited to do the impossible, and pulled it off. The event was declassified in 1980, and the film was made. Most of the cast is portraying actual persons involved, as shown in the end credits.

   To play the ‘past prime’ Light Horse members, the film recruited major names: David Niven, Trevor Howard, Kenneth Griffith, Morgan Sheppard, Patrick Allen, Glyn Houston, and a cadre of others you will know. The “thin on top, thick in the middle” troops are led by professional soldiers Gregory Peck, Roger Moore, and Patrick Macnee. Peck plays Col. Lewis Pugh, a colonel whose family was in Coventry when it was plastered by the Luftwaffe. Moore plays Capt. Gavin Stewart, a bit of a playboy who falls for local lovely spy Barbara Kellerman. Macnee plays Major “Yogi” Crossley, the explosives expert fond of reading the paper while standing on his head. All cast members are well up to the task. Most memorable of the supporting cast is Wilton who is charged with nursing the engines of their rather creaky craft. When told he has to stay on the ship rather than going aboard the target vessel, Wilton says: “Request permission to say, ‘S–t’ sir.”

   The fun is watching these men train for the mission; the suspense is watching them perform it. To a man, the whole Light Horse volunteered for the mission, despite knowing there was no pay, recognition, medals, or any form of compensation. With only one fatality, despite overwhelming odds and several casualties, they manage.

   The only flaw of the film, for me, is Peck’s British accent which is overdone when present and tends to fade in and out. Director Andrew McLaglen should have dispensed with it entirely. (MacLaglen also directed Moore in ‘fflokes,’ another offbeat role for The Saint whose name was Bond.)

   Action, humour, romance, suspense – all based on a true story – this one has it all, including a title & credit sequences of the actual event.
   

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3. Forrest R. Hansen

   October 17, 2010 at 7:26 pm

   Review by Forrest R. Hansen for The Sea Wolves (Keep Case)
   Rating:
   Gregory Peck, Roger Moore and David Niven are the lead actors in this true story having taken place in WW II in India and Goa. It is shot on location where it happened, giving great authenicity to the scenes and how they took place. I think just about every older English actor who has appeared in any war films is present here. This was one of the reasons I liked the film. A gathering of “old” friends in one place from the other films gives it credence as you know they are well trained, in a way. This is sort of like “The Wild Geese”, same cast of characters in the support roles. The print of the film in 1.85 to 1 letterbox is of great quality. The surround sound works well. While the subject matter of getting the sinking of ships stopped is serious, there are many very funny spots as the older men of the Light Horse get geared up for war after 40 some years. There is one especially tender moment when David Niven is shaving at 5am and his wife is worried about another woman. Both Gregory Peck and Roger Moore play their respective characters believably. Not sure why they didn’t check one character out…………

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4. Anonymous

   October 17, 2010 at 6:44 pm

   Review by for The Sea Wolves (Keep Case)
   Rating:
   This film is a throwback to the classic war films pre-Saving Private Ryan. Since that film, a very good one I might add, Hollywood has attempted to out-blood n’ gore itself with each new war movie. Well that’s certainly a part of war, possibly THE single most important part at the personal level of conflict, but it’s not necessary for a film to entertain. If all you want is to see suffering, spend a Friday night at any inner city ER. No, The Sea Wolves is something more. It tells the tale of a band of aged Boer War veterans enlisted by the British Special Operations Executive to conduct a clandestine raid on a German merchant ship transmitting intelligence to U-boats cruising the Indian Ocean. As is usually the case with Hollywood, the film takes some liberties with the actual event but it is quite entertaining nonetheless. David Niven is superb, as always. Gregory Peck’s role was equalling well done, if one can excuse the rather poor English accent that tends to fade in and out. The tongue-in-cheek, very British exchanges between he and Roger Moore are quite enjoyable. I hadn’t seen this movie in 20+ years and it is as entertaining as ever. I’m happy to see that lesser known films like The Sea Wolves are making it onto DVD. Just don’t expect lots of body parts flying about or language that would make Mike Tyson blush.

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5. L. Shirley

   October 17, 2010 at 5:48 pm

   Review by L. Shirley for The Sea Wolves (Keep Case)
   Rating:
   This review refers to the DVD(WB) edition of “The Sea Wolves”….

   The neutral waters off Goa, a Portuguese colony in India, is the setting for this unusual but true war story.And what’s more unusual are the heroes of this dangerous mission.

   It is 1943, and German merchant ships are relaying information to U-boats as to the whereabouts of Allied war vessels. The German merchants being in waters considered neutral are all but impossible to stop.Two officers(Gregory Peck/Roger Moore) of a unique British Military organazation, are assigned to the task of putting an end to these deadly exploits.They turn to a group of seniors who are veterans but haven’t seen action in over 40 years. These guys spend most of their time trying to stay on their Polo ponies at their little country club. They are “The Calcutta Light Horse”. Most would give their right arms to see action again, and now they will have their chance…Their mission..to board the German Vessels and destroy them!

   Led by one of their own(David Niven),they jump at the chance to help the war effort, and head fearlessly into danger,and face tense situations with bravery and humor and become heroes once again.The “Sea Wolves” is great war story, that is based on actual events, and will have you smiling and rooting for the good guys all the way through. And of course with Moore involved,you know there will be some romance as well!

   You can’t go wrong with this cast, who only get better and better with age. Also included are Patrick MacNee and Trevor Howard.It was directed by Andrew McLaglen and based on the book “Boarding Party” by James Leasor.It was beautifully filmed on location in India.

   Warner Bros. has made a nice transfer to the DVD. The picture is clear and sharp and may be viewed in Widescreen, or a Standard format.The colors are good, the ocean sparkles as does Peck’s smile. The stereo surround sound is very good, although the dialouge is a little low at times, but clear and distinguishable for the most part. There are no Special features, but may be viewed with English or French subtitles.

   Spend some time with these dapper Gents, you’ll have fun doing it…..Laurie

   also recommended:A Bridge Too Far

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6. Linda Linguvic

   October 17, 2010 at 5:03 pm

   Review by Linda Linguvic for When the Levees Broke – A Requiem In Four Acts (Documentary)
   Rating:
   Directed by Spike Lee, this documentary bears witness to the tragedy of Katrina, the ineptitude of the U.S. government, and the very human drama that affected so many people in the city of New Orleans. Using images that will tear at your heartstrings, archival footage, music and lots of individual stories, this is a full exploration of exactly what happened.

   There’s lots of anger here, and lots of sadness. Death and horror seem to be everywhere There’s a man who tells the story of how his elderly mother died while they were seeking immediate shelter in the Superdome and how, four days later when he was finally evacuated he had to leave her body. People were herded like animals into the Superdome for days and days. There was no water, no food, no working bathrooms. It was hot and humid. There was no escape. Other people were left on ramps above the highways and when they tried to walk off, they were met with guns from residents who didn’t want them in their neighborhood. Reports of looting were everywhere. And the mayor and governor were arguing about what had to be done. Where was the U.S. government? Why were they able to send help to victims of the Tsunami the year before in Indonesia and could not send troops to help their own people.

   Every single aspect of the Katrina story is horrible. There’s even a segment when the cameras focused on the bloated bodies found in the aftermath. Later, even after the worst was over, the trailers that people were promised took six months to get. And families were split up when they were evacuated to other states. Then, the insurance companies reneged on paying insurance claims. It was just one awful thing after another.

   Some of it can be blamed on the endemic racism that has always been present in New Orleans. Most of the people in the film who were affected the worst were African Americans, although there certainly were many whites with equally horrible stories. Mostly, though, all of these people were poor. They didn’t have the means to run from the city as they didn’t own cars. All of them had been through hurricanes before. They had sat them out then. They had survived. But Katrina was different.

   Applause to Spike Lee for making this film! He doesn’t appear in it but it certainly shows his unique view of the world. Of course I had seen news footage in the past and I remember following the story as it was happening. But this film took not only summed it all up, it added historical perspective and introduced individuals who, by the end of the program, I could identify with.

   Yes, this documentary will haunt your dreams. You will be saddened. But see it anyway. Just be prepared for the worst.

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7. Adam J. Fernandes

   October 17, 2010 at 4:23 pm

   Review by Adam J. Fernandes for When the Levees Broke – A Requiem In Four Acts (Documentary)
   Rating:
   I’ve heard this criticism of Spike before this and I have never understood where it has come from. I guess if you spend your life and career documenting lives and creating stories about people that society has left behind, and if a large portion of those depicted have been black, I guess you get called a “racist!” Spike does see racism everywhere but let me ask you this: what black man of his age, who grew up where he grew up, doesn’t have some of those tinges simply from being burned by the system? Every writer pours some of himself into everything he does, fictional or not.

   I watched Hurricane Katrina and the various reports on CNN and other news outlets with a dull horror thinking about a National Geographic doc I had seen in 97 or 98 about hurricanes and tornados. They predicted, especially a through a chilling and prophetic artist’s conception, exactly what happened in New Orleans in 05. An weather offical (I can’t remember his offical post) said the levee’s were a “two edged sword.” If the water ever went over them, the water would get as deep as the levee’s are tall. That’s exactly what happened. As Spike points out in his excellent commentary that’s like, as the best commentaries are, having a second movie included, that’s what caused the destruction. Hurricane Katrina side-swiped New Orleans.

   Through stunning interviews with most of the prinicipals involved with this tragedy, from Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco to Shelton “Shakespeare” Alexander and Wynton Marsalis, he cuts to the main human tragedy at the heart of the story. There are more black people in this doc than white people but hey, that’s the majority of the people that got screwed by their government, from all sources except for the Coast Guard. There’s enough historical information to answer questions and it’s long enough (FOUR HOURS!) to give enough time to everybody to say their peace.

   My favorite moments include Soledad O’Brien’s “interorgation” of Michael Brown that shows what happens when reporters have the guts to ask tough questions and see through the lies and the avoidance that politicians always do when their backed into a corner by the truth. The analysis of the levee’s and the warnings that were basically ignored by President Bush the day before the storm.

   Spike’s commentary is funny as well as insightful to his filmaking process. He proved to me that he wasn’t racist when he says things like, “George Bush doesn’t care about poor white people either.” over footage of two white women talking in front of one of there torn down houses. He praises the two white guys who told Dick Cheney to go **** himself in Misissippi as well as the white lady who told Condie Rice “How dare you!” while she was shopping for shoes the day after the storm.

   This documentary does what all good documentaries do. They answer questions while raising more while at the same time raising your awareness above and beyond where it was before.

   Bravo Spike!!

   By the way, the single largest death toll from a hurricane was in Galveston, Texas in 1900. The death toll from that was over 6,000 from a total population in the town from a little over 37,000! That is the greatest natural disaster in US history. Check out “Isaac’s Storm” for more info.

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8. J. L LaRegina

   October 17, 2010 at 3:50 pm

   Review by J. L LaRegina for When the Levees Broke – A Requiem In Four Acts (Documentary)
   Rating:
   Phyllis Montana LeBlanc for President! Or, at least Secretary of Keeping It Real. Ms. LeBlanc, a passionate and articulate victim of the 2005 New Orleans flood, is one of many Big Easy residents who appears in the Spike Lee mega-documentary film WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE. Her commentary proves to be one of many unforgettable aspects of this must-see work.

   Of course, by calling New Orleans residents victims of the August 2005 floodwaters, I oversimplify. As WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE documents, for forty years responsible powers knew the New Orleans levees could not withstand the pressure of a hurricane such as Katrina but did nothing. The Bush administration and F.E.M.A., who knew what was going to happen days in advance of the hurricane, did nothing. And when the storm subsided and people needed rescue, food, and water, the Bush gang and F.E.M.A. dragged their feet, allowing preventable death and misery for several days before acting.

   WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE cuts no corners telling its story. About the only lowlight of those tragic summer 2005 days it misses is Laura Bush’s telling comment, where she referred to the storm as “Hurricane Corrina” at least twice in the same interview.

   While the illegal, immoral war in Iraq got most of the credit for the fall of the Republicans in the 2006 elections, the federal government’s willful disregard for New Orleans had to be on voters’ minds, too. As I write this in March 2007, Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco has announced she will not seek re-election because of low poll numbers, so it seems the people are repaying Republican Lite Democrats such as Ms. Blanco, too. WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE closes with the Fats Domino song, “Walking To New Orleans.” Another Fats Domino song, “So Long,” speaks to the responsible public office holders who knew what could happen but turned a blind eye. May they get theirs.

   See WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE.

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9. K. Harris

   October 17, 2010 at 3:04 pm

   Review by K. Harris for When the Levees Broke – A Requiem In Four Acts (Documentary)
   Rating:
   This may seem like an absolutely ridiculous thing to say–but I wanted to approach “When The Levees Broke” with a totally open mind. While the flooding of New Orleans is easily one of the greatest disasters in American history, it is also one of the most politically charged subjects of recent years. While I’ve never found Spike Lee to be the most balanced of directors, I was curious to see how his epic documentary about the aftermath of Katrina would fare. I’m pleased to report that a concerted effort was made to include alternating viewpoints and perceptions. That’s why I attempted to leave my own preconceived ideas on the doorstep–I wanted to judge this piece on its merit as opposed to its (or my) political agenda.

   Basically, “Levees” is constructed in four episodes–each roughly an hour. Part 1 details the incoming storm and its initial impact on the area. Here we see rescue efforts amid the flooding and many harrowing images of people just trying to survive. Part 2 deals with the immediate aftermath, as the evacuees are staged throughout the city awaiting assistance. Here, we start to share in the real frustration of everyone that assistance is slow and, in some cases, nonexistent. Part 3 documents a period of time where the evacuees adjust–waiting for a chance to return to their homes and/or rejoin their families. And Part 4 comes as people start to return to the city–to the horrors and reality that all is lost. The latter parts continue to focus on opportunities missed by FEMA to care for the victims, the Corps of Engineers to adequately defend the city, and the insurance companies who failed to make good on their obligations.

   But most of the criticism is left for the national government and, in particular, the Bush administration. And, again, whatever your political leanings–this is definitely a topic that needs to be examined. Through news footage and interviews from major participants including Mayor Naggin and Governor Blanco, you get a real perspective on what was going on behind the scenes. It may not be the most flattering portrait one could hope for–but it is surprisingly fair. And it is necessary to view our shortcomings as a nation facing disaster–if, for no other reason, than to prevent them from happening again.

   It is heartbreaking what was left in the wake of Katrina. But it’s even more upsetting to think it may have been prevented–or at least, after the storm, given more import by those who might have made a difference. Many of the documentary’s subjects are New Orleans residents who put a human and personal touch on the catastrophe–and Lee has, thankfully, selected a diverse group from different socioeconomic backgrounds. That’s what makes “Levees” most effective–looking at a broad canvas.

   Most of the interviewees are noticeably and justifiably frustrated by the situations and much political talk ensues. I think the criticisms, in most cases, are apt. However, the one thing I wished “Levees” would have done more is to acknowledge the stellar support from individuals who made a difference working within the organizations that are widely being disparaged. There were many people who worked within the system who were not villains–yet these people (many who worked for months on the streets of New Orleans or with the evacuees) are largely dismissed. This is a shame for them and a blemish on an otherwise exemplary documentary. KGHarris, 11/06.

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10. Grinndigo

    October 17, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    Review by Grinndigo for When the Levees Broke – A Requiem In Four Acts (Documentary)
    Rating:
    I remember my mom saying you never know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes. This documentary achieves this goal – we walk a mile in the shoes of those who live in New Orleans just before, during and after hurricane Katrina. Particular attention is paid to the shameful five days after Katrina when our government did nothing to help the people of New Orleans who were stranded with no electricity, food or water.

    I learned so much from this documentary about the spirit of New Orleans, the people that make up this unique place and how they were failed by local, state and federal government. It is astonishing. Spike Lee showed intense respect for the people of New Orleans, he did what he does best in the background completely hidden. He let the people speak for themselves and he made the correct choices. He let people of all income levels, races, and walks of life speak about what happened in intensely personal ways through the lenses of their own experiences. More importantly he let them speak in their own words including profanity, frustration, racial slurs, and raw emotion as well as through prayer, song and music and thoughtful criticism.

    He also exposed the shameful inaction of the federal government. There were interviews with New Orleans Mayor Ray Naggin, the Louisiana Governor, Lt. Governor, former mayor, Al Sharpton, Harry Belafonte and many other local politicians. The most surprising and eloquent critique came from Al Sharpton. Both his media critique which was thoughtful and fair (referring to American citizens who were displaced by Katrina as refugees) and his reaction to Barbara Bush’s comments about how the hurricane was better for the poor people who relocated to Texas (not a direct quote – what she said was much more insensitive) while she was being interviewed in the Houston arena in front of the New Orleans natives.

    He includes famous and notable people including, Sean Penn, Michael Eric Dyson, Harry Belefonte and others sharing their insights but he never let’s the expert, famous or intellectual voices take over; he never forgets the focus is the people of New Orleans. In this documentary you can feel his deep respect for them.

    He gives a picture of their lives before, a history of New Orleans culture and what makes it unique and he uses the notable and learned effectively to set the background and add to the viewers understanding of what makes New Orleans special. The expert voices add to our picture of the issues related to Katrina but are not the primary source of information about the people of New Orleans and what happened during and after Katrina. New Orleans natives are the source of information about the experience of Hurricane Katrina and Spike Lee works hard to ensure that they are the focus. The experts are like a group of spices they add flavor but don’t change the substance of the dish; he uses experts to shed light on the story but never supplants or marginalizes the people who lived it in the discussion of Katrina and its lasting impact. This is part of what makes this documentary so powerful is you hear from people who lived it and are still living it.

    He also uses actual news footage and interviews members of the media who covered Katrina including Soledad O’Brien and the radio talk show host who did the now famous interview with Mayor Naggin which is credited with embarrassing and shaming the Bush Administration into action; Lee chooses not to include the entire interview but it is available online.

    Spike Lee also explores the power of the institution of the Presidency and how important it can be when wielded properly on behalf of citizens in need. It matters what the President and members of his administration were doing while people suffered and died for five days after the hurricane. President Bush on vacation, VP Cheney was out fishing, Condoleezza Rice buying shoes and seeing Spam-A lot while people suffered and died. Lee finds a contrasting example in President Lyndon Johnson. Johnson, another Texan, went to the Gulf region after a hurricane in the middle of the night with a flashlight to tell the people that he was their President and to lend aid and comfort right away; he put citizens above ego and he was there.

    Spike Lee did what many documentary makers struggle to do, he found a way to let viewers like me share in the experience depicted on film. While I watched this documentary I walked in their shoes and I will be forever changed by this glimpse into their lives.

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