Dunkirk (2017) FIRST TIME WATCHING | MOVIE REACTION!!

[@michaelvaldez538]

I actually really enjoyed this movie solely for the way they honored the events of Dunkirk. As someone who likes narrative storytelling I was surprised I liked this movie that had no main protagonist. I liked the many themes it showed of being a hero(Tom Hardy), not shaming those who are going through something mentally (Cilian Murphy), showing how surviving is enough, and I think my favorite storyline was of the family saving those soldiers. It was personal for citizens of Britain, true heroes.

[@CocktailFlicks]

I couldn't have said it better myself. This is how I would want to let someone know why I enjoy this movie. Thanks for stopping by!

[@michaelvaldez538]

@@CocktailFlicks I like watching reaction channels because I aim to be a screenwriter in the future so I like to see what audiences like. I’m subscribing to you guys because it’s cool when you get reactors that really dive deep into the filmmaking and writing of a story. It’s cool how you guys display notes of how the film was made and history on your videos. Keep up the good work, look forward to what you guys watch next.

[@CocktailFlicks]

@@michaelvaldez538 Wow, Thank you so much, that's very nice. We just want to give a good solid product for people like you so thank you for that. I hope you become a famous screenwriter one day, and then we can all say we were here when it happened. 😜 Welcome to the Fam!

[@le6360]

All the fishermen that got in their boats and came to help. Beautiful ❤

[@Pru1PC]

I can see why some people watched the movie and were wondering “didn’t I just see that plane crash, or the boat sink? Why are they showing it again?” They do not appreciate the artistry that Nolan and Zimmer crafted. I for one, loved it while I did not fully grasp exactly what was transpiring until rewatching the movie. It definitely takes that rewatch to see the timeline and Nolan’s vision. It is a masterpiece.

[@CocktailFlicks]

I agree. Nolan has a tendency to make his movies overly complex, but at least he has a vision. It's more than can be said for many film makers and movie studios today. Thanks for stopping by, We appreciate it!

[@spencerwattamaniuk950]

I think people that aren't familiar with Nolan's non-linear storytelling style were understandably confused. I personally didn't have any issues with the three separate timelines.

[@user-fz3sz2dj4r]

I love that final line of the speech "until the new world, with all its power and might, comes forth to the rescue and liberation of the old".

[@CocktailFlicks]

Chruchill had the best speeches. He knew how to hold a nation together in their darkest hours. Thanks for stopping by!

[@dylanmeyer6614]

The character of Mr. Dawson, the father and captain of the small vessel, was actually based on a real person named Charles Lightroller, who happened to be the 2nd Officer onboard the RMS Titanic and was portrayed in the 1997 film. He survived the sinking then served in WW1 along with the with the evacuation of Dunkirk in WW2.

[@peteralexander5744]

The smaller craft were more the target of E- and S-boats - the German equivalent of PT-boats. The sinking of a British hospital ship is accurate.

[@CocktailFlicks]

That makes more sense than U-Boats. Thanks for confirming the hospital ship sinking as well!

[@jackmac2874]

What’s not well known is that 3 weeks later 2 British and 1 Canadian division were landed in the West of France to try to reinforce the French until Allanbrooke realized the front was too large to cover and ordered the troops to reembarque. As a Canadian I am particularly pleased than Allanbrooke asked to be personally driven to ENSURE that the Canadians had received orders to reembarque. Poor communications were a major part of the problem and he made sure that no further losses happened. Thus the Canadians were part of the few fully equipped troops ready for the Germans if Sea Lion occurred.

[@theletter5664]

The French were hesitant to be allies as the royal navy destroyed the french fleet after Dunkirk to prevent German capture due to french refusal to hand them over to the British, or scuttle them, it was quotedly Churchill's biggest regret

[@CocktailFlicks]

There are no easy choices in war, and Churchill was right to be worried about those ships. The French were not making things easy up to that point, and never went on the offensive, which made for even fewer choices. Churchill begged the French to get those ships out of the Med, and they didn't. What could have been done? However, The soldiers that defended the evacuation at Dunkirk fought bravely, and made it possible for the British to get out (all things considered).

[@danielferguson3784]

Frog is British term for the French, because of similarity in the word, but also the French eat frogs, the British don't. The German plane is a Heinkel light bomber. I'm British, one of my uncles died holding the defensive line around Dunkirk, at 20 years old, only some 70 miles from where his uncle died in Ww1, also at age 20, both were called John. The French were resented because they could not hold out against the German assault, but the British needed to get as many of their own army back home as they could to defend Britain. The Royal Air Force was fighting the luftwaffe over France the whole time, as well as over the Channel, but they were not much visible to the people on the beaches. Again they had to save as many planes, & pilots to defend Britain.

[@eddhardy1054]

Guys I understand you're American but I'm genuinely surprised that our 'relationship' with the French surprises you. We have been fighting each other on and off for the best part of a thousand years (oh and yes we call them Frogs & they call us Rosbifs). 😉😊🤣

[@CocktailFlicks]

We don't pretend to know everything, so we do depend on corrections to get us there some time. However we want to understand so we can learn and not make the same mistakes over and over. If we get it wrong, we don't mean to, so we keep learning and forging ahead. Thanks for clearing it up though!

[@scarecrowman7789]

Great review. Wonderful movie and a great history for us. Cheers guys 🇬🇧

[@CocktailFlicks]

Thank you very much. Cheers to you as well!

[@AdityaKrishnan27]

Dunkirk is one of my favorite war movies, and I really loved your commentary and reaction, pointing out the practical effects as well as the historical details, and loved the occasional banters as well haha.

[@CocktailFlicks]

Thank you very much. We enjoyed the movie as well, and will be reacting to more like this next year. Thanks for stopping by!

[@eddhardy1054]

9:52...Not sure if U-boats attacked the smaller vessels but don't forget they had other offensive options they could use not just torpedoes (deck guns, light machine-guns & small arms).

[@richlisola1]

I think it was The Battle Of France 🇫🇷, the Dunkirk Evacuation was just a part of it

[@CocktailFlicks]

I believe that is correct!

[@eddhardy1054]

2:24...Just an FYI, that's not a carbine he's carrying, it's an SMLE .303 cal infantry rifle.

[@paulamatt614]

Great review guys, great film, after Dunkirk came the Battle of Britian where are brave airman had to fly up in the air time and time again to battle with the German airforce who outnumbered our airforce boys, sometimes during the battle our boys had to engage with enemy 3 or 4 times a day. To this day we still owe them so much so when a replica Spitfire and Hurricane fly over London for the Queens jubilee the crowds cheered

[@CocktailFlicks]

Thank you very much. The Battle for Britain was always one of my favorite subjects in history. The idea that this massive war machine from Germany with all its might could not break through to Britain, is amazing. Britain was exceptionally clever with the use of radar, spy networks, The as mentioned RAF, and enigma decryption at Bletchley Park. That's why whenever we watch something related to that time in history, I'm always eager to see how things were portrayed. Thanks again for stopping by, I'm happy you enjoyed the reaction!

[@eddhardy1054]

12:27...They would have closed the hatches so if the ship was holed it would take longer to sink.

[@amyw6808]

In response to your query about why the British had a mixed relationship with the French in the war, it was because they surrendered so quickly. Brits at the time felt that the French abandoned us to face Germany alone and - because of the Battle of Britain and the Blitz - we could have surrendered but didn’t and wouldn’t. Many Brits of the war generation continued to feel that resentment through to the latter 20th century. That said, there was a huge French resistance and many French people felt just as abandoned (if not more so) by the French government. The civilians and military in France weren’t given a choice and they were not generally supportive of their government’s decision. I think modern Brits recognise this.

[@CocktailFlicks]

To add to your point, The British also just elected Winston Churchill, who was the right person for the job during this time. He was constantly on the backs of the French Government to not defend against the German invasion but to attack, but they did not. This along with other reasons led to your point about the French surrendering. I was so proud of the British for their heroic and unique war efforts during the Battle for Britain. Their ingenious use of radar, spy networks, Fighter Pilots from all walks of life, the sinking of the Bismarck, all put them on a different fighting level with Germany. Of course we can't forget about the ever important geniuses at Bletchley Park. Britain should have been in charge of the war effort much earlier, maybe it would have never come to Dunkirk. Also, yes the French resistance was superb, and brave. They helped pave the way for D-Day. Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 😁

[@smal750]

talking about surrender? you mf abandonned the french and ran away like cowards and the french still had to cover you 😂you have no shame

[@mrswinkyuk]

Americans always assume it's toast being handed out. It's bread and Jam. They didn't have time or resourses to waste toasting the bread.

[@CocktailFlicks]

Ok, that's fine too. Food is food, especially in war. I was just happy they were fed as it was a very difficult time for all the boys on the beach. Thank you for stopping by!

[@matthewb9621]

Great commentary, chaps. I realise 'reaction' is more popular, but this is commentary with reaction.

[@CocktailFlicks]

Thank you very much. You're right, we went heavy on the commentary. When it comes to movies based on history, we tend to be heavier on the commentary, especially Daniel, as he has a history degree. He wants to point out all the accuracies he can

[@JimsScience]

To answer your question, no they weren't targetting the smaller craft. They had much bigger targets like destroyers. Although they did bomb and strafe things when they didn't find destroyers.

[@CocktailFlicks]

I figured that would be the case. I knew the destroyers were the real prize, along with merchant vessels, but I worried about the small boats none the less. Thanks for confirming!

[@eddhardy1054]

I think some people have issues with the use of multiple time-lines in the film

[@CocktailFlicks]

I think so too, but after a while, I was in to it personally. You're right though, it's not for everyone!

[@richlisola1]

I loved this film, one of my favorites. Unlike any war movie I ever saw, because it was about finding victory in defeat. The Battle Of France was a huge loss, but the Dunkirk Evacuation allowed Britain to fight the next battle. My one critique of the film is that Nolan’s commitment to no CGI was too deep. He was right to avoid it for the action sequences, but where it failed was in the troop numbers on the beach. I don’t think I saw even a thousand men on that beach. The crowding on the beach must’ve looked like Time Square in rush hour-Nolan could have used some CGI to make the beach seem as filled as it actually was-I didn’t believe 400,000 men walked that sand. (PS-I am dying for a depiction of Operation Hannibal, the German Kriegsmarine evacuation from East Prussia at the end of the war. Admiral Doenitz against orders, evacuated a million German civilians amidst the Navy’s own withdrawal from advancing Soviet forces, in a coordinated operation including the Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, and Navy fighting a holding operation against the Soviet East Prussian offensive. 5x as many people were evacuated. No doubt saving tens of thousands of German civilians from Soviet war crimes). I think the French complained about Nolan not representing the French well, but this was about the Dunkirk Evacuation, not the Battle of France. As for the lack of Panzers, Hitler foolishly decided not to risk his tanks and the Wehrmacht soldiers were physically exhausted. Goering promised Hitler the Luftwaffe could finish off the British, while Feldmarschall Rommel was adamant that they need to push on with the ground assault, backed by Panzers. Hitler f’d that up.

[@CocktailFlicks]

It's a good thing Hitler fowled that up, otherwise this may have had a different outcome all together. I wanted to see more of the French as well, but I understand where the focus was. I don't know what may be in store for a movie depiction on Operation Hannibal, but we will keep our eyes open. I will say that we intend to watch All quiet on the western Front in the near future. I know it is a bit different, but based on true events none the less. Thanks for your sharing your thoughts with us!

[@jpwartist]

The whole Dunkirk retreat was caused by the French. The British had an initial plan of hitting the Germans hard and fast overruled by the French plan of defending the Maginot line. It's widely believed the British all out attack plan would have worked and ended the war early.

[@varunc445]

The only negative points are that there were factual inaccuracies. However there is nothing wrong in the movie and the experience it offered in Imax 70mm 🔥

[@jackcuddihy3970]

Cillian is pronounced as if it started with a C or K, not Ch, just letting you guys know as a fellow Irishman :)

[@CocktailFlicks]

Thanks for the correction, hopefully we remember that for future videos with Cillian. I hope this did not diminish your enjoyment of the video!

[@jackcuddihy3970]

@@CocktailFlicks No not at all, it was a very good reaction! Just to help you guys with your future videos :)

[@CocktailFlicks]

@@jackcuddihy3970 Oh it will. This won't be the last reaction to a movie/show with Cillian Murphy. Thank you for stopping by!

[@magicpaul24]

If you are asking a french what does he tinks about this movie...... already in "The king" the distorsions applied to the History was already pretty insulting and with this one........ The fact that the french seem to be absent is kinda of upsetting.......... I mean no wonder that the "surrender joke" is that common of you don't even mention the part that allowed the mission Dynamo to succeed at such lengths...

[@CocktailFlicks]

The French deserve a lot of credit at Dunkirk for keeping the German forces from advancing on the beach. Their bravery saved the British, and allowed them to escape. This film was told from the British point of view, so that's the story we got. The French were vital in the success of WWII though, they made it easier to be successful in the Allied landings in Normandy, and many other missions as you mentioned!

[@vonvard]

Great reaction as usual. But I must say the British spirit held them off

[@CocktailFlicks]

Thank you very much. I have no argument against that. The History surrounding the British during WW2 is still my favorite part of the subject due to their Creative inventions, and antics that absolutely threw the Germans off the whole time. They definitely had a spirit like no other during this time period. Thanks for stopping by!

[@neoxperson7858]

Yeah, the Germans gave their soldiers meth to keep them awake, but guess what the Allies gave their soldiers and especially their bomber crews to keep them awake on long missions! :)

[@michaelmersenski6336]

Gee, I wonder! :)

[@stephanos2758]

i get that Nolan doesn't want to use cgi, but it bugs me that he didn't show the true scale and sheer number of british troops on the beach those days. they were almost half a million soldiers.

[@mrspoon6742]

I think the trust between the British and French had completely broken down. The French army was a mess unable to respond to the speed of the German attack and leaving the Brits out of the loop. And by this point it was clear the Brits were getting the hell out and cutting their losses obviously the French felt betrayed. The same almost happened in WW1 the Brits are nervous about the French allowing the British army to get cut off from the ports and therefore Britain

[@CocktailFlicks]

It's hard to blame the British in this scenario. At some point you have to take care of your army, but I have to give the French credit in the story of Dunkirk, they did hold the line the best they could, but it only got them so far. I wonder how things might have been different with better communication and cooperation between countries.

[@sandraback7809]

As you guys are so keen on WW11 and appreciate accuracy, have you seen the limited series Band of Brothers? If not, look into it. I, for one, would enjoy your reactions.

[@CocktailFlicks]

I know one of us has not seen it, and that just happens to be the one with the History Degree too. lol. We will definitely get into that series as well as The Pacific. Thank you for the recommendation!

[@karanodedara3128]

What makes this film even more scary that you can't see the Germans.

[@CocktailFlicks]

That's so true. The Germans in this movie just feel like an ominous evil closing in around the beach most of the time. and constantly destroying any hope of escape!

[@matthewb9621]

I think they did target the smaller boats as a propaganda exercise and to deter others from taking part. You hear about knof crime flooding the UK, but there has been precious few here in Leicester. If that makes sense.

[@CocktailFlicks]

I was curious about that. It makes sense that it would be part of a propaganda campaign, but still there is no honor in intentionally killing civilians, even if they are evacuating soldiers. Thank you for clearing that up, we were both curious about that!

[@edreed9189]

The Navies weren't too involved as they basically had a stalemate.

[@CocktailFlicks]

Yeah, the British Navy was strong enough to hold the channel, but Hitler was far superior in the use of U-Boats, but The Germans didn't think they could maintain control of the Channel with only U-Boats against the British Navy. Another story for sure, but important context all the same. Thanks for all your great insight today!

[@eddhardy1054]

14:07...Mate try telling anyone suffering from shell-shock that they have no reason to panic 🙄

[@CocktailFlicks]

It was just his reaction at the time, he gets it. There's no words that will calm someone down at a time like that, but what else can he say at a time like that? If you say nothing, he just panics more!

[@eddhardy1054]

@@CocktailFlicks True

[@norton7504]

My grandad was there on the beach for weeks he lost all his friends

[@CocktailFlicks]

I couldn't imagine loosing all my friends or family in war. I hope he came home and had a peaceful life when it was all over. We sure are grateful for your grandfather's service and sacrifice!

[@norton7504]

Had four kids one being my dad who was in the army

[@markbilsby5172]

Hey fellas, love to see you react to Darkest Hour

[@CocktailFlicks]

Ok, we can get that on the list. That's Gary Oldman as Churchill too. Should be interesting. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@tonychoy1406]

Only one I've seen is Saving private Ryan. Not sure if that counts lol

[@michaelmersenski6336]

It counts. It’s a great movie!

[@CocktailFlicks]

What is your favorite war movie/series?

[@edreed9189]

I know it's TV, but Band of Brothers

[@michaelmersenski6336]

@@edreed9189 I enjoyed that mini series too!

[@CocktailFlicks]

@@edreed9189 Excellent choice, also I edited our question to reflect series, sorry bout that. Thanks for all your thoughts today!

[@edreed9189]

I also recommend 'Land of hope and glory' for a good depiction of the British Home Front. John Boorman film

[@michaelmersenski6336]

I like Kelly’s Heroes, and a bridge too far!

[@lisaholder8645]

Our troops went to France to support them but they surrenderd leaving us stuck on the beaches.

[@VonAlb]

that's Charles Lightoller.. Good man, Company Man, of the White Star Line! He never told the truth of what happend on the Titanic...... but we can make him seem like a good man in this movie... BS. Dude has skeletons in his whiskey locker. Multiple ship wreckes in his past.

[@robertfraser845]

the old british sordfish helped sink the bismark

[@elliotadams3402]

It's an impressive film and I enjoyed your reaction. But I really think the artistic integrity of it all hamstrung it as a film, like the time-distortion shenanigans, the commitment to not using CGI undermining the scale of it..

[@CocktailFlicks]

So many people feel the same way about the style of the movie, and the use of multiple time lines to tell the story. I know it's Christopher Nolan's style, but a little CGI, and less time line jumping would have gone along way. Thanks for stopping by!

[@charliemarqfj]

The buildings near the beach would have been bombed. Not intact. Just underwhelming the beach scene. 6/10.

[@CocktailFlicks]

That's true, about the structures in Dunkirk surrounding the beaches. I too was underwhelmed at the lack of soldiers on the beach, CGI could have fixed that in the smallest of ways, but Christopher Nolan chose not to use it.

[@matthewb9621]

It's pronounced sillian not chillian.

[@CocktailFlicks]

Yes, of course. We've been getting told what for concerning our mispronunciation of his name. 🤣🤣. We will try to be better prepared for it next time, I promise!

[@lox-ew4nv]

Ce film raconte uniquement la fuite des anglais en occultant presque complètement les français alors que se sont les français qui on permis l'évacuation et personnes d'autre

[@CocktailFlicks]

The French did indeed make a heroic stand to protect the beach while the British attempted to escape. This is one of the things I was worried about from this film, is that it only tells one perspective but uses three different points of view to do so. I'm sorry the film did not show more Heroics from The French blockade.

[@edreed9189]

I think Nolan notnusing much CGI really hampered this film, you don't get the scale. Atonement has a much better depiction of Dunkirk

[@CocktailFlicks]

I was thinking the same thing afterwards. Your right about Atonement, that looked like 400000 men waiting to be rescued.

[@LanceStoddard]

These guys are great film makers but this movie blows. A Spitfire that stays aloft for ten days? A murder on a tug boat? The German side of it ignored? There was no continuity. It was like a bunch of random scenes were shot, then edited out of order. I fell asleep twice. I had to force myself to watch it to the end. I should have just turned it off.