Reviews of Our Lives Were Saved 29

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  Excellent!
  A review of Our Lives Were Saved
  by Weezbo on 02/07/2013
  I thought this was a really well done documentary. I really liked the use of stock footage, intermingled with bit of interview with the old soldier. Interesting perspective - hearing this story from the soldier's side. I though it well done, good editing, kudos to you for revealing a slightly different angle on this terrible event.
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  Opinions
  A review of Our Lives Were Saved
  by burgos387 on 01/12/2013
  This is a wonderful example of point of view. To the Japanese and the world the USA dropping two atomic bombs on Japan was devastating. But to the American soldiers it meant the war was over and they were saved. The use of historical footage and the interview of a pacific vet told the story of the high cost in GI's lives the war was. I can understand Truman's inner battle on... This is a wonderful example of point of view. To the Japanese and the world the USA dropping two atomic bombs on Japan was devastating. But to the American soldiers it meant the war was over and they were saved. The use of historical footage and the interview of a pacific vet told the story of the high cost in GI's lives the war was. I can understand Truman's inner battle on deciding what to do. But in the end, it was end the war now, or end it thousand of more American dead later. read
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  power to his story
  A review of Our Lives Were Saved
  by blueskytiger on 12/24/2012
  it's something inside some filmmaker's-- they want to tell story. you are telling this man's story of wartime through documentary film. it's history. it's important history no matter if i already know the story. it is good to let others speak and account for their experience. documentary film is good for that. i think that it had good editing. well done.
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  Fog of War.
  A review of Our Lives Were Saved
  by Tombola Pictures on 12/04/2012
  Very thought provoking piece was Our Lives Were Saved. It is always a difficult subject to breach and tackle, as well as a cautionary tale for ourselves and other generations to heed. World War 2 was the bloodiest conflict in human history, with senseless loss on both sides. Besides, this offers great insight into the struggle of the young men whom, many years before, were... Very thought provoking piece was Our Lives Were Saved. It is always a difficult subject to breach and tackle, as well as a cautionary tale for ourselves and other generations to heed. World War 2 was the bloodiest conflict in human history, with senseless loss on both sides. Besides, this offers great insight into the struggle of the young men whom, many years before, were carefree young men, subjected to horrors. Ordinary people, in extraordinary circumstances, hopefully something that I will witness through history. read
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  Nice interview.
  A review of Our Lives Were Saved
  by BUNKER on 07/26/2012
  I'm now sure how this stands out as a stand alone documentary, but this would make for a great piece to market making it bigger. If there were more people sharing this story, maybe a historian, or a narrator to tell what the history books say. Something a little more. But what you have here is a great interview, though I'm also not sure why you added the bit at the end when... I'm now sure how this stands out as a stand alone documentary, but this would make for a great piece to market making it bigger. If there were more people sharing this story, maybe a historian, or a narrator to tell what the history books say. Something a little more. But what you have here is a great interview, though I'm also not sure why you added the bit at the end when we hear the documentarian. read
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  Much respect!
  A review of Our Lives Were Saved
  by SaintSinnerCEO on 04/30/2012
  I've always had an immense respect for those that have contributed to making us safe and those that continue to do so in this country and from others so Our Lives Were Saved is awesome to me. We as Americans should forever be thankful for the sacrifices made by brave men and women so that we as people here can live better lives then they'd be if those hardships were not made... I've always had an immense respect for those that have contributed to making us safe and those that continue to do so in this country and from others so Our Lives Were Saved is awesome to me. We as Americans should forever be thankful for the sacrifices made by brave men and women so that we as people here can live better lives then they'd be if those hardships were not made. So props to Elmer Lang for this little showcase of history. Much respect! read
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  The BOMB also saves lives!
  A review of Our Lives Were Saved
  by kashan on 03/31/2012
  Perspectives of war and death are always double sided, no question about that. The bombs are bad, no question about that too. But for those in the firing line, facing death any second, the bomb is like a god. Does that mean they start loving the bomb? I don't know...perhaps they should. A documentary is always in danger of being too neutral to say anything and also too biased... Perspectives of war and death are always double sided, no question about that. The bombs are bad, no question about that too. But for those in the firing line, facing death any second, the bomb is like a god. Does that mean they start loving the bomb? I don't know...perhaps they should.
  
  A documentary is always in danger of being too neutral to say anything and also too biased to turn into propaganda. This one manages to stay afloat that fine line. Nicely constructed and magnificently ended, the film takes us through the war with a veteran survivor and his perspective must not be taken for granted or indeed criticized. The fact thus remains, the bomb saved lives too.
  
  As always, Elmer pieces together a fine film. read
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  Cut and Paste
  A review of Our Lives Were Saved
  by grimmfilmservices on 11/08/2011
  I guess I need to see the other 2 parts of the trilogy to see what you've added to otherwise stock footage. I thought each submission on this site was supposed to stand alone however. This is just a recount of one man's experiences in WW II, so I'm not sure how you can call it your film when it entirely relies on other peoples work. Basic editing and adding music can make... I guess I need to see the other 2 parts of the trilogy to see what you've added to otherwise stock footage. I thought each submission on this site was supposed to stand alone however.
  
  This is just a recount of one man's experiences in WW II, so I'm not sure how you can call it your film when it entirely relies on other peoples work.
  
  Basic editing and adding music can make a film, but I just don't see enough creativity here. read
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  Short and Sweet
  A review of Our Lives Were Saved
  by **DELETED ACCOUNT** on 10/04/2011
  I thought this was thoughtful, shocking and powerful. I find these stories, especially when an ex-soldier is giving the commentary, truly amazing. The images were graphic as was the story but it gave a small sense of what he had experienced. I thought it was nicely edited and the background of the Empire State building put into context what they were fighting for. A remarkable... I thought this was thoughtful, shocking and powerful. I find these stories, especially when an ex-soldier is giving the commentary, truly amazing. The images were graphic as was the story but it gave a small sense of what he had experienced. I thought it was nicely edited and the background of the Empire State building put into context what they were fighting for. A remarkable piece of film. read
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  Good and Interesting. Minor presentation issues. Deserves to be longer!
  A review of Our Lives Were Saved
  by Mark Kipling on 07/21/2011
  I love war documentaries and this one was great. The war is always fascinating and hearing veterans speaking over the old footage is always surreal and marvellous. This was interesting but I really wish it was longer. It felt like the perfect HOOK into a documentary, establishing one of the interviewees and the backdrop for the tales we're about to hear. It's definitely a genre... I love war documentaries and this one was great. The war is always fascinating and hearing veterans speaking over the old footage is always surreal and marvellous. This was interesting but I really wish it was longer. It felt like the perfect HOOK into a documentary, establishing one of the interviewees and the backdrop for the tales we're about to hear. It's definitely a genre that deserves a half an hour at least, as there's usually so much information and incredible little stories you can get from the veterans being interviewed that an audience will be hooked on for long running times.
  
  The clips were great, the music (if you had any choice in that?) fitted perfectly, and what the man had to say was riveting, especially about him climbing up whilst bodies were coming down past him on stretchers. I haven't seen the other two *yet* but i'm sure i'll be correct in reinstating that as a historical war documentary, it deserves longer on screen.
  
  At a few points the editing was a little rough. There was one clip that switched far too quickly to even recognise what it was before it cut back to the interview - It takes a few seconds for the human eye to register what they're seeing on screen, so I'd suggest 5 seconds before a cut if there's any large movement in the clip. Also, I disliked the interview set up. Traditionally, you may know, you should have his eyes 3/4 of the way up as that's where human eyes seem to be naturally drawn too on a screen, but it was 1/2 way up instead. Also there wasn't enough speaking space to the left of the screen so it felt as though the man was talking to the side of the camera like a brick wall. These points made it feel hard to watch.
  
  I also don't feel we should have heard you asking questions. It takes away from the idea that you're allowing this person who were there in the war to tell his story to us. It weakens the flow a little if we hear your direction through the questions because it's no longer their story.
  
  Just a few minor errors in presentation, but otherwise fascinating and deserves to be longer. read