AXN wages war in western territory next month

AXN wages war in western territory next month

AXN

AXN has announced a slew of films catering to viewers nostalgic for the wild west and good old fashioned war films. The westerns will air on Tuesdays and war films will air on Fridays at 10 pm beginning April.

The action commences on 2 April with Soleil Rouge. The films stars Charles Bronson and Ursula Andress. Based on a true event in the American west in 1870, the film deals with a robbery on board a train. The target is a gold Japanese sword, meant as a gift from the Japanese Emperor to America's President.

On 5 April, Tora! Tora! Tora! takes centrestage. Unlike last year's release Pearl Harbour which is embarrasingly full of American jingoism, this film shows the war from the Japanese viewpoint. Japan's motivation stemmed from a strong sense of patriotism and honour, so much so that the soldiers did not think twice about sacrificing their lives for their country.

On 9 April, Buffalo Bill and The Indians with Paul Newman and Harvey Keitel take pride of place. Buffalo Bill was considered an important show and now Indian chief Sitting Bull is about to get involved. However, the chief has an agenda of its own which involves the American President.

On 12 April, watch one of the greatest war films ever made. The Longest Day won two Oscars for Special Effects and Cinematography. It chronicles all the events leading upto the D-Day invasion of Normandy which turned the war in the allies' favour. The Germans expected the invasion to occur at Calais, but are taken by surprise by Eisenhower's attack. The film stars John Wayne, Sean Connery and Richard Burton.

On 19 March, another great war film Patton will air. George C. Scott who won an Oscar refused to accept it saying that actors should not compete against each other. General George S Patton and his army General Omar N Radley are examined. While Patton was brave and resourceful, he had a bad temper and was not diplomatic in difficult situations.

On 23 April, rock icon David Bowie tries his hand at the Western in The Man who Fell to Earth. The story centres around Thomas Newton who leaves England to go to America. He starts amassing a fortune to help him accomplish a mission and soon suspicion grows among the people about the source of his riches.