I'm a vet, and while I have my particular views on war that some of you are aware of, I do like me a compelling military movie from time to time.
So let's have your top 5 military movies of all time. Here's mine:
Saving Private Ryan: Sorry to throw in the typical choice, but it's a damn good film.
Patton: George C. Scott, my distant relative, in one of his defining roles.
The Red Badge of Courage: Despite John Huston's disappointment with this film because of studio intrusion, I still think it's a beautifully shot masterpiece.
Platoon: Oliver Stone is hit or miss for me, and I really don't like when he's pushing propaganda, but in Platoon he was at his best, simply telling the story of Vietnam from the lines, juxtaposing the characters Elias and Barnes in a very even-handed way, and portraying the division among the troops in compelling fashion.
Mister Roberts: Some may scoff that I'm throwing something like this, a comedy, in a greatest military movies list instead of more likely choices such as A Bridge Too Far, which is undeniably a classic, but I don't care. I love this film.
Perfect in light of Memorial Day.
BAND OF BROTHERS. This always gets to me. To see such good performances about real stories, this mini series may not be a movie, but I can't help but include it.
RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP. THE American sub movie. Even Don Rickles shows some natural talent as an actor here.
PATTON. Do I really have to explain why?
KELLY'S HERO'S. The fun side of war.
STALINGRAD. Intense and personal. I don't even mind that the men are Germans.
Next...
Full Metal Jacket
Apocalypse Now
Saving Private Ryan
Platoon
Err...The Delta Force? If that counts?
DIRTY DOZEN...Not just a great military movie, this is a great guy feel good movie. It's got an amazing cast, fantastic action and good performances
THE GREAT ESCAPE...Another fantastic ensemble cast. It was based on a true story so I find it inspirational as well as good cinema.
SAVING PRIVATE RYAN...The opening scene alone puts it in this category.
THE ENEMY BELOW....A great sea going battle of wits and a message that human decency can rise above the savageness of war. It's got Robert Mitchum too.
GODS & GENERALS....Great battle scenes, great cast and very meticulous historical accuracy make this a fantastic film.
Hoonorable mentions include The Devil's Brigade, Battle Ground, To Hell and Back, The Patriot(There aren't enough Revolutionary War movies), Zulu, Dawn Patrol and Northwest Passage. There are even more, this list is just rushed off the top of my head.
Quote[BAND OF BROTHERS. This always gets to me. To see such good performances about real stories, this mini series may not be a movie, but I can't help but include it.
/quote]
I didn't include it because it was a miniseries, but I love Band of Brothers. I have a great deal of respect for Spielberg and Hanks on this one.
The Great Escape
Kelly's Heroes
The Dirty Dozen
Saving Private Ryan
Dr. Strangelove
Apocalypse Now
Dr. Strangelove
Full Metal Jacket
Black Hawk Down
Hart's War
Five ain't enough.
SAVING PRIVET RYAN. It's inevitable.
BATTLEGROUND. No music once they get to the front. That works.
BATTLE OF BRITTEN. So, it's a 'box picture'. I still love the flying scenes.
TORA,TORA,TORA. It still beats 'Pearl Harbor' with a stick.
633 SQUADRON. One word: Mosquitoes.