Memorial Day weekend is upon us, and if this is the year to stay home, I suggest you gather with those you love and watch great war movies.
Here are ten of my favorite military movies of all-time which you can find on DVD. Notice, it’s not a “Best Military Movies” list, because when it comes to war, sacrifice, heroism, death and what comes after that, I truly think the beauty of this art form is certainly in the eye of the beholder. Let me know your favorites by posting in the comments area below.
“Platoon” (1986): This film captured the absolute chaos and unfairness that marked so many Americans’ year (or more) in country. And the expansive and beautiful music score made the hard movie more enjoyable and memorable.
“Black Hawk Down” (2001): The Battle of Mogadishu, part of the Somalia campaign of 1993, just hasn’t received the kind of heroic treatment in the history books of our culture as, say, World War II or Vietnam. The politics and policy issue of the ’90s just haven’t lent themselves to the kind of clarity as the former wars. But wow! This movie is a gritty realistic as any war movie I’ve ever seen, and a few of the dialogue sequences undress a new kind of soldier whose been fighting for our nation for decades.
“The General” (1927): It’s old. It’s powerful. It takes work. It’s worth it.
“First Blood” (1982): This movie featured no war footage and, in fact, was set entirely in a little Northwest town. But it told the tale of Vietnam vets after they came home and illustrated the unfairly rough journey so many of them had to face. And Sly Stallone was both believable and restrained as a war hero who won sympathy for a generation of those who lived his on-screen fate.
“M*A*S*H*” (1970): M*A*S*H* brought comedy and color in a time of war when our nation needed it, and endures in both its inspiration and its irony.
“A Bridge Too Far” (1977): I think this film hasn’t endured on highlight lists for the simple reason that it focused on something we didn’t get right. Operation Market Garden was a mission that didn’t quite succeed, but the telling of the tale was heroic and included Sean Connery, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, James Caan, Michael Caine and a rare appearance by Robert Redford in a movie where he was just one of the guys.
“The Great Escape” (1963): An all-star cast, tragedy and comedy, the hardness of war, and the softness of gentlemen, Germany and Switzerland and the brutality that was World War II are all captured in this wonder that’s wonderful, but hard to watch twice.
“The Dirty Dozen” (1967): If war movies are supposed to bring hope, few succeeded as much as this zany tale of P.O.W.’s gone bad and a mission only they could pull off.
“Top Gun” (1986): Okay, so this was Military Light, I know. But the great score, jock relationships, tragedy of a best friend lost, and redemption of a lost son found made for a great movie undercut by some pop culture add-ons and a love thing that didn’t really work.
“The Bridge on the River Kwai” (1957): Among the famous lists, including AFI’s, this classic continues to drop in the rankings. Its style is a challenge to the current generation, but tune into this one and be transported across the miles and years to a time when wars were fought differently by leaders few of us have ever encountered.
posted May 22, 2009 at 12:18 am
Are you kidding me? ‘Top Gun’?? What?! I mean no disrespect, but…what about ‘Gardens of Stone’? An inside look at a soldiers journey through the rigorous training at Arlington National Cemetary’s Honor Guard. James Caan and James Earl Jones are absolutely brilliant. It takes place during the mid 1960′s. So powerful. If you haven’t seen it, look for it! And my all-time favorite and a must see for Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day is ‘The Fighting Sullivans’. The story of the five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo, Iowa who insisted on serving in our United States Navy together after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Probably THE most emotional film involving the military, war and most importantly family. If you don’t cry or at least get chocked up when you watch this movie, well quite frankly…you have no soul!
posted May 22, 2009 at 9:19 am
Robin, I love “The Fighting Sullivans.” Almost unbearably sad. And I am so glad you suggested “Gardens of Stone,” which is on my list over at the Movie Mom blog and will be posted this weekend.
posted May 22, 2009 at 10:08 am
A few others I would suggest:
Band of Brothers (HBO mini series)
Sergeant York (One of my favorites)
U-571
posted May 22, 2009 at 12:24 pm
You left out Saving Private Ryan. I hadn’t seen this until a friends son took a Film class and had to write a review of it. I really never wanted to see it because of the opening scene (on the beach of Normandy). But I really enjoyed the movie. It was compelling. My dad was in WWII. He doesn’t talk much about his experiences, but when he does, I pay attention – incredible stories.
I watched the Green Berets starring John Wayne, as a kid. I’m not sure at the time I was completely aware of the impact war had; but I still have images of the film tucked away in my mind. I remember the bravery, courage, and humanity. I also still cringe at the memory of the brutality.
I also like the movie Shining Through with Melanie Griffith and Michael Douglas. Set in WWII, it’s her story of going to Germany as an American spy. She worked as a secretary in the War Office. I loved the twists it had. I also loved the young Lim Neeson who played a German General. Awesome – and a romance to boot.
posted May 22, 2009 at 2:01 pm
What about “Full Metal Jacket” ? After Platoon, it is the best Vietnam war movie.
posted May 22, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Its the same ol B S korean vets got no respect during the war and when we got Home the same B S, when ever they yalk about the ordeals the GIs went through They start Off WW2 then nam and so forth never mentioning KOREA It was the same in the 50s upto Now. Very shameful
posted May 22, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Who made up this List? Lets try some of these for starters. I had a long list of about 30 but here’s my best list by war.
WW1. To me the only movie worth mentioning is; Paths of Glory.
WW11.This one is a little harder,but here’s a few of my favorites;
Anzio, Attack,Battle Ground, Between heaven and Hell,Command Decision,
Letters from Iwo Jima,Objective Burma, Sahara, Twelve O’clock High,The Young Lions, and The Purple Plain.
Korea: for all of those who fought in the forgotten war;
Bridges At Toko Ri, Steel Helmet, Retreat Hell, and Men of the Fighting Lady.
Viet Nam; Flight of The Intruder, The Deer Hunter, 84 Charlie Mopic,We were Soldiers, and The Quiet American, the 1958 version with Audie Murphy.
I know not everyone will agree, but this is my list of what I think are the best war movies ever.
posted May 25, 2009 at 12:17 am
I LOVE THE MOVIE” CRIMSON TIDE” AND ALSO RED OCTOBER.
posted May 25, 2009 at 11:11 am
36 HOURS WITH JAMES GARNER IS MY FAVORITE! – ABOUT WWII. CAN’T BE BEAT
posted May 27, 2011 at 10:52 am
I have to agree that Movie Mom’s list is pretty soft. Let’s try these :
Civil War – Glory
WWI – Paths of Glory & Sgt York (All Quiet on the Western Front)
WWII – The Longest Day, Sands of Iwo Jima (Letters from Iwo Jima)
Korea – Bridges of Toko Ri
Viet Nam – Gardens of Stone, We Were Soldiers
Gulf War(s)- Hurt Locker & Taking Chance (which shows the true meaning of Memorial Day in a way you’ll never forget)
Top Gun shouldn’t even be on the list as it’s pretty far from reality and what my husband (USN Ret) used to call Military Lite.
posted May 29, 2011 at 8:59 am
Battle Hymn from years back was alwayds my favorite war movie
posted May 30, 2011 at 2:51 pm
I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE SOME OTHER MOVIES THAT YOU LEFT OUT THAT WERE BETTER LIKE A WALK IN THE SUN,GO FOR BROKE,BATTAN,SANDS OF IWO JIMA,THERE ARE OTHERS BUT THESE ARE JUST A FEW