"LOCK AND LOAD," THE 10 BEST WAR MOVIES OF ALL TIMEJun 25 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Blu-ray and DVD Players
The Bottom Line "Those who fail to learn from the mistakes of History are doomed to repeat them."
NOTE: I originally posted this on May 11, 2000. At the time there was no appropriate catagory for Best War Movies so I posted it in the 10 best Epic Movies. Now that there is an appropriate catagory ( or at least now that I've found it) I've deleted it there and reposted it here. I've made no changes aside from correcting some typos and using a little HTML which I didn't know how to use then. All of the original comments have been included, so original posters do not feel the need to repost, or even rerate unless you really want to. Ok here we go, the top ten war films of all time. To make this more of a challenge, or maybe to limit my choices, I decided that only movies that I have in my collection could be considered. I have a fair sized collection (no not that kind of videos, for the most part mine have plots). I guess if I went to the trouble of finding and buying them it must be because I liked them. I'd also like to think I have some taste. They're in no particular order, it was hard enough coming up with just ten. PLATOON You may not agree with Stone's political views, or his presentation of some US soldiers in Vietnam, but that is secondary. The battle scenes, especially those at night are some of the most realistic and frightening I've ever seen. Anybody else out there almost take cover under the theatre seat the first time they saw it? Cudos to Dale Dye the military advisor. ZULU An old classic. The the true historic stand by an greatly outnumbered company of Welsh soldiers against 4,000 Zulus. This force had the day before defeated the balance of the British Invasion force. The real battle saw 16 Victoria Crosses awarded, the most ever in a single battle. Stanley Baker and a young Michael Caine give outstanding performances. The battle sequences are lavishly filmed and the portrayal of heroism on both sides is a fine testament to those who fought and fell here. This is one of two movies on this list that I know of that is used by the military as a training film to show examples of leadership in battle. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN Sure a lot has been said about this, both good and bad. The numerous awards it received, and the comments on the contrived ending and some technical inaccuracies. However nobody can watch that opening sequence of the first wave on Omaha Beach and not be affected. GLORY A powerful film, which finally told a story long overlooked. Denzel Washington's award winning performance is only one of several powerful characterizations here. The attention to detail and realism was in part achieved through the extensive use of Civil War reenactment groups in the battle sequences. THE ODD ANGRY SHOT A little known, rarely seen Australian film that shows that country's not insignificant contribution to the Vietnam conflict. The dull monotony of garrison life, cut with brief battle sequences is both disturbing and effective. The ending is perhaps a little anti-climactic, but then often times so is war. This film is the second I know of on this list that is used for training purposes by the military. This one for it ultra realistic patrol and battle sequences. BREAKER MORANT Another Australian classic. The true story of several Australians who were made scapegoats during the Boer War. This one could also make the top ten courtroom drama list. Powerful performances by Bryan Brown and Edward Woodward. Don't worry there's enough battle sequences to satisfy almost anyone as well. THE LONGEST DAY Ok it's full of Hollywood types, and maybe way too long, but how many of you tune in every time it comes up on the late show? For once a star laden cast contributes to and dosen't hinder a movie. The one continuous shot of the Free French Commandos storming the Casino is breathtaking, but only one of several unforgettable sequences in this classic. BATAAN Dated, perhaps a bit hokey, and even at times racist. Not unlike many films made during the Second World War when viewed now. This is still one of the better ones. The classic tale of the last stand, sacrificing itself is told once more. The suspense is magnified by the fact we rarely see the enemy until the end. Most of the time they are just fleeting shadows who pick off the garrison one by one. Some of the characters are stereotypes, but it was a different time, a simpler time then. The finale with Robert Taylor holding off the Japanese until the end was at the time effective propaganda, and is still a great scene. THE GREAT ESCAPE Another big budget all-star telling of a true story. While you may not like all of it, you gotta admit you are cheering for the prisoners, and who can forget Steve McQueen and the bike chase scene! FULL METAL JACKET Three words... R. Lee Ermy. Lou Gosset may have deserved his Academy Award for his portrayal of a Marine DI in An Officer and A Gentleman, but this is the real article. Sure the retired warrior is often type cast in his movie career, but are you going to tell him! Besides who else but Kubrick could film a Vietnam War movie on location in England and get away with it. Ok you've got my opinions now, agree, disagree, fire away. Here are the original comments from when this review was first published: You should see () by Neal Goodall ..."Come and See", a Soviet WWII film from 1986. It makes "Private Ryan" look like "Mary Poppins". Great list! May 11 '00 9:39 pm PST I like your choices! () by Kifwebe I would have included Apocolypse now, however. It's just one of those films that stirs up emotions. Granted, it's not a feel good movie, but many of these aren't. Great review! -kifwebe May 11 '00 10:28 pm PST Re: I like your choices! () by James23 Thanks for the comment. It was hard picking just 10, I think I could easily have enough for another 2-3 lists. I did enjoy Apocalpse Now or at least parts, but if i had another vacancy for a Vietnam film, I'd probably use either Hamburger Hill or Boys in Company C, rather than it. May 12'00 4:39 pm PST Re: You should see () byJames23 Neal, thanks for the compliment and the tip. Is it available on Video or DVD? Hey and by the way Mary Poppins can be quite frightening, try the directors cut. May 12'00 4:42 pm PST Hmmm... () by thewasp So THAT is why my high school history teacher showed us ZULU! Even though I thought ZULU DAWN was a better movie, I haven't forgotten it. And you're dead on about the Free French in THE LONGEST DAY. I finally rented LAWRENCE OF ARABIA mostly because I wanted to see what movie could POSSIBLY have beaten this one for Best Picture in 1962! May 16 '00 3:44 pm PS Great! () by George Chabot Dear James 23, Love your selections! FYI, R. Lee Ermy is unsurpassed in another little known flick about Vietnam called Siege of Firebase Gloria. I echo your sentiments toward R. Lee! Sincerely, George May 18 '00 10:22 am PST my opinion on your opinion () by fwanger I really enjoyed readin your opinion. I liked how towards the begining you added a little bit of humor. That will always catch peoples attention and make them want to read more. Good job! May 23 '00 8:33 am PST Re: Great! () by James23 George, yeah Firebase is in my collection. FYI He also appeared in a another low budget "MArine Nam Flick" "The Boys in Company C". May 23 '00 9:51 pm PST Re: Hmmm... () by James23 I guess we'll just agree to disagree re this. Sorry, Zulu Dawn is in my collection and I will play in on a slow Sunday afternoon, but it can't hold a candle to Zulu. Not to plug myself here, but I've done a review on Zulu Dawn in which I give my reasons for not rating it as high. May 23 '00 9:54 pm PST POST SCRIPT () by James23 Wow, I'm surprised at the number of hits on this review, it constitutes over 50%of the total of hits I've received to date, and over 50% of the the royalties. Thank you all. I guess I should consider doing a detailed review of each of the movies on the list to justify why they're there (shameless plug), or a sequel list (another shameless plug). Again Thanks, James Jun 05 '00 5:26 pm PST Nice list! () by erinys Zulu is a personal favorite; nice to see it mentioned here. Dec 04 '00 4:03 pm PST  |
| Read all comments (21)|Write your own comment |
