McMasters Top 10 War Flicks
Jul 16 '01 (Updated Aug 20 '07)
The Bottom Line The top ten list of films of War, conflict and battle.
Most folks like a good war flick now and then! So I figured I would share my favorite war flicks with you. I also enjoy history, so I find myself watching many of them. I believe I have seen every war movie made. I know I have watched all of them made from 1970 to the present. Most war movies are not exactly true. However most of them are very close to the truth and full of reality.For instance Saving Private Ryan this was not a true story. But if you ever wondered what a battle in World War II would have been like. Just go see this movie and you will get a very good idea. "WAR IS HELL", and this movie conveys that message better than any other. Freedom is not free! People fight and die for it. Eight of my top 10 movies are about the United States and the wars she has fought in the name of Freedom. So with out further a due, here is my list of top 10 war flicks.
1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan was the most honored film of 1998 and winner of five Academy Awards® Produced and directed by Stephen Spielberg (Vietnam Veteran).
This is by far the best war film you will ever see. The movie is so real and graphic, People were leaving the theater. If you've ever wanted to have some vague idea of what a war is like for a soldier, don't miss this movie! Capt. John Miller (Tom Hanks)has a mission. The mission is simple, find and bring back Pvt. Ryan (Matt Damon) who was dropped behind enemy lines with the 82nd Airborne.The task of finding Pvt. Ryan gets a little complicated though. Capt. Miller discovers that the paratroopers were scattered to the four winds during the night drop.When his men start dying in this search for one man, it turns into a moral dilemma for everyone involved. All this sacrifice for just one man.The special effects in this will have you ducking in your seat! It is a great movie! (I ranked this movie #3 in my top 10 movies ever made review)
2. Gettysburg (1993)
The movie was based on the epic novel The Killer Angels, written in 1974 by Michael Shaara.
Gettysburg was Produced and directed by Ronald F. Maxwell in 1993. It was filmed on location at the Gettysburg National Military Park. Most everything in the film was true. The film is extremely historically accurate. From The order of battle to when the different divisions showed up at Gettysburg. Colonel Chamberlains bayonet charge on little round top. General James Longstreet's objection to Lee's order to advance on the Angle. You will never have a real idea of what really happened at Gettysburg until you see this great reenactment (movie) of the battle at Gettysburg.
3. The Patriot (2000)
This is a great movie! It stars Mel Gibson, who does a superb job to say the least! It was directed by Roland Emmerich.
This move was based on the American Revolution. Mel Gibson plays Benjarmin Martin. He tries to keep his family safe from the on sloughs of war. His son is eager to prove himself in battle. The war gets closer everyday. There is no way around it, Benjamin Martin must take part in the war. The Patriot has some real good battle scenes and shows the cruelties of war.
4. The Rough Riders (1997)
Based on the Spanish American War. Directed by Director John Milius. The cast is simply as good as it gets. Tom Beriger does an Excellent job portraying Teddy Roosevelt! Gary Busey as General Wheeler, The only combat general there. Wheeler had fought in the Civil War as a Confederate Cavalry General. Sam Elliot as Captain Bucky O'Neil, a Arizona law man who helps train the men who are about to go fight in Cuba. The Rough Riders starts out before the war and climaxes with the famous charge on San Juan Hill.
5. Tora Tora Tora (1970)
Tora Tora Tora was based on the attack of Pearl Harbor.
Directed by Richard Fleischer & Toshio Masuda.
Martin Balsam as Admiral Husband E. Kimmel.
Sô Yamamura as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.
This movie shows both sides of the pacific war (From the Japanese and American point of view). The battles scenes are really neat for a 1970 film. It is the best film to date on the pacific war as a whole.
The famous quote From The Japanese Admiral Yamamoto(after bombing pearl Harbor): I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.
6. Platoon (1986)
Based on the Vietnam War, ooopps I mean Police Action.
Directed by Oliver Stone.
Tom Berenger as Staff Sergeant Barnes.
Willem Dafoe as Sergeant Elias.
Charlie Sheen as Private Taylor & narrator.
What Saving Private Ryan is to World War II, Platoon is to Vietnam. This movie shows you what a drug infested, wretched, friendly fire, shell shocked, what the hell are we doing here type of war it was! Sergeant Barnes was an ornery S.O.B.! Sergeant Elias got in Barnes way one to many times. Private Taylor just wanted to make it through the war and come back home. When all three collide in platoon it makes for a great Vietnam war flick.
7. Glory (1989)
Based on African Armerican soldiers who fought in the Civil War.
Directed by Edward Zwick (Zwick Also Directed Legend of The Fall ~ My #5 pick in best 10 movies ever made).
Matthew Broderick as Colonel Robert Shaw.
Denzel Washington as Private Trip.
Morgan Freeman as Sergeant Major Rawlins.
This movie is about the 54th Massachusetts. They were an all black regiment. They were commanded by Colonel Shaw.All the 54th wanted to do was show they could fight. They would finally get their chance when the deadly advance was ordered on Fort Wagner, South Carolina. (Based on a true story and very accurate)
8. The Alamo (1960)
Directed by John Wayne.
John Wayne as Davy Crockett.
Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie.
The Alamo is filled with fiction but is based on the true story of the Alamo and the 187 men that died fighting Santa Ana there. For 1960 and considering this was John wayne's directing debut, it's a hell of a good flick ! John Wayne, Texas and War always makes for a great movie! Remember The Alamo!
9. Zulu (1964)
Directed by Cy Endfield.
Stanley Baker as Lieutenant John Chard.
Jack Hawkins as Reverend Otto Witt.
It is based on a true story that occurred in Africa in 1879. Zulu is about a garrison of British soldiers, that are attempting to defend a mission in Africa. There were about 100 British fighting around 4,000 crazy, rushing Zulu warriors. Superb acting and great battle scenes for that time!
10. Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)
Directed by Allan Dwan.
John Wayne as Sergeant Stryker.
John Agar as Private First Class Conway.
John Wayne plays the tuff old sergeant in true Marine Corps style. The movie takes you through Boot camp. Then right in to the Pacific island hoping campaign. The Marines had to fight like hell against the very formidable Japanese Marines for every single island they took. Iwo Jima was one of the last islands and close to Japan. This movie is a tribute to all the Marines to fought and died in the Pacific. Allan Dwan uses actual combat footage in this movie
There's My Top Ten War Flicks
Some other war movies that are worth watching.
(honorable mention)
Gallipoli (1981)
Staring Mel Gibson
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Staring Matthew Modine
Das Boot (1982)
Staring JÃrgen Prochnow
Patton (1970)
Staring George C. Scott
The Longest Day (1962)
Staring Richard Burton
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
William Holden
8-2007 updated
Movies that I have watched after this review that would have made my top ten war movies list.
Black Hawk Down 5 BIG STARS
We Were Soldiers 5 BIG STARS
Enemy At The Gates - 5 STARS
Band Of Brothers - 5 Stars - Excellent!
The Lost Battalion - 5 Stars
Flags Of Our Fathers - 5 Stars
Letters From Iwo Jima - 5 Stars
300 - 5 Stars
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More of my Top-Ten Movie Lists
► Top Ten Westerns
► Top Ten Scary Movies
► Top Ten Comedies
► Top Ten World War II Movies
► Top Ten American Civil War Films
► Top Ten Submarine Movies
► Top Ten Alien Movies
► Ten Most Realistic War Movies
Thanks for the read,
© Joe McMaster
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