Posted on 06/27/2005 9:49:29 AM PDT by bobjam
What movies make you proud to be an American? It may be rare today, but in the past Hollywood produced many movies that instilled a sense of patriotic pride in the Americans who wathced them. The following are five movies that have given me pride in our nation, our culture and our accomplishments. What suggestions might you have?
1) Midway. The classic Charlton Heston war movie, complete with real war footage, of our decisive victory in one of the key battles of WWII.
2) It's a Wonderful Life. This movie affirms all that made our country great- faith, family, hard work, and service to others. I always notice the stark contrast between Bedford Falls and the Pottersville that it would have become without George Bailey. Furthermore, it's refreshing to see a movie in which the lead character runs through the town shouting "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays" or someother pc babble.
3) Last of the Mohicans. An excellent portrayal of the hardships endured by the pioneers who began building our great nation. They were honest people making an honest living.
4) Apollo 13. When something went wrong, our astronauts, engineers, scientists, etc. improvised and found a solution. It was NASA's finest hour. Too bad few have faith they would be able to pull that off again.
5) Red Dawn. Not the greatest acting, but a truly compelling storyline. What would you do if the commies took over the town? Would you roll over and take it or fight back? Thank goodness for gun rights (while we still have them).
Some Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): Thirteen Days The Longest Day Sands of Iwo Jima The Green Berets Pearl Harbor 1776 (the musical) Miracle on 34th Street (the original) Field of Dreams The Right Stuff The Alamo (the original)
Where's "Independance Day?"
I agree with Last of the Mohicans--it's one of my favorites.
Also, Mel Gibson's "The Patriot" was excellent.
I'd like to add "We Were Soldiers" to the list.
http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:259501
"The Lost Battalion" and "Rough Riders"
What about "Yankee Doodle Dandy"?
"Strategic Air Command", "12 O'clock High", "Patton", "The Right Stuff".
"The Undefeated"
1776. I watch it every Fourth of July.
Custers Last Stand...I guess, if I was an indigenous American....
Love this movie and all those old WWII movies that hailed our military as patriots.
Saving Private Ryan
Band of Brothers
Top Gun
Blazing Saddles
All Chuck Norris movies.
Films about families on the homefront dealing with war:
The Human Comedy (1943)
Friendly Persuasion (1956)
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
"Midway. The classic Charlton Heston war movie, complete with real war footage, of our decisive victory in one of the key battles of WWII."
Midway was pretty awful. They took every Hollywood cliche and superimposed it onto the battle. About the only redeeming element was Fonda's portrayal of Nimitz, which seemed to hew very close to reality.
They would've done far better to do a straight adaptation of Walter Lord's "Incredible Victory." The real story of Midway contains drama in Costco-sized lots--everything from Halsey missing THE big engagement of the war because of hives to a guy mournfully asking someone to save Torpedo 8's lunches when it was obvious that they weren't coming back.
"We Were Soldiers" captured the essence of Vietnam. Noble men fighting on both sides, used by base politicians, and leaving behind those who loved them.
Let's not forget Caddy Shack and Ghost Busters!!!!
Sargeant York
Mr Deeds goes to town
In fact, just about every movie Gary Cooper made.
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