Please add your favorite war movies to this thread

ReveBM ^ | February 23, 2002 | ReveBM

[Mr Ducklips]

Could you be refering to "Go Tell the Spartans"?

Sure enough, that's the one. Thanks.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

"Battleground" is probably one of my all time favorites. TCM usually shows it on Memorial Day, but otherwise it kind of gets lost in the shuffle.

"Cross of Iron" was directed by Sam Peckinpah, nuff said.

Kenneth Branaugh's version of "Henry V" is without a doubt the best big-screen rendition of Shakespeare, ever, IMHO.

[Basil Duke]

Cross of Iron, with James Colburn and James Mason (Colburn plays a veteran German army sergeant on the Eastern Front circa '44). I've yet to see a movie about the Korean War that was satisfying. I've got a strong, personal interest in that; my father was a machine gunner in the 180th Infantry Regiment (45th Thunderbird Division) the last year. His battalion - First - was nearly wiped out in the final Chinese attacks in July '53.

[Illbay]

I've yet to see a movie about the Korean War that was satisfying.

I know you're thinking Infantry, but have you seen "The Bridges At Toko-Ri"? One of my all-time favorite war movies of any kind, and it happens to take place in the Korean war.

[Illbay]

Has anyone mentioned "Shenandoah"? One of the best depictions of the horror and anguish of the Civil War as it affected a typical family.

[fourdny2]

In Harms Way with The Duke and Patricia Neal.

[Basil Duke]

You're right about my partiality to the infantry (My father's CIB rests in a viewing case atop my desk as I write this). "Bridges" was a fine movie. Holden was excellent. Now THAT was an actor. Off topic a bit, but have you seen "The Wild Bunch"? One of my all-time favorites.

[Cowman]

and the Audie Murphy Story

The Audie Murphy story was called To Hell And Back (1955)and stars Audie Murphy.

Halls Of Montezuma (1951) with Richard Widmark is quite good. It shows the effects of battle fatigue on the men and the sacrifices and courage exhibited when they overcame fear and discouragement.

Tobruk (1967) is a great action ride with the brit special forces in N Africa. George Pepard does a masterful job as a German jew fighting the Nazis.

I also like a little known picture called Battle Hymn with Rock Hudson. A WWII fighter pilot turned minister who rejoins the Air Force in Korea and finds purpose in defense of the innocent.

[Cowman]

How could I forget Chisolm with the Duke? A great flick about the Lincoln County War.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

"The Odd Angry Shot". A great war movie from 1979 about an Australian unit fighting in Vietnam. They did play the song "Leaving On A Jet Plane" a bit too much, but it's worth your time. One of the best.

"Sea Chase" The Duke as A German Captain (but not a Nazi) trying to get his well worn freighter home without the British Navy sinking it. Kinda hokey but entertaining.

[painter]

Midway is also one of my favorites.In college I wrote a term paper on the battle of Midway and the movie is very accurate.When you see the movie and they show the different pilots names they were real and what happened to them is exactly what happened.

[TheBlackFeather]

I am reminded of an old WWII movie "Manila Calling". A group of civilians right after the fall of Corregidor take possession of a radio station which they use to send a call for assistance in waging guerilla war against the Japanese. The Japanese surround them and inflict all sorts of vicious actions in an attempt to retake the station before it can be repaired and the call sent out. The station finally goes on the air just as the Japanese launch their final assualt. By the end of the speech calling for assistance one is ready to march to the enlistment hall to sign up to fight the Japs. Tremendously stirring movie.

Similar in concept - 'No Man is an Island', one soldier remains on island to work against the Japanese occupying the area.

I also recall a good production presented by PBS about a company of riflemen during the Napoleonic wars. No idea of title but a good period piece if you want to check sources.

[xsrdx]

How about "The Wild Geese," with a truly stellar cast

Thanks, yes, I had forgotten all about that show. Great look into the world of African mercs.

Also, "The Final Option", another great special operations flick about Brit SAS troopers rescuing hostages from BG's who've seized a London embassy. Tough to find, no big names but a pretty detailed look into hostage rescue and the SAS. Almost a documentary feel, definitely a guy flick.

[top of the world ma]

PT 109

The Blue Max

The Young Lions

El Alamein

The Sand Pebbles - China in the mid 20's

Run Silent, Run Deep

Above and Beyond - Col. Paul Tibbetts and the Enola Gay

Bat 21

Command Decision

Destination Tokyo

Strategic Air Command

Mr. Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

Paradise Road

[Dante3]

WINTER WAR (Finnish, with subtitles, available in DVD)

WAR DRUMS

BROKEN ARROW

SHAKA ZULU

[Dante3]

Thanks for mentioning "Shenandoah."

A while back we were trying to think of good films about the Civil War and came up with only "Gone with the Wind" and "Red Badge of Courage."

[RushLake]

Battleground--made in 1947. According to a WW II combat vet that I have had the privelege to get to know, this has the most realistic winter artillery sounds he ever heard in a movie. Much more realistic depicition of the events surrounding the Battle of the Bulge then the 70s movie of the same name. Also: Glory. The Lost Battalion. Gettysburg. Gallipoli

[RushLake]

I watched the "Best Years of Our Lives" on Saturday afternoon. It brought tears to my eyes. I was saddened because I never asked my father about what it was like for him to come home.

[BlueLancer]

"Go Tell the Spartans"