Military Movies

momoftwins · 01-03-2006, 06:29 PM

Now that our kids are gone or leaving, I thought we needed something to help us get through our own gray days. So I thought we could recommend our favorite military movies to each other. I just got this idea because yesterday I finally saw for the first time (I'm embarrased to say) "The Long Gray Line" with Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara. It was amazing to me to see so many familiar places and uniforms at West Point. The story and acting were terrific. It's funny and fun with tragedy thrown in. I highly recommend it.

When my daughter was home over break, she mentioned that she was the only person at West Point who had never seen "Full Metal Jacket". I certainly couldn't let that continue to be her legacy, so we rented it. Fabulous and devastating movie.

Any recommendations? I'll make the popcorn.

texas_falcon · 01-03-2006, 06:43 PM

Full Metal Jacket, what a terrific family movie, lol. They showed us part of it at AF summer seminar. The basic training, R. Lee Ermy yelling in the barracks scene.

BigGreen · 01-03-2006, 06:46 PM

"Saving Private Ryan" - My favorite scene and I think the high point of the movie was when Tom Hanks told his squad why they had to take the anti-aircraft battery - that if they didn't some other group of G.I.'s would stumble on it and be killed. Although their mission was to find Private Ryan, their ultimate mission was to do their duty.

"Gettysburg" - with Jeff Daniels as Col. Joshua Chamberlain - by holding Little Round Top against unbelievable odds, including hand-to-hand combat - and making the decision to do so on his own - he saved the Union. Chamberlain, btw, went on to be Governor of Maine and President of Bowdoin College.

"Sands of Iwo Jima" - John Wayne, 'nuff said.

"Northwest Passage" - Spencer Tracy as Col. Robert Rogers - French and Indian War

"The Big Red One" - written and directed by Sam Fuller who served in the First Infantry Division in WWII. Lee Marvin - as The Sergeant (Lee Marvin was a Marine who served in the Pacific, and was wounded in the Battle of Saipan. Fuller added 40 minutes of footage to this film in 2004 - so make sure you get the newer version.

shogun · 01-03-2006, 07:36 PM

Another good movie that isn't as well known is "Cross of Iron"--war on the eastern front seen from the German side. I believe Lee Marvin is in it. Also check out "Enemy at the Gates" with Jude Law (battle of Stalingrad seen from the Russian side). Of course don't miss "Patton" with George C Scott! "Hamburger Hill" and "Boys From Company C" were good as well.
One of the best is "Pork Chop Hill" with Gregory Peck (Korean War flick).
I also enjoyed "Battle of Britain" starring Michael Caine.

If you want to see a real interesting movie rent "Downfall". It is a German made movie with English subtitles. It chronicles the last month or so of Hitler in the bunker as described by one of his secretaries. Its nearly 3 hours long but well worth it. I went out and bought it from Amazon after I rented it. A great psychological as well as historical study of Hitler, and how not to lead

aspen · 01-03-2006, 07:43 PM

A relatively recent movie (2002) I enjoyed was "We were Soldiers" starring Mel Gibson.

This Vietnam war film tells of the 1965 battle in the Ia Drang Valley which was the first major engagement between American and North Vietnamese troops. Mel Gibson plays the central role of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, the leader of the 1st Battalion of the 7th Cavalry who is a student of history and a master of military tactics. Our cadets could learn alot from his approach to military leadership.

"We Were Soldiers" is a powerful movie that humanizes the soldiers on both sides of the battle. It does a great job of showcasing the courage, camaraderie and selflessness of our soldiers - and their families.

shogun · 01-03-2006, 08:01 PM

That was an awesome movie, Aspen! I cant believe I forgot that one!

michaelburt · 01-03-2006, 08:22 PM

My favorite war movie is The Deer Hunter. It's pretty intense.

Jamzmom · 01-03-2006, 10:25 PM

Michaelburt! Do you want to give me nightmares tonight? Geez! I loved the Patriot and nothing to do with American history but Rob Roy as well! I'm going to put on a wig and dark sunglasses and go see Annapolis when it comes out. Dag-nab-it! I'm a movie lover & I gotta see it! You Mids can beat me up about it later. Check out this link:

http://www.reelmoviecritic.com/id1661.htm

LOL My husband just yelled from the other room "TORA TORA TORA" LOL

taffy · 01-03-2006, 11:41 PM

"Glory" is a good one.

Bossf51 · 01-04-2006, 05:00 AM

Mom of Twins I agree with you on the "Long Gray Line"; I had mentioned that a while back. Great historical piece.
"Patton" is one of my all-time favorites along with "The Longest Day"; "Battle of the Bulge" and "The Were Expendable."

momoftwins · 01-04-2006, 09:06 AM

I just put all of these on my netflix list and can't wait to see the ones I've missed.

bz2010 · 01-04-2006, 10:07 AM

Don't forget "Midway"!!

numberone · 01-04-2006, 10:14 AM

platoon was very good, and so was Patton.

michaelburt · 01-04-2006, 01:02 PM

The Deer Hunter is rated as one of the best movies of all time, not just with war movies. Full Metal Jacket is another one of my favorites. Saving Private Ryan is enjoyable, but too shallow to be a classic. I would take a Stanely Kubrick movie over a Steven Speilberg movie any day. How about the worst war movies:
Pearl Harbor
Windtalkers
The other Nicholas Cage one where he's in Italy
Troy

bz2010 · 01-04-2006, 01:10 PM

Speaking of good ones - how about "They Were Expendable"? (A Navy movie w/ Robert Montgomery & John Wayne).