Minute for minute, probably the best program ever produced for television in my opinion.
I’ll second that one: it’s not normally thought of as a war movie, but as a blackl comedy, but it is (of course) about the war to end all wars – and one of the greatest comedy films ever made.
And while we’re talking about comedy films about fictitious wars, can I add:
Duck Soup
Be sure to add Samuel Fuller’s The Big Red One to your list of must-see war movies.
There is no way that Midway deserves to be on any list that has the word “Best” in it! That movie is one of the most worthless pieces of dreck ever produced.
I’d like to add The Boys in Company C to the list. R. Lee Ermey plays, well, himself a good 9 years before his turn in Full Metal Jacket. Also:
Sands of Iwo Jima
The Bridge Over the River Kwai
Mr. Roberts
A Bridge Too Far
Is Paris Burning?
The Dam Busters
Go Tell the Spartans.
MASH
And one I’m sure nobody will mention (or has even seen, for that matter):
A Midnight Clear
Also, The Execution of Eddie Slovik
[QUOTE=Chefguy]
MASH
And one I’m sure nobody will mention (or has even seen, for that matter):
A Midnight Clear
I saw it, liked it, didn’t hear mush about it though.
Not a mention of …
Empire of the Sun
The Wooden Horse
Blackhawk Down
633 Squadron
Almost forgot “The Battle of Britain”
Sergeant York. Not entirely a war movie, but certainly a fascinating portrait of a war hero.
32 posts and no mention of “From Here to Eternity???” How the mighty have fallen (or maybe there just isn’t all that much war in it).
That’s what I liked about Private Ryan, although the OP disqualified it. All the “America the free” and “Remember Pearl Harbor” was gone from the movie. It was the first movie I remember where the basic message in the battle scenes was “try not to occupy the same space as a bullet”
Is it not cool to mention Saving Private Ryan? For the D-Day scene if nothing else, but I find that 2/3 of the movie is pretty good.
Depending on how elastic our definition of “war” films is, throw in John Frankenheimer’s The Train (Burt Lancaster as a very determined French Resistance saboteur of the train lines, delaying a train full of French fine art on its way east), and Spartacus (which is technically about a slave uprising, but has plenty of gladiatorial combat and field battles).
Though already mentioned, “Black Hawk Down” is unrivaled for its visceral and accurate (as far as I can tell) portrayal of modern urban combat. When I first watched it theaters I had a ball in my throat throughout the whole movie. I also enjoyed because it lacks the heavy handed political message found in most war movies, though this is arguable.
“Master and Commander” (also already mentioned) is a completely different sort of war movie, though I guess some might hestitate to even call it a war movie. I remember some reviewer calling it a “grown-up adventure film” and I think that’s a fairly accurate description. Has all the thrills, fun, and humor of an adventure film but coupled with sophistication, historical accuracy, and attention to detail. Great movie.
I wholeheartedly agree with the nominations of Das Boot, Band of Brothers, Der Untergang, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Patton, Lawrence of Arabia, The Big Red One, and The Longest Day.
I’d add in the following:
[ul]
[li]The Devil’s Brigade[/li][li]The Guns of Navarone[/li][li]Henry V (Kenneth Branagh’s version)[/li][li]Kingdom of Heaven (yeah, yeah, I know it flopped, but I loved it anyway)[/li][li]The Duellists (okay, not exactly a war movie, but close[/li]
[/ul]
I’m not much of a war movie buff (possibly because I’m a girl and a pacifist), but I’ll heartily second “Patton.” It’s simply an amazing movie.
Wow! I’ve never seen The Light Horsemen mentioned before. I was starting to think I’m the only one to have seen that move. Loved it! It’s a good film overall, but it has to have the most but-kicking charge ever filmed.