The Ten Best War Movies of All Times (1 Viewer)

Fubar said:
Mr. Rodgers, Again not a shooter at all but I love it.

Fub
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Fubar, you are so right! How could we have all overlooked Mr. Rodgers! What a classic. I loved the scene where he made the scotch out of different stuff in the sick bay (rubbing alcohol, iodine, etc.)!
 
Just wondering....did Francis Joins the Wacs or Francis in the Navy get any votes? :D Michael
 
No one has mentioned this movie and I'm not sure how you'd classify it as a "war" movie, but Leni Riefenstahl's movie "Triumph of the Will" may be one of the greatest pieces of propaganda ever made. She made the movie at the behest of Hitler in 1934 and it ruined her reputation. It celebrates or focuses on the 1934 Nuremberg Rallies. I remember seeing it when I was a teenager and was awestruck by it.

I bring this up because two books have recently come out about Ms. Riefenstahl that have gotten some play in the media.

There was a documentary about her on the Documentary Channel Friday that I'd never seen before that was quite interesting. She claims that the movie was an art movie, not a piece of propaganda, and that she was not involved in politics or knew of the concentration camps but her denials, although denied vehemently, are not believed.
 
jazzeum said:
No one has mentioned this movie and I'm not sure how you'd classify it as a "war" movie, but Leni Riefenstahl's movie "Triumph of the Will" may be one of the greatest pieces of propaganda ever made. She made the movie at the behest of Hitler in 1934 and it ruined her reputation. It celebrates or focuses on the 1934 Nuremberg Rallies. I remember seeing it when I was a teenager and was awestruck by it.

I bring this up because two books have recently come out about Ms. Riefenstahl that have gotten some play in the media.

There was a documentary about her on the Documentary Channel Friday that I'd never seen before that was quite interesting. She claims that the movie was an art movie, not a piece of propaganda, and that she was not involved in politics or knew of the concentration camps but her denials, although denied vehemently, are not believed.
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Brad I would put it in the same category as Schindlers List as a historical event that took place. Just food for thought.

Two Movies that have been missed by all are of two of our most famous Medal of Honor Winners "Sergeant York" which starred Gary Cooper and "Hell and Back" starring Audery Murphy the most decorated American Soldier of WWII. Seems like you WWII guy fell a sleep on that one.....The Lt.
 
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Joe,

I would probably agree on Triumph of the Will but not necessarily on Schindler's List as the latter is a depiction of historical events as is The Longest Day, for instance.
 
Hi Guys,

I have been really impressed with the depth and scope these movies have covered. I have a few to add of my own favorites for various eras.

Cursades and Middle Ages:

Ivanhoe
Joan of Arc
El Cid
Kingdom of Heaven
The Last Valley
One I want to see - The Deluge

Modern Eras (no particular order)

Johnny Tremain
Rio Grande
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
Charge of the Light Brigade
Zulu
Zulu Dawn
Gunga Dihn
Khartoum
The Four Feathers 1939 UK version
55 Days at Peking
March or Die
Gallipoli
The Light Horsemen
Shout at the Devil
For Whom the Bell Tolls

WWII

Run Silent Run Deep
633 Squadron
Where Eagles Dare
The Eagle Has Landed
The Colditz Story (Great book)
The Dirty Dozen
Kellys Heros (Best Tanker)
Cross of Iron

German Language
Das Boot
Stalingrad
Die Brucke

This only scratches the surface. I really enjoy the old ones and if anyone knows where I can find a copy of the Deluge I'd be really grateful.

All the best

Dave
 
It is amazing how many real classics are out there and I had forgotton them. I will be taking notes on this thread ,just to find copies of the movies , I have missed....Ivanhoe with Robert Taylor.....also the British version in mini series was wonderful.....Drums along the Mohawk, Rogers Rangers with Spencer Tracy.............WHERE ARE THESE MOVIES ON TV ANYMORE..remember the Saturday afternoons at the westerns or war weekend. It seems these movies are no longer in vogue with today's generation.....Michael
 
GLORY.

How did we all miss that one?The 54th's column marching to the beach chokes me up everytime.

Theres another ACW film, very small budget but very well done called "Wicked Spring"

Rebz And Yanks trapped in the middle of the Wilderness.The troops /gear and battle scenes { limited battle scenes} appear to be dead on at least to me. Very Authentic looking.

Fun thread LT.
FUBaR
 
maddadicus said:
It is amazing how many real classics are out there and I had forgotton them. I will be taking notes on this thread ,just to find copies of the movies , I have missed....Ivanhoe with Robert Taylor.....also the British version in mini series was wonderful.....Drums along the Mohawk, Rogers Rangers with Spencer Tracy.............WHERE ARE THESE MOVIES ON TV ANYMORE..remember the Saturday afternoons at the westerns or war weekend. It seems these movies are no longer in vogue with today's generation.....Michael
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" Whats all this crud about no movie tonite?!!!"

Michael , you are right, they never are on TV anymore .I found DVDs of all but Northwest Passage.
Also of mention and all very good movies THE VIKINGS , Spartacus, The Warlord. All seen when I was very young and have stuck with me and probably influenced my miniature obsession to some extent. Saw 300 Spartans when I was 4-5, just about as far back as my Memory banks go .
fub
 
Right. Have we got a video?

I saw one last night that was really interesting called Time Limit it came on really late and was about a Major who was being investigated for Treason and collaboration with the enemy while he was in a PW Camp in Korea. Really interesting and I was totally absorbed by it until nearly 2am. I think it iwas on TCM or one of the higher numbered channels. Worth a look.

Dave
 
The Lt. said:
Two Movies that have been missed by all are of two of our most famous Medal of Honor Winners "Sergeant York" which starred Gary Cooper and "Hell and Back" starring Audery Murphy the most decorated American Soldier of WWII. Seems like you WWII guy fell a sleep on that one.....The Lt.
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I can't believe we missed "To Hell and Back" and "Sergeant York", both are great movies. I am going to print out this thread and give it to my wife to keep in mind for me as stocking stuffer type gifts. She can keep me in good movies for years to come!
 
Tough list to widdle down to only a Top 10. Here are mine, I left off many my favorites:

1. Saving Private Ryan
2. Empire of the Sun
3. Downfall
4. Full Metal Jacket
5. Blackhawk Down
6. Zulu
7. They were Expendable
8. Europa, Europa
9. We Were Soldiers
10. Enemy at the Gate

Carlos
 
Iv'e said it before and I'll say it again, there is a comedy channel, westerns channel, sci fi channel, ESPN for sports, MTV and VH1 for music videos, there should be a war movies channel, imagine war movies 24/7, it would be incredible.

Iv'e got a list within the list, here is my top ten war movie scenes of all time;

1.) First twenty minutes of SPR, enough said.
2.) Last twenty minutes of SPR, see above.
3.) The 9th and 10th SS charge across the Arnhem Bridge in A Bridge too far.
4.) The T34/76 assault on the German position in Stalingrad, 1992 version.
5.) As Fubar pointed out, the scene in Glory when the 54th marches onto the beach and the soldier yells out "Give em Hell 54th!"; chokes me up everytime.
6.) The French Commandos assault on Oestreham in The Longest Day; cinemantic brilliance, the overhead shots were terrific.
7.) The Russian crossing of the Volga where the Stukas rain down on the boats in Enemy at the Gates.
8.) The Russian assault on the Factory position in Cross of Iron.
9.) The German counterattack vs the US Airborne and British support armor in Neunen during that episode of Band of Brothers.
10.) The French Cavalry charge vs the British squares in Waterloo; you can FEEL the ground shaking during that charge.

This is one terrific thread; eight pages and not one NAPOLEON!!!! anywhere to be seen............................
 
I forgot one. "Hell is for Heroes" with Steve McQueen. B&W from the early 60's. It's about Americans attacking the Siegfried Line. Great ending with McQueen diving into a pillbox with a satchel charge to blow it up.
How about "When Trumpets Fade"? It was on HBO a few years ago. It's about fighting in the Huertgen Forest.
 
Has anyone mentioned "Midway"? Despite the hokey Chuck Heston and his son thread the rest of the movie is pretty decent.
 
I remember the movie "When Trumpets Fade". I had never heard of the Huertgen Forrest before, and the movie really disturbed me. I read up on the battle, and it began my complete disillusionment with Allied, and particularly American, leadership during the war. I began to realize how much we owed to the troops under the rank of Colonel, and that we won that war in spite of the higher ranking officers. At least that's my read of the situation.

"Midway" was one of the first war movies I ever watched as a kid. The scene with the herioc Torpedo Bomber pilots all being shot down cemented an early love for the U.S. armored forces, and an unhealthy hatred for the Japanese people I have never really fully overcome. To this day every time I see footage of a Jap Carrier taking a hit from U.S. Dive Bombers it makes me feel good. I hold no malice against Japanese individuals, but I still have no respect for the Japanese government which ignores their horrendous war crimes, and the Japanese industry which supported them.
 
Did any of you guys mention the battle of the buldge? That was one of my favorite WWII movies and I didn,t see it on any of the lists.
I have to many favorites to make a top ten but Waterloo would have to fall in that top 10 of course. No one mentioned the great battles scences in War and piece! The battles scences from the battle of borodino in that movie were great although the movie does drag a bit but awsome battle scences!!!
I would have to sit down and really think about a top ten list but I think ten movies is not enough.
 
Louis Badolato said:
I remember the movie "When Trumpets Fade". I had never heard of the Huertgen Forrest before, and the movie really disturbed me. I read up on the battle, and it began my complete disillusionment with Allied, and particularly American, leadership during the war. I began to realize how much we owed to the troops under the rank of Colonel, and that we won that war in spite of the higher ranking officers. At least that's my read of the situation.

"Midway" was one of the first war movies I ever watched as a kid. The scene with the herioc Torpedo Bomber pilots all being shot down cemented an early love for the U.S. armored forces, and an unhealthy hatred for the Japanese people I have never really fully overcome. To this day every time I see footage of a Jap Carrier taking a hit from U.S. Dive Bombers it makes me feel good. I hold no malice against Japanese individuals, but I still have no respect for the Japanese government which ignores their horrendous war crimes, and the Japanese industry which supported them.
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I just got done reading Ship Of Ghosts about the survivors of the USS Houston. They were taken prisoner and sent to Thailand to work on the Thailand - Burma railway. The treatment of prisoners was unreal. They were just used up and left to die with no real medical treatment and hardly any food. The U.S. signed some treaty in 1951 and part of it prevented American servicemen from seeking reparations for mistreatment.
 
Great war scenes.......any battle scene from Braveheart-best line-King Edward to his officer questioning the use of archers during the melee of their forces " but it will hit their men also "....
custer's last stand from Son of Morning Star.........
the Samurai charge from the last Samurai...
the charge of the Scots Greys from Waterloo....
the British defenders singing the Welsh hymn in Zulu...
Picket's charge from Gettysburg........

HOW CAN WE SAY ANY 10 OF ANY OF THESE GREAT WAR MOVIES ARE THE BEST..Almost impossible task.....Michael
 
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