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

[The Lt.]

Awhile back Military Classics Illustred featured their pick for the 10 Best War Movies of All Times. Let's see what we come up with for our BEST 10.

Their Top Ten

1. Lawrence of Arabia, 1962
2. All Quite on the Western Front, 1930
3. ZULU, 1964
4. The Great Escape, 1963
5. They Were Expendable, 1945
6. Patton, 1970
7. Four Feathers, 1939
8. Apoclypse Now, 1979
9. Battle Ground, 1949
10.The Charge of The Light Brigade,1936

Also ran as runners up

11. Gunga Din, 1939
12. Paths of Glory, 1957
13. The Bridge On the River Kwai, 1957
14. Wings, 1927
15. The Longest Day, 1962
16. The Sands of Iwo Jima, 1949
17. The Sand Pebbles, 1966
18. The Wind and The Lion, 1975
19. Pork Chop Hill, 1959
20. Beau Geste, 1939

They also ran a featured article of Toy Soldiers in The Movies in a later edition which mentioned King and Country, Barzo Playset and Conte.

I'm sure the above will be up for debate.....The Lt.

 

[jazzeum]

I find it hard to believe that Paths of Glory is not in the top 10. Also, I'm not sure I'd classify Lawrence of Arabia as a war movie. It never me struck me as such; it's just a great movie. Period.

Apocalypse Now? Interesting but leaden towards the end. Patton, not in my top 20.

I'm surprised Burt Lancaster's The Train isn't on here. You could also make a case for Dr. Strangelove to be in here although I could see how it's not since it's "fantasy" (Mein Fuhrer, I Can Walk Again!)

 

[Rob]

In no particular order mine would be:

Zulu
Longest day
Saving Private Ryan
All quite on the western front
49th Parallel(i love propaganda films!)
Battle of Britain
Bridge to far
Great Escape
Paths of Glory
Schindlers list

Rob

 

[jazzeum]

Here from Channel 4 in the UK is a list of 100 best as voted by viewers, http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/microsites/W/greatest_warfilms/results/5-1.html

While you may not necessarily agree with the results, the list probably captures some great movies. They rate Dr. Strangelove number 18 and Apocalypse Now number 2 (shows what I know).

 

[Eazy]

Zulu
Where Eagles Dare
A Bridge Too Far
The Great Escape
Zulu Dawn
The Longest Day
Stalingrad
The Eagle has Landed
The Guns of Navarone
Bridge on the River Kwai

 

[kilted vampire]

Gettysberg!!!!

I can not believe it . Not one vote at all, anywhere? I can agree with a lot of you on your choices, but cheese and crackers you guys.

 

[Wraith]

Great idea for a thread.
OK, so my top ten, and these are in order of enjoyment and re-watchability (or some word like that, which actually exists), rather than historical accuracy etc.:

1. Black Hawk Down
2. A Bridge Too Far
3. Kelly's Heroes (sorry, but I can't help liking it)
4. The Bridge at Remagen
5. Saving Private Ryan
6. The Longest Day
7. 84 Charlie Mopic
8. The Great Escape
9. They Were Expendable
10. The Battle of the Bulge
10a. Where Eagles Dare
10b. Hamburger Hill
10c. Full Metal Jacket
10d. The Guns of Navarone
10e. Anzio
10f. Von Ryan's Express
10g. Zulu
10h. Das Boot
10i. Battle of Britain
10j. Cross of Iron

There may be a slight bias here towards the WWII onwards period, but, hey...

Simon

 

[CannonFodder1971]

Some of the best "war movies" are probably war-related movies (eg Casablanca) or anti-war movies (eg Paths of Glory). I'm not sure whether Westerns such as 'The Outlaw Josey Wales' count as war movies.

My list, in no particular order:

Schlinder's List
Gladiator
Catch 22
Land and Freedom
Great Escape
Dam Busters
Battle of Algiers
Platoon
Breaker Morant
Thin Red Line

I've about 50 others that I'll remember when I see other peoples' postings.

 

[sirsydney]

Greetings from Oregon. I'm suprised that nobody has mentioned "12 O'clock High." It's still the best in my book for WW2 airplane movies. Another war (or its aftermath) is "The Best Years of Our Lives"--an oscar winner. Also like to give shout to "Gallipoli." Most of the other movies mentioned I agree with--either a little or a lot. Regards.
Steve

 

[Louis Badolato]

I'm with Rob & Easy. Every one of the movies on their lists is fantastic. One movie I would definitely have on my top ten list is "Twelve O'Clock High" starring Gregory Peck. I can't imagine a top ten war movie list being complete without "Saving Private Ryan", which is just about the most amazing film I've ever seen. The fact that "Shakespeare in Love" beat it out for best picture is just about the biggest travesty in Oscar History.

 

[Kurt]

The Battle of the Bulge
Gettysburg
The Dirty Dozen
Patton
Midway
Ice Station Zebra (Hey, its the Cold War)
Where Eagles Dare
Saving Private Ryan
Gladiator
Gods and Generals

 

[modwalls]

The Great Escape, Spartacus, Saving Private Ryan, The Vikings, Kelly's Hero's, Zulu, Heartbreak Ridge, The Longest Day, Charge of the Light Brigade, Braveheart. I will watch these anytime there on. How about the TV series Combat. The late great SGT. Saunders AKA Vic Morrow. Mike.

 

[Warrior]

My list is as follows;

1.) Saving Private Ryan (agree 1000% with what Louis said)
2.) Band of Brothers (mini series and not a movie, but spectacular)
3.) Stalingrad (1992 version, outstanding)
4.) Winter War (war between Russia and Finland, superb)
5.) A Bridge Too Far (terrific movie in its day)
6.) Cross of Iron (assault on the factory was terrific)
7.) The Brotherhood of War (Korean movie about the Korean War)
8.) Full Metal Jacket (best Vietnam movie in my opinion)
9.) Enemy at the Gates (assault across the Volga was outstanding)
10.) Kelly's Heroes (loved it, an all time classic)

 

[maddadicus]

This is no fair ,since I have about 30 all time favorites........
No particular order
1)Gettysburg...ACW
2)Son of Morning Star...Custer
3)Zulu / Zulu Dawn
4)Waterloo
5)Saving Private Ryan
6)The Lost Battalion...WW1
7)Braveheart
8)Rough Riders
9)We Were Soldiers
10)Major Dundee

11)Sahara
12)March or Die
13)Wind and the Lion
14)The Lion of the Desert
and,and,and.........you get the idea 15) Last of Mohichans... Michael

 

[jrsteel]

I'm with Rob & Easy. Every one of the movies on their lists is fantastic. One movie I would definitely have on my top ten list is "Twelve O'Clock High" starring Gregory Peck. I can't imagine a top ten war movie list being complete without "Saving Private Ryan", which is just about the most amazing film I've ever seen. The fact that "Shakespeare in Love" beat it out for best picture is just about the biggest travesty in Oscar History.

Louis I agree about Twelve O' Clock High. Great movie. I haven't paid attention to the Oscar's since Saving Private Ryan lost. What a joke. Apocalypse Now was beaten out by Kramer vs. freakin' Kramer. Here's my top ten.

1. Bridge On The River Kwai
2. Saving Private Ryan
3. Battleground
4. They Were Expendable
5. The Story Of G.I. Joe
6. Twelve O' Clock High
7. The Wild Geese ( Not WW2.British mercenaries in Africa)
8. Too Late The Hero
9. Attack
10. The Dirty Dozen

 

[The Lt.]

Gee Guys so far you've missed a couple of goodies.

Khartoum, The Lives of The Bengal Lancers, Young Winston, and let us not forget "WATERLOO

And can anyone tell me who starred in The Movie "The Fighting 69Th"

Haven't posted mine yet.................The Lt.

 

[modwalls]

The fighting 69th great flick with James Cagney and is it Hugh O'Brian? Mike.

 

[sirsydney]

Fighting 69th had Pat O'Brien in it. Hugh O' played Wyatt Earp. By the way another movie to consider is the Napoeleonic era film "The Duellists"

 

[kilted vampire]

Hey they are all good movies. Some of them I will beadding to my list on netflix. Fighting 69th for instance.

 

[sam04]

I don't know what my top ten are, but Schindlers List is one of my all time favorites movies period. The scene with the little girl in the red dress floored me. Tough movie to watch.