Mine is Jarhead. Mostly for the fact that it shows the other side of war. Not the "we're going to save the day". Nothing ever happens, and I love that.
Does Restrepo count? If not, I'd go with Band of Brothers. Well, it's not a movie. So then I'll go with Black Hawk Down. In most cases, I can only enjoy a war movie that's a true story. I don't know if that's weird or not.
Platoon is my favorite. One of the films made before a young Charlie Sheen would have a tragic accident at a tiger blood bottling facility (where he worked nights to fund his then-2 gram rocks) that turned him into the warlock he is better known as today.
Saving Private Ryan . Also there is another one but I don't know the name . There were snipers and a boy was hanged because he told something . What's the name of that movie? if anyone knew what it is
@PenguinDust: Your list covers the most important ones, but just in case people didn't read it, I feel A Bridge Too Far and Bridge On The River Kwai deserve direct mention in the thread. As an aside, there was a movie made that was Canadian and American commandos teaming up, but I can't for the life of me remember the name of it. Do you, by any chance, know what movie I'm thinking of?
I'll throw out there The Boys in Company C as an excellent Vietnam movie. Definitely worth watching.
But my pick for the best war movie would have to be Sergeant York.
@EveretteScott: There are tons of good war movies out there, many of which probably won't get mentioned, just because of how high the overall quality of the genre is, like Merrill's Marauders, Stalag 17, Hamburger HIll, Porkchop Hill, and the list goes on.
Also, at PenguinDust again, Buck Privates technically isn't a World War II movie. The whole premise of the Buck Private was that it was the first time we had a peacetime standing army (and/or a peacetime draft, I can't remember which exactly), and so the premise of the movie is that they've joined before the war broke out (hence the name).
"As an aside, there was a movie made that was Canadian and American commandos teaming up, but I can't for the life of me remember the name of it. Do you, by any chance, know what movie I'm thinking of?
Also, at PenguinDust again, Buck Privates technically isn't a World War II movie. The whole premise of the Buck Private was that it was the first time we had a peacetime standing army (and/or a peacetime draft, I can't remember which exactly), and so the premise of the movie is that they've joined before the war broke out (hence the name). "
The film you are looking for is 1968's The Devil's Brigade. I found this clip on YouTube. Wow, that one takes me back. I really had forgotten this movie but having my memory refreshed by the scene, I remember liking the film. I'm not sure I'd place it in the "best" category, but it's worth an afternoon's time if it shows up on cable. Heh-heh, I recall now saying "Hey, there's Sheriff Lobo!" when I first saw it.
As for my inclusion of Buck Privates, well as you point out, it takes place before the start of American involvement in the war; however I feel it still (perhaps unknowingly) conveys a sense of foreboding it in. That might seem odd since it's a hilarious comedy replete with patriotic performances by The Andrew Sisters, but whenever I watch it I think "uh-oh, these guys are in for some trouble later on." I could have easily picked the other Abbott and Costello military comedies In the Navy or Keep 'em Flying, since they're all very similar. All three films were released in 1941 before the bombing at Pearl Harbor. There's just something about the duo in uniform with the Andrew Sisters that makes me think of World War II. I liked Buck Privates the best of the bunch so that's why I chose that one.
@PenguinDust: Ah, yes, The Devil's Brigade. Almost definitely not the war film, but it's certainly worth a watch, as it's a good movie, and a must-see for war movie fans.
I was just ribbin' ya over Buck Privates, and at the same time making myself look smart (but kind of a dick). It's not a distinction most people would notice, or really care about. I mean, most online definition sites don't even talk about the origin (from what I've seen), and I figured it'd just be a nice little anecdote.
I should make a poll to see how many people have even seen Sergeant York. I feel like probably next to nobody has.
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