Top 5 War Movies.
By EpicSteve 120 Comments
Below are my favorite interpretations of real-world wars. My taste in war movies are strictly modern movies, so you wont see any black and white WWII hero movies.
5. Black Hawk Down (2001)
Conflict: Battle of Mogadishu
Based on a True Story: Yes
Based on a book: Yes
Directed by Ridley Scot
Cast: Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Orlando Bloom
Awards: Best film editing and sound in 2001
Black Hawk Down shows the Battle of Mogadishu, a battle in 1993 were U.S. Rangers and Cavalry were on a mission to capture a violent warlord responsible for genocide. What was expected to be a 1 hour "tag him and bag him" mission turned into a day-long struggle to survive. The entire city U.S. forces were raiding was hostile. In short supply of men and resources, the soldiers find that they were caught in a trap within the in the city fighting thousands of Somalians. The conclusion of the fighting left 19 American soldiers dead, and over 1,000 Somalian civilians and insurgents dead, and the targeted warlord wasn't captured for another three years.
The film itself has little drama and is merely a 90 minute battle sequence. But it does have some well-directed action which is rare in the field of modern-military movies.
Real-World Results of the fight:
The Battle of Mogadishu has had many long-term affects on American military. Osama Bin Laden used the battle as a recruiting tool, showing off weak U.S. intelligence and overall weakness. The event has also made the military weary of any African operations. A lot of people blame this event for the lack of U.S. intervention on Darfur genocide and certain terrorism operations in Africa. The mission was considered to be the greatest modern military failure and defeat.
Also, one of my Drill Sergeants who trained me was in this conflict. That's kind of cool.
How I'll apply this movie to my life: Never find security in Helicopters.
4. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Conflict: WWII
Based on a True Story: The characters and plot, no. Obviously the setting and events totally happened.
Based on a book: No
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Tom Hawks, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Matt Damon
Awards: Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, Best Director.
The main plot of the film revolved around a team of soldiers looking for a lost 101st private whom is the last surviving brother among the Ryan family, the other three brothers died on D-Day. Obviously taking place in WWII, Saving Private Ryan's set in the initial invasion of Nazi occupied France. Saving Private Ryan is probably both the most graphic and artistically accurate among military adaptations. The film is most known for its realistic and well-produced Normandy Beach landing scene, were U.S. soldiers stormed Omaha beach. If you haven't seen what is widely considered the best battle scene of all time, I highly recommend it. Keep in mind, it's a 24 minute opening. You'll be hard-pressed to not say "fuck...dude" after the horrific scene concludes.
How I'll apply this movie to my life: I will never clear something called a "murder hole"
3. We Were Soldiers (2002)
Conflict: Early Vietnam War.
Based on a True Story: Yes
Based on a book: Yes
Directed by: Randall Wallace
Cast: Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Taylor Momsen, Sam Elliott
We Were Soldiers tells the true story of a group of Cavalry Scouts (1st Cavalry) fight in "the valley of death" during the Battle of Ia Drang on November, 1965. This was the first major conflict in Vietnam involving U.S. troops. Not long into the fight, the soldiers are ambushed by the enemy. Think of this as Black Hawk Down...but in a jungle. This is probably one of the more depressing war movies I've seen. The film depicts the heavy losses the cavalry took during the battle and the affects of their wives back home. In fact, the movie does a good job with the roles played by both Col Hal Moore (Mel Gibson) and his wife Julia Moore during the war. Moore lead his men into battle, and his wife back home let her friends know how their fallen husbands. Both of them constantly having a difficult time but playing their role. Unfortunately I can't watch this movie with my girlfriend because it makes her sad.
As a fellow Cavalrymen, I feel like I have some weird personal connection with the event. This movie does have a lot of neat Cav Scout history in it if you're one yourself, or are interested in those soldiers.
Real world results of the fight:
This battle was widely used as a lesson for both sides. The American Army and Marines starting using more helicopters, artillery and combat air support. The Viet Cong learned that in order to defeat Americans they had to attack in close combat, quickly and aggressively in large numbers. The battle was considered a draw with neither side making any real progress in the war. U.S. took nearly 350 fatalities and over 300 wounded during the two day battle.How I'll apply this film to my life: Fire is bad.
2. Hurt Locker (2009)
Conflict: Post-Invasion Iraq
Based on a True Story: Conflict only, plot is mostly fiction. A lot of the events in the movie were inspired by real-world events witnessed by the writer.
Based on a book: No
Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow
Cast: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty
Awards: Various independent awards and honors. 2010 BAFTA -- best film, editing, directors, screen play, cinematography, and sound. Nominated for 9 Academy Award including Best Picture and Best Director.
Unlike my past-listings, Hurt Locker isn't depressing, it doesn't show large amounts of American-related deaths, it isn't even a major war-turning conflict, nor does it focus on the violence of war but the absence of violence in war. The movie revolves around a three-man EOD team, risk-taker Sergeant First-Class James, no-bullshit Sergeant Sanborn, and rookie Specialist Eldridge. The main theme of the script is the addictive nature of combat, set up by a simple powerful quote from author Chris Hedges: “War is a drug.”
The film focuses on the dynamics among the men when the set out on missions. Hurt Locker is jammed-packed with intense memorable moments that'll leave you on the edge of your seat. This isn't really an action movie, but more of a thriller.
How I'll apply this film to my life: Just shoot at bombs with .50 cal and call it a day.
1. Band of Brothers (2001)
10 -- 1hr Episode mini-series.
Obviously not a movie, but my current title for this blog is short and good enough.
Conflict: Allies invasion of Nazi-occupied France, then Germany toward the end of the series.
Based on a True Story: Yes
Based on a book: Yes
Directed by: Various people directed different episodes. Most notably, Tom Hawks, Phil Alden Robinson, and David Frankel.
Cast: David Schwimmer, Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, Donnie Wahlberg
Band of Brothers is a mini-series depicting Easy Company's (101st Airborne) role in World War II. It stars with their jump-training, then leads into D-Day, Market Garden, Battle of the Bulge the Holocaust and eventually the entry into Germany and the ending of the European war. The series is praised for its historical accuracy. The real-world Easy-Company soldiers were used as technical advisers for the series, and each episode was approved by the surviving soldiers before airing. All the show's characters are based on actual members of Easy Company. Each episode also opens with pre-recorded interviews of the surviving soldiers telling their tale of the episode's interpretation you're about to watch. Each episode had a $12 million budget.
I could go on and on regarding how awesome Band of Brother is, but it's something you should see for yourself. This is one of the only examples of film in which I honestly knew how the characters felt and what they were thinking. The action is well-directed, and the show is also well-paced. Some scenes are light-hearted and funny, others are depressing and horrifying. From the presentation to the acting, Band of Brothers is fantastic in nearly every way.
It's easy to see why Band of Brothers is highly acclaimed and is considered HBO's best series to date. It tells a gritty and realistic tale of heroes and their struggle against the German army. It honors the soldier's tale and reveals some of the darkest events in American history. I tip my hat to everyone involved in this project and the men of the 101st.
Real world results of the fight: Easy Company was arguably the most useful tool during the war. They've killed countless Nazi soldiers and captured important towns, roads, and other strategic strongholds. They've saved the lives of other units many times and have endured grueling circumstances.
How I'll apply this series to my life: Well, I'm doing the Airborne thing. Close enough, right?
You should also watch: Apocalypse Now, Generation Kill and Full Metal Jacket.
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