Top 10 War Movies.

Happy Independence Day everyday! Last year I made a list of best Patriotic Movies for the 4th of July, so here is an updated list of my favorite war movies, because what's more patriotic than war movies? Even though there have been a few good war movies from the past years, most of the best ones were made before the 80s, and those are my many of my favorites. To qualify in the war genre a film must take place around a war from any era, however I have decided to exclude Braveheart, Captain American: the First Avenger, and The Dark Knight Rises because they are not necessarily war films, but they would certainly rank high on the list.

At Number 10: Saving Private Ryan

The opening D-Day scene is classic, there is not little more to be said.

At Number 9: Sergeant York

My favorite Gary Cooper film and an underrated classic from the era, Sergeant York is based on the life story of Alvin York, a reluctant war hero. Classic American values at its finest, and York is an all around great character.

At Number 8: The Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen basically started the now clichéd "Men on a Mission" format. Take a ragtag team of criminals on death row and send them on a suicide mission for their freedom. Despite many rip-offs and sequels, nothing tops the original Dirty Dozen.

At Number 7: Gettysburg

One of the longest films on this list, Gettysburg is an excellent telling of the bloodiest battle in American history and one of the Nation's darkest hours. Originally set to be release as a TV mini-series this over four hour long epic was edited into a theatrical released film and flopped at the box office. Gettysburg is not for those with a short attention span but will satisfy any history buff like myself with its historical accuracy.    

 Gettysburg Review.

At Number 6: Patton

Patton, based on the true story of General George S. Patton, and won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1977. George C. Scott gives a career defining and Oscar winning performance as the great General, which he no doubt deserved. Definitely one of the best biopics ever made and it actually made the subject matter entertaining were other such films often fail.

At Number 5: The Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge on the River Kwai is a unique World War II POW film, it deals more with the psychological side opposed to the physical, yet remains interesting enough to keep it entertaining. Alec Guinness' amazing performance was the core of the film's success, which he rightfully won as Oscar for.

At Number 4: Lawrence of Arabia

Over three hours in length and featuring some of, if not, the best cinematography from the era, Lawrence of Arabia is the definition of an film epic. There is not much else that needs to be said, basically watch the film if you are either a classic film buff or enjoy historical epics.

Lawrence of Arabia Review.

At Number 3: The Great Escape

The Great Escape is based on a true story of WWII POWs escaping from German prison, although do not expect a dark and realistic take on the events but more of a entertaining Hollywood flick. Many of the characters are likable from the all-star cast particularly Steve McQueen gave as Captain Virgil Hilts "The Cooler King". Who can forget his iconic motorcycle chase through the German country side.

The Great Escape Review.

At Number 2: Kelly's Heroes

Out of all the films on this list, Kelly's Heroes has probably been seen by the fewest people. Kelly's Heroes is an unconventional war film because it is more of a comedy, but does have some fun action scenes throughout. Donald Sutherland's character Oddball is hilarious! He really steals the show and Clint Eastwood is awesome as always as Kelly. There is some great satire in the film of Clint Eastwood's westerns and war films in general.

Kelly's Heroes Review

At Number 1: Inglourious B------

Inglourious is an unconventional choice, albeit a popular one for Quentin Tarantino fans. It is not your typical war film, Inglourious has a style all its own and is packed with well written and suspense dialogue scenes. While it is somewhat for some, I found it to be fantastic, a truly great film with a perfectly twisted sense of humor. *Major Spoiler* Inglourious is not realistic by any means, they end up killing Hitler by the end of the film, but that is what makes it so great because it is so unique, unpredictable and over-the-top. *End Spoiler*

 

Honorable Mention: Caine Munity, Black Hawk Down,

 

What are your favorite war films? Please comment below and happy 4th of July!

 

 

 

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 10 War Movies.

Since today is Memorial Day, here is the list of my Top 10 Favorite War movies. I am defining the "War" movie genre as any movie that takes place during a real war. However the movie can still be fiction if it takes place during war like Saving Private Ryan, The Bridge on the River Kwai and The Dirty Dozen, which are all fiction but based on a real war. Although I do like many war movies, there are not a lot of truly great ones but here is the list of my Top 10 favorites. Also I am not going to include Captain America: The First Avenger as a war movie on the list but if I did include, it would rank number one on the list.

At Number 10: Definence

Based on a true story, about Jews hiding from the Nazi Holocaust.

At Number 9: Black Hawk Down

Although I find it hard to enjoy some war movies that are based directly on history, that show the horrors of war too realistically. But Black Hawk Down is a good accurate war movie based on true events.

At Number 8: Sergeant York

Now this is a great movie, one of my favorites. Based on the true life story of Alvin York, that follows him from his early life and on.

At Number 7: Saving Praivate Ryan

This might be closer to top of most others' lists but there are some flaws with the story that hinder it from true greatness and you never really care about what happens to the characters since their goal is almost unnecessary. Despite these flaws the opening D-Day scene is one of the most gripping and realistic battle scene ever filmed.

At Number 6: The Dirty Dozen

The classic WWII "Bad Men on a Mission" movie. With the all-star cast of Hollywood's best tough-guys,

At Number 5: The Bridge on the River Kwai

The Bridge on the River Kwai, the Oscar winning war epic. One of the best prison movies ever made and Alec Guinness' performance was legendary.

At Number 4: Lawrence of Arabia

Although you might not think that Lawrence of Arabia is a war movie but it does take place during World War I agianst the Turks, who were alies with the Germans.

At Number 3: The Great Escape

Based on the true story of POWs escaping from a German prison camp. The movie has humor, a all-star cast and a great chase scene. There are a few other reasons that I like the movie but that would spoil the plot.

At Number 2: Braveheart

Some might not think of Braveheart as a war movie, but it is about war. And if you have seen the movie you would probably agree that this a great movie.

At Number 1: Kelly's Heroes

Okay, this is an very unconventional choice, that most people have not seen. Kelly's Heroes is an action comedy and my favorite action comedy. It is very underrated and not seen by very many people. I probably will get some flack for this choice but I really did enjoy the movie.

What are your favorite War movie? Please comment below.

If you want to contact us or have any question please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.