5 Best War Movies
As we inch closer and closer to the release of David Ayer’s Fury, I got to thinking about some of my favorite war movies. When I decided to research the topic a little bit more, I realized a) just how many war movies there are and b) just how many of the “greats” I still haven’t seen.
After I cooled off from my embarrassment (and updated my movie queue), I did compile a list of the five best war movies I’ve seen to date.
Here they are:
Someday (maybe) I’ll be able to make a Top 5 War Comedies (which will undoubtedly include the movie Stripes). Quentin Tarantino’s (Pulp Fiction) highly-entertaining (and beautifully written) Inglourious Basterds probably isn’t the first movie to come to mind when you think “war movies” but it certainly should be in the conversation. Tarantino and co. take some creative liberties to tell its story. However, this can (and should) be overlooked because its such a uniquely special movie.
It’s easy to get blinders when you think about war movies because there are so many classics that try to retell some of our most famous wars. However, its 2008’s The Hurt Locker – about the still-ongoing Iraq War – that may be one of the best war movies ever to look at the soldiers that fight the wars. This movie, like Inglorious Basterds, probably needs a little more time to breathe; however, I’d guess The Hurt Locker will be a movie that’ll always be considered one of the bests.
Part of the appeal of war movies involves putting us right in the middle of the action because we simply can’t (or won’t) be there. In the case of Saving Private Ryan, it puts us smack dab in the middle of one of the bloodiest moments in American wartime history (outside of perhaps Gettysburg). Not only does it show us the sheer carnage of D-Day, but it continues to tell us an inspiring story about love, loss, sacrifice, and pretty much any other qualifier you can come up with.
It’s hard to find a war movie list that doesn’t include Apocalypse Now…and for good reason. This Vietnam War pic is about the only film that rivals The Hurt Locker when it comes to studying the psychological effects of war. However, Apocalypse Now isn’t nearly as subtle as The Hurt Locker but it’s not really trying to be. Instead, it’s trying to be a no-holds-bar look at insanity. Sound crazy? That’s because it is.
It’s crazy what kind of star Liam Neeson has morphed into since his turn as Oskar Schindler in Schindler’s List. To some, they’ll never get over his portrayal as the famous Nazi leader that turned out to have one of the cinematic stories of all-time. Given the fact that this movie is based on a true story (unlike some others on this list) makes it automatically one of the top contenders. Then when you actually watch the film and see the performances, style, and symbolism, it’s sure to stick with you for the rest of your life.
There you have it! Which ones did I miss? Sound off below!
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