What is the Best military movie?

SSG Kory Clausen — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 18:31:04 -0400

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 6:32 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 18:32:09 -0400

Hurt locker or black hawk down

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Apr 28 at 2016 6:34 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 18:34:08 -0400

SSG Kory Clausen - There are so many. When I was younger, "Full Metal Jacket" was a long-standing favorite. However if I have to pick one, I'm going with "Fury."

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 6:35 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 18:35:48 -0400

The Longest Day or Tora! Tora! Tora!

Of the modern releases, I'd go with Lone Survivor, but being a Chinook pilot, I'm a bit biased.

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made Apr 28 at 2016 6:44 PM

SPC Andrew Griffin — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 18:44:59 -0400

Saving Private Ryan

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Apr 28 at 2016 6:53 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 18:53:19 -0400

We were soldiers actually had me shaking, just a touch but enough the Mrs noticed....

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Apr 28 at 2016 7:21 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 19:21:47 -0400

So many to choose from...can't pick just one one. But my all time faves:
We Were Soldiers
Midway
The Longest Day
The Great Escape
Black Hawk Down
And for a little levity: Kelly's Heroes.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Apr 28 at 2016 7:23 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 19:23:27 -0400

A Bridge too far
Zulu
Rough Riders. 3 of my all time favorites

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 28 at 2016 7:38 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 19:38:33 -0400

In the Army Now and Down Periscope.

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Apr 28 at 2016 8:19 PM

SFC Andrew Miller — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 20:19:08 -0400

The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now, and Full Metal Jacket.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Apr 28 at 2016 8:33 PM

SSgt Terry P. — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 20:33:22 -0400

SSG Kory Clausen Enemy at the gates was a great movie. "Fury" also.

Response by MAJ John Griffin made Apr 28 at 2016 8:55 PM

MAJ John Griffin — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 20:55:07 -0400

The Lobgest Day -- great movie about the MOST IMPORTANT DAY of the 20th Century. 2nd most important day was 22 Nov 1963.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 28 at 2016 10:08 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 22:08:58 -0400

SSG Kory Clausen Gardens of Stone! Glory, caring, sharing, comradie, The Old Guard, final results!! Professional and public Vietnam attitudes exemplified!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 10:34 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 22:34:39 -0400

Platoon

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2016 10:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 22:35:28 -0400

Black Hawk Down, Apocaylpse Now, Full Metal Jacket

Response by SGT Ej P. made Apr 28 at 2016 11:19 PM

SGT Ej P. — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 23:19:38 -0400

Im sure it doesnt count but..
TROPIC THUNDER :D LOL

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Apr 28 at 2016 11:43 PM

CW4 Angel C. — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 23:43:07 -0400

Apocalypse Now and Hambuger Hill

Response by Maj John Bell made Apr 29 at 2016 1:35 AM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 01:35:15 -0400

The Siege at Firebase Gloria

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 29 at 2016 2:24 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 02:24:22 -0400

Your question is very complex, as tastes will obviously differ considerably. However, that being said, I agree that many of the films mentioned here were obviously quite good. Nevertheless, I do have a couple of very specific favorites, one of which, I think, would be very little known to military film aficionados. My personal favorite since I'd seen it is The Great Raid, about the rescue of some 100-300 American POWs of the Japanese from their POW camp at Cabanatuan in the Philippines soon after the landing at Luzon. The film, I'd read, was actually disliked by sevl prominent critcs who found it far too accurate to their personal tastes, to the point of actually being boring, other than some extremely slight and, of course, totally fictional Hollywoodization. Given those limitations, however, it must surely rank as one of the most strictly accurate ww2 films ever made, with the actual film of the real survivors and the leaders of the rescue being surely one of the very best and strictly accurate ww2 film renditions of all time. Next mist accurate I've ever seen, and, in fact, quite surprisingly, was the Unbroken film about Capt Louis zamperini done by Angelina Jolie, who was obviously, while amazingly good at letting his story tell itself, also was nevertheless extremely fortunate in having a subject with as highly detailed and well recounted a story as his. Next, watch Prisoners of the Sun, with Bryan brown, Russell crowe in an early performance for him, tesu Watanabe, and, interestingly, George takei ("sulu") in a quite serious role for a change, in which he was actually quite good. The film is a reasonably accurate retelling of the tan toey POW camp the Japanese Navy ran on the island of ambon in, I believe, Indonesia, or near it, for Australian and Dutch POWs and allied aircrew personnel. The following discusses the war crime trials that actually took place on ambon after the Japanese defeat there, and while admittedly perhaps not entirely and strcitly accurate, does actually use the real name of vice ADM Takahashi the Japanese commander. Bryan brown and Russell crowe as well as tetsu Watanabe were all extremely good, and I'd read that the quite understated performance Russell crowe gave actually propelled him considerably to other roles, so I do think it extremely well worth watching. I'm doing this on a tablet that can be quite querelsome so I'm going to send this now and try to add more shortly to avoid losing what I've typed here, hope other find it of interest, of course.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 29 at 2016 2:39 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 02:39:42 -0400

To continue: I actually found The Thin Red Line based on the 2nd of the James Jones trilogy of novels, the first being From Here to Eternity (which little known had a cameo by George Reeves alongside Burt Lancaster, George Reeves, of course, having played the Superman character on TV in the 50s, and who was also in a little known cameo in gone with the wind, which I actually was an PD am not partial to, but is worth noting from the standpoint of cine!atographic history). The third novel very little known, was Whistle, which I don't think was ever filmed. When The Thin Red Line was first shown, it was very highly oscar nominated, yet won nothing , as I thought the acting extremely good with quite taut performances. I recall reading that the reason saving private Ryan won as many ocsars as it did was because of the opening sequence, which if course, giving the film it's due, was obviously famous. However, while obviously famously accurate, many comparisons between the two films pointed out that the Thin Red Line lost due to the very strong histrionic sentiment and sepia tinted footage techniques used, especially in the scene involving gen Marshall and the Lincoln letter to Mrs bixby. As I understand the actual history, nine of that ever actually occurred. actually wish the film. Had told the true story, for which a very good documentary was actually made that I'd seen, on the history of the niland family of tonawanda NY, that being as I understand the principle incident other than the famous story of the fuve Sullivan brothers lost in the sinking of the USS Juneau and in the aftermath, the documentary recounted from a descendant as well as in the dpnarration, that not all five were lost opin the sinking, that, in fact, though equally tragic, of course, two were lost after while awaiting rescue on the open sea, an example of how hollywoodization alters history and the resulting perspective many viewers derive from watching films, instead of actually reading history per se that's all I trying to say. I'll try to send more shortly , many thanks.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 29 at 2016 2:53 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 02:53:53 -0400

The Thin Red Line as I'd said had some very good performances as I'd said, another interesting Nick nolte film on ww2, he was of course in the Thin Red Line, was farewell to the king, with Nigel havers. Then too, empire of the sun done with Christian Bale based on the autobiography of the boy Christian Bale depicted, while I don't think liked much by critics at the time, I actually found quite good, especially when read alongside the actual book, to compare the two. Cinematographically, however, my all time favorite military movie which I don't know how many here know of, is the 4 hr 1927 silent classic Napoleon , rereleased by Francis food Coppola with the musical score done bynhuis father Carmine Coppola, and which starred Abel gance the director in a supporting role, who was I believe still alive when the film was rereleased. I was very fortunate to see the film dpat it's rereleased with the musical score done by a live symphony orchestra, which, I can very definitely tell all of you, was positively mind boggling. If you've never seen the film, it was to have been the first of a series of biographical films on Napoleon. However, the film technique, which predated wide screen techniques, used three cameras at angles to one another on a single tripod, then fused all three views together in what must surely rank as one of the most incredible early cinematographic feats of the early 20th century. Also, the special effects used, especially during the end sequence, while the Marseilles was playing, along with the makeup techniques used on Albert dieudonne who played Napoleon from the French revolution through the terror on through the battle of Toulon and up to the start of the invasion of Italy, has to be seen to literally be believed. No science fiction film or Cecil b demille epic can match it, I think, especially given that it was done decades before many other ostensibly greater epics were released.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Apr 29 at 2016 2:58 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 02:58:45 -0400

I hope all I listed here was of at least some interest. Im obviously quite fond of good historical military film, though I rather tend to the view that real history, in depictions that purport to be real, should just quite simply be told exactly as incidents occur, with zero hollywoodization, and, also, absolutely zero prarphrasing. I'd of course be most eager for any further discspussion and or feedback by all means, many thanks.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 29 at 2016 6:50 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 06:50:36 -0400

Three Kings, and Full Metal Jacket brother SSG Kory Clausen

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 9:47 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 09:47:20 -0400

Hi, SSG Clausen.

To Hell and Back. 1955. It was a movie about MOH recipient Audie Murphy starring Audie Murphy.
Heartbreak Ridge. Because...you know...Clint Eastwood.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 11:47 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 11:47:01 -0400

The Pacific, Sands of Iwo Jima, Gettysburg or Band of Brothers

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 12:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 12:28:12 -0400

The Pacific, Band of Brothers, Black Hawk Down, Act of Valor, Lone Survivor just to name a few.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2016 12:31 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Apr 2016 12:31:18 -0400

My favourites are Patton and Restrepo, and I am a little surprised I've not seen either mentioned yet.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 1:05 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 01:05:33 -0400

Apocalypse Now Redux!

Response by CPL Patrick Brewbaker made May 25 at 2016 7:16 AM

CPL Patrick Brewbaker — Wed, 25 May 2016 07:16:11 -0400

Flight of the Intruder, I loved the A-6s.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 25 at 2016 10:22 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 25 May 2016 10:22:24 -0400

Of the recent ones "Saving Private Ryan" is very hard for me to watch SSG Kory Clausen
Of the classic ones "Doctor Strangelove," "All Quite on the Western Front," "Breaker Morant" "Gallipoli," 'Bridge on the River Kwai" with and honorable mentions to " Deer Hunter," and John Wayne's "The Green Berets"
LTC Stephen C. COL Mikel J. Burroughs CPT L S CW5 Charlie Poulton CW5 Private RallyPoint Member SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas SGM Steve Wettstein SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Sgt Joe LaBranche GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad SGT Forrest Stewart SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SrA Christopher Wright Thanks for mentioning me LTC Private RallyPoint Member

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made May 25 at 2016 11:22 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 25 May 2016 11:22:31 -0400

SSG Kory Clausen There are so many good ones that it is hard to select the best... Ones that come to mind are Patton, The Longest Day, Tora Tora Tora, Pearl Harbor, We Were Soldiers, Saving Private Ryan, Inglorious Bastards (original and remake), Balck Hawk Down, American Sniper, and, of course, the HBO series Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Also, "historical" movies like Braveheart and the Patriot are super, as well.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 11:28 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 11:28:42 -0400

Yes it is all about taste. What about Kelly's Heroes or Bridge over the River Kwai?

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made May 25 at 2016 6:21 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 25 May 2016 18:21:30 -0400

SSG Kory Clausen We where Soldiers

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 10:19 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 22:19:12 -0400

"Sands of Iwo Jima ( 50's )

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 26 at 2016 2:00 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 26 May 2016 02:00:14 -0400

I love a lot of them. MASH the original movie, Saving Private Ryan, Dr Strangelove; or how I learned to love the Bomb, Full Metal Jacket, The Messenger, Apocalypse Now, Platoon, The Deer Hunter, Midway, The Great Escape, Catch 22.

Response by SPC Kenneth Koerperich made May 26 at 2016 2:53 AM

SPC Kenneth Koerperich — Thu, 26 May 2016 02:53:39 -0400

Act of Valor
Lone Survivor
American Sniper
Black Hawk Down
We Were Soldiers
Platoon
Full Metal Jacket
Saving Private Ryan
Hurt Locker
Series: Band of Brothers
Can't Forget the "Duke" : Green Berets
Back to Bataan
Sands of Iwo Jima
Tora Tora
Pearl Harbor
And Many More.....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 4:19 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 16:19:55 -0400

Patton, Bridge Over The River Kwai, The Longest Day, Pearl Harbor, my favorite is Shenandoah.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made May 26 at 2016 5:43 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Thu, 26 May 2016 17:43:36 -0400

In harms way with John Wayne and a whole host of other greats.

Response by TSgt Jason Murphy made May 26 at 2016 10:55 PM

TSgt Jason Murphy — Thu, 26 May 2016 22:55:20 -0400

The Pentagon Wars.

Response by GySgt Carl Rumbolo made May 26 at 2016 11:08 PM

GySgt Carl Rumbolo — Thu, 26 May 2016 23:08:40 -0400

Zulu
The Longest Day
A Bridge Too Far
Gettysburg (all 4.5 hours of it)
Battle Cry (1955 - Aldo Ray, Van Heflin, James Whitmore, Tab Hunter - can't get much better)
Battleground - another with James Whitmore - movie won a couple of Oscars
Saving Private Ryan

Response by Deborah Gregson made May 27 at 2016 3:39 PM

Deborah Gregson — Fri, 27 May 2016 15:39:03 -0400

Unbroken and Saving Private Ryan.

Response by SSG Richard Reilly made May 31 at 2016 2:10 PM

SSG Richard Reilly — Tue, 31 May 2016 14:10:43 -0400

Stripes.

Response by SGT Robert Riley made May 31 at 2016 4:13 PM

SGT Robert Riley — Tue, 31 May 2016 16:13:33 -0400

A Bridge too Far

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2016 4:51 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 May 2016 16:51:19 -0400

I would say there are a few not really traditional ones:
the Beast of War (1988)
Charlie Wilson's War (2007)
even Red Dawn (1984)

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jun 18 at 2016 8:23 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 20:23:25 -0400

I have not seen it but I have had two Iraq veteran friends recommend 13 Hours this week. Most of the online reviews seem to give it 5 stars so I will be watching it soon. In general I agree with most of the ones posted.

Response by SPC Gary C. made Jul 31 at 2022 4:43 AM

SPC Gary C. — Sun, 31 Jul 2022 04:43:05 -0400

Run silent Run deep
12 o'clock High

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2022 5:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jul 2022 05:11:16 -0400

Hacksaw Ridge..