Boy, so many movies to choose from. Previous posters have covered many of the best movies filmed. Listed below are some of my favourite movies with some additional comments:
* The Great Escape. This film would have been better if the motorcycle race hadn't been included. But apparently, Steve McQueen thought the film needed more action and being the top star - he got what he wanted. One thing that I've always found interesting about this film is the presence of Donald Pleasance. Pleasance had served with the RAF in WWII, was shot down and actually served time in a POW camp! At least two of his co-starts also served in the military; Steve McQueen had served in the USMC, but never in combat, and James Garner had served in the Army and was wounded during the Korean War. Its amazing how many older movie stars had actually served in the military, often in combat. Unfortunately, it’s very rare these days. Another story for another day.
* Saving Private Ryan. The first thirty minutes of the film are outstanding and the special effects throughout the movie are very good. The rest of the movie is very good, except for some Hollywoodisms (walking across an open field in broad daylight). When the movie was over everyone just sat in silence and do one moved. The only time I've seen that happen in a movie.
* Go tell the Spartans. A good movie starring Burt Lancaster about the early American involvement in Vietnam.
* Cross of Iron. A rare movie in that it’s taken from the German point of view. The movie was directed by Sam Peckinpah who was known for his use of violent, slow-motion scenes of killings and you get it spades in this movie. One of my all-time favourites. Filmed in Yugoslavia which meant the use of lots of authentic equipment (T-34s, MP-40s, MG-42s, etc.).
* Bridges at Toko-Ri. A good film about USAF pilots ordered to destroy a set of bridges during the Korean War. Stars William Holden, Grace Kelly and Mickey Rooney.
* To Hell and Back. Autobiographic film of Audie Murphy's service in WWII. Audie Murphy, besides being a popular film star in the 50s and 60s, was also the most decorated U.S. soldier during WWII. He managed to win pretty well every decoration the Americans had including the Medal of Honor. And survivied!!
* The Quiet American. Also, starring Audie Murphy. Again, about the early U.S. involvement in Vietnam. Remade a couple of years ago with Michael Caine.
* Apocalypse Now Redux. A classic. The original version was damn good and the movie has got better with the issue of the directors cut version which includes 49 minutes of additional photography which helps flesh out the story. The movie also has a couple of the best quotations ever spoken in a movie.
* Lawrence of Arabia. The American Film Institute has rated this as one of the greatest movies every filmed. If you every get the chance to see it in the theatre - take it! The small screen does not do justice to the films vast, sweeping desert scenes. Don't drink or eat before the movie as its three and a-half hours long!
* Conspiracy. No shooting, no killing, just a bunch of guys (military and civilian) sitting around a conference table in Wannsee (suburb of Berlin) deciding on how the Final Solution would be implemented. The movie is based on the only surviving record of the conference. Chilling in how cold-blooded the attendees were in making the decisions that resulted in the deaths of millions. Also, amazing is how many of the participants survived the war and ended up dying in bed instead of at the end of a rope. Stars Kenneth Branagh.
Well, I could probably go on forever, but time to stop. Taken up too much space already. Hope I didn’t bore anyone.
for this, we fight.
