The task of comprising a list of the “Best Military Movies Of All Time” is a daunting one. Given the competition for this category of movies, you really have to be mindful of exactly what the list is calling for. For instance, Casablanca is a movie set in World War II and it has certainly earned its ranking as one of the best movies of all time, but is it a military movie or just a movie set in a time of war about love? Gone With The Wind is another fine example of a masterpiece of filmmaking, but while the movie is set in the civil war, it is not about the military, it is about the lives of the civilians trying to survive in the era amongst the battlefields.
Military movies are about the military. Movies about the military should provide insight about its purpose, its formality, and its significance to how our lives are shaped through the unselfish sacrifices of others. This does not mean that in order to be considered a great military movie, the movie has to be biographical or that the movie has to be accurate with regard to military protocols and procedures. That would be called a training film. Staying away from the romantic sagas within a military setting (An Officer and A Gentleman) and movies about soldiers of God, and with these very fine prerequisites, here is the compiled list of what I believe to be the “Best Military Movies Of All Time” in order of release:
All Quiet On The Western Front (1930)
Set in World War I, this message in this movie is anti-war. The movie follows the lives of German schoolboys who are inspired to join the German military by their schoolmaster. Innocence is lost in the ugliness of war and it takes it toll killing all but one of the boys. The title is taken from irony. On a day when all appears quiet, the last surviving boy reaches out to a butterfly; a shot rings out. In 1990, All Quiet On the Wester Front was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. This film has also been named one of the Top Ten Epics of All Time by the American Film Institute.
Mutiny On The Bounty (1935)
There has been many poems, songs, novels and movies about the true story of the British ship Bounty that set sail in 1789 for the purpose of gathering breadfruit from Tahiti. The historical accounts of the voyage and the mutiny however, have always been in dispute. In films, the likes of Charles Laughton (1935), Trevor Howard (1962) and Anthony Hopkins (1984) have played the roles of Captain William Bligh and; Errol Flynn (1933), Clark Gable (1935), Marlon Brando (1962) and Mel Gibson (1984) have portrayed Fletcher Christian. The popularity of the tale must take into account that as far as the genre of “military” goes, in 1789 naval forces were the primary branch of service. Mutiny is a serious charge aboard a naval vessel even in this day and age. When considering a listing of “Best Military Movies Of All Time” Mutiny on the Bounty deserves mentioning due to it historical value however, the entertainment value of the films is limited by several factors. By comparison, the fictional Crimson Tide provides a dramatic mutiny story with loads of added suspense for entertainment value. In 2003, the American Film Institute named the character of Captain Bligh as one of the top “100 Years of Heroes and Villians” in a film, as a villian.
Paths of Glory (1957)
Set in World War I, this movie is based loosely on the true story of four French soldiers, under who were executed for mutiny. Kirk Douglas stars as Dax, a regiment Colonol ordered to plan an attack against a fortified German position by his commanding officer who is angling for a promotion. Dax knows the attack will end in failure. After the failed attack, the disappointed French commander orders the execution of three random soldiers as punishment for the failure of the regiment. Dax then tries to defend the soldiers at their court martial however it is soon made very clear that the executions will take place whether there is legal grounds for them or not. After the public executions, Dax is offered his commanding officers position which he turns down. The film shows the frustration and dissolutionment that Dax experiences. In 1992, Paths of Glory was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
No list of top military movies would be complete without this one!The film stars Peter O’Toole in the title role with performances by renowned artists such as Omar Sharif, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jose Ferrer, and Claude Rains.The film depicts the true life experiences of Britian’s T.E. Lawrence in Arabia during World War I and his involvement in the Arab National Council. Lawrence of Arabia shows the divided allegiance that T.E. Lawrence had between his native Britain and his Arab associates. This film has been named one of the Top Ten Epics of All Time by the American Film Institute. In 1991, Lawrence of Arabia was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. In 2003, T.E. Lawrence was named as one of the American Film Institutes “100 years of Heroes and Villians” in film, as a hero and in 2005, the score for the film written by Maurice Jarre was recognized as one of the best in “100 years of Film Scores.”
M*A*S*H (1970)
The setting for this movie is a Korean field hospital during the Korean War. Using humor and satire, the movie seeks to depict the madness and horrors of war through the eyes of the doctors and nurses who were forced to deal with the travesties while trying to maintain their sanity. The film stars Donald Sutherland, Elliot Gould, Sally Kellerman, and Robert Duvall among other renowned artists. The film spawned the television series which is widely considered one of the most popular ever produced. In 1996, M*A*S*H was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. In the year 2000, the American Film Institute named M*A*S*H one of Americas funniest movies.
Patton (1970)
Although the military service of George S. Patton was controversial, his portrayal by George C. Scott is chilling. Set during World War II, this biographical film left viewers with the lasting impression that throughout time, a transcendent warrior is reborn. During times of conflict that true soldier will emerge for no other purpose than to fight for as long as he is needed. Patton may have been that soldier. In 2003, Patton was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress and was named one of the American Film Insitutes top “100 Years of Heroes and Villians” in film, as a hero.
A Few Good Men (1992)
Some would say that A Few Good Men is not a military movie, they are mistaken. Countries do not exist without laws and military forces exist to defend the rights of citizens. With Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, there could not have been better casting for this movie. The movie examines the practice and meaning of honor and duty within the military and how power can distort the mind of a decorated soldier. It also demonstrates how bad leadership can adversely affect the promising lives and careers of lower-ranking soldiers. Would you follow an order without question? In 2005, the quoted line by Jack Nicholson “You can’t handle the truth!” is one of the top quotes in American Film Institutes “100 Movie Quotes.”
Crimson Tide (1995)
Set aboard a damaged nuclear submarine, this military movie makes the audience feel the tension between the lead characters played by Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington. The philosophies of the characters about war play an important part in the storyline of this movie. The constant shifts in power supplied by the divided crew, along with the looming question of whether this is the last line of defense for the United States against an impending missile attack from Russia ads to the suspense. This movie has everything it needs to keep you on the edge of your seat and questioning what you would do if you were either man. Its hard to know what to do when the stakes are so high.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Set in World War II during the invasion of Normandy, Saving Private Ryan is a movie that depicts the efforts of soldiers who have been given the mission to find and return the last surviving brother to the mother that has lost three other sons within days of each other. The surviving private Ryan asks himself if his life was worth the sacrifices that these good men made to insure his survival. If you are a military movie aficionado, this is one of your favorites. This film has been named one of the “Top Ten Epics of All Time” by the American Film Institute.
300 (2006)
A force of 300 men against a force of a million, now those are some overwhelming odds! This movie is a fictional account about the battle between the warrior-state of Sparta and the Persians at Thermopylae in 480 B.C. In an effort to simulate the popular graphic novel that inspired the film, the technology used in the making of this film is some of the most advanced of our time, making it the star of the film and a beautiful piece of work. It stars Gerard Butler as King Leonidas, Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo and Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes. The film broke many box office records and upon release, it was the third biggest opening for an R-rated film ever.
Other deserving titles in this category include:
Red Badge of Courage (1951) – Although the book written by Steven Crane is considered a masterpiece of literature, the film never came anywhere near achieving the respect and success of the book for many reasons. The text for the novel is available free through Project Gutenburg at http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/73
A Time Out of War (1954) – This short film depicts two Union soldiers and one Confederate soldier that are maintaining a position on opposite sides of a riverbank. Whether by exhaustion or boredom, the soldiers eventually negotiate a one-hour truce with the Confederate soldier manning the opposite bank. During the “time out” they gain respect each other. In 2006, A Time Out of War was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Bridge On The River Kwai (1957) – This story is loosely based on real life. Soldiers are asked to surrender to a Japanese POW camp in order to gain access to a railroad construction project that will link all Burma. Conflicts arise in part, because the construction of the bridge has become a project for the American POWs to keep busy during their internment and because the reluctant hero is not who he has been pretending to be. The film stars William Holden and Alec Guinness. The performances of the actors carry this film.
The Dirty Dozen (1967) – Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, John Cassevetes, Richard Jaeckel, George Kennedy, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland are among the big names in this movie about a bunch military personnel that have already been convicted of murder, who are offered pardons in return for completing a mission that should kill them anyway. The added suspense in this movie is accomplished with the fact that you never know whether the would be heroes are capable of overcoming their own personality defects in order to accomplish the mission.
Tora, Tora, Tora! (1970) – Based on actual events about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The film was purposely cast without big-named box office stars in order to focus on the story however, that might also be the reason it was a box office flop. It does focus on the story with very little for dramatic freedom. The special effects did win an Oscar. The film is widely used as an educational film for the event.
Midway (1976) – This film is a dramatization of actual events surrounding the battle for control of the Pacific in World War II. The Battle of Midway was considered the turning point of the war. As in Tora, Tora, Tora!, there is little dramatic license but the film did utilize established film stars as a draw for the box office. The film stars Henry Fonda, James Coburn, Glenn Ford, Robert Mitchum, Cliff Robertson, Hal Hobrook, Charlton Heston, Robert Wagner, and Edward Albert. This film is also widely used as an educational film.
The Deer Hunter (1978) – This is a military movie in the fact that it explores the lives of personnel that survived events in the Vietnam War. It is very dark and disturbing, as war tends to be. It stars Robert De Niro, John Cazale, John Savage, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep. The picture was the winner of 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture in 1978.
Apocalypse Now (1979) – Set during the Vietnam War Era, with an all-star case of Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Laurence Fishburne, Harrison Ford, Dennis Hopper, Scott Glen and the list goes on, the opening scene of this movie is probably one of the most remembered of the time for a military movie. The photography was spectacular however many thought the story line a little weak. It is still a movie worth seeing. In 2005, the quote delivered by Robert Duvall “I love the smell of napalm in the morning” was named by the American Film Institute as one the top “100 Years of Movie Quotes.”
The Big Red One (1980) – The Big Red One is the nickname of the 1st Infantry Division, organized in 1917.Stars Lee Marvin, Mark Hamill, and Robert Carradine. The film was written and directed by Samuel Fuller who drew on his own experiences while serving as a member of the 1st Infantry Division. For his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star, the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.
Hunt For Red October (1990) – The intrigue of this movie is trying to figure out whether the captain (Sean Connery) of the newest and most advanced Soviet Union nuclear submarine is planning an attack against the United States or if he is defecting with the high-tech sub. The sub is equipped with a revolutionary propulsion system that allows the Red October to run silently through the ocean. While both the Soviets and the United States military are desperately searching for the sub while CIA agent, Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) tries to convince political leaders that the captain is defecting.
The Patriot (2000) – The Patriot is an extremely compelling movie with the American Revolution as the setting. Starring Mel Gibson, his performance is, as always, sensational however it is doubtful that this film would have achieved the success that it did without him. The same can be said about Gone With The Wind. Could you imagine it without Clark Gable or Vivien Leigh? The stunning photography also make this film worth watching.
Platoon (1986) – Written and directed by Oliver Stone with stars such as Tom Berenger, William DaFoe, Charlie Sheen, Forest Whitaker and Johnny Depp this film is set during the Vietnam War. Following the reliance that platoon members must bestow on each other, the film touches on the horrors of war and moral issues that are faced by the characters. It won four Oscars including Best Picture in 1987, along with various other awards and nominations.
GI Jane (1997) – This movie appears to be more about the effects of politics on the military, but it is included in this listing for the following reason: As a sign of our times, it is the first box office movie that depicts a woman as a member of the military and in a leading role, albeit a fictional character. Many military genre movies depict women as merely something that men do when they are off duty or, as in the case of Lawrence of Arabia, there are no women in the movie at all. This movie features performances by Demi Moore, Viggo Mortensen and Anne Bancroft. It explores the American controversy surrounding the ability of women to participate at the front lines of military operations.
Band of Brothers (2001) – This is a mini-series based on the experiences of the “E Company” of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, United States Army 101st Airborne Division during World War II. Many actual events are depicted. It stars Damian Lewis, Donnie Wahlberg, Ron Livingston, Scott Grimes, and Peter Youngblood Hills. Produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielburg and Tony To, this high acclaimed mini-series won the Golden Globe award for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television and the “Mini-series Of The Year” award from the American Film Institute in 2002.
Honorable Mentions:
The Green Berets
Full Metal Jacket
Black Hawk Down
We Were Soldiers
A Soldier’s Story
Information about these movies was obtained from the following websites:
American Film Institute website: http://www.afi.com/10top10/epic.html
National Film Registry website: http://www.loc.gov/film/filmnfr.html
The Internet Movie Database website: http://www.imdb.com
