Beyond The Hurt Locker: The 10 Greatest War Movies (Ever)
March 16th, 2010 by BarakWith The Hurt Locker sweeping the Oscars, and a new war movie, Green Zone, debuting last weekend, it seems that there are more and more excellent movies about the U.S army.
So it’s time to choose the 10 greatest U.S. army movies. I’ve left out great TV series, which deserve their own post, like Band of Brothers, Generation Kill, Over There, The Unit, the upcoming Spielberg/Hanks project The Pacific and more.
As you can see below, Iraq’s contribution to the pantheon is minimal. As much as I liked The Hurt Locker, it finds a good place in the middle of the list, and doesn’t beat several well-established classics.
10. Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
The re-creation of Iwo Jima features impressive battle scenes, the air full of thick plumes of smoke, zinging bullets, and pounding explosions. But the most interesting part of the movie comes as the three men are paraded in front of the American public, as they vacillate between embarrassment and anger at the public relations campaign they find themselves embroiled in, while also pleading with the public to help provide funds for the soldiers who are still at war.
9. Black Hawk Down (2001)
The outstanding ensemble cast includes a competent but nervous Ranger sergeant leading his first mission, a “desk jockey” who excels when sent into combat, a cocky and enigmatic Delta, and a downed Black Hawk pilot. The violence of the film is brutal and nearly constant. Director Ridley Scott unflinchingly, and very realistically, captures the chaos and mayhem of this bleak battle in which nothing goes right for the men, as things go from bad to worse.
8. The Dirty Dozen (1967)
An all-star cast energizes this classic World War II action movie about a group of 12 American military prisoners assembled by tacticians and ordered to perform a suicide mission: infiltrate a well-guarded château and kill the Nazi officials vacationing there. Major Reisman (Lee Marvin), the noncriminal in charge of the group, whips the men into a crack unit, uses them to best the troops of his by-the-book superior officer in war games, then leads the steely antiheroes on their perilous assault. This hit movie is a rousing thriller laced with a stinging cynicism perfectly in tune with the increasingly skeptical tenor of the times.
7. The Deer Hunter (1978)
A complex and emotional, epic look at the Vietnam War and its effects, told through the lives of a tight-knit group of friends from a small Pennsylvanian town. It depicts their lives before, during and after the war, lives that will forever be altered by their horrific experiences, as so well demonstrated by the character of Nick, who survives captivity but is unable to escape its trauma, caused by a devious Russian roulette game, a scene that no moviegoer can ever forget.
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
The movie chronicles the journey of a GI squad on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines to track down a soldier, Private Ryan, so he might return home to his mother in America, where she is grieving the unimaginable loss of her three other sons to the war. The first unforgettable 20 minutes so realistically and horrifically depict the Normandy invasion that as viewers we almost feel like we’re landing at Omaha Beach ourselves, along with the unit.
5. The Hurt Locker (2008)
The big winner of the 2010 Oscars focus on the story of 3 members of a bomb-disposal unit in Baghdad. As their tour of duty enters its final weeks, the men face a set of increasingly hazardous situations, any of which could end their lives in an explosive instant. I knew it was a good movie, as I felt I was disarming the bombs myself…
4. Patton (1970)
Patton is an enduring portrait of a complex and larger-than-life figure - field General George S. Patton, who wrote poetry, fired pistols at strafing fighter planes, and loved America with a lofty and historical zeal. Patton won 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay.
3. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Full Metal Jacket is an exploration of the behavior of men in battle. A moving commentary on the dehumanizing process that occurs when soldiers prepare and engage in battle, it is an unforgettable experience from Stanley Kubrick, one of the most original voices to ever pick up a movie camera.
2. Apocalypse Now (1979)
Considered one of the best war movies of all time, Apocalypse Now features incredible performances and beautifully chaotic visuals that make it an absolute must-see. It’s an atmospheric journey into the chaos of war and the chaos of the soul.
1. Platoon (1986)
Widely regarded as one of the finest war films ever made, Platoon reflects not only the United States’ division over Vietnam but the timeless truths of battle: terror, disorientation, exhilaration, and horrible loss.
Technorati Tags: The Hurt Locker, War movies, Kathryn Bigelow
Popularity: 12% [?]
March 16th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Having served in the armed forces myself, I love war movies, specially the WWII…..the only thing which I really do not understand is that….if you have studied military history….the Germans really screwed the Allied Forces, but in most of the movies, there always has been the trend to show the Americans victorious in all the theaters (sectors) of war…simply abstruse…
I am still waiting for some real good German movies, which should show their real way of warfare, like the blitzkreig, the Panther advances etc…
You may or may not accept, but this has been a reality…
Add a reply
March 17th, 2010 at 1:51 am
To Hamid - a quick reminder while you wait for real good German movies:
WWII’ Germans’ “real way of warfare” included a strong dislike to people with names like yours (to put it mildly…).
Add a reply
March 17th, 2010 at 1:52 am
It’s true that WW2 involved a lot of suffering on all sides, including the ultimately victorious Allies. It’s hard to imagine a film that would depict German war techniques in a positive light though, considering the morally reprehensible cause they were used for.
Add a reply
March 18th, 2010 at 12:55 am
@Hamid, Das Boot was a pretty good war film in which the Germans were not depicted as total morons.
Add a reply
March 19th, 2010 at 9:45 am
I really agree with the list. It’s too easy to get lost in war movies and get confused, but these ones reach much further than the action.
Add a reply
April 16th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Hamid, I live in Arnhem where operation Market Garden took place in WW2. The movie ‘a bridge too far’ (which I miss in this, American orientated, list). This movie shows quite nicely how devoted the Germans were, although seen from the Allied perspective.
I live close to the German border and I know enough Germans to know that a movie that you describe will never be made, by Germans anyway, as their shame is too large. Maybe in 1 or 2 generations, but I must agree with Barak and indeed das Boot is a very good movie which show that Germans were only human as any of us. Der untergang also shows the Germans in a different way.
Add a reply
April 17th, 2010 at 12:45 am
If you want movies from a german perspective you have to watch some german movies. Die brücke, Die Fälscher,Goodbye lenin, Der untergang, Das leben der anderen, So weit die Füße tragen and lets not forget Sophie Scholl Die letzten Tage.. So I would not say they are ashamed of making movies showing their cruel impact on history Vincent. At least they make their war movies a bit more “neutral” compared to the crap hollywood makes for the american audiance. The crap being well represented on the list above..Saving private ryan is just moronic.
Not a movie, but Band of brothers more or less gave the expression that the allied progress through europe was pretty hard.
Add a reply
April 24th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
What about Enemy At The Gates? Or does it not count as it’s not about the americans?
Add a reply
April 24th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
I think that the best war movie I ever saw was Saving Private Ryan. I really don’t think all of the other movies can actually compare to Private Ryan. Most were fictional like Apocalypse Now. Private Ryan was more believable than those movies. Only an opnion.
Dennis
Add a reply
April 26th, 2010 at 8:22 am
I think the Sam Peckinpah’s film “Cross of Iron” should be between this…
Add a reply
April 26th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Someone mentioning Enemy at the Gates is pretty hilarious, casting a group of British people to play Russians in Stalingrad is awesome. This list being titled, Greatest War Movies, and then being restricted to movies involving the US Armed Forces is disappointing. Letters from Iwo Jima, Downfall, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Paths of Glory should be included in any top 10 list.
Add a reply
April 26th, 2010 at 9:54 am
Dennis. While full credit has to be given for the beach landing in saving private ryan, the film is poor. Its like avatar without the 3d. Black hawk down is (in my opinion) a better film than Hurt locker. Apocalypse now has to be the best Vietnam war movie. But it is a personal thing.
Add a reply
April 30th, 2010 at 10:38 am
‘The Thin Red Line’ deserves an honorable mention in the list… visuals, themes, performances… heart-wrenching and unforgettable.
Add a reply
May 1st, 2010 at 10:39 am
Wow. How can you have a list like this and not mention “The Great Escape”?
Add a reply
May 12th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
I am totally agree with you, “The Great Escape” produced and directed by John Sturges, deserves to be in this list
Add a reply
May 16th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
You are wrong, Major Reisman is the greatest (war) criminal of them all.
Add a reply
July 23rd, 2010 at 3:01 am
In my opinion, Hurt Locker offers more drama than the war itself, and the awards seems political :D, But I could not agree more with other films you provided.
I miss watching film like Apocalypse Now…
Anyway, does tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds has connection with the dirty dozen? Also, check out my top ten war movies
Add a reply
August 8th, 2010 at 12:19 am
War movies is right to some bit, but I am not totally agree with him. Hurt Locker is real war.
As far as Apocalypse is concerned, you are fortunate to miss that boring stuff.
I also want The Great Escape to be in the list.
Add a reply
August 19th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
i love to watch war movies. One of the best movies I saw is “We were soldiers”, I really like it!
Add a reply
September 16th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I was very encouraged to find this site. I wanted to thank you for this special read on these excellent movies. I definitely savored every little bit of this including all the pics and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Add a reply
November 17th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
i’ve seen the movie…. somehow the germans make mean soldiers as far as i’ve seen
Add a reply
November 18th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
i dont remember what apocalypse was all about which means it couldn’t have been that great
Add a reply
November 22nd, 2010 at 12:42 am
I have watched 7 of 10 movies here you recommend.
Add a reply
April 20th, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Saving Private Ryan isn’t a bad film, but the best part is the first 30 minutes. That action sequence must be viewed in a theater to appreciate the cinematography.
Add a reply
April 25th, 2011 at 4:29 am
I watched this movie lot of time. The movie cast and their reality is really awesome.
Add a reply
April 25th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
I love the older films in this list. Before the technology took a larger role in war films, the drama was more gritty.
Add a reply
April 26th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
Looking at your list trying to decide which film is the best? Almost impossible to decide.
They were all powerful in their own right.
My favorite? The Dirty Dozen
Add a reply
April 27th, 2011 at 6:45 pm
My pick is Apocalypse Now: Redux. Not only is it beautifully shot and exquisitely acted, I think it has the best comment on war. You really get a sense of how sad it is when young kids are shooting weapons at innocent strangers.
Add a reply
April 29th, 2011 at 8:47 am
Either the Academy loves war films, or war films are really well made, but they always seem to get Oscar recognition.
Add a reply
May 6th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
I’m a huge fan of Kubrick’s, so I wasn’t surprised to really enjoy Full Metal Jacket. Glad it ranked high on this list!
Add a reply
May 7th, 2011 at 7:41 am
I’m just looking forward to the inevitable blockbuster about killing Bin Laden. I bet that will be a popular war film, even though it was an operation (like Apocalypse Now) within the theater of war.
Add a reply
May 8th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
@swimsuits for women:
I’m not sure you saw the film. You wouldn’t forget what Apocalypse Now is about. It’s one of the best films of all time, not just war movies.
Add a reply
May 13th, 2011 at 3:44 am
Yea i agree with you these are great war movies of all time :)
Add a reply
May 14th, 2011 at 6:07 am
My husband is a US army for how many years, he has been given a honorable dismissal last 2007 and it is a big relief for me. I am so proud that he has been part of the army. At the above post I love all of those but there is one that I like the most “The Hurt Locker” thank you.
My last blog post:
Kim About Body Issues, Butt, Cellulite
Add a reply
May 14th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Haven’t you noticed these older war movies had more percentage of fighting and shooting guns with an underlying story line while the new war movies most of them have the main story line not about the war and fighting but something else and the war story was secondary.
Add a reply
June 13th, 2011 at 4:15 am
I love the Black Hawk Down, I saw it ten times in the cinema and a few times more on a dvd!
Add a reply
June 17th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
How could you forgot Dear John!!! Like best war moive eeevveeer!!!!!
Add a reply
July 4th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
These are pretty good selection. Saving private ryan is one of the best war movies ever made.
Add a reply
August 15th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
My pick is Apocalypse Now: Redux. Not only is it beautifully shot and exquisitely acted, I think it has the best comment on war. You really get a sense of how sad it is when young kids are shooting weapons at innocent strangers.
Add a reply
August 16th, 2011 at 8:41 am
Yes, a selection of gorgeous! Some of those movies I watched and did not regret it, so the rest should be cool.
Add a reply
August 26th, 2011 at 2:41 am
I’m not sure about The Dirty Dozen, how about The One That Got Away about Chris Ryan.
Radiators
Add a reply
October 24th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Better than TV…
That story was better than a new episode of Falling Skies….
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The comment’s server IP (184.22.109.3) doesn’t match the comment’s URL host IP (92.63.133.49) and so is spam.
Add a reply
October 24th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
A major distraction…
I caught my nephew skimming your website instead of feeding the dog….
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The comment’s server IP (184.22.109.3) doesn’t match the comment’s URL host IP (67.23.238.212) and so is spam.
Add a reply
October 25th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
In some ways, it’s a natural subject for cinema. It has scope. It packs inherent drama. It has all the swagger, the allure, and the blood-spattered spectacle that makes the visual medium so viable. Yet the war film—an indirect derivation of the thriller, action effort, and (sometimes) critical commentary—is often foiled by the very elements it has to cater to. Offer up too much realism and the audience looks away in dismay. Play up the arrogance or the attraction and your motives are questioned. Human conflict is a tricky concept to completely nail down. Some want nothing but the immoral aftermath, never once addressing the equally depraved aspects that brought us to this point. Many crave a helping of clear-cut heroics and villainy, the better to secure their hegemonic/sovereign/patriotic stance.
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
Add a reply
November 14th, 2011 at 8:51 am
[...] if (titleincell == ‘yes’) {document.getElementById(’splittitletext’).style.display = ”;} } Beyond The Hurt Locker: The 10 Greatest War Movies (Ever) Subscribe to RSS [...]
Add a reply
November 15th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
[...] = ”;} } Oscar Battle – The Hurt Locker PK AvatarBeyond The Hurt Locker: The 10 Greatest War Movies (Ever) Subscribe to RSS [...]
Add a reply
November 17th, 2011 at 2:00 am
[...] if (titleincell == ‘yes’) {document.getElementById(’splittitletext’).style.display = ”;} } Beyond The Hurt Locker: The 10 Greatest War Movies (Ever) Subscribe to RSS [...]
Add a reply
November 18th, 2011 at 6:03 am
[...] if (titleincell == ‘yes’) {document.getElementById(’splittitletext’).style.display = ”;} } Beyond The Hurt Locker: The 10 Greatest War Movies (Ever) Subscribe to RSS [...]
Add a reply
November 21st, 2011 at 1:33 pm
[...] Best Animated Films of the Past Five YearsFor Your Consideration 2011: “Happy Feet Two”Beyond The Hurt Locker: The 10 Greatest War Movies (Ever) Subscribe to RSS [...]
Add a reply
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:08 am
Really excellent film, sometimes went emotional. Thank you for the post.
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
Add a reply
December 9th, 2011 at 4:50 am
This is absolutely fabulous, the films are really excellent. Like the post a lot. Thank you very much.
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
Add a reply
December 12th, 2011 at 5:26 am
It seems all of your favorite war movies happened in the 20th century. What obout movies like Gettysburg, and the Civil War? I think some of those movies were pretty good.
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ‘0 which is not a hashcash value.
Add a reply