What's the best war movie ever made?

[Preacherman]

The recent threads on good war movies got me thinking - which is absolutely THE best war film? You're allowed to choose only one, based on historical accuracy, cinematography, realism, plot, etc. Which do you think is the very best?

For myself, I have to vote for Gettysburg. I don't think I've ever seen a movie that was so faithful to history, so magnificently cast, and so wonderfully detailed. I watch it a couple of times a year, and am always moved by it.

What's your nomination?

 

[Night Guy]

Starship Troopers


Oh you said best war movie, not best bad war movie.

I've probably seen fewer "classical" war movies, but my favorites are Saving Private Ryan and Braveheart.

 

[4570Rick]

Red Badge of Courage.

 

[MuzzleBlast]

The original All Quiet on the Western Front. The book was even better.

 

[BigG]

Based on your criteria I would say To Hell and Back Cheers, Preacherman!

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've become addicted to Blackhawk Down and watch it at least once a week to fuel my flame against the UN and their "thumb up our bum" rules of engagement.

 

[JohnBT]

I don't know much about 13th century warfare or history, but here's my vote, English subtitles and all. John

Alexander Nevsky(1938)

"Sergei Eisenstein's landmark tale of Russia thwarting the German invasion of the 13th century was wildly popular and quite intentional, given the prevailing Nazi geopolitical advancement and destruction at the time. It can still be viewed as a masterful use of imagery and music, with the Battle on the Ice sequence as the obvious highlight. Unfortunately, the rest of the film pales in comparison. A great score by Prokofiev was effectively integrated by the Russian filmmaker, but stands on its own merit as well."

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/6301816218/103-5280005-3097465?v=glance

 

[Art Eatman]

The 1943-ish movie, "Air Force". A pretty good job of depicting Pearl Harbor and the air war in the Pacific.

Still, I think my father's comment holds: "They'll never make an accurate war movie. They can't bring in the smell of a battlefield."

Art

 

[Byron]

"We Were Sodiers" is my thoughts. It was accurate and also showed the impact on the families at home.
"Band of Brothers" should not be overlooked. Byron

 

[shooter58]

The Rough Riders

The best portrayal of TR I have ever seen. Extremely well made movie.

 

[Smoke]

Best or ones I liked....

The Patriot
Blackhawk Down
We Were Soldiers
Saving PRivate Ryan
Gettysburg
Braveheart
Band of Brothers


I'll think of others

Smoke


I knew I'd think of some more...

Full Metal Jacket
Apocalypse Now
Memphis belle
Gods and Generals
Patton D )

 

[OEF_VET]

Peter,

If you love Gettysburg, and haven't seen it, you must see Gods and Generals . It's just as good, in my opinion.

My vote for best war movie would have to go to Band of Brothers , even though it is technically a mini-series. It still counts though, right?

Frank

 

[jdege]

Zulu.

Best portrayal of small-unit leadership in film.

Chard: The army doesn't like more than one disaster in a day.
Bromhead: Looks bad in the newspapers and upsets civilians at their breakfast.

(Alright. Nobody told you to stop working.)

 

[Ktulu]

Although it's not technically not a movie, I'd have to say Band of Brothers hands down.

EDIT: Frank, I just read your post. Good minds think a like I guess.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Band of Brothers amazes me.

 

[Unisaw]

Band of Brothers is the best IMO.

Often overlooked but good: Gardens of Stone

 

[trapshooter]

Ok. Dr. Strangelove...... but I'm a warped individual.

For 'real' war movies, you have to categorize them

Naval -
'Das Boot'.
'The Enemy Below'.

for starters.

 

[Little Loudmouth]

I'll copy trapshooter and class my favorites:

Naval:
Run Silent, Run Deep

Army:
We Were Soldiers

Older times:
The Patriot

My 2 cents worth....

 

[JohnBT]

I'm still thinking on this. I guess I like epics.

It's not your typical shoot-'em-up action flick, but how about the best movie of 1962, Lawrence of Arabia.

John


"Although it seems to be a traditional narrative film - like "Bridge on the River Kwai," which Lean made just before it, or "Doctor Zhivago," which he made just after - it actually has more in common with such essentially visual epics as Kubrick's "2001" or Eisenstein's "Alexander Nevsky." "

- Roger Ebert

___________________

The Lost Battalion...I'm stuck in WWI it seems.

"Without the extreme violence and profanity of "Saving Private Ryan" or "Black Hawk Down", Mulcahy's film achieves a higher level of cinematic and emotional success than either of its modern counterparts." - from a review

 

[RepublicanMan]

B.O.B.
Patton
The Patriot
Gettysburg
Gods and Generals (better than Gettysburg, Duvall makes a much better Lee)

 

[Higgins]

How about "Glory" - Civil War flick with Matthew Broderick and Denzel Washington (his first Academy Award for best supporting actor). Some good battle scenes and a great musical score.

And, despite their anti-war messages, surprised no body mentioned "Born on the Fourth of July," "Deer Hunter" (for Christopher Walken's Oscar performance at the least), and "Platoon."

Does "M.A.S.H." count?

 

[kbakerwv]

Das Boot (The Boat)
Those bubble-heads are crazy!

 

[mondocomputerman]

I really like Saving Private Ryan. Easy to follow, pretty simple storyline. Or maybe I just have a simple mind...

 

[bill2]

Band of Brothers

Saving Private Ryan

Patton


and to remind myself of bad a war movie can be: Rambo!

 

[Darkside852003]

Hamburger Hill
Platoon
Gods and Generals
Patton
We Were Soldiers
Band Of Brothers
Apocalypse Now
Sergeant York (old WW1 black and white movie I like it)
Deer Hunter
Black Hawk Down


Just to name a few.