Combat-wombat
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I liked "Thin Red Line" and "Saving Private Ryan".
What's the best war movie ever made?
- Thread starter Preacherman
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Selfdfenz
Member
Saving Private Ryan (but after watching the beach landing the first time I still can't make it thru that part of the movie a second time)
BOB is close on it's heels
And from a movie I could remember but had to look up the correct title I came up with this quote:
"Bud Miller: You trust these f--kin' Nazis, Stan?
Older German Soldier: [in German] Who are you calling Nazis? We're not Nazis! We're the German Army! "
The movie was:
A Midnight Clear
I guess it was seen but what, 7-8 people total?
S-
BOB is close on it's heels
And from a movie I could remember but had to look up the correct title I came up with this quote:
"Bud Miller: You trust these f--kin' Nazis, Stan?
Older German Soldier: [in German] Who are you calling Nazis? We're not Nazis! We're the German Army! "
The movie was:
A Midnight Clear
I guess it was seen but what, 7-8 people total?
S-
Malone LaVeigh
Member
Catch 22
or
Kurosawa's Ran
or
Kurosawa's Ran
Well, I'm gonna go in a little different direction. When I was just a little grasshopper, maybe 7 or 8 years old, my dad took me to see "How the West Was Won" at a then-fancy curved-screen theater that has long since been bulldozed. Only about 1/4 of the movie was a war movie, dealing with the civil war, but it made a big impression on me, and several of the songs still make me feel like I'm 8 years old, and my big strong dad is still there. He died 12 years ago, but there's something about that movie that always brings him back. It will always be my favorite.
cooch
Member
Some good ones mentoned, but I'll toss a couple more in for consideration.
The Great Escape.
Master and Commander.
The latter may not rate as a classic, but both of them qualify for me on the grounds that the characterisation and attitudes are realistic for the times.
One of my pet peeves is the way that Hollywood so frequently portrays military men in unrealistic ways.
I'm well aware that competence and professionalism don't make as much dramatic impact as emotionalism, agonising and shouted disputes... but the latter grate.
I grew up around a couple of retired officers who'd seen both world wars. Both of the were self-disciplined to a high degree and left me with a lasting respect for the military.
I thought it detracted from Saving Ryan's Privates that the attitudes of the characters involved owed more to the 1990s than the 1940s. ... That and the shot of the squad moving through what was supposedly enemy territory - walking across the middle of open ground, bunched up and looking at each other while talking in normal conversational tones. :banghead:
Similar Hollywood stuff-up (Big Red 1??) has the troops under artillery fire .... and some idiot running around amongst exploding shells and flying debris yelling "Take Cover!"
I mean,,, yanks aren't really that stupid. Are they?
It takes more than a lot of explosions and fake blood to make a good war movie.
Regards......... Cooch
The Great Escape.
Master and Commander.
The latter may not rate as a classic, but both of them qualify for me on the grounds that the characterisation and attitudes are realistic for the times.
One of my pet peeves is the way that Hollywood so frequently portrays military men in unrealistic ways.
I'm well aware that competence and professionalism don't make as much dramatic impact as emotionalism, agonising and shouted disputes... but the latter grate.
I grew up around a couple of retired officers who'd seen both world wars. Both of the were self-disciplined to a high degree and left me with a lasting respect for the military.
I thought it detracted from Saving Ryan's Privates that the attitudes of the characters involved owed more to the 1990s than the 1940s. ... That and the shot of the squad moving through what was supposedly enemy territory - walking across the middle of open ground, bunched up and looking at each other while talking in normal conversational tones. :banghead:
Similar Hollywood stuff-up (Big Red 1??) has the troops under artillery fire .... and some idiot running around amongst exploding shells and flying debris yelling "Take Cover!"
I mean,,, yanks aren't really that stupid. Are they? It takes more than a lot of explosions and fake blood to make a good war movie.
Regards......... Cooch
berettaman
Member
The Longest Day.
"One of my pet peeves is the way that Hollywood so frequently portrays military men in unrealistic ways."
My pet peeve is that a lot of war movies (majority ? but not all war movies) the hero HAS to be an officer. Enlisted men never do anything except follow an officer around watching his daring-do with awe. Wars are fought with officers 03 and above humping a ruck sack and a rifle around the mud don't you know ?
My pet peeve is that a lot of war movies (majority ? but not all war movies) the hero HAS to be an officer. Enlisted men never do anything except follow an officer around watching his daring-do with awe. Wars are fought with officers 03 and above humping a ruck sack and a rifle around the mud don't you know ?
fiVe
Member
There have been many good movies listed.
I'll throw U-571 into the ring for Honorable Mention.
I'll throw U-571 into the ring for Honorable Mention.
cerberus
member
Platoon (Vietnam)
Gets my vote also
Gets my vote also
Turkey Creek
Member
This is going to really date me, but two of my all time favorites are "The Gallant Hours" 1960 and "The Fighting 69th" 1940- both James Cagney flicks
axeman_g
Member
My choice
"A Bridge Too Far".
A create account of the Montgomery "lead" airborne/armor thrust through Holland. Great anglo/american cast and a fantastic story.
"A Bridge Too Far".
A create account of the Montgomery "lead" airborne/armor thrust through Holland. Great anglo/american cast and a fantastic story.
BuckeyePPC
Member
OK, I know it's not a movie but I think it is one of the best series and that's COMBAT ! . I can't think of too many movies that was better than the TV series.
mp40
Member
Have to go with the Blue Max and Saving Private Ryan
mephisto
Member
Galipoli (WWII) great flick but it was in WWI.
JesusCow
Member
Platoon - no question.. I LOVE Barnes! "TAKE THE PAIN!"
Das Boot - oh man I'm gonna have to watch it now, it's been a while
I also really like Schindler's List (sp?)
Das Boot - oh man I'm gonna have to watch it now, it's been a while
I also really like Schindler's List (sp?)
Silver Bullet
Member
Von Richthofen and Brown
Enemy at the Gates
Enemy at the Gates
I'm surprised no one has mentioned...
When Trumpets Fade
It was an HBO movie about the Hurtgen forrest battle. It came out about the same time as SPR. Excellent winter battle scenes and good squad and platoon social interaction (as long as it lasted, seeing as almost everyone you met died within a couple of days). Great scene where the squad leader is forced to shoot one of his own men (who was the flame throwerman who was set ablaze when his gas tank was hit by small arms fire) to take him out of his misery. Needless to say, the powers that be wanted to charge the squad leader with murder. If you haven't seen it, it's worth taking a look at.
And speaking of taking a look at....
Not even close to being the best, but worthy of checking out is
84 Charlie MoPic....
Pretty interesting idea, although lots of errors.
When Trumpets Fade
It was an HBO movie about the Hurtgen forrest battle. It came out about the same time as SPR. Excellent winter battle scenes and good squad and platoon social interaction (as long as it lasted, seeing as almost everyone you met died within a couple of days). Great scene where the squad leader is forced to shoot one of his own men (who was the flame throwerman who was set ablaze when his gas tank was hit by small arms fire) to take him out of his misery. Needless to say, the powers that be wanted to charge the squad leader with murder. If you haven't seen it, it's worth taking a look at.
And speaking of taking a look at....
Not even close to being the best, but worthy of checking out is
84 Charlie MoPic....
Pretty interesting idea, although lots of errors.
CAPTAIN MIKE
Member
For Me -- It's a TIE
About equal in greatness are:
1. Gods and Generals
2. Gettysburg
3. Saving Private Ryan
4. Band of Brothers
About equal in greatness are:
1. Gods and Generals
2. Gettysburg
3. Saving Private Ryan
4. Band of Brothers
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