War, Battle and the Military in Films

War, Battles and the Military in Films

Since the early days of film, war, battle skirmishes and the military have played a pivotal role in a number of movies. Conflict has been shown in a variety of ways including reenactments of infamous events, with a comedic twist and even as a secondary/background plot to other happenings. We take a look at some of the movies that have dealt with different aspects of war, battles and the human condition.

1941 (1979)

It’s the days following the attack on Pearl Harbor and those living along the coast of California are preparing for an invasion. Dan Aykroyd, Ned Beatty, John Belushi, Christopher Lee and Tim Matheson co-starred in “1941”.

African Queen (1951)

Humphrey Bogart won a Best Actor Oscar for his role as Charlie in “African Queen”. Charlie uses his boat to thwart the Germans in World War I while, at the same time, getting Rose (Katharine Hepburn) to civilization.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

During the Vietnam War, Captain Benjamin Willard (Martin Sheen) is sent to track down and exterminate Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has been leading rogue missions in Cambodia. Will Captain Willard succeed in his mission or fall victim to Kurtz’s wrath?

Black Hawk Down (2001)

A covert mission to capture two men who are close to a powerful warlord goes awry in Mogadishu when military personnel find themselves fighting for their lives. “Black Hawk Down” stars Jason Isaacs, Josh Hartnett and Ewan McGregor.

Born On The Fourth Of July (1989)

Tom Cruise starred as Ron Kovic in this Oliver Stone movie. Ron takes a stance against the war in Vietnam after a tour of duty results in him being paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair and then later ridiculed.

Braveheart (1996)

Mel Gibson starred in and directed this Best Picture winner. Set in Scotland in the 13^th century, William Wallace (Gibson) leads forces against England to obtain freedom for his country.

Bridge On The River Kwai (1957)

During World War II, British soldiers led by Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guiness) who are captives in a Japanese Prisoner Of War camp agree to build a bridge over rough terrain, but on their terms only. However, the Allied powers have secret plans for the bridge. Guiness won a Best Actor Oscar for his role in the movie while “Bridge on the River Kwai” went on to win Best Picture.

Casablanca (1942)

This Oscar winning picture takes place during World War II. Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) runs a club in Casablanca when former flame Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) returns with husband Victor (Paul Henreid). When it becomes apparent that Rick is the only one who can get them safely out of the country, will he choose to help them?

Cold Mountain (2003)

The Civil War forces Inman (Jude Law) and Ada (Nicole Kidman) apart. Inman, who witnesses the brutality of war and decides to leave, must make a perilous journey back to Cold Mountain and the woman he loves.

Crimson Tide (1995)

There is mutiny aboard an U.S. nuclear submarine with the Captain (Gene Hackman) is deemed unfit. “Crimson Tide” also starred James Gandolfini, Viggo Mortensen and Denzel Washington.

Dances With Wolves (1990)

This Best Picture Oscar winner was directed by and starred Kevin Costner as Lieutenant John Dunbar. During the Civil War, Dunbar is assigned to a distant outpost where he develops a friendship with a nearby Sioux tribe.

Down Periscope (1996)

Lieutenant Commander Tom Dodge (Kelsey Grammer) has just been given command of a dilapidated diesel sub, the U.S.S. Stingray to be used in the naval war games. Will he be able to win the games with his crew of miscreants and a commanding officer who wants to see him loose?

Enemy At The Gates (2001)

Russian and German forces clashed at the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II. Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law), a Russian sharpshooter, becomes a national hero, with the help of Commissar Danilov (Joseph Fiennes). Both men are also in love with the same woman, Tania (Rachel Weisz). What will happen when a renowned German sharpshooter, Major Konig (Ed Harris) is sent to eliminate Vassili at all costs?

The English Patient (1996)

Set during World War II, “The English Patient” tells the story of Count Almasy (Ralph Fiennes) who lingers near death after being badly burned when his plane crashes. His life is revealed to Hana (Juliette Binoche), the nurse who refuses to leave his side. Binoche won a Best Actress Oscar for her role as Hana while the film went on to win Best Picture.

Farewell To Arms (1957)

This romantic drama takes place in Italy during World War I. Based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway, “Farewell To Arms” tells the story of a nurse (Jennifer Jones) who falls in love with an American soldier (Rock Hudson) while they’re in Italy.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Life is anything but ordinary for Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks). Although the film showcases different parts of Forrest’s life, it’s his stint in Vietnam where he meets Private Benjamin Blue a.k.a. Bubba (Mykelti Williamson) and develops a life-long friendship with Lieutenant Dan Taylor (Gary Sinise). Hanks would win a Best Actor Oscar for his performance while the film would walk away with the Best Picture award.

Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse (1921)

This silent, black and white film starred Rudolph Valentino as Julio. When Madariaga (Pomeroy Cannon) dies his estate is divided between two daughters, one who eventually lives in France, the other in Germany. But when World War I begins, Julio joins the military and ultimately finds himself at odds with his cousin.

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

This Stanley Kubrick film tells the story of Marines while they endure basic training and combat in Hue during the Vietnam War. “Full Metal Jacket” stars Matthew Modine and Vincent D’Onofrio.

Gettysburg (1993)

One of the defining battles of the American Civil War took place in Gettysburg in 1863. The movie, which depicts the battle as well as the infamous “Pickett’s Charge”, starred Martin Sheen as General Robert E. Lee, Jeff Daniels as Colonel Chamberlain, Tom Berenger as Lieutenant General Longstreet and Stephen Lang as Major General Pickett.

Glory (1989)

Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington starred in the Civil War film “Glory”. Colonel Robert Shaw (Broderick) finds himself in charge of an African American unit and has to deal with the prejudices surrounding them. Denzel Washington won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Private Trip.

Gods and Generals (2003)

This Civil War Epic is considered to be the prequel to “Gettysburg”. The movie, which focused on Lieutenant General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, starred Robert Duvall as General Lee. Jeff Daniels returned in his role as Chamberlain while Stephen Lang, who previously portrayed Pickett, starred as Jackson.

Gone With The Wind (1939)

The love story between Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) and Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) was at the forefront of “Gone With The Wind”. However, the Civil War also played a major role during the film, including the burning of Atlanta and the threat against Scarlett and her home.

Good Morning Vietnam (1987)

A1C Adrian Cronauer (Robin Williams) isn’t your typical military DJ. Broadcasting from Vietnam, Cronauer’s over the top comedic style gains the ire of higher ups.

Great Escape (1963)

Prisoners in a German POW camp during World War II, plan a detailed, massive escape from their captors, by digging an underground tunnel out of the facility. “The Great Escape” starred Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, James Garner and Steve McQueen.

Green Berets (1968)

Colonel Mike Kirby (John Wayne) and his Green Berets have their work cut out for them is this movie set during the Vietnam War. Not only must they secure a camp that is being threatened but they must also kidnap a General from the opposing forces.

Hamburger Hill (1987)

This movie told the story of the Screaming Eagles and their part in the a ten day battle during Vietnam in May of 1969. The movie starred Don Cheadle and Dylan McDermott.

The Hunt For Red October (1990)

Captain Marko Ramius (Sean Connery) has decided to defect to the U.S. with one of the top submarines in the U.S.S.R.’s fleet. Will he be able to make it to safe waters or will he, along with the crew, be annihilated? “The Hunt for Red October” also stars Alec Baldwin, Sam Neill and James Earl Jones.

In Love and War (1996)

A take on the movie “Farewell to Arms”, this 1996 film stars Sandra Bullock as Aggie and Chris O’Donnell as Ernest Hemingway. Will love prevail in Italy during World War II?

K19 : Widowmaker (2002)

It’s 1961 and Russia’s nuclear submarine malfunctions during its maiden run in the North Atlantic. Will the crew be able to repair the sub before a catastrophe occurs? “K19: Widowmaker” starred Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson.

Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)

Alec Guiness, Peter O’Toole, Anthony Quinn and Omar Sharif starred in this Best Picture winner.

In the film, set during World War I, Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence (O’Toole) of the British Army, is assigned to be an observer with Prince Feisal (Guiness) in Arabia.

Legends Of The Fall (1994)

Colonel William Ludlow (Anthony Hopkins) retires to Montana with his three sons: Tristan (Brad Pitt), Alfred (Aidan Quinn) and the youngest son, Samuel (Henry Thomas). All three eventually become smitten with Susannah (Julia Ormond), Samuel’s fiancée. However, when the threat of World War I looms, the three men leave to fight the war in Europe. Will Tristan be able to keep a promise to his father: to watch Samuel and keep him from harm?

Life Is Beautiful (1997)

Roberto Benigni wrote, directed, starred in and took home a Best Actor statuette for “Life is Beautiful”. Benigni starred as Guido who falls in love and marries Dora (Nicoletta Braschi). When the family is sent to a concentration camp during World War II, Guido tries to keep their young son Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini) safe.

M*A*S*H (1970)

Hi-jinx and mayhem were what the doctors ordered at a hospital unit during the Korean War. 1970’s “M*A*S*H” starred Donald Sutherland as Hawkeye a.k.a. Captain Pierce, Tom Skerritt as Duke a.k.a. Captain Forrest and Elliott Gould as Trapper John a.k.a. Captain McIntyre. The movie was later spun off into highly successful TV shows including “M*A*S*H” starring Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers and Jamie Farr and “Trapper John M.D.” starring Pernell Roberts and Gregory Harrison.

The Patriot (2000)

Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) finds himself and his family embroiled in the Revolutionary War. What type of vengeance will ensue when Colonel Tavington (Jason Isaacs) kills one of Benjamin’s sons and forces him into a war that he wanted no part of?

Patton (1970)

George C. Scott won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of World War II General, George S. Patton, Jr. The movie, which won a Best Picture Oscar, told the story of Patton’s actions during critical military stages as well as personal aspects of the infamous General.

Pearl Harbor (2001)

Rafe (Ben Affleck) and Danny (Josh Hartnett) are best friends until they fall in love with the same girl, Evelyn (Kate Beckinsale). But things change when they are all stationed in Pearl Harbor and the base is attacked.

The Pianist (2002)

Adrien Brody became the youngest person to win a Best Actor Oscar for his role as Wladyslaw Szpilman in “The Pianist”. Wladyslaw is a Polish-Jewish musician in Warsaw, Poland during World War II. Through the horrors that he witnesses, Wladyslaw uses his music as a means of survival.

Platoon (1986)

Oliver Stone’s Vietman based movie, “Platoon”, won a Best Picture Oscar and starred Tom Berenger as Sergeant Barnes, Willem Dafoe as Sergeant Grodin and Charlie Sheen and Private Taylor. A platoon of soldiers and two fueding sergeants (Berenger and Dafoe) are observed through the eyes of a new recruit (Sheen).

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

A woman’s four sons are fighting in World War II. But when it’s discovered that three of the brothers have been killed, it’s up to Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks) and his team to locate the surviving son, Private Ryan (Matt Damon) who is behind enemy lines.

Schindler’s List (1993)

This Steven Spielberg movie won an Oscar for Best Picture. Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) is a businessman who uses his factory to help over 1,000 Jewish citizens escape the threat of being sent to a concentration camp during World War II.

Sergeant York (1941)

Gary Cooper won a Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Alvin York. Set during World War I, York is a conscientious objector who is drafted into the military where he becomes a sharpshooter and eventual hero.

Sgt. Bilko (1996)

Steve Martin stars in the title role of this comedy. Colonel Hall (Dan Aykroyd) looks the other way when it comes to Sgt. Bilko’s shenanigans, scams and multiple attempts to make it to the alter. But Major Thorn (Phil Hartman), who took the fall for one of Bilko’s pranks, is back and has other things in mind.

Stripes (1981)

John (Bill Murray) and Russell (Harold Ramis) join the Army with hilarious results. “Stripes” also starred John Candy, Sean Young and John Larroquette.

Thin Red Line (1998)

Adrien Brody, James Caviezel, George Clooney, John Cusack, Nick Nolte, Sean Penn and John Travolta all appeared in this film set in World War II. The South Pacific is almost clinched for the Allies except for a key airstrip on the island of Guadalcanal. It’s up to a young team to break up this resistance.

U571 (2000)

The Allies plot to steal an Enigma cipher machine during World War II. Will their plan work? “U571” starred Jon Bon Jovi, Harvey Keitel, David Keith, Matthew McConaughey and Bill Paxton.

We Were Soldiers (2002)

It’s one of the first battles that America takes part in during the Vietnam War. “We Were Soldiers’ stars Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore and Sam Elliott as Sergeant Major Plumley.

Windtalkers (2002)

Nicolas Cage and Christian Slater star in “Windtalkers”. Set in World War II, Sergeant Joe Enders (Cage) and Sergeant Peter “Ox” Anderson are part of a group of Marines in charge of protecting Marines from a Navajo tribe who use their language as part of an unbreakable, encrypted code. When Enders develops a friendship with Private Whitehorse (Roger Willie), will he be able to protect the “windtalker” at all costs?

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