Memorial Day Special: Top 10 War Films (Update)

In honor of memorial day, it’s only appropriate to have a top
10 list of war films. Here is a list of my top 10 favorite war films.

One factor to mention is that some of the films not listed were not because they weren’t good, but because I haven’t seen them. I don’t think it’s right to include films I have never seen, and therefore I am not suited to rank them in any list.

10. Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

This film is a companion piece to the war film “Flags of Our Fathers.” It is also the stronger of the two films, both directed by Clint Eastwood. This film is told from the Japanese perspective of the Battle of Iwo Jima. While “Flags” was a wonderful film as well, with “Letters” we get a more focused attention to character development, as well as a better sense of the battle as a whole, as “Flags” also dealt mostly with the aftermath. “Flags” was half and half, as the story was told from the both the perspective of the battle, to the perspective of the three surviving soldiers to raise the flag after they came home. In this film, the monstrosity of the battle is given more weight and presence. I rarely like it when film are close to three hours long, but this is a film that had me interested every second.

9. Apocalypse Now (1979)

When I first saw this film, I brushed it off as a film that was praised to the likes of “Citzen Kane,” but catered to an audience of few (critics). On re-watching this film, especially the “Redux” version, I found an equally tragic and humorous film. The scene where Martin Sheen’s character steals Robert Duvall’s character’s surf board is hilarious, as in the “Redux” version helicopters search for Sheen’s boat, as Duvall’s voice is heard in a projected recording from the copters asking for his board back. What’s even more absurd and humorous is that Duvall’s character attacks a Viet Cong village (see picture above) simply because it’s beaches have great waters to surf in. This is more absurd as he orders several of his men to surf the waters while the battle is still going on, as we see surfers avoiding grenades and explosions hitting the waters near team. But overall, it’s a very deep film that moves along quite well until the climax, where things turn a little slow when we meet Marlon Brando’s psychotically deranged character.

8. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

My favorite Stanley Kubrick film. This film adds humor to the violence much like Apocalypse does, but I’d say the humor is present a little more in this film. The biggest disappointment of this film, however, is that the 2nd half of the film never matches the 1st. The 1st half is why this film is on my list. The boot camp sequence is one of the most brilliant pieces of cinema in any war film ever done. It’s disturbing, hilarious, and downright shocking at the same time. R. Lee Ermey is brilliant as the drill seargant, and the million of catch-phrases his character created still live on today.

7. Das Boot (1981)

Das Boot takes place in WW2, and focuses on a German U-Boat and it’s crew. Originally this film was supposed to show both the German and American sides, with Paul Newman staring as the commander of the American Sub. It was decided then to just on one side, and I’m glad it did, as it would have been too much to include both sides. Unlike “The Hunt for the Red October” and “Crimson Tide,” this film manages to make any viewer claustrophobic with it’s cinematography (see picture above). Even though the film is about Germans in WW2, the character development is wonderful, as by the time the U-Boat has reached it’s most deadly attack, you really want to see the Boat and it’s crew make it out alive, and let me add the climax is so tense it will have you on the edge of your seat. The ending is magnificent because after the crew seems to have survived one of the most daring campaigns, most of them meet their end in a quick surprising outcome, ironically in a welcoming back celebration.

6. Platoon (1986)

Any viewer who watches this film today, and hasn’t seen it before will notice two things. 1) It’s huge ensemble of famous actors that weren’t as famous back when the film was made. This cast includes Forest Whitaker, Johnny Depp, Kevin Dillon (Johnny Drama), Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe, Tom Berenger, John C. Mcginley (Scrubs), Tony Todd (Candyman), etc. And 2) How violent and crazy Vietnam’s effect was on it’s soldiers. Platoon’s acting is a huge standout, especially Willem Dafoe. Tom Berenger is truly evil looking in this film, and his character’s scars only added to his already “Devil-Like” presence.

5. The Hurt Locker (2008)

This film was the most recent winner of the best picture Oscar. The Hurt Locker can be summed up as film made of of several vignettes, and within this vignettes are wonderfully introduced, paced, and climatic events. Every scene is full of tension, and gives off a sense of “anything can happen.” The film also is noted to have a few big name actors bite the bullet within minutes from their introductions, only adding to the “anything can happen” attitude as well as showing in war their aren’t “big invulnerable action heroes” and the rest are “redshirts” as some of the other war films portray. In war everyone can come and go at any time. Every minute, every second is just dangerous as the previous and next one.

4. The Dirty Dozen (1967)

“The Dirty Dozen” is the original “men-on-a-mission” film that movies such “Inglorious Basterds” paid homage too. The film is about twelve convicts that are put on a suicide mission deep into German territory. They are called “The Dirty Dozen” for their refusal to shower. The movie stars big names of the era such as Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, Donald Sutherland, and Telly Savalas. The movie is very funny, and ends with the huge climatic undercover operation the twelve train for that delivers on all fronts. A must see film for fans of Inglorious Basterds.

3. Kelly’s Heroes (1970)

“Kelly’s Heroes” is another film much like “The Dirty Dozen” and later “The Inglorious Basterds.” The film features an ensemble of actors such as Clint Eastwood, Don Rickles, Carol O’ Connor, and “Dozen” alums Telly Savalas and Donald Sutherland. The film is about a rouge group of American Soldiers who find out a bank full of gold bullion is deep into German Territory. Enter “men-on-a-mission” again, as the soldiers decide to disguise the heist plot as an attempt to break enemy lines. Superior officers of the Allies believe the soldiers to be heroes who defy the impossible, yet the group is mostly full of average guys, hungry for gold. Donald Sutherland stands out the most as “Oddball” a tank commander. His character is hilarious throughout the movie, and reminds of what “The Dude” from “The Big Lebowski” would bee had he fought in WW2. Clint Eastwood delivers a solid performance, as does Rickles.

2. Inglorious Basterds (2009)

“Inglorious Basterds” is the best movie Tarantino has made since “Pulp Fiction.” It is another movie like “The Hurt Locker,” where it is made up of vignettes, however, this movie is more clear of that. Just like “The Hurt Locker,” it’s vignettes are all perfectly introduced, paced, and climatic. The difference is that this film is so brilliant and original, it changes the way we will view War Films for quite some time. The characters are all interesting, and well developed. The dialogue is some of the best writing Tarantino has ever done, and really the attention to detail and accuracy (minus the ending) in settings, mannerisms, and accents is commendable. Simply this is a must-watch film, and what I consider to be the best film of 2009.

1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

What I consider the greatest war film ever created. This film broke new ground with it’s cinematography never seen before in a war film. The battles are so epic and brilliant, it is a must-watch for everyone to see. I’ve heard veterans say the depiction of D-Day (which is 30 minutes of cinematic brilliance) is the closest accurate portrayal ever in cinema history. Spielberg was at the top of his game, as every aspect of this film from story, action, acting, and effects all work in perfect unison. The ensemble cast is huge with the likes of Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Barry Pepper, Giovanni Ribisi, Edward Burns, Jeremy Davies, Vin Diesel, Paul Giamatti, and Ted Danson just to name a few. This film is such a perfect example of filmmakers and filmmaking at it’s finest.

Author’s Update: In response to comments below, I should mention two things. 1) This is my “personal” favorite list, not a “definative list” as I stated in first two paragraphs. 2) Movies such as Bridge on the River Kwai, All Quiet on The Western Front, and From Here to Eternity were once on this list, but then I realized I didn’t include Kelly’s Heroes, Dirty Dozen, and Full Metal Jacket, so the other three were knocked off as they were all 8,9, and 10.

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