Rank the following war movies: (1 Viewer)

[Steeve Bergeron]

We already made a tournament about war movies, Jan. I don't remember who won though. I think it was Apocalypse Now.

 

[Bill J]

TOURNEY TIME!!

I did a war film tourney a few months ago, but it only included 32 films. Apocalypse Now was the winner.
I would also like to recommend A Midnight Clear. It's a shame that the DVD is pan & scan only.

 

[Jan H]

Good call, guys. Good choice, too.

 

[Lew Crippen]

Understand your point (and of course I would not take it personally).

Naturally all of the Somali (or nearly all) are black. However; I don’t really think that the U.S. Army profile (in ethnic terms) even comes close to that presented in the movie. The U.S. Army, has, since it has become an all-volunteer force, had a very large percentage of black and Hispanics in its makeup. This is very evident in the ranks and NCOS, and to a lesser extent, the officers.

I am not ordinarily one who believes that movies can or even should reflect reality. They are after all, movies. In the case of BHD, I make an exception to this rule, because it is presented as though it were historical. As it is my belief, that since BHD is presented as historical and that as the ethnic makeup of the U.S. troops is (not quite) white instead of the ethnic mix which I believe reflects its makeup and that this white force is in constant conflict with a black one (which again, I acknowledge as accurate), the movie is racist.

QED

I know that you are not alone in your view, and that many, many critics really like this movie and have not commented on what I believe to be its racism. This does not change my view.

Many years ago, I served in the Army and can say that my limited observation was that, even then, the ground troops had a very high percentage of blacks and Hispanics.

 

[Lew Crippen]

And on a lighter note (if that can apply to a war movie thread), I’d also second (or third) Three Kings, Das Boot[/I}], and Bridge On the River Kwai.

Only a slight leap from Bridge to Stalag 17 and Grand Illusion, the latter being one of cinema’s true masterpieces.

 

[Brook K]

One of my favorites, maybe the favorite war film that I haven't seen mentioned here is All Quiet On The Western Front, because it encompasses nearly everything, before the war, combat, the mind of the soldier, the home front, propaganda, etc. Others I'd suggest are They Were Expendable, Paisan, Les Carabiniers and stretching things a bit Barry Lyndon.
Excellent home front/mind of the soldier/after the war films are:
The Best Years of Our Lives
Mister Roberts
Coming Home
Hail The Conquering Hero
Grave of the Fireflies
Germany Year Zero
Stromboli
Taxi Driver

 

[Michael*K]

1. Saving Private Ryan
2. Apocalypse Now
3. Platoon
4. Glory
5. Black Hawk Down
6. Deer Hunter
7. The Thin Red Line
8. Full Metal Jacket
9. Tigerland
10. Behind Enemy Lines

The last film on the list doesn't even merit inclusion, especially when you consider all the great war films you forgot to list.

 

[Travis Olson]

1. Saving Private Ryan
2. Apocalypse Now
3. Full Metal Jacket
4. Platoon
5. The Thin Red Line
6. The Deer Hunter
7. Black Hawk Down
8. Glory
9. Tigerland
10. Behind Enemy Lines

 

[Rich Romero]

Apocalypse Now
Saving Private Ryan
Black Hawk Down
Platoon
Full Metal Jacket
Glory

 

[John Thomas]

Hmm. This brings up a new format to mind; an actual poll. (No, I'm not being a smartass) With a tourney, we see who wins but we dont see the next 2nd-5th place movies/songs/whatever. Nominate 20 (or some appropriate number) selections and rate them from 1 to 20.. just an idea.

 

[Michael*K]

This brings up a new format to mind; an actual poll

Yeah, I guess the concept would be considered "new" to some of the people here despite the fact that this has (as long as I've been a member) been called the Polls area. You'd never know it by the looks of it these days.

 

[Malcolm R]

I'd highly recommend We Were Soldiers which will be out on DVD soon.

Of those I've seen from your list, I'd also highly recommend Saving Private Ryan and Glory.

I've always thought Black Hawk Down was more video game than film since there's little plot, no character development, and it's mostly one non-stop battle sequence.