10 best war films--ever!

[macwilkin]

There was "The Fighting 69th" about the Irish Brigade... it was set in WWI, but it came out in 1940-ish.

Small correction -- the movie was about the 69th New York Infantry Regiment, which was federalized as the 165th US Infantry -- the 69th was part of the famous Irish Brigade during the Civil War.

And btw -- the fight between the 4th Alabama and the 69th at Camp Mills was really over an ice cream cart, not the Battle of Fredericksburg!

T.

[McMurdo]

I can not believe I forgot about about Breaker Morant.

[KFCarter]

I can not believe I forgot about about Breaker Morant.

A great film, and directed by one of the best (and most overlooked by the awards folks) directors of his generation, Bruce Beresford.

[McClef]

After that movie Lord Kitchener certainly has no fans.

[Colonel MacNeal]

Since the Air Corps/Air Force isn't feeling much love, I'll say:
12 O'Clock High starring Gregory Peck

For you Aggies out there:
We've Never Been Licked (one of the worst war movies - a propaganda film) starring William Frawley (Fred Mertz from I Love Lucy) as a Japanese Spy

[george7]

Three of them are Star Wars movies!
....of course we know it's Episodes 4-6, not 1-3

[randal]

Generation Kill
Jarhead
Patriot
The English Patient
The Sand Pebbles
The Man Who Would Be King
Dances With Wolves
The Wild Bunch

I forgot to mention the Sand Pebbles. I watched that movie and then re-enlisted. What was I thinking?

[Larry124]

Since the Air Corps/Air Force isn't feeling much love, I'll say:
12 O'Clock High starring Gregory Peck ...

Add Memphis Belle.
My late father was a USAAF Lt. B17 Bombardier-Navigator. Twenty-nine combat missions including The Bulge, Dresden, and Berlin.
Memphis Belle has weaknesses, but the air crews and ground crews were cast almost as young as they were. My dad was age 24.

[macwilkin]

Add Memphis Belle.
My late father was a USAAF Lt. B17 Bombardier-Navigator. Twenty-nine combat missions including The Bulge, Dresden, and Berlin.
Memphis Belle has weaknesses, but the air crews and ground crews were cast almost as young as they were. My dad was age 24.

Agreed, Larry. While the final mission of the real Memphis Belle was a "milk run", I thought the movie did a pretty good job of showing the experience of bomber crews in the 8th Air Force.

T.

[macwilkin]

While it didn't make my "best movie" list in this thread, one of the most "esoteric" WWII movies I have ever seen was Destination Gobi, starring Richard Widmark. The film's story centered around a unit of Navy meteorologists stationed in Mongolia. Their mission was to collect data and issue forecasts for bombing runs oh Japan by the USAAF from airbases in Northern China. The movie was directed by Robert Wise, who also directed one of the greatest war movies ever (INMHO), The Sand Pebbles.

Ironically, my grandfather met a couple of these fellows going north while stationed at Xian, China.

T.