Fire in the hole! Soldier down, we have a soldier down! We would often hear these phrases uttered by soldiers in war movies. As movie buffs hunt for more movie masterpiece that they could add up for their collection; war movies are certainly one of the must-haves due to its significance — war movies remind us of the past that we once had; the hardships faceless and unknown heroes had faced.
Here are the Top 10 Blog’s choices for the Top 10 War Movies:
1. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan wasn’t just one of the typical war movies; it was defined as the true portrayal of war in every essence. Award-winning actor Matt Damon played Private Ryan, a soldier whom Captain John Miller, played by Tom Hanks, must be found. Undeniably, this is acclaimed as the most accurate war movie ever created on Hollywood.
Saving Private Ryan features an all-star cast. No wonder it won several awards and nominations.
2. Pearl Harbor (2001)
War movies often portray happenings and events that took place from the era of World War II. Pearl Harbor may be no different to other war movies, but this one centers on a more human concept rather than guns and bombs. Follow the love lives of Danny and Rafe during the war-stricken era of WWII.
Love during war --- so romantic yet so tragic.
3. Patton (1970)
Patton tells the epic story of General George S. Patton, one of the most interesting figures of World War II. The film opens with Patton’s feat in North Africa, and progresses to his victory in Europe until the end of the Third Reich. As films like these offer the best side of a person, the film also presented the face of Patton outside the battlefield; just a startling proof that even the greatest of leaders can also go overboard their temper. Gen. George S. Patton is played by actor George C. Scott, and is marked as one of the classic portrayals ever done on the silver screen.
Patton: Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country.
4. Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)
Marine Sergeant John Stryker was the meanest head of the marines as he stretched his troops to the limits with their training. Soon, being dispatched to the Pacific, the marines realize the reason why Sgt. Stryker was being too harsh in trainings. The Oscar nominee John Wayne gave justice to Sands of Iwo Jima as one of the epic war movies of his time.
A great human story... makes a mighty motion picture.
5. Downfall (2004)
As almost all war movies focus more on events happening during the World War II, a film dared to portray the Nazi dictator, Adolf Hitler, in a third-person perspective. The movie was made to have Traudl Junge, Hitler’s final secretary, narrate what had happened to the dictator inside his final days hiding away inside his bunker during the end of WWII. Truly, this movie can spark something in the inquisitive minds of the viewers.
The infamous Hitler during the last days of his empire.
6. Hamburger Hill (1987)
This movie isn’t a comedy or a cooking show; Hamburger Hill was dubbed as such since the 101’st Airborne Division were to gain casualties that ended up as shredded meat due to the fierceness of the enemies. Hamburger Hill, known as A Shaun Valley in Vietnam, was the significant piece that ran this movie. The attempt lasted ten days; the event was considered the most brutal war America ever had participated on. Nevertheless, this was the most realistic movie depicting war on Vietnam.
No, this hamburger won't liven up your appetites.
7. Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
World War II-based war movies needed to be at par with the history left behind. In Tora! Tora! Tora! A unique, classic WWII experience is guaranteed as the fight shifts from the West to the East; Japanese against the Americans in the Pacific. Witness the momentous bombing of the Pearl Harbor; one of the many factors that readily involved the Americans into war.
From 20th Century Fox. The most spectacle film ever made.
8. Black Hawk Down (2001)
Usually, war movies have this plot: a mission that seems too easy to complete, then the hard part comes in wherein the protagonists are outnumbered by the enemy troops. Still, the protagonists emerged victorious, and then credits roll. However, in Black Hawk Down, the plot is served with a twist. Not only being outnumbered in this true story of Army Rangers, this also highlighted the bravery and valor of the US troops against the forces of Somalia and modern warfare.
A big deal has been made out of the blood and gore in Black Hawk Down, but what is any true war movie without it?
9. We Were Soldiers (2002)
This is another one of those war movies depicting the life of soldiers during the war in Vietnam. Despite the ordinary war movies involving miraculous winning situations, Mel Gibson as Lt. Col. Hal Moore, led majority of his soldiers to safety with courage in a no-win situation against the Vietnamese.
400 U.S paratroopers. 4000 Vietnamese soldiers. 12 000 miles away from home. 1 man led them into battle.
10. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
The movie tells about the story of two young boys, despite separated by an electrified fence and difference in lineage, formed a friendship that will soon be faced with many trials. Bruno, the son of a newly promoted Commandant befriends Shmuel, a Jewish boy on the other side of the fence. With innocence still reigning in their minds, little do they know that their friendship can deliver a great impact on audiences worldwide.
A few days later, Bruno befriends another youth, strangely dressed in striped pajamas, named Shmuel who lives behind an electrified fence.
War movies need not to be all about explosions and soldiers; the essence of history in filming and the other values inculcated within the script is the main idea of the plot. As innovations on filmmaking as well as warfare give way to changes, let us not forget the lessons that were once brought by Technicolor, or even black and white pictures.
