“Bridge on the River Kwai”
“Das Boot”
I also quite like the Czech film “Dark Blue World” some great flying scenes and the story is good too. I actually like that it isn’t over the top with bravado and other such trapping of so many other war films.
Its got to be; in no particular order
Das Boot, (If youve never seen this film; its in german w/subtitles. Do!)
Where eagles dare, (‘Broadsword calling Danny boy’)
A bridge too far, (Quote ‘If he lives he’ll have a splitting headache’)
Saving Private Ryan, (Just to see the Mg42 wasting sooo much ammo, and the Hannomag)
Kellys Heros, (Quote 'Its the negative waves, man)
Memphis Belle, the Original, non cinema version, Very frightening stuff)
Empire of the sun, (Quote, ‘P51 Mustang, Cadillac of the sky’)
Theres bound to be more, appologies for any missquotes. (Note to self, have to see Kellys heros again lol)
…Guy
The movie Battle of Britain has an awesome scene…The RAF is climbing to altitude to create THE BIG WING and surprise the Luftwaffe. Great shots of Hurricanes and Spitfires with heroic music.
Unbelieveable, must be a forum full of Americans, not one person mentioned the Dambusters, or Reach for the Sky.
Maybe not mentioned, but not forgotten. Dambusters was a great movie.
Band of Brothers and A Bridge Too Far.
While I love the 1940’s ‘war’ films…they tend to be a bit corny with a lot of schlock. The patriotism always gets me though…but that was the point for most of the older films.
Sargeant York…The Fighting 69th…Gung Ho!..Wake Island…Bataan…Back to Bataan…Sahara…Desperate Journey…They Were Expendable…Objective: Burma!..and the many great British films of the era
Those types. There are many films that fall into the ‘war’ film category that are more about espionage and spy-busting…one is on right now: Saboteur… by Alfred Hitchcock (1942)! Another overlooked spy type film is “All Through The Night”…a Bogart comedy-drama he made between Maltese Falcon and Casablanca. Great fun
I have to agree with what everyone else has posted. Tora, Tora, Tora and the Battle of Britain are favorites because of the great aerial scenes. The Longest Day and Saving Private Ryan are special to me because several family members and friends served in Navy and Army, and took part in the fights these films depict. Saving Private Ryan is extra special because my cousin was killed just six hours because the war ended. Another cousin who saw the movie said he left the theater crying because it was so realistic and brought back too many painful memories. All the movies others have posted are a salute and tribute to those rightfully called The Greatest Generation.
Well Said Gordo
You are right Gordon. These movies are entertaining, but they definetly make you think about all the men and women who fought in the war for our country and the safety of our Allies and be thankful for them.
I agree with Upnorth, Dark Blue World is an amazing film, it becomes even more remarkable if you watch the documentry on the filming that comes with the DVD, you realize how much they did with limited resources, two Spitfires and a small budget. There’s unused footage from the Battle of Britain in there. If you can find it, watch it.
Well I loved 1941! Any movie with John Belushi as a P-40 pilot has got to be great.
Saving Private Ryan, Patton, and Letters from Iwo Jima are probably my favorite three. Midway, Downfall, Stalingrad, Enemy at the Gates, Battle of Britain, 633 Squadron, Tora! Tora! Tora! and even Pearl Harbor (for the flight sequences) are also on the list. And if you haven’t seen Downfall and Stalingrad, do so. These movies are fantastic even if Stalingrad is very downbeat. Empire of the Sun is another that I really liked, and the opening scene of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was greatness.
Von Ryan’s Express with Frank Sinatra and Trevor Howard, especially the ending. The hero doesn’t ALWAYS ride off into the sunset with the heroine to live happily everafter.
A Bridge Too Far for telling a brutally frank story of the nastiness of war.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
I can’t believe nobody meantioned Flying Tigers and Flying Leather necks both with John Wayne. Then there is the Black Sheep Squadron pilot Movie the Flying Misfits. McHales Navy Joins the Army and one I really liked The John Wayne Movie The fighting Seabee’s.
the worst part about Pearl Harbour is that there’s the nerdy guy with stutter who hooks up with the really hot nurse only to have her die in the bombing, I mean come on, nerdy guys like myself were all, “finally, nerdy guy gets the hot girl!” only to have our hopes dashed, it’s just cruel…
This a good start for me, I’m gonna add to this: Kelly’s heroes (my 5yo loves this movie), U-571, tora, tora, tora…both dirty dozen movies, Von Ryan’s express, Hart’s war,Pearl harbor, The thin red line, When trumpet’s fade, A midnight clear(1992 HBO movie), Saint’s and soldiers, And if you can find it(blockbuster rent’s it) The black book! It’s almost all subtitles, but a good flick!!! It’s about a jewish girl who escapes to holland, end’s up as a spy through the end of the war, awsome movie!!!
Band of Brothers (by far, the best of them all, at least IMHO)
The Longest Day (had a little of everything)
Battle of Britain (the aerial fights were incredible)
Memphis Belle (great story, great special effects)
Midway (great story, but would really be great if re-made using today’s graphics special effects)
Big Red One (Haven’t seen it in nearly 30 years, but I still remember it as very good)
Burt Lancaster “The train”.
The Raiders of the Lost Ark would be my favorite WWII period movies…also Bridge on the River Kwai as mentioned before and Enemy at the Gates and The Guns of Navrone.
Peewee
Here is my list…,
Midway,
Tora, Tora, Tora,
Pearl Harbor,
Memphis Belle,
Kelly’s Hero’s
Letters from Iwo Jima,
Saving Private Ryan,
Oh…I forgot…The big red one!