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.

[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.

[Nervous Jock]

Some to ponder

Ice cold in Alex by a long chalk (would also recommend the book).

Cross of Iron
Das Boot but only with subtitles
Escape to Victory
A Bridge to Far
the life and death of Colonel Blimp
Battle of Britain
The Cruel Sea
In which we serve
Above us the waves
Dunkirk
The wooden horse
Charge of the Light Brigade

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Was The Eagle Has Landed ever made into a movie? Does anyone remember the name of the movie that starred Jimmie Cagney as a member of an all Irish infantry company during WWII? Their shoulder patch was a raindow if I remember correctly.

The Eagle Has Landed (1977) directed by John Sturges; stars Michael Caine, Donald Sutherland, Robert Duvall, Jenny Agutter, Donald Pleasence and a whole bunch more people. Check it out on NetFlix, or your local video store (if it is still in business!).

[DryFly]

My list would include (in no particular order):

Zulu
Breaker Morant
The Four Feathers
Henry V (Kenneth Brannagh version)
In Harms Way
Saving Private Ryan
Gettysburg
The Last Samurai
Kingdom of Heaven
The 300 Spartan's

DryFly

[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

[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.