War films are often full of action but also can be emotional both in the story and the remembrance of some of the hardest times in our lives, these films can be done extremely well and when they are, are some of the best films for many. They can be epic, in scale and size, but they can be so filled with story, these films are broad in nature.
Boo and I both enjoy these type of films and one of the few genres that we are very happy to watch together, none of the kids has watched these, obviously, but we certainly do. The list was tough to do, and though I enjoy the big epic cinematic experience appreciate that this genre isn’t all about that.
Table of Contents
Saving Private Ryan
Simply one of my favourite films of all time, let alone the genre, Tom Hanks is one of my favourite actors of all time, I love everything about this film and watch it every year, it’s got a brilliant cast and is ultra-realistic in the action and storytelling. The film may have been 1998, but it’s still popular now, it even inspired the high successful Band in Brothers which is still regarded as one of the best TV series of that genre, and many peoples favourite, The Pacific was another Series done by the same people but it was ok, just not the level of the others.
We Were soldiers
An Excellent film from 2002 and again is one of my favourite films that I also would watch every year, Mel Gibson is great in it, its set in Vietnam and hopefully shows to many people what they were walking into, but the cast is also good, it has alot of people I’ve seen in lots of other American Shows and films, there are so many good people in it, however, Sam Elliot is beyond brilliant, his description of why he’s not taking a gun as there will be plenty lying on the ground is one of the best and haunting lines of a film.
Fury
One of the more recent War films after a slight lul in the coming out, from 2014 a quality small cast focusing on the journey of a Tank unit, left stranded and battling taking out many other troops with them, I don’t think its the same level as the previous two, but it’s still good and a different story to the rest.
Full metal Jacket
From 1987 a shocking and dramatic film that’s more about the people and soldiers than the action, it gives you are more view into there lives and treatment within the US Army, it’s not a pleasing pleasant film, to be honest, I enjoyed it but a very serious film.
Black Hawk Down
Actually, when this film was released in 2001, I wasn’t that fussed about it, it took me a while to watch it, I thought it’s ok etc, but I hadn’t really watched many war films at the time and was a bit blasé about them, however since then I’ve watched a few of those films and this one especially, the cast is outrageous, at the time I didn’t really notice but you look back now and you think wow, he’s in it? he’s in it? and he’s in it? the cast is pretty damn good, it’s based on a true story and well worth a watch.
Overall
As ive mentioned earlier this films can mean so much to us, and can be fantastic, filled with drama, action and emotions, there are lots and lots of other films that could make the list and another generation would have 5 completely different ones with Escape to victory, Battle of Britain, Great escape etc… and these are brilliant, just not my type im afraid, however War films can be something that i would watch every year, what War films capture the moments for you?
Alternative List of another 5 that could make others
Apocolaype now |A haunting and fantastic War film
Good morning Vietnam |A different look at war films with one of the greatest, Robin Williams
Schindlers List |It is a War film, but for me it’s so much more and deserves to be on a different list, one of the classics.
American Sniper |A great film that gets forgotten about, a sad true story.
Zero Dark Thirty |A very different look, at a very different War.
I have not seen We Were Soldiers and Fury. I will have to look for copies of those two movies. I love Full Metal Jacket. I could watch it several times and not get tired of it. Such a beautiful film. Good Morning Vietnam is also one of my favorites.
I have to be in the right mind set for war films but when I do watch them they can be enjoyable, I haven’t actually seen Saving Private Ryan before but have heard of it multiple times so I reckon that will have to be the next war film to watch.
I must admit I don’t think I have watched any of these all the way through except for maybe Saving Private Ryan although I have heard good things about the others.
Is it really bad that I’ve actually never seen any of these films?! I remember Saving Private Ryan being something we watched at school but I don’t remember it at all so I’m not counting it x
I can’t believe apart from American Snipper I have not watched any of these. From you have said they are the type of films that keep you glued to screen. Thanks for this
I haven’t seen any of this but I’m not really into war films if I’m honest . I have heard that full metal jacket is quite a good film so I might try it
I love watching war movies that are related with historic events! All the above war movies are so great! Everyone must see them!
I have watched all of these but Black Hawk Down is my favourite. The plot and the acting is great. Dare I say I didn’t enjoy Saving Private Ryan
I am not really a fan of war movies, even if I’ve seen Saving Private Ryan from your list of favorite movies. I like the war movies that are not really war movies – the ones that have a story that happens during the war – such as Schindler’s List. That is and will be the movie that moves me the most. When I visited Krakow I actually seen the house where the real Schindler used to live.
My husband absolutely loves Saving Private Ryan, I don’t think i have ever seen it.