Donkeys and Elephants and Delegates,oh my!
Check out the most popular
Top 10 Military Movies of All Time
gunslot.com — ilitary movies have long been a popular staple in the film industry and studios have created several masterpieces. Only true war and military movies were considered, not sci fi movies or romance movies set against a battlefield backdrop. Also, Forrest Gump was not considered.
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- mjesq, on 10/10/2007, -3/+53 of my top 10 favorite movies made that list. Loved Glory. Good research.
- GawtMilk, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Agreed. I've seen all but "Tora! Tora! Tora!", and they're great. "Glory" was a little more "classroom" then "fun", but good none the less.
- Bajeda, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2You must see 'Tora! Tora! Tora!', especially if you've had to suffer through the abomination that was Pearl Harbor (the movie). I don't even know what the hell Michael Bay was thinking!
- GawtMilk, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Same thing he was thinking when he made Transformers:
"***** plot, dialog and character development, people want to see ***** explode". Then, he changed his mind 4/5th of the way through production and just added the first thing that came into his head (love triangle? Allspark? What?)
- GawtMilk, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Same thing he was thinking when he made Transformers:
- Neiby, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Tora! Tora! Tora! is simply the best movie about Pearl Harbor ever. Period.
- Bajeda, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2You must see 'Tora! Tora! Tora!', especially if you've had to suffer through the abomination that was Pearl Harbor (the movie). I don't even know what the hell Michael Bay was thinking!
- yargthepirate, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Bad research, they missed We Were Soldiers.
- gardnert1, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1"Good research"??? 'Glory' was set around the Charleston theater of the war. This summer I took a class taught by two EXPERT historians on the subject of the "Civil War" in the Charleston area. I personally visited every major battle sight. There wasn't much that movie got right. They did a good job of portraying the valor of the men assaulting the coastal defenses towards the end of the movie, however the number of flaws in the movie vastly outweigh that correct portrayal. For instance, the initial battle in the woods against Rebel troops was WAY off. The Rebels were chasing down the 3rd Connecticut when they ran into the 53rd Mass. While the 53rd made a stand while their white comrades fled, they suffered heavy losses, something like 47, and inflicted only a few casualties. There were reports of Confederate soldiers mutilating the fallen blacks, but this can be attributed to a huge population of mud crabs living in the marsh that was about 40 yards to the east of the engagement. Also, there were discrepancies in how Broderick's character was portrayed and the real guy, as well as how the 53rd was treated.
- GawtMilk, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Agreed. I've seen all but "Tora! Tora! Tora!", and they're great. "Glory" was a little more "classroom" then "fun", but good none the less.
- quintonfig, on 10/10/2007, -5/+5I still have not seen Glory but I've heard it's pretty good. I myself really liked Black Hawk Down and Saving Private Ryan :).
- Neiby, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Glory is extremely good if you can ignore Matthew Broderick's painful attempt at an accent. It's really a great movie.
- Neiby, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Glory is extremely good if you can ignore Matthew Broderick's painful attempt at an accent. It's really a great movie.
- Neiby, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Digg down....sorry.
- smackhero, on 10/10/2007, -12/+7personally i thought Tears of the Sun was pretty good. and what about submarine movies? Crimson Tide? Hunt for Red October?
- GawtMilk, on 10/10/2007, -1/+21Or Das Boot...
- Hellahulla, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I'd go along with Das Boot. But I'm glad to see films like The Caine Mutiny, Platoon, Apocalypse Now and Glory on there.
A good list for a change.
- Hellahulla, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I'd go along with Das Boot. But I'm glad to see films like The Caine Mutiny, Platoon, Apocalypse Now and Glory on there.
- ledmonkey, on 10/10/2007, -3/+9Tears of the Sun was so *****.
- GawtMilk, on 10/10/2007, -1/+21Or Das Boot...
- Sealab2021, on 10/10/2007, -3/+9Wheres "All Quiet On The Western Front"? I saw it during my sophomore year in history class, it is one of the most moving movies I have ever seen.
- annenk38, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1The film didn't quite capture Remarque's narrative. Still a decent work.
- Bajeda, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2The book was pretty simplistic, the movie is much better I feel.
- Jibberwalk, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7"All Quiet" was epic. I logged for the first time in ages just to digg you up. You are talking about the '30's version, and not the ***** '70's version, right?
The single butterfly being the only item in color was monumental. One of the most memorable scenes from any movie for me.
- annenk38, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1The film didn't quite capture Remarque's narrative. Still a decent work.
- Chewie67, on 10/10/2007, -3/+14Respectable list. Patton is my #1.
The Bridge on the River Kwai? Anyone?- Bajeda, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Yes.
- joker1972, on 10/10/2007, -2/+0Bridge on the River Kwai is a lot of *****
- bossm4n, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2That was my first thought when seeing that list, Bridge on the River Kwai is certainly in the top 10.
- Bajeda, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Yes.
- coltrane68, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Nice list.
On my list:
#1 Patton
#2 Apocalypse Now- Neiby, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I may get Dugg down heavily for this but I didn't think Apocalypse Now was that great. I liked the first 15 hours of it, but the ending just got too weird and implausible for me.
- tical2756, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1What about Deer Hunter, I'm surprised that's not on there
- doctorfungi, on 10/10/2007, -9/+4"Tears of the Sun" and "We Were Soldiers" were also great war films. Disappointed they weren't on there, but otherwise a good list.
- MCDupree, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Agreed, I thought they were terrible.
- Sexton65, on 10/10/2007, -3/+7No list is complete without Paths of Glory. Much better than Kubrick's other war movie Full Metal Jacket.
- Bajeda, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2It had one of the best ending scenes in cinema: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH09cX_Sd4M
- UtopiaInTheSky, on 10/10/2007, -2/+0What the hell was that?! I want those 5 minutes of my life back. Your YouTube-Link Posting Righs have been revoked!!!
- ISIfunded911, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Not many war movies have been so good as to deserve a ban from the State.
The French authorities considered the film an offense to the honor of their army and prohibited its exhibition in France until 1975. In Germany the film wasn't allowed to be shown for a couple of years after its release to avoid any strain in relations with France.
Banned in Spain by the censorship under General Francisco Franco's dictatorship, for its anti-military message. It wasn't released until 1986, 11 years after Franco's death. - ISIfunded911, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I forgot to name another extraordinary anti-military movie: Johnny Got His Gun, by Donald Trumbo, the most moving movie ever, that received two prizes at the 1971 Cannes festival.
The fact that these two absolute masterpieces did not make the list shows that most movie-goers are able to make a list that proves they are illiterate.- GawtMilk, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1They are illiterate because they didn't chose a movie you like?
1) This is a list that shows this guy's opinions
2) Literacy is the ability to read and write, not the ability to see and hear (the components necessary for movie watching)
3) Get off your high horse. Johnny Got His Gun was, at most, sensationalism and mediocre cinematography. It's no wonder it only caught on at Cannes.
4) "They show that war movies are mainly propaganda..." stop right there. The movies on this list satirize and ridicule the war. They aren't promotional.
5) With a name like "ISI Funded 9/11", why the ***** am I taking three minutes of my life to type this reply?
- GawtMilk, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1They are illiterate because they didn't chose a movie you like?
- ISIfunded911, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1There are also interesting documentaries about Hollywood and the Pentagon:
Mlitainment, Inc, the militarization of pop culture.
Hollywood and the Pentagon - A dangerous liaison.
They show that war movies are mainly propaganda and recruiting ads for the Pentagon, in part because...well, just watch them!
- Bajeda, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2It had one of the best ending scenes in cinema: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH09cX_Sd4M
- kunradish, on 10/10/2007, -2/+14Wheres "The Longest Day" that was my fav.
- WoodenKimono, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1For real... the Longest Day should really be #1 on this top ten. Movies like Patton are trash y comparison, I mean come on John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, even a young Sean Connery. This is a massive oversite. Buried as inaccurate.
- homerj14, on 10/10/2007, -5/+7I would of add Letters from Iwo Jima
- noobeffect, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4It was at least mentioned which is just as good.
- homerj14, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1woops.
I stopped when I saw number 1.
thanks for the heads up haha
- Cerealkillr, on 10/10/2007, -2/+38I know Band of Brothers is a series, but i think it deserves a spot.
- reddevil3, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5Not only does it deserve a spot, it's probably the most accurate and harrowing depiction of a war ever. I absolutely loved that series...truly a work of art.
- silvrpill, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Each episode should take spots 1-10. So it wouldn't be a fair entry.
- sepllcehck, on 10/10/2007, -7/+1digg me down... I forgot my keys...
- jarrubes, on 10/10/2007, -5/+2i dont care what any of you say because Deer Hunter is the greatest movie of all time and should have made top 5
- Abomonog, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Yeah, I can agree with that. Deer Hunter was an excellent personal veiw of Nam. On the other hand Patton and Lawrence of Arabia were both nothing but glorifications of wartime personalities. Good ones, but still nothing but glorifying looks at commanders.
- onisamsha, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0Your entitled to your opinion, but the first half of Deer Hunter was painfully boring for me.
...probably just before my time.
- thespudmall, on 10/10/2007, -1/+18What about Stripes?
Bill Murray deserves better! - Mouse13, on 10/10/2007, -2/+9Does anyone else think Apocalypse Now is a bit low on that list?
- Pinhedd, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2not paricularly, there was a certain hint of drama and self-conflict in Apocalypse Now that I felt detracted from the War aspect of it. Great movie and adequately placed.
- Vodka2389, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Absolutely. Its one of the best films of all time, period.
- Error601, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1It's one of my favorite movies but the war aspects were the backdrop and not the story.
- onisamsha, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Apocalypse Now is by far my favorite war movie, maybe my favorite movie of all time (if you ignore 2001: A Space Odyssey)
I think the war aspect of the film was integral to the story. The film expressed the dichotomy between modern "civilized" warfare and what real, unflinching war is. It was forward thinking, in that it kind of foresaw the problem are military is having now, fighting against people that don't observe the "rules" of warfare and have nothing left to lose.
- jason72780, on 10/10/2007, -1/+1When I was in the Army someone was talking about a tank movie. I believe they were russian tankers in the movie, but dont remember the name. If anyone could help itd be great. Also did anyone get a mirror?
- lndmn01, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Only missed the 2 greatest of all time
1: Fire Base Gloria
2:River Kwai - simon275, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3What about Bridge to Far or the Longest Day both great films.
- SavageBlackCat, on 10/10/2007, -7/+10Stripes
In the Army Now
Major Payne
Hot Shots
Red Dawn
Private Benjamin
Iron Eagle
Red Scorpion
Dr Strangelove
McHales Navy- NgrHader, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2Dont' forget:
Down Periscope
Tank Girl
Hot Shots Part Deux
Starship Troopers
Battlefield Earth - bariswheel, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Major Payne.... Battlefield Earth... Tank Girl....Down Periscope??? In the Army Now?? You can't be serious. We are talking about great military movies right?
Both of you pursue some bleach, and start chugging.
Gallipoli should be on that list for sure. Great movie.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082432/ - spidoman, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Agreed on Dr. Strangelove!
That movie shows how ridiculous war really is. - TheRingmaster, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Dugg for McHales Navy
- NgrHader, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2Dont' forget:
- slightlyoffbeat, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Google caught it.
http://72.14.253.104/search?hs=sUq&hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&q=cache%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.gunslot.com%2Fblog%2Ftop-ten-10-military-movies-all-time&btnG=Search- Spideristic, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1This is not the final list.
- jmoh, on 10/10/2007, -14/+2What about PEARL HARBOR?!!!?!?!?!?!
This list blows...- mud3000, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7thats some good sarcasm.. I hope
- gquaglia, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1No movie with Ben Afflack should ever be in a top 10 list, unless the adjectives, sucks, ***** and absolute worst are also there.
- CkMaverick, on 10/10/2007, -4/+17Dugg for all 10 being on the same page and listed 10 to 1 from top to bottom... And for having The Dirty Dozen on the list.
- zebr, on 10/10/2007, -8/+2WTF No Forrest Gump!?!?!? Buried.
- Subterfug, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6It wasn't a war movie...
- greenblob, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4What about Taegukgi?
- annenk38, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Korea has been producing some high quality stuff in the last few years.
- yahoofrom, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1tell us why you liked that movie
- vertinox, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2It was pretty much on par with Saving Private Ryan. A bit campy because Korean men appear very emotional throughout (maybe that is how it is over there), but I liked it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taegukgi_(film)- Neiby, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2That sounds like a really good movie! I'll have to see if I can find it somewhere.
- vertinox, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2It was pretty much on par with Saving Private Ryan. A bit campy because Korean men appear very emotional throughout (maybe that is how it is over there), but I liked it.
- DeadSkinMask, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0I was brought up on war films and have a large collection on them at home, and in all honesty, TaeGukGi is one of the greatest war film I have ever seen. Truely Epic.
Anyone who has not seen this movie I sujest you do so.
On par or better than most of the movies on this list.
- vanadium77, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5If you're too young to have even heard of the Dirty Dozen, it's a movie that'll keep your interest and more than worth the rental. Not only was it a great story, but the atmosphere and character portrayals are incredibly well-done by what was back then an all-star cast. It frankly puts most modern war movies to shame.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061578/- PhillyMJS, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1American Movie Classics has been running it rather frequently for the last few weeks, so if you've got basic cable you can avoid renting it. I don't think they edit much out, it's not like trying to watch Goodfellas on TBS or something.
- dnrdni, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1Lawrence of Arabia? it was good but what about Sands of Iwo Jima, or From Here to Eternity, or even Flying Leathernecks?? Or how about ANY Audie Murphy War Movie!!
- Bajeda, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Lawrence of Arabia is regarded as one of the best pieces of cinema of all time. Check rottentomatoes if you feel this needs expounding upon. It definitely deserves a spot on this list.
- yournightmare, on 10/10/2007, -6/+1Glory is higher on the list than Apocalypse Now and Saving Private Ryan? What a crock. And The Deer Hunter didn't even make the list? This list fails.
- adrenaline33, on 10/10/2007, -7/+2Top Gun? Buried.
- jason72780, on 10/10/2007, -2/+3Best lines ever "Shes lost that lovin feeling" "I hate when she does that"
- gquaglia, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Top Gun was a chick flick. It has no right to be in the list with the other classics.
- annenk38, on 10/10/2007, -3/+0Site's down already. I would say urban warfare scenes in Children of Men were the best and most realistic out of all I've seen. Made me wonder if they used units recently rotated out of Basra.
I remember in high school we had a guy that directed "Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam" come to address our history class. In response to a question about Rambo, he said "movies are pornography". Of course, there are quite a few good war books. "The Forgotten Soldier" by Guy Sajer is hands down the best one. - noobeffect, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Hart's War would've been a worthy mention.
- CkMaverick, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1110. Black Hawk Down
9. The Dirty Dozen
8. The Caine Mutiny
7. Saving Private Ryan
6. Apocalypse Now
5. Glory
4. Lawrence of Arabia
3. Platoon
2. Patton
1. Full Metal Jacket
Honorable Mentions:
The Great Escape
Tora Tora Tora
Master and Commander
A Bridge Too Far
Letters from Iwo Jima - jason72780, on 10/10/2007, -4/+2Theres a movie shot on a home video camera titled "***** the cav" about the 11th acr during desert storm. It has awesome footage of the motor pool blowing up.
- Derter, on 10/10/2007, -8/+3Actual list on the site :
10. A Bridge Too Far (1977)
9. The Dirty Dozen (1967)
8. The Great Escape (1963)
7. Top Gun (1986)
6. Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
5. The Caine Mutiny (1954)
4. Glory (1989)
3. Black Hawk Down (2001)
2. Patton (1970)
1. Full Metal Jacket (1987)- CkMaverick, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Where the hell did you get that list because I have the site open right now and that is not it. Mine above is exact... And Top Gun? Wtf?
- Spideristic, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1This list is from the google cache of the same site, but looks like some major changes were made to the list. (And Top Gun was removed)
http://72.14.253.104/search?hs=sUq&hl=en&lr=&c2coff=1&q=cache%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.gunslot.com%2Fblog%2Ftop-ten-10-military-movies-all-time&btnG=Search
Improved Final List:
10. Black Hawk Down
9. The Dirty Dozen
8. The Caine Mutiny
7. Saving Private Ryan
6. Apocalypse Now
5. Glory
4. Lawrence of Arabia
3. Platoon
2. Patton
1. Full Metal Jacket
Honorable Mentions:
The Great Escape
Tora Tora Tora
Master and Commander
A Bridge Too Far
Letters from Iwo Jima
Previous List:
10. A Bridge Too Far (1977)
9. The Dirty Dozen (1967)
8. The Great Escape (1963)
7. Top Gun (1986)
6. Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
5. The Caine Mutiny (1954)
4. Glory (1989)
3. Black Hawk Down (2001)
2. Patton (1970)
1. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
- Subterfug, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1It had 6/10 of my favourite war movies :)
- eximius, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3what about stalag 17?
- gquaglia, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Classic. Watch it every time its on.
- mveal2006, on 10/10/2007, -2/+9Das Boot should have been recognized, I personally easily have it as #1
there's more to the world than the US, even though itseasy for Americans to fall into that trap (myself included)- Neiby, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Ask anyone who has served on a submarine and they'll tell you that all submarine movies suck ass except for this one. They say Das Boot nails wartime submarine life perfectly.
- Error601, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Yea, Das Boot was a great movie. A lot of focus on details.
- Velnich, on 10/10/2007, -4/+1Buried because I'm tired of top 10 lists.
- agimat, on 10/10/2007, -6/+1Independence Day, 300, Ghost in the Shell, Star Trek, Valiant
"Top 10 Military" covers such a large scope that I could add "Gundam Movie" and it'd still qualify.- annenk38, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Well, if you want to go that route, why not "Battle Royale"?
- silvrpill, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1read the article-->no sci fi
- HouseofEl, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2What? No Guns of Navarone? No digg.
- nicoleandjeff, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4A Thin Red Line was also missed on this list...
- annenk38, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2At least it wasn't romanticized like 99% of the war flicks out there.
- beerandcoffee, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Definitely one of my fav war films....but not for everyone i guess...
- Neiby, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1I actually thought it was pretty boring, but I saw it a long time ago. Maybe I should give it another chance.
- beerandcoffee, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Definitely one of my fav war films....but not for everyone i guess...
- KMye, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2That movie should have been in the top five. Ridiculously good book, too.
- civdis24, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1People seem to either love or hate The Thin Red Line, but I think it is surely one of the best war movies ever made.
- annenk38, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2At least it wasn't romanticized like 99% of the war flicks out there.
- kamisama, on 10/10/2007, -5/+1They should have at least put in "Shindlers list" or "Casablanca", but Top Gun? Come on.
- Calypsoaf, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I'm surprised no one has mentioned that Internet Experts everywhere are now slaughtering kittens.
- sg7791, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Sure, Full Metal Jacket took number one. But I think Dr. Stranglove should have at least been somewhere on the list.
- annenk38, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2While a masterpiece in its own right, Dr. Strangelove, doesn't fit well into the "war" genre. If we were to lump everything war-related, we'd have "War Games" there as well.
- ISIfunded911, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1You have a narrow mind. It is not a sign of intelligence.
War movies should also include movies about war planners, war lobbyists,...Only a broad perspective helps understand war. A movie about a psychoanalyst analyzing the unconscious reasons for wars should be number 1.
Did you hear about general Smedley Butler? He is mentioned in that article:
http://digg.com/politics/Whistleblowers_on_Fraud_in_Iraq_are_Jailed_and_Tortured
A movie about him should be number 2.
- ISIfunded911, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1You have a narrow mind. It is not a sign of intelligence.
- annenk38, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2While a masterpiece in its own right, Dr. Strangelove, doesn't fit well into the "war" genre. If we were to lump everything war-related, we'd have "War Games" there as well.
- Barbarino, on 10/10/2007, -5/+1How does Platoon and Apocalypse Now Redux not make the freaking list??? Roger Ebert considers it a master piece.
And FTW, Red Dawn! jk- CkMaverick, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2wtf are you talking about? they are both on the list...
- manicallday, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Btw. Platoon wasn't that good.
- MCDupree, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8Das Boot?
- Vodka2389, on 10/10/2007, -3/+2Black Hawk Down? wtf.
- Neiby, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1It was a good movie! I thought they did a fantastic job of bringing that story to film. It was fictionalized a lot, which is to be expected, but knowing that it was mostly true really gave the movie some impact.
- Gardimus, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Das Bott and Stallingrad should be on that list easily.
- tehownz0r, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Band of Brothers? Even though that wasnt really a movie, it was pretty darn amazing and exceptional
- willbank, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2agreed. its better than at least 2 on that list
- LeeMaple, on 10/10/2007, -1/+0Some more honorable mentions. Midway, Bridge over the River Kwai, PT109, Hunt for Red October, Das Boot, and everyone has got to love Down Periscope..
- DoobieWheel, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1You really like submarines
- Bajeda, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1No 'Paths of Glory'? wtf.....
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