War Film recommendations

[PsihoKekec]

Seen 1917 this week an I can recommend it. It is set during German retreat to Hindenburg line and two soldiers need to take a message through yet uncleared part of the frontline. It has a great depiction of devastation of the WWI and the long takes make it look like it was done in one go.

 

[Husky_Khan]

Has anyone else seen 1917 yet? I'm planning onto when the schedule allows. Looks fantastic. And I'm really curious to see how these Long Takes come to fruition onscrean and if it adds to the film or is noticeable (might be tricky since I'm already aware of it).

 

[Sol Zagato]

The King is a stupid, annoying film in many respects. However, they filmed the battle of Agincourt at a place that actually resembles Agincourt, with tactics that somewhat resembled those at Agincourt more than other Henry V films I've seen.

 

[Husky_Khan]

I saw 1917 the other day and yes, it was very good. Much like Dunkirk, if your looking for epic battle scenes, you'll probably be disappointed but if your looking for an epic wartime setting, this film fits it perfectly. Somehow they did manage to beautifully weave the whole film together to appear like it's almost all one giant long take. The way it's presented as a near continuous and seamless story also does really increase the tension and realism you get and makes you appreciate both the cinematography and beauty and amazing sets and locations that the characters journey through.

There were a lot of moments in this film which really get you to feel the tension or energy or emotion in the moment and I don't mean like... you'll be crying or angry or anything... but you'll definitely feel sympathetic for the characters and their experiences and the constant tension you feel in the film just helps with that. The fact the film is done in this long take style format also gives it another unique feel as in some cases it's almost like an 'exploration' and you almost get the feeling you might get from a video game or a horror movie in that... since there are no takes or defined scenes, it adds to the tension in knowing there can be a break at anytime which I feel really adds to the atmosphere as well.

It's a beautiful movie to see visually, the sound is great, the characters and how they're acted is just excellent too. And it's just so original and exceptional how they managed to bring it all together. Definitely a step forward in creative film making and in a manner that does make the film better. It wouldn't of been as good a film if the producers and Director didn't make the choice if style that they did make in presenting the film as one 'long take.'

 

[ian1246]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Sink the Bismark. A true classic.

The Darkest Hour, whilst not strictly speaking a war-action film, I thought was absolutely fantastic.

Zulu Dawn is also a very enjoyable film

 

[BF110C4]

Also Tora, tora, tora for an excellent movie about Pearl Harbour. The way it shows both sides during the attack was and still is one of the most unbiased movies ever done, and for a 70's movie the special effects done without the benefit of CGI, cooperation with japanese actors and directors and the complex writing of the script were a credit to the producers.

 

[Husky_Khan]

Spartacus (1960)

 

[BF110C4]

The Guns of Navarone its a classic that I used to watch with my grandfather back in the day. I loved it so much that I actually found the sequel, Force 10 from Navarone, a feat in Mexico in the days before online piracy, a shame it was a letdown.

 

[Tryglaw]

Spartacus (1960)

Speaking of Spartacus, Kirk Douglas died yesterday (5th Feb.). May he rest in peace.

 

[Lord Sovereign]

The Enemy Below (1957) is a good one. Not only a classic, but it shows both sides of the engagement (a USN Destroyer Escort and a Kriegsmarine U-Boat) and humanizes them, whilst keeping them as competent adversaries.

You want both crews and commanders to survive by the end, essentially.

 

[Husky_Khan]

The Guns of Navarone its a classic that I used to watch with my grandfather back in the day. I loved it so much that I actually found the sequel, Force 10 from Navarone, a feat in Mexico in the days before online piracy, a shame it was a letdown.

Force 10 from Navarone definitely has its moments though. It's a far more lighthearted film of course. The Nazis in that movie were like prototypical movie Nazis... even with the drawn out execution scenes. Plus Barbara Bach...

 

[CurtisLemay]

Curtis's list, non-exhaustive:

The Unknown Soldier - A little known Finnish gem about the Continuation War

Cross of Iron - James Coburn, hard as nails, need I say more?

Fury - Not the entire movie, but the scenes in the German town reminded me of stories my Grandfather told. This is where the movie shines the most.

Full Metal Jacket - For an anti-war film, it had a memorable hard-as-nails R.Lee.Ermey, and some really great urban combat sequences that got the feel of Hue right.

Hamburger Hill - It didn't have an agenda, it just told a story, and told it well.

April 9 - A Danish film about their little-told corner of World War II, a great film that showed they resisted with what they had.

Downfall - How can you not like this movie, and call yourself a war movie fan?

 

[Zachowon]

There are very popular old movies that I critique because they couldnt get period accurate tanks! I would rather have CG then have M41 Walker Bulldogs and early Patton tanks driving around!

That is why in some aspects I love Fury, being historically accurate? Not so much, but at least giving the Americans and Germans accurate tanks.

For more modern, Black Hawk Down, one of Americans biggest modern combat mistakes turned into a rallying cry for Rangers and how devoted they are, and led to increase in Ranger recruiting and applications. It also shows the US Army values and Ethos.
I will Always place the mission first.
I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.

It is a very emotional film and inspiring for those wanting to join the military.

(Yes we do a lot of dumb shit but when the bullets start flying and you are down range, you throw that out the window and protect those with ya)

Sorry had to add some stuff about one of my favorite movies.

 

[Husky_Khan]

Yeah I was kind of surprised from reading the book and listening to the Commentary tracks of the actual participants on the DVD about the differences in the crash sites. Like the first helicopter crash was actually in some sort of alleyway. There were no Spectre Gunships nearby to even be called upon. And no Technicals (with mounted heavy weapons anyways) were actually at that engagement!

Among other things. But it's mostly just quibbling and even the veterans were talking about how well the movie was done despite all of the changes made for various reasons.

---

With that all that said... I recently saw a terrible war movie the other day on Netflix. I went in realizing it was terrible from the very first minute it... it was one of those "It's so bad, it's hilarious" movies. It's not so bad it's good... it's just so bad that it's popcorn entertainment especially with how serious the movie manages to take itself.

If you have a hundred minutes to waste for background noise, of seeing Latino dudes portraying Middle Eastern terrorists, some of the worst dialogue (acting is semi-serviceable but the script is terrible) and combat scenes you'll ever see, and lots of CGI gunshot wounds and narmy scenes of Mexican Middle Eastern women and children being massacred or randomly seeing Stephen Lang phone in a monologue as the US President from his warehouse style Oval Office, you must watch this movie. So many cliches and the Airsoft battles with CGI blood splatter make me HIGHLY RECOMMEND this film!

Available for free (Thank Ares) on Netflix!



I just realized when looking for the trailer there's somehow THREE of these movies already made even though the last one apparently was released in late 2019... but... I dunno. I will watch all three if I can (without paying extra) because of how high quality these low quality war films are.

 

[Husky_Khan]

Critical Drinker and some guy named the History Bro had a great (nearly four hour) podcast obtensibly discussing their Top Five War Movies respectively.



And it was a good video, had to watch it in parts. But they don't just talk about those ten films either, thanks to superchat questions and meandering conversations, they talk about lots of war movies, and movies in general and even have a bit talking about Playstation One games and even their favorite Horror movies since it's Hallowwen after all.

Would recommend giving it a watch.

Oh and their Top Five War Movies...

Critical Drinker:

5. Where Eagles Dare
4. Big Red One
3. Black Hawk Down
2. Platoon
1. A Bridge Too Far

History Bro:

5. Apocalypse Now
4. The Great Escape
3. The Duelists
2. A Bridge Too Far
1. Lawrence of Arabia

But off the top of my head they talk about Kellys Heroes, The Enemy Below, Das Boot, Hacksaw Ridge, Braveheart, The Bridge Over the River Kwai, The Dirty Dozen, Waterloo, Zulu, The Hurt Locker, and at the very end Invasion USA among a billion other films positively or negatively.

 

[Zachowon]

We were soldiers

 

[prinCZess]

5. Where Eagles Dare

Unquestionably great movie...Top 5 'War Movie', though? I dunnow. It kind of goes heavy on spy-genre stuff for a lot of the runtime before becoming an action-fest, and is kind of the height of 'killin' naw-sees' 70s awesome where themes and messages takes a backseat to bursting blood-packets and explosions (at least after it spends the first half doing Cold War spy-shenanigans that just happen to be set in dubya-dubya-deuce)...and that all seems like it sets it apart enough to be one-upped or more by another film that's a bit more...'War Movie-y'? Developed? Iunnow.

Like, this is no knock against Where Eagles Dare because it's awesome fun and great moviemaking...but seems like better alternates exist for explicitly the best 'War Movies' as a genre.

2. Platoon

Ehhhhhh, I dunnow about even putting this in the top five. Platoon is good. Powerful movie that's done well, etcetera... but suffers from being even more...pretentious(?) might be the word?...than Apocalypse Now while it kind'a does a lot of the same 'things' in terms of its direction. Which is a really high bar to cross because Apocalypse Now is very pretentious(?) and high-handed in everything it's doing.

Bridge Too Far being at or second-to the top seems appropriate. And I have heard good things about The Duelists from a couple places, but have yet to see it, so that'd be one I'd be interested in checking-out.

I'd contend Bridge Over the River Kwai is one that should be in these top fives somewhere (perhaps it gets mentioned as an also-ran or honorary or something, admittedly didn't listen to the YT element yet). Could take the spot of Where Eagles Dare and I wouldn't object.

We were soldiers

This also surprised me for its absence in either person's top fives. It and Black Hawk Down always occupy the same mental place for war movies in my brain and I'd always put them near or next to each other on any list like this because even though, like Apocalypse Now and Platoon, they kind'a sort'a do similar things in terms of their direction and messaging--the way they go for realistic portrayals, big-but-still-historic action scenes, and notable moments of reflection/consideration on the 'why' question...they both do all of it really well.

 

[Zachowon]

Unquestionably great movie...Top 5 'War Movie', though? I dunnow. It kind of goes heavy on spy-genre stuff for a lot of the runtime before becoming an action-fest, and is kind of the height of 'killin' naw-sees' 70s awesome where themes and messages takes a backseat to bursting blood-packets and explosions (at least after it spends the first half doing Cold War spy-shenanigans that just happen to be set in dubya-dubya-deuce)...and that all seems like it sets it apart enough to be one-upped or more by another film that's a bit more...'War Movie-y'? Developed? Iunnow.

Like, this is no knock against Where Eagles Dare because it's awesome fun and great moviemaking...but seems like better alternates exist for explicitly the best 'War Movies' as a genre.

Ehhhhhh, I dunnow about even putting this in the top five. Platoon is good. Powerful movie that's done well, etcetera... but suffers from being even more...pretentious(?) might be the word?...than Apocalypse Now while it kind'a does a lot of the same 'things' in terms of its direction. Which is a really high bar to cross because Apocalypse Now is very pretentious(?) and high-handed in everything it's doing.

Bridge Too Far being at or second-to the top seems appropriate. And I have heard good things about The Duelists from a couple places, but have yet to see it, so that'd be one I'd be interested in checking-out.

I'd contend Bridge Over the River Kwai is one that should be in these top fives somewhere (perhaps it gets mentioned as an also-ran or honorary or something, admittedly didn't listen to the YT element yet). Could take the spot of Where Eagles Dare and I wouldn't object.


This also surprised me for its absence in either person's top fives. It and Black Hawk Down always occupy the same mental place for war movies in my brain and I'd always put them near or next to each other on any list like this because even though, like Apocalypse Now and Platoon, they kind'a sort'a do similar things in terms of their direction and messaging--the way they go for realistic portrayals, big-but-still-historic action scenes, and notable moments of reflection/consideration on the 'why' question...they both do all of it really well.

Oh for sure.
The thing about We Were Soldiwrs and Blacl Hawk Down, both are basically the events as told by first hand witnesses, woth them being invovled.
The books they are based off of as well are basically first hand memories

 

[Lord Sovereign]

No mention at all of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.

Dreadful.

 

[Captain X]

It's a shame there were never sequels of that movie.