Best War Movies

Hi, and welcome! I'd like to share with you my own personal list of best war movies. These span from the American Civil War through the Vietnam War. Yes, I'm an American so my list has a definite US slant. Some of the movies may not be among others' top lists and that's fine because this is MY list.

I'd love to hear some film favorites from people of other nations, so add to the comments at the bottom of the page if you've got more to share. If you know there is a version of a foreign film with English subtitles, please let us know.

Without further ado, here is my list:

• The Lost Battalion (2001) This is the gripping story of an American battalion caught behind enemy lines in the Argonne Forest during late 1918, as the end of WWI approached. The movie stars Rick Schroder as Maj. Charles Whittlesey, the officer in command of the beseiged troops. Of the roughly 500 soldiers originally trapped in the "pocket" as it was called, less than 200 emerged alive and without wounds. This film was a remake of an earlier "Lost Battalion" movie created in 1919. In real life, Maj. Whittlesey was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service and returned to his law practice after the conclusion of the Great War. He remained haunted by events in the Argonne, though, and committed suicide in late 1921 (not part of the film). Several other American soldiers from the 77th division and its supporting Army Air Corps were also recognized with the Congressional Medal of Honor. Directed by Russell Mulcahy.
  
• When Trumpets Fade (1998) The movie follows the desperate actions of a private fighting to survive bloody, and perhaps pointless, conflict in the Hurtgen Forest during WWII. The film is memorable for footage of individual infantry soldiers in action ("sorry *ss patrol" duty). I was on the edge of my seat as the soldiers navigated minefields. These battles take place in 1944-45. Over 24000 American troops were killed or wounded during these skirmishes. Their sacrifices had been largely forgotten in the public eye until this movie retold their story to a new generation. Directed by John Irvin.
  
• Patton (1970) I can't imagine any list of American war movies without "Patton". George C. Scott stars as the famous U.S. tank commander. The film covers Patton's role in WWII from his successful tank campaigns in North Africa until he ultimately loses his command at the conclusion of the war against Germany. This movie not only garnered multiple Academy Awards, but was later admitted into the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural and historical significance. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner.
  
• We Were Soldiers (2002) This Vietnam War movie stars Mel Gibson as Colonel Hal Moore, who is the commander on the ground during the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965. The US Army gets a taste of how costly the war in Vietnam could be. The movie also shows how the soldiers' families coped with not knowing the fate of their loved ones and how ill-prepared the Army was for the number of U.S. casualties to come in Vietnam. Directed by Randall Wallace.
  
• Glory (1989) This movie is set during the American Civil War and describes the formation of the 54th Massachussetts Volunteer Infantry, an African-American fighting unit commanded by white officers. Matthew Broderick stars as Captain Robert Gould Shaw, who trains the 54th Massachussetts and subsequently leads them into a horrid frontal assault on Fort Wagner. In real life, one member of the 54th Massachussetts, Sergeant William Harvey Carney, became the first African American to be presented the Congressional Medal of Honor. Directed by Edward Zwick.
  
• Das Boot (1981) A classic submarine movie about the German boat U-96 that is set during WWII. This is the only German movie in my list. Early during the movie, U-96 suffers some damages, but carries out a successful attack against a British convoy. Later, all is not well as the boat comes under attack from the British and winds up sinking down to a sea shelf deep in the ocean. The crew works furiously to effect repairs before the oxygen supply is depleted or the boat is crushed by the sea. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen.
  
• The Bridges at Toko-ri (1954) Film showcases naval aviation during the Korean War. The story is based on a composite of actual missions flown against three strategically important North Korean railroad bridges. The movie was created from a novel by James Michener, which he wrote after his experiences as a war correspondent. William Holden stars as Navy pilot Lt. Harry Brubaker. Directed by Mark Robson.
• Saving Private Ryan (1998) This movie is another must-have for anyone's list of war movies, at least if you are an American. The combat action in the opening scenes is some of the most dramatic war movie footage ever produced. Tom Hanks leads a star-studded cast in this one. Hanks plays Captain John Miller, who leads a group of soldiers on a special mission during this fictional drama set in WWII. Their quest is to return a Private James Francis Ryan safely home to his mother since all of his brothers have been killed in combat during the invasion of Normandy. Directed by Steven Spielberg.