discussion Favourite War films

[Tim Marlow]

Hi all
As we almost derailed a long running thread with this topic, I thought it should have its own...mostly because I really enjoy talking about this stuff...
Now, thread rules....basically none, but I would include films that portray the human experience on the home front as well as obvious front line combat. Also, this should be about films you enjoy, not the subjective impression of what “best”.

I‘ll start off with five that I love, and why I love them...

Casablanca. The cafe scene with the Marseillaise is superb. If you couldn’t March into battle behind that you must be already dead!

Went the day well. Thora Hird potting Jerries with a hunting rifle, what’s not to like.

The cruel sea. Just superb throughout.

Grave of the fireflies. Heartbreaking film from the Japanese civilian viewpoint. It is a cartoon, but is utterly believable with an ending full of real pathos.

Zulu. So many quotable lines I don’t know where to start....

Post your own!

 

[wotan]

1917...... Terrific travelling camera shots
Dam Busters what's to add
The Man with no Name..... Classic Brit stuff

John

 

[Steve Jones]

Saving Private Ryan - I was brought up on 1950's, 60's and 70's war films and the opening 20 minutes was an absolute c change on how I viewed war films.

Kellys Hero's - From Oddball to Crap Game and the ultimate coolness of Clint Eastwood this is just a fun war film.

Longest Day - Back in the days of no CGI Darryl Zannuck gambled his reputation and all his money to create this ultimate Hollywood star studded epic.

A Bridge To Far - Richard Attenbrough at his ultimate best again with a star studded cast.

Paths Of Glory - The futility of war and the powers in charge's desire to save face at the expense of innocent lives

P.S Not a film, but Band of Brothers is my ultimate all time war film/series for so, so many reasons

 

[AlanG]

Battle of Britain - First real introduction to WWII aircraft. Loved it ever since
Dambusters - As above although i'd love to see the new one when/if its made
Enemy at the Gates - Don't know why but i just really enjoyed it
Schindler's List - Very thought provoking and i always blub when the real survivors come over the ridge to place stones on the grave
Memphis Belle - Liked the air combat part. Dislike it because they weren't actually the first crew to complete 25 missions. That honour goes to the crew of Hells Angels

 

[AlanG]

P.S Not a film, but Band of Brothers is my ultimate all time war film/series for so, so many reasons

Seconded!

 

[Tim Marlow]

1917...... Terrific travelling camera shots
Dam Busters what's to add
The Man with no Name..... Classic Brit stuff

John

Great choices!
Not seen 1917 yet.
Dam busters, superb film, the shot before they all get in the planes is genius. It also has the best film score of all time....I first heard it over fifty years ago, and it still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck if it catches me by surprise.
Is the second one called “The man who never was” on this side of the pond John? If it is it treats the subject with real humanity.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Saving Private Ryan - I was brought up on 1950's, 60's and 70's war films and the opening 20 minutes was an absolute c change on how I viewed war films.

Kellys Hero's - From Oddball to Crap Game and the ultimate coolness of Clint Eastwood this is just a fun war film.

Longest Day - Back in the days of no CGI Darryl Zannuck gambled his reputation and all his money to create this ultimate Hollywood star studded epic.

A Bridge To Far - Richard Attenbrough at his ultimate best again with a star studded cast.

Paths Of Glory - The futility of war and the powers in charge's desire to save face at the expense of innocent lives

P.S Not a film, but Band of Brothers is my ultimate all time war film/series for so, so many reasons

Fantastic set Steve. The first twenty minutes of SPR always makes me think “what the hell is worth this?” Really glad you picked “Paths of glory” as well.

 

[GerryW]

Films
Dambusters - goes without saying really (though highly doubt that it'll be shown on mainstream tv now - due to the dogs name!)
Eagle has landed - though the dialect isn't there, so 'generic' area.
Great Escape

TV series - both comedies
Hogans Heroes ('60s/early 70s?)
M.A.S.H.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Battle of Britain - First real introduction to WWII aircraft. Loved it ever since
Dambusters - As above although i'd love to see the new one when/if its made
Enemy at the Gates - Don't know why but i just really enjoyed it
Schindler's List - Very thought provoking and i always blub when the real survivors come over the ridge to place stones on the grave
Memphis Belle - Liked the air combat part. Dislike it because they weren't actually the first crew to complete 25 missions. That honour goes to the crew of Hells Angels

Yep, BoB has a lot of quotable lines as well... “They got the Rose n Crawn”....”He’ll ‘ave to drink in the red lion now....if they’”ll ‘ave ‘im ”

Enemy at the gates is a great exploration of stalingrad....

Schindlers list....sublime! I remember sitting down at the pictures to watch it, then it was over. I was so immersed in the film that I never noticed the three plus hours go by.

Memphis Belle. Great film, showed the age of the American combatants rather than using middle aged actors, which has happened too often over the years. .

 

[boatman]

battle of the buldge an bridge to far an tank film fury
chris

 

[Tim Marlow]

Films
Dambusters - goes without saying really (though highly doubt that it'll be shown on mainstream tv now - due to the dogs name!)
Eagle has landed - though the dialect isn't there, so 'generic' area.
Great Escape

TV series - both comedies
Hogans Heroes ('60s/early 70s?)
M.A.S.H.

Dambusters airs regularly on various film channels. I must admit the dogs name actually disturbs me now, history or not. Just love it though....Michael Redgrave could bumble for England if it was an Olympic event.

Only seen Eagle has landed once or twice so can’t comment.

Great Escape....another true classic with fantastic one liners...

TV series eh...Glad you picked Mash....the black and white episode where Father Mulcahy described the personnel to a film crew is utter genius. .

 

[Tim Marlow]

battle of the buldge an bridge to far an tank film fury
chris

Battle of the bulge is one I’m going to have to look out, not seen it for years. Bridge too far is excellent, love Connery’s Batman giving him the tea....
Fury, not my cup of tea I’m afraid.

 

[GerryW]

Dambusters airs regularly on various film channels. I must admit the dogs name actually disturbs me now, history or not. Just love it though....Michael Redgrave could bumble for England if it was an Olympic event.

Only seen Eagle has landed once or twice so can’t comment.

Great Escape....another true classic with fantastic one liners...

TV series eh...Glad you picked Mash....the black and white episode where Father Mulcahy described the personnel to a film crew is utter genius. .

Yes, on the film channels, but 'mainstream' TV, doubt it (got the DVD, so no matter for me!)
Hogans Heroes was a 'must see' when I was a kid!
I've all of the MASH on DVD - surprising how it 'evolved' over time or not surprising, given the political atmosphere changing over the years.

 

[prichrd1]

Michael Caine - two classics - "Play Dirty" and "Zulu".
Bridge to Far, Ice Cold in Alex, Battle of the Bulge, Saving Pvt Ryan, Band of Brothers, Eagle has Landed - Donald Sutherland has the best part,
Dambusters, Battle of Britain ['69 Edition], Bridge on the River Kwai.
Could probably go on and on !! :tongue-out3: :smiling::upside::astonished:

Time to lie down now.
Matron!!!!
Oh no don't start the carry on lark with me!!!!

Paul.
:smiling:

 

[wotan]

Tim

Thanks for the correction

John

 

[Allen Dewire]

Great thread Tim,

I'm still alive and agree with the above listed films and series. Good stuff indeed!!! My list of favorites would include most of them and let's not forget 633 Squadron too...

Some of my favorites,

Castle Keep - Totally off the wall with star quality and a good kinda twisted story...
Valkyrie - Good plot and the acting ain't too shabby either. Lot's of original vehicles, planes and such included...
Cross of Iron - Part 1 was good stuff, but part 2 wasn't as good. Gotta love Sam Peckinpah (The Wild Bunch)...
Stalingrad - German cast and a really good, deep take on the whole siege of the city...
Platoon - A real classic!!! Enough said. Shotgun anybody???....
Der Untergang - Only in German and about Adolph's last days as told by his secretary in Berlin...
Apocalypse Now - Ya gotta love Mangos....
Das Boot - The original film that was over 6 hours long but tells a chilling tale...

Prost
Allen

 

[David Lovell]

Most of the above but come on chaps ice cold in alex has to be up there somewhere. Dave

 

[Tim Marlow]

Tim

Thanks for the correction

John

Hi John, I wasn’t trying to correct you, I know some films have different names in different countries....it’s a great film. Very poignant when they are composing the girlfriends letter.....close to reality as well.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Most of the above but come on chaps ice cold in alex has to be up there somewhere. Dave

It is Dave, Paul has pointed it out :tongue-out3:

 

[Tim Marlow]

Michael Caine - two classics - "Play Dirty" and "Zulu".
Bridge to Far, Ice Cold in Alex, Battle of the Bulge, Saving Pvt Ryan, Band of Brothers, Eagle has Landed - Donald Sutherland has the best part,
Dambusters, Battle of Britain ['69 Edition], Bridge on the River Kwai.
Could probably go on and on !! :tongue-out3: :smiling::upside::astonished:

Time to lie down now.
Matron!!!!
Oh no don't start the carry on lark with me!!!!

Paul.
:smiling:

Hi Paul, great list. Not sure about carry on films, but carry on up the Khyber probably fits somewhere!