Brilliant War movies

AndyLGR

AndyLGR

Active member
Picked up some war DVDs this week:

Cottage to Let, strangely one of the main plot points of the film is who the spy is, and yet on the rear cover art they reveal it straight away in the synopsis.

They who Dare, set on Rhodes with a team of allied commandos sent to sabotage 2 airfields. This features denholm Elliott as one of the leads.

The wooden Horse, a pow story as the prisoners use a gym wooden horse to disguise their tunnel digging.

Colditz Story, another pow film starring john mills following the various escape attempts of the prisoners. This is one of my favourites.

Dunkirk, a classic that follows the events leading up to to the evacuation from the perspective of troops stuck in France and those organising the rescue attempt. Richard Attenborough stars in this.

Halfway house, a tenuous link to war. This is an Ealing movie that sees a group of strangers take shelter in an inn during a storm. The eerie thing is that the inn was destroyed and the owners killed in a German bombing raid a year earlier.
 
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jsarino

jsarino

New member
I don't think I saw this in any of the posts, so I'll add Battle of Britain on this list. Spectacular aerial sequences, using a number of the actual aircraft, along with actual RAF bases and even fully functional operations rooms were used in the film. A number of known actors and actresses were in this film: Laurence Olivier, Trevor Howard, Robert Shaw, Christopher Plummer, Michael Cane, Susannah York, Ian McShane, Ralph Richardson, Curt Jurgens among others.
 
Moedred

Moedred

Administrator
Staff member
The last half hour of Heartbreak Ridge is probably the only film depiction of the 1983 Invasion of Grenada. Clint Eastwood takes his usual leisurely pace getting there, during which the only surprise is seeing the real Duke Nukem, former NFL lineman Pete Koch. The classic line, gamers will recall, takes place on a football field.
 
Duaner

Duaner

New member
I am a huge fan of war films. Right now, with this being the 100th anniversary of World War I, I am making a point of watching as many WWI-era films as I can. Some of the best are: Paths of Glory, All Quiet on the Western Front, Sergeant York, Lawrence of Arabia, Gallipoli, and War Horse. In my opinion, WWI is sort of overlooked in Hollywood. If anyone knows any other good WWI films I should watch, let me know.
 
Stoo

Stoo

Well-known member
Duaner said:
In my opinion, WWI is sort of overlooked in Hollywood. If anyone knows any other good WWI films I should watch, let me know.
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Hi, Duaner. You've noted most of the best WW1 films (particularly my personal favourite, "Paths of Glory") so it's a pleasure to see someone like you join The Raven. Welcome!:hat:

Possible reasons why Hollywood has "overlooked" World War One: On the grand scale of American military history, it isn't as important in shaping the country as the Revolution, Civil War, Indian Wars, WW2 & Vietnam and, in the long run, appears to be considered a relatively minor event (despite the massive numbers involved). Plus, the U.S. joined late and were only engaged during the final year of a very long fight. Not enough material to exploit, perhaps? The subject matter is also just too depressing & not fashionable. It must be hard to build heroic stories from such a senseless conflict because it's a war without a message (the only message being: anti-war) and Hollywood usually wants a happy ending. That's my take on it, anyway.

Hope you're not averse to foreign films because I've included some in my list of recommendations. These are my top choices after what you've already mentioned (listed chronologically):

1930 - "Westfront 1918 / West Front 1918" (German)
1932 - "Les Croix de Bois / Wooden Crosses" (French)
1934 - "Stosstrupp 1917 / Shock Troop 1917" (German)
1936 - "The Road to Glory"
1940 - "The Fighting 69th"
1959 - "La Grande Guerra / The Great War" (Italian)
1964 - "King and Country"
1966 - "The Blue Max"
1969 - "Oh! What a Lovely War"
1976 - "Aces High"
1979 - "All Quiet on the Western Front"
1987 - "The Lighthorsemen"
2001 - "The Lost Battalion"
2014 - "Apocalypse: World War I"

Re. the '79 version of "All Quiet": Yes, there already was an excellent adaptation and, yes, this was one made for TV but it's very good and worth watching. Richard Thomas (remember John Boy from "The Waltons"?) is well cast as the youth. Various clips were used in 2 Young Indy episodes.

Footage from "The Lighthorsemen" and "Aces High" (1976) was also used in Young Indy as well. As a matter of fact, we have a thread dedicated to The Lighthorsemen.

"Apocalypse: World War I" (2014) is a brand new documentary series done entirely with colourized footage. Sound effects have been meticulously synchronized to the shots and the result is like stepping into a time machine. Tonnes of incredible stuff here and I highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in the subject.

"Stosstrupp 1917" is probably the NOISIEST movie I've ever seen. It's a non-stop barrage of gunfire & exploding shells, grenades, etc. Filmed with real soldiers using LIVE AMMUNITION! Bought this on DVD a few years ago and was blown away. It's intense and a must-see.
 
M

Montana Smith

Active member
Stoo said:
Re. the '79 version of "All Quiet": Yes, there already was an excellent adaptation and, yes, this was one made for TV but it's very good and worth watching. Richard Thomas (remember John Boy from "The Waltons"?) is well cast as the youth. Various clips were used in 2 Young Indy episodes.
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I saw this for the first time last week. Had an impressive cast list -with Borgnine, Pleasance, Holm and even The Last Crusade's Hitler as John Boy's dad.

Never read Remarque's novel, nor seen the original film, but I can see where Hans Hellmut Kirst and Sven Hassel drew their inspiration!

Found the original version here: http://www.veoh.com/watch/v1486715efNPr68g?h1=All+Quiet+on+the+Western+Front+(1930)


Stoo said:
"Stosstrupp 1917" is probably the NOISIEST movie I've ever seen. It's a non-stop barrage of gunfire & exploding shells, grenades, etc. Filmed with real soldiers using LIVE AMMUNITION! Bought this on DVD a few years ago and was blown away. It's intense and a must-see.
Click to expand...

There's a copy of this on YouTube:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SAUI3rSUvYQ?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Stoo said:
1930 - "Westfront 1918 / West Front 1918" (German)
Click to expand...

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/s7tY4WaWZzA?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Duaner

Duaner

New member
Stoo said:
Hi, Duaner. You've noted most of the best WW1 films (particularly my personal favourite, "Paths of Glory") so it's a pleasure to see someone like you join The Raven. Welcome!:hat:

Possible reasons why Hollywood has "overlooked" World War One: On the grand scale of American military history, it isn't as important in shaping the country as the Revolution, Civil War, Indian Wars, WW2 & Vietnam and, in the long run, appears to be considered a relatively minor event (despite the massive numbers involved). Plus, the U.S. joined late and were only engaged during the final year of a very long fight. Not enough material to exploit, perhaps? The subject matter is also just too depressing & not fashionable. It must be hard to build heroic stories from such a senseless conflict because it's a war without a message (the only message being: anti-war) and Hollywood usually wants a happy ending. That's my take on it, anyway.

Hope you're not averse to foreign films because I've included some in my list of recommendations. These are my top choices after what you've already mentioned (listed chronologically):

1930 - "Westfront 1918 / West Front 1918" (German)
1932 - "Les Croix de Bois / Wooden Crosses" (French)
1934 - "Stosstrupp 1917 / Shock Troop 1917" (German)
1936 - "The Road to Glory"
1940 - "The Fighting 69th"
1959 - "La Grande Guerra / The Great War" (Italian)
1964 - "King and Country"
1966 - "The Blue Max"
1969 - "Oh! What a Lovely War"
1976 - "Aces High"
1979 - "All Quiet on the Western Front"
1987 - "The Lighthorsemen"
2001 - "The Lost Battalion"
2014 - "Apocalypse: World War I"

Re. the '79 version of "All Quiet": Yes, there already was an excellent adaptation and, yes, this was one made for TV but it's very good and worth watching. Richard Thomas (remember John Boy from "The Waltons"?) is well cast as the youth. Various clips were used in 2 Young Indy episodes.

Footage from "The Lighthorsemen" and "Aces High" (1976) was also used in Young Indy as well. As a matter of fact, we have a thread dedicated to The Lighthorsemen.

"Apocalypse: World War I" (2014) is a brand new documentary series done entirely with colourized footage. Sound effects have been meticulously synchronized to the shots and the result is like stepping into a time machine. Tonnes of incredible stuff here and I highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in the subject.

"Stosstrupp 1917" is probably the NOISIEST movie I've ever seen. It's a non-stop barrage of gunfire & exploding shells, grenades, etc. Filmed with real soldiers using LIVE AMMUNITION! Bought this on DVD a few years ago and was blown away. It's intense and a must-see.
Click to expand...

I completely agree that "Paths of Glory" is the best of all WWI films and I think your take on why WWI is so overlooked makes sense. For some reason I have just always been intrigued by the era. I think watching "Young Indy" as a kid may have sparked some of that interest.

Thanks for the great list! I am definitely going to seek these titles out and watch them. I remember watching "The Lost Battalion" but I've not seen any of the others.
 
Stoo

Stoo

Well-known member
Duaner said:
I completely agree that "Paths of Glory" is the best of all WWI films and I think your take on why WWI is so overlooked makes sense. For some reason I have just always been intrigued by the era. I think watching "Young Indy" as a kid may have sparked some of that interest.

Thanks for the great list! I am definitely going to seek these titles out and watch them. I remember watching "The Lost Battalion" but I've not seen any of the others.
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Duaner, you are welcome.:hat: 5-6 weeks passed without anybody answering your question?(which says a lot about the sad & pathetic state of this place). Ask the current, active Raven members about their favourite WW1 films and you will probably get:

1) Jurassic Park
2) Ghostbusters
3) Captain Leotard: Springtime Pansy

Montana Smiff said:
I saw this for the first time last week.
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Good! 35 years later is never too late!(y) Nice spot on John Boy's dad.
Duaner said:
I think watching "Young Indy" as a kid may have sparked some of that interest.
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If you watched Young Indy as a "kid" then perhaps you aren't familiar with John Boy from "The Waltons"?:confused:

Anyway, check out "The Fighting 69th" for a full-blooded Hollywood treatment of World War One (if that's what you're after).
 
Duaner

Duaner

New member
Revisiting this thread because I am still on my WWI film kick (in honor of the 100th anniversary we are in the middle of). I recently rewatched "Gallipoli" to coincide with the 100th anniversary of that campaign. That's a great movie - very powerful ending.

Stoo said:
Anyway, check out "The Fighting 69th" for a full-blooded Hollywood treatment of World War One (if that's what you're after).
Click to expand...

I am slowly making my way through your list and I located a copy of "The Fighting 69th" in my local library system. I will be checking that out and watching it soon. I have since watched "The Blue Max" (loved it!), rewatched "The Lost Battalion" (even as a TV movie it ranks right up there with the other WWI films and has an Indiana Jones connection - Wolf Kahler (Dietrich from "Raiders"), and I also saw the 1979 "All Quiet on the Western Front" (very good, but I prefer the original). Last Christmas, I watched "Joyeux Noel" as well. It sort of bored me. I think a better film about the Christmas Truce could be made.

Right now if I ranked all the WWI films I have seen it would look as follows:

1. Paths of Glory
2. Lawrence of Arabia
3. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
4. Sergeant York
5. War Horse
6. Gallipoli
7. The Blue Max
8. The Lost Battalion
9. All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)
10. Joyeux Noel
11. Flyboys

I feel like I probably left something out. As I said, I'll be watching "The Fighting 69th" soon. Has anyone seen "Beneath Hill 60" or "The Water Diviner"?
 
Attila the Professor

Attila the Professor

Moderator
Staff member
Duaner said:
Right now if I ranked all the WWI films I have seen it would look as follows:

1. Paths of Glory
2. Lawrence of Arabia
3. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
4. Sergeant York
5. War Horse
6. Gallipoli
7. The Blue Max
8. The Lost Battalion
9. All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)
10. Joyeux Noel
11. Flyboys

I feel like I probably left something out.
Click to expand...

Well, since you seem to like a couple of aviation films, perhaps <I>Wings</I>? Nice, frank love story (that's really more about the bond between the men in it, as it happens), and a great star-making cameo from Gary Cooper.

CRI_113158.jpg


And then there's the WWI film that came out just 7 years after the end of the war, <I>The Big Parade</I>.

tumblr_mwaeuvz5Ac1sr1ki0o3_r1_500.gif


Do we have a rule against gifs, fellas?
 
Stoo

Stoo

Well-known member
Duaner said:
I am slowly making my way through your list...
Click to expand...
Pleased to hear, Duaner, and I'm happy that you enjoyed the John-Boy-Walton-version of "All Quiet on the Western Front". I think it's great but not better than the original. If you loved "Blue Max" then, for sure, you will like "Aces High". Put that next on your viewing list (along with Attila's recommendation of "Wings"). It'll be a long time before I watch "Gallipoli" again. It's excellent but, man, is it ever depressing.

When you eventually see, "The Fighting 69th", it's going to knock something off your top 11 list, without a doubt.;)

As for the Christmas Truce: "Oh, What A Lovely War!" has a poignant vignette about it, as well as Paul McCartney's 1983 video for "The Pipes of Peace" (especially its ending).

I've never seen "Beneath Hill 60" nor "The Water Diviner" so thanks for pointing them out.:hat:
Attila the Professor said:
And then there's the WWI film that came out just 7 years after the end of the war, The Big Parade.
Click to expand...
Never seen "The Big Parade" either but have been wanting to for a long time. Thanks for the reminder!:hat:
 
Joe Brody

Joe Brody

Well-known member
Not that it is a traditional war movie but folks will need to be adding Dunkirk to their list.

One of the drawbacks of living in the sticks is that we don't have a great IMAX by us but by happenstance we were on the road to day and had a coupe of hours in our schedule and saw it. Great film. Even my even anti-war kid was jacked up.
 
D

dr.jones1986

Active member
Joe Brody said:
Not that it is a traditional war movie but folks will need to be adding Dunkirk to their list.

One of the drawbacks of living in the sticks is that we don't have a great IMAX by us but by happenstance we were on the road to day and had a coupe of hours in our schedule and saw it. Great film. Even my even anti-war kid was jacked up.
Click to expand...

I saw it in IMAX on Friday and was very impressed. One of the best war movies of the past several years.
 
K

Kai Hagen

New member
My opinion on Apocalypse Now changed when I watched it again.

The first time I watched it was before CGI technology. I was spoiled by the numerous war movies that used real explosives, real military vehicles, and real extras. And people had small televisions back then. I couldn't appreciate the visual appeal. Also, I didn't understand certain scenes in Apocalypse Now such as when a soldier was surfing in a battlefield. And I didn't understand the appearance of a tribal faction in the last part and why they followed a US special forces officer. It all seemed arrogant to me.

The second time, I watched with a larger screen and with Blu-ray. WOW!!
 
Jonesy9906753

Jonesy9906753

Well-known member
“Rescue Dawn” by Werner Herzog. It is a jarring and poetic tale of POW’s in Vietnam. It is not a run-of-the-mill, traditional War Movie.
 
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