Best War Movies

Previous generations of Americans willingly fought and died for this country and the magnificent ideals upon which it was founded.  Many made the ultimate sacrifice to maintain the Republic.  Let their example inspire us all to become better citizens and to ask, as President Kennedy famously put it, what we can do for our country.

We endeavor here to bring you the highest expressions of these ideals from the silver screen.  Send your suggestions to [email protected].

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Revolutionary War

The Crossing (2000 – Jeff Daniels)
Watch here (free)   ==>

• tells the story of George Washington’s decision to cross the Delaware River on Christmas Eve to attack Hessian forces encamped across the river in Trenton.  Most revealing is why Washington, ill-equipped with a hodgepodge of untrained, underclothed, and hungry young soldiers, undertakes what could be a suicide mission.  As the movie progresses, you are taken by the realization that the American spirit, in contrast to the European mindset, was evident from our nation’s founding.  Washington is uniquely American - pragmatic, strategic and daring.  He knows he cannot fight the British forces using their warfare tactics and rules, so he uses cunning, psychology, and mastery in leadership to cross the Delaware with one agenda – to overwhelm the expertly trained and well-equipped Hessians.  In doing so he prevents the capture of Philadelphia, gains supplies and arms for his troops and miraculously turns the tide of the Revolution. 
• This movie without a doubt illustrates why Washington was later asked to be our first President.  It also through its sound track immerses you in feeling the cold the troops faced.  The howling winds send cold chills up and down your spine.  You can’t watch this movie without renewing your faith in the character, grit, and determination of our Founders, and despite all their flaws, you appreciate their sacrifices and become proud to be an AMERICAN!
  

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The Patriot (2000 - Mel Gibson)

• Tells the story of the campaigns in the Southern states.  A movie that will make you feel gratitude for what those who fought accomplished, as well as a sense of pride in being an American.  Read more here.
• Streaming on Prime Video, Apple TV, or Fandango at Home for $4. Or if you’d prefer to own a physical copy, it costs about the same to buy the DVD on eBay
  

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Civil War

Glory (1989 - Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington)

• A compelling retelling of the story of the second African American infantry regiment, Massachusetts’s 54th Infantry.  Matthew Broderick, as Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, is tasked with whipping a group of freemen and former slaves into a fighting force.  Colonel Shaw who receives orders while recovering from wounds received at Antietam, must recruit volunteers to serve in his regiment.  Shaw, unlike many of his peers, has a friendship with a scholarly black freeman, which fortifies his belief that with training and hard work he can produce a world class fighting unit.  The regiment fleshed out with Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman among many other notable black actors, fights forces on both sides of the war that wish to frustrate and defeat them because of their race.  Shaw who earnestly believes in his unit, fights for their recognition as a part of the Union Army, making sure they are trained and equipped to do their jobs.
• Special Note from a Guardians of History Team Member - Colonel Shaw and his unit’s participation in the attack on Fort Wagner, despite not capturing the Fort, leads to the Union Army allowing the formation of other all black military units.  The 54th Infantry led to the formation of the 5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry, the unit in which my great-grandfather served and was wounded.
• Rent or purchase on Fandango

View trailer here

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Gettysburg (1993 - Martin Sheen)

• A 4-hour account of the decisive battle of the Civil War based on the bestselling book The Killer Angels.  The movie does a nice job of selecting the best of the musings from the slow-paced book while still allowing the viewer to easily follow the thread of the battle.  Confederate General Robert E. Lee, thinking he was invincible, gambled it all and lost.  Early in the movie, Colonel Joshua Chamberlain gives a moving speech to his men laying out the ideals for which they as Union soldiers were fighting - ‘to set other men free’.
• Rent or purchase on Fandango (Director’s Cut available)

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World War I

Sergeant York (1941 - Gary Cooper)

• The incredible true story of a Tennessee hillbilly who single-handedly killed 25 Germans, took out a whole line of machine guns, and wound up with 152 German soldiers surrendering to him personally.  Read more here and here.
• Watch here (free)   ==>

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World War II

The Longest Day (1962 - John Wayne and an All-Star Cast)

• Fandango description: "The Longest Day is a vivid, hour-by-hour recreation of the historic D-Day assault upon the beaches of Normandy during World War II.. Featuring a stellar international cast, and told from the perspectives of both sides, it is a fascinating look at the massive preparations, mistakes, and random events that determined the outcome of one of the biggest battles in history."
• Rent or purchase on Fandango
  

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Heartbreak Ridge (1986 – Clint Eastwood) 

• Clint Eastwood is the grizzled drill sergeant "Gunny" Thomas Highway, returning to whip a platoon of screw up Marines into shape. He pushes them hard, and their initial terror of him eventually turns into respect. In turn, they earn his respect as they become a unit of fighting Marines. The movie culminates with Eastwood leading his force in the successful recapture of Grenada. Heartbreak Ridge is a soldiers' journey, from the experiences of both the raw recruit and the grizzled veteran.
• Rent or purchase on Fandango