War movies are always relevant. They teach patriotism, love of the motherland, courage and courage. Watching such paintings, we empathize with the main characters, admire their exploits, self-sacrifice, honesty, courage and fearlessness. American films about the war gave the world a lot of characters who became loved not only in the United States, but throughout the world.
Classics of the genre
Of course, each person has his own preferences and tastes. Therefore, the topic of the best film about the war can be a long and tedious argument. Despite the many discussions and opinions, there is a category of those paintings that have become classic for world cinema. And it is to her that the legendary war drama directed by Steven Spielberg, Schindler's List (1993), belongs. The film, based on real events, won seven Oscars. It is based on the story of a German businessman who, during the Holocaust, decides to help oppressed Jews. He starts the business and asks the German authorities to allow the use of “cheap” labor in the production. At the risk of his own life and showing the wonders of diplomacy, he saves more than a thousand Jews.
Describing the best American films about the war, one cannot fail to mention Pearl Harbor with Ben Affleck in the title role. The picture was shot in 2001 by director Michael Bay. This is a story about two pilots - comrades and colleagues who fell in love with one woman. But this did not destroy the friendship: it remained in their hearts until the last breath. This film is about how the fate of people melted in the furnace of battles and hostilities. The past has become a conflagration, for the future it is necessary to fight on earth and in heaven, in hatred and great love.
American films about the Second World War
If we talk about the top five, then the drama “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), which tells about the landing of the Allies in France, deserved its rightful place in it. The territory is under German occupation, and marines fall under heavy fire. Despite the shelling, Captain Miller collects the surviving soldiers and breaks through the defenses. Now they have a new task - to find and save co-worker Ryan. The picture, starring in the role of Tom Hanks, received five Oscars.
One of the newest
films about World War II is Rage (2014). The picture tells about the crew of the tank that takes part in a virtually suicidal mission. For the commander, played by Brad Pete, the main task is to survive on his own and save the lives of his soldiers. Other
good films about the 1941-1945
war (American): Yu-571 (2000) about battles with the participation of submarines, Flags of Our Fathers (2006) about an operation to capture Iwo Jima Island during the military operations against Japan. And, of course, the picture of Quentin Tarantino's “Inglourious Basterds” (2009) about the American military, which, with its ruthlessness, terrifies the Nazis in occupied France.
World War I
American films about the war did not ignore these tragic events in Europe that took place at the beginning of the 20th century. I think no one will argue that one of the best paintings on this subject is the good old "Legends of Autumn" (1994). In the center of the plot are three brothers in love with one woman. It would seem that there is no way out of the situation, but ruthless and merciless war puts everything in its place. The film "Legends of Autumn" won an Oscar for the work of the cameraman and the Golden Globe Award for the best dramatic film. Steven Spielberg’s new work is also not inferior to him - the military drama War Horse (2011). This is a story about the incredible friendship of the boy Albert, played by a young actor Jeremy Irwin, and Joey's horse. When war breaks out, the horse is taken to the cavalry regiment, which fights in the fields of France. The boy, despite his young age, goes to the midst of hostilities to find a comrade.
The top three, without a doubt, includes the film “The Water Seeker” (2014), which the United States shot together with Turkey and Australia. The main roles went to Russell Crowe and Olga Kurylenko. The action takes place at the end of the war - in 1919. The Australian, having lost three sons, goes to the Gallipoli Peninsula. Here in a fierce battle, the guys died, the bodies of which he is trying to find. Unexpectedly for himself, a man finds the meaning of life where he did not even think of finding it.
Battles in Iraq
There are a lot of paintings in this category, since this war is relatively “fresh” and its events are very relevant for the United States. American films about the war in Iraq tell of the hostilities taking place in Asia at the beginning of the 21st century. The first positions in the ranking of the best paintings are occupied by the “Lord of the storm” (2008) - a story about the everyday life of three sappers. One of the friends for whom war is passion does not take hazardous work seriously. For him, it's just an entertaining game. It is such a careless attitude that provokes the appearance of disagreements in the detachment.
Another work on this subject is the painting “Do not take it alive” (2009). In the story, CIA agents unsuccessfully search for traces of weapons of mass destruction in the "green zone" of occupied Iraq. Officer Miller, played by Matt Damon, sees that the investigation is biased and is trying to make it public. He rebelled against the generals, who at all costs are trying to restore order on these lands. Director - Paul Gringass, having a unique style. His fighters are deprived of soulless scenes with special effects - every detail is filled with deep meaning. Good films about the war in Iraq also include Courage in Combat (1996), Three Kings (1999), and In the Valley of Ella (2007).
Films about the Vietnam War
I would like to immediately highlight the directorial work of Randall Wallace "We were soldiers" (2002). In the center of the picture is a narrative of the first mass battle of this war: about 400 American soldiers are surrounded, forgotten and abandoned. Despite this, they fight heroically until their last gasp. The main character was brilliantly played by Mel Gibson. “War losses” (1989) with the participation of Sean Penn - another picture about Vietnam, which is based on real events. Private Erickson witnesses a terrible crime - the US military rape and kill a Vietnamese girl. Condemning the platoon comrades, he is forced to confront not only them, but also the cruel sergeant, who had long forgotten what compassion felt.
Of course, the film “Apocalypse Today” (1979) is also among the three leaders. The picture tells about a special agent who was given the task to go up the river to Cambodia. There he must neutralize the mad colonel who created a kingdom of violence in a remote area. On his difficult path, he meets face to face with all the horrors of war. American films about the war are also worth watching on the theme of Vietnam: Deer Hunter (1978), Ptaha (1984), Platoon (1986), All-Metal Shell (1987) and Good Morning Vietnam ( 1987).
Afghanistan
About military operations in this country, many films were shot by Russian directors. What is Bondarchuk’s beloved “Ninth Company” worth all. The Americans are also not far behind: they have a lot of interesting works on the events of that war. For example, Restrepo (2010), which won the Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Film. Restrepo is an American base whose soldiers are guarding the process of actively laying tracks in a remote area. The local population is hostile to the project, therefore, conflicts erupt between the Taliban and the military. The film is a synthesis of heroism, fraternity, deadly battles and hard work.
The rating, which includes the best American films about the war in Afghanistan, is not complete without the picture "Charlie Wilson's War" (2007). Starring famous Hollywood celebrities: Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. The picture tells of the legendary operation "Cyclone", which influenced the outcome of hostilities. The plan was conceived by an employee of the Capitol that organized the delivery of weapons to the militias. The film caused a flurry of disagreement: in a number of countries it was called unreliable, in other states it was recognized and loved. Among the paintings about Afghanistan, one should also single out Legends for the Lambs (2007) and The Beast (1988).
Other war movies
And about other battles and battles tell American films. For example, the war in Japan is narrated by The Last Samurai (2003) with Tom Cruise in the title role. On the account of this military drama with elements of adventure of 40 nominations, four times he claimed the prestigious Academy Award. The painting describes the events of the 1870s taking place in Japan. The emperor decided to modernize the state system according to the Western model. But this only caused the anger of citizens who organized mass riots. To calm the "savages" they invited a retired American officer Nathan Algren. No one suspected how this visit would end.
“The Last of the Mohicans” (1992) is a picture of Michael Mann, which takes viewers to a difficult period of colonization for America. In 1757, a war broke out between France and England over these lands. The daughters of Colonel Monroe try to get into the besieged fort when the Hawkeye, a young white hunter brought up by the Indians, comes to their aid. Love flashes between a boy and an older girl, Cora. Now only a man and his friends from the tribe can save the beloved of the protagonist and her sister from French captivity.
Mel Gibson Paintings
This actor showed excellent directorial work - films about the war (American). The list of the best military paintings in the USA is not complete without the amazing drama “Braveheart” (1995), which received five Oscars, including for the best film. The story tells of the events in Scotland, oppressed by the brutal bloodthirsty tyrant Edward the Longfoot. The simple farmer William, who not only raises the masses of villagers to become a hero, is trying to save the people, but also conquers the heart of the English princess. Mel Gibson and Sophie Marceau played these roles amazingly.
His other film is about a different war. The main directorial work was done by
Roland Emmerich, but, they say, Mel Gibson made his own solid contribution to the script. The plot of the Patriot (2000) is the civil war. Thirteen British colonies stand for freedom and independence. The father of seven children, Benjamin, is trying not to take part in the battles. But when his eldest son fell on the battlefield, he changes before his eyes. The peaceful farmer turns into a cold-blooded commander who leads a rebel squad. This film, like the other paintings above, deserves your attention. If you have not seen these works, be sure to take the time and look over the coming weekend.