War on film
From a 90-second U.S. propaganda film for the Spanish-American War to Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11,†war movies run the political gamut. Current asked Richard Schickel, film critic and author, to name the best antiwar films and the best of those that celebrate war, or, in Schickel’s words, those that “praise American dutifulness in the face of terrible circumstances.†— Swati Pandey
Best antiwar films
“All Quiet on the Western Front,†1930: Based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque, the film follows five German boys who enlist in World War I anticipating glory but finding disillusionment.
“Grand Illusion,†1937: Two French officers are imprisoned during World War I by an an imperious former German fighter pilot.
“The Story of GI Joe,†1945: A look at World War II through the eyes of a war correspondent accompanying U.S. troops in battle.
“The Big Red One,†1980: A World War II sergeant and a few members of his team survive battles from Africa to the shores of France on D-day only to see the full horror of war at a concentration camp.
“Full Metal Jacket,†1987: Marine recruits make it through boot camp and get to Vietnam in time for a major battle, the Tet Offensive.
Best war films
“Air Force,†1943: A B-17 Flying Fortress on a training flight to Hawaii finds itself on the front line when Pearl Harbor is attacked.
“They Were Expendable,†1945: U.S. PT boats defend the Philippines from Japan in World War II.
“Saving Private Ryan,†1998: After three brothers die in World War II, U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to rescue the fourth brother.
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