10 Desert Island War Films

[valleyboy]

I see that at last somebody has mentioned Battle of the Bulge - its a definite yes for me as was the first time I ever saw a film in the cinema with my dad as a young un

For overall effect and impact I'd also single out both Saving Private Ryan and Braveheart for the emotional impact they produced

[Jeremy]

The Patriot?

<ducks for cover>

[World2dave]

Wasn't the Goat recently saying just how great, and historically accurate, it was?

[Jeremy]

It’s his favorite

[Stormwatcher]

In no particular order...
Zulu
Battle of Britain
With Fire and Sword
633 Squadron
Waterloo
Platoon
Harry's Game
The Duellists
Charge of the Light Brigade
Last of the Mohicans

If LOTR is allowed, it would sneak in, possibly instead of.... Oooh, do I have to choose?

[FreddBloggs]

I thought Harry's Game was a series?

[Stormwatcher]

It was a series of 3, and later they cut a single film, slightly shorter I think... But very good.

[Vintage Wargaming]

The Producers

To Be or Not To Be

[Shahbahraz]

War films tend to be a very "anglo" thing, there are few made in non-european cultures. I lived in Sri Lanka for a while and despite having a very long and interesting martial history, almost every historical film was a political or religious themed romance. Same for Nepal and North Africa. I think Britain and the US have had very few wars fought on their home ground so tend to have a more heroic romanticised idea of the whole thing.

That's an interesting observation. Yes, I do think that culturally, the UK and US are much more 'enthusiastic' about war than countries who have experienced it on their own soil. Australia isn't dissimilar.

[Ilkley Old School]

Day 3 - All Quiet on the Western Front.

A classic film as a youngster filled my imagination with ideas. My Airfix WW1 figures fought each other across a desolute no man's land in the borders of my garden.