Daily Dirt: These 10 war films have left lasting impacts

Daily Dirt for Sunday, April 21, 2024

Next to westerns, my favorite movie genre has always been war films … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 926 of The Daily Dirt.

1. I never served in any branch of the armed services, but I have always held the highest level of respect for any man or woman in uniform. I had family members who fought in World War II and numerous friends who wound up in Vietnam.

What has always attracted me most to war films has been the psychological aspect(s) of such an event and the long-range consequences tied to both individuals/families and entire countries. I always find myself asking “what if” on numerous occasions during most war films — “what if” he or she had done this or that or “what if” another approach had been employed.

With all of that in mind, here are my 10 favorite war movies:

• 1. “Saving Private Ryan (1998)”:  The search for a single soldier, to prevent his mother from losing all four of her sons in war, is a highly emotional tale from that standpoint. It is also an extremely well-made film about how everyday men and women, wearing the uniforms of their country, fought — many to the death — to protect a world we often take for granted. This might have been Tom Hanks’ finest overall performance.
• 2. “The Deer Hunter (1978)”: To be honest, I still occasionally have an occasional nightmare tied to this film. This intense masterpiece, directed by Michael Cimino, came out only a few years after the Vietnam conflict had ended. I can remember specific scenes like I saw them only yesterday. Of all the major stars utilized in this film, Christopher Walken’s performance will always stand out for me. A brutal, but memorable movie.
• 3. “Schindler’s List (1993)”: This particular account of the Holocaust will forever be haunting. Very, very haunting.
• 4. “Apocalypse Now (1979)”: Director Francis Ford Coppola’s film has long been called a masterpiece. I can’t argue.
• 5. “Platoon (1986)”: Another of the Vietnam-related films of the 1980s molded by heralded director Oliver Stone, starring Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen and Willem Dafoe.
• 6. “Objective, Burma! (1945)”: One of Errol Flynn’s finest ever, earning three Oscar nominations while tackling a region of World War II that was often overlooked: Burma.
• 7. “The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)”: What many fail to realize to this day, the movie was based on a novel, not an actual element of World War II. That aside, Alec Guinness was marvelous — and memorable — as Col. Nicholas.
• 8. “Full Metal Jacket (1987)”: The film that made R. Lee Ermey, an actual Marine veteran of Vietnam, a household name following his role as a gunnery sergeant in this highly acclaimed movie.
• 9. “Desperate Journey (1942)”: Errol Flynn leads a group of British servicemen trying to escape Nazi Germany. Half of the appeal of this film is the star-studded supporting cast that includes Ronald Reagan, Alan Hale, Arthur Kennedy, Raymond Massey and Nancy Coleman.
• 10. “The Dirty Dozen (1967)”: This was more of the old-school approach popular at the time of its release, and a tremendous cast helped make it boffo box office. Among the players in this violent film that tapped into the spirit of the era were Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, Lee Marvin and John Cassavetes. 

2. Speaking of war, when I go to bed tonight, I’m going to feel much safer knowing the U.S. defense system has the following planes:

• 1. B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber: This $2 billion plane has a range of more than 6,000 miles without needing to refuel. It boasts long-range, high-altitude state-of-the-art technologies that allows the plane to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses. It can deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads.
• 2. Boeing F-22 Raptor: Cost is $150 million. Stealth technology makes it nearly invisible to any radar. Top speed is 1,500 mph. It boasts a wide array of weaponry, permitting it to engage targets at extremely long distances.
• 3. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II: Costs about $99 million and is prized for its advanced stealth capabilities. Top speed of more than 1,200 mph with a range of about 1,350 miles.

3. Just some food for thought here. The top 10 players in NBA career turnovers:

• 1. LeBron James, 5,199
• 2. Russell Westbrook, 4,588
• 3. Karl Malone, 4,524
• 4. Moses Malone, 4,264
• 5. John Stockton, 4,244
• 6. Kobe Bryant, 4,1010
• 7. Jason Kidd, 4,003
• 8. Julius Erving, 3,940
• 9. Artis Gilmore, 3.926
• 10. James Harden, 3,918

Active players in bold face.

Steve Thought O’ The Day
What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. How did he fail to mention “Stripes” as a great war movie?