by Rob O'Hannon

Created on: October 08, 2007

There are many memorable war movies; some focus on larger events, while others focus on small unit actions, and individual acts of courage. Some of my favorites follow:

THE LONGEST DAY - An International All Star cast, epic in scale and written with the advice of actual Allied and German commanders, soldiers and civilians who were there, this movie tells the story of D-Day from the top on down. From high level discussions in the war room to a scared American paratrooper talking with a downed British fighter pilot who's leg is being held together by safety pins, this movie has it all.

MASADA - Peter O'Toole as a Roman commander? It works for this movie. The story of Jews who chose not to give into Roman rule and resisted from the fortress known as Masada. I won't give away the ending her, but it is well worth seeing.

GLORY - The story of the 54th Massachusetts. While not entirely accurate in its portrayal of the formation of the unit, and its history, the movie does a good job of capturing the era, and the horrors of Civil War Combat.

PORK CHOP HILL - Gregory Peck as the Commander charged with taking and holding Pork Chop Hill during the Korean War. While Peck and his men fight and die to take and hold the hill, a peace conference is taking place. It nicely juxtaposes the soldiers' fear and hopes, and the actions and attitudes of those whose battlefield is a negotiating table.

WATERLOO - Napoleon's last battle. An epic of an epic, with huge battle pieces. Well worth seeing to get an idea of what Napoleonic era warfare was all about.

ZULU - Colonial England versus the Zulu empire. Not as one sided as it seems. The story of a small British garrison's historic defense of a station against thousands of skilled, and skillfully led, Zulu warriors.

BREAKER MORANT - An intimate look at the Boer War, through the eyes of Australian soldiers fighting under British command. Raises questions about the defense of following orders.

A BRIDGE TOO FAR - The tragic story of the Allies attempt to end the war early by capturing a series of bridges leading into the heart of Germany. Superb battle effects. Also great scene of hundreds of Allied transport planes heading off on their mission.

There are many, many more out. Good viewing!

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