Posted by
Gray Ghost on Friday, November 20, 2009 12:03:16 AM
Sometimes, we all need some fun. So after reading the 11/17/09 edition of The Weekly Claw at Crawfish's site, I decided to post my own "Top Ten" list of my favorite war movies.
- Battleground: Release Date: November 9, 1949; B/W; Winner of two Academy Awards (nominated for 6, including Best Picture).
Van Johnson, Ricardo Montalban and George Murphy star in this remarkable war film. The movie deals with the 327th Glider Regiment of the 101st Division at the Battle at Bastogne.
- They Were Expendable: Release Date: December 20, 1945; B/W; Nominated for two Academy Rewards.
Robert Montgomery, John Wayne and Ward Bond star in this war film, directed by John Ford. It is a dramatized account of the role of the American PT Boats in the defense of the Philippines in early World War II. The screenplay was taken from the book of same name.
- Twelve O’Clock High: Release Date: February 13, 1950; B/W; Winner of two Academy Awards (nominated for 4, including Best Picture).
Gregory Peck and Dean Jagger star in this movie about the 8th Air Force during World War II. In this story of the early days of daylight bombing raids over Germany, an American General must take command of a "hard luck" bomber group. Much of the story deals with his struggle to whip his group into a disciplined fighting unit in spite of heavy losses, and withering attacks by German fighters over their targets. Actual combat footage is used in this war drama.
- Sergeant York: Release Date: September 27, 1941; B/W; Winner of two Academy Awards (nominated for 11, including Best Picture).
Gary Cooper stars in this true story about one of America’s greatest heroes and Medal of Honor winner, Alvin York of Tennessee. Alvin York was an advisor during filming.
- The Story of GI Joe: Release Date: July 13, 1945; B/W; Nominated for four Academy Awards.
Burgess Meredith and Robert Mitchum star in this movie about the US Army in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. The film is directed from the viewpoint of war correspondent Ernie Pyle. And the movie shows how the individual G.I. survived the drudgery of war, the discomfort of war, and the terror of combat.
- Gettysburg: Release Date: October 8, 1993; Color.
Jeff Daniels steals the show while portraying Medal of Honor winner Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain of Maine. The screenplay is taken from the Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Killer Angels.
- Guadalcanal Diary: Release Date: October 27, 1943; B/W.
Anthony Quinn and Lloyd Nolan star in this movie about the Marines at Guadalcanal . The screenplay is taken from the book of the same name, written by war correspondent Lamar Trotti.
- Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo: Release Date: November 1, 1944; B/W; Winner of one Academy Award (nominated for 2).
Van Johnson and Spencer Tracy star in this true story about the first bombing of Japan during World War II. The screenplay is taken from the book of the same name, written by a participant in the raid (Ted Lawson). (Note: My mother dated Ted Lawson’s copilot during the raid, Dean Davenport, for awhile during the war.)
- To Hell and Back: Release Date: October 18, 1955; Color.
Audie Murphy of Texas stars as himself, the most decorated soldier in US history and winner of the Medal of Honor. The screenplay was taken from his autobiography.
- The Sands of Iwo Jima: Release Date: March 1, 1950; B/W; Nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Actor for John Wayne.
John Wayne stars in this movie about the Marines at Tarawa and Iwo Jima.
Be sure to take a look at the 11/20/09 edition of The Weekly Claw. Crawfish will publish his own list of war movies.