War Movies

There's a certain tone to a film centering on the topic of war. The world, humanity at its very core, is reduced to its most essential elements. Everything is of consequence, everything matters. War movies, despite all the requiste drama, explosions and epic-adventure pacing, may ultimately the most accessible forms of philosophical (if not, out-right ethical) inquiry available in popular culture. Any film can raise questions, but war movies by nature commit to following an argument.

For being a something of a pacifist, I've found just in meditating on the war movies I've seen, that I'm actually quite fond of a number of such films. What are some of your favorites?

Grand Illusion (1937) and Dr. Strangelove (1964) are two of my all-time favorite films, regardless of genre (both of which have been reviewed by the Film Group).

Here are 10 other War Movies that I recommend.

Paths of Glory 1957


Patton 1970


A Bridge Too Far 1977


The Deer Hunter 1978


Apocalypse Now 1979


Full Metal Jacket 1987


Glory 1989


Last of the Mohicans 1992


Gettysburg 1993


No Man's Land 2001



and one more... It's been years since I last saw this one, but this British WWII homefront story is without peer.

Hope and Glory 1987