Army Times' Top 10 military films

[Ace]

Why hasn't anyone made a top-notch movie about the War for Independence or the War of 1812?

I think the American Revolution is tough. Folks tend to get too reverential. Plus, it was a long war (some say the first guerilla war) with with not many big, head-to-head battles.

So if you don't focus on one battle or one person, you get a sprawling history lesson or melodrama.

 

[Ace]

Why hasn't anyone made a top-notch movie about the War for Independence or the War of 1812?

It'd confuse too many Americans who didn't know there was such a critter.

Far too many Americans were confused about the history surrounding Last of the Mohicans, too.

I like that movie.

 

[alleyallen]

Why hasn't anyone made a top-notch movie about the War for Independence or the War of 1812?

It'd confuse too many Americans who didn't know there was such a critter.

Far too many Americans were confused about the history surrounding Last of the Mohicans, too.

I like that movie.

Me too, but I remember some people saying, "We fought with the British?"

 

[Ace]

Why hasn't anyone made a top-notch movie about the War for Independence or the War of 1812?

It'd confuse too many Americans who didn't know there was such a critter.

Far too many Americans were confused about the history surrounding Last of the Mohicans, too.

I like that movie.

Me too, but I remember some people saying, "We fought with the British?"

James Fenimore Cooper couldn't write worth a damn, but at least he knew who our enemies were.

 

[DougRoberson]

It's not on TV much anymore, but "Gettysburg" has some great battle scenes.

 

[Buck]

I saw 'The Patriot,' but I didn't like it very much.

Exactly.

But that's because it wasn't a very good movie, not because the source material isn't good.
The first thing I'd do, if I was a screenwriter, is make sure my movie included the most compelling figure of the war. Washington would be a central character, if not the main character.
Then I'd use a historic arc that included the losses. Let's say the story would have to encompass Brooklyn Heights, White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine and Yorktown. Then you've got some key British wins during which they failed to wipe out the Continental Army when they had the chance, and you've also got some moral, morale victories for the Americans, ending, of course, with the ultimate win - winning the war despite losing most of the battles.
You throw in Valley Forge and the constant battle between Washington and the Continental Congress over supplies and pay.

 

[Bubbler]

I saw 'The Patriot,' but I didn't like it very much.

Exactly.

But that's because it wasn't a very good movie, not because the source material isn't good.
The first thing I'd do, if I was a screenwriter, is make sure my movie included the most compelling figure of the war. Washington would be a central character, if not the main character.
Then I'd use a historic arc that included the losses. Let's say the story would have to encompass Brooklyn Heights, White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine and Yorktown. Then you've got some key British wins during which they failed to wipe out the Continental Army when they had the chance, and you've also got some moral, morale victories for the Americans, ending, of course, with the ultimate win - winning the war despite losing most of the battles.
You throw in Valley Forge and the constant battle between Washington and the Continental Congress over supplies and pay.

I'd do that, but also find a way to work some nudity in.

I can see the movie tagline now, "The American Revolution was the first Sexual Revolution!"

Watch George and the patriots get all bawdy as they tar and feather colonial babes in their special way in Patriot Acts.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

I think a War of 1812 movie would actually be pretty good, if it's done right. War of Independence, the last one I believe was that Mel Gibson tripe.

Gotta be a sea battle, though. Maybe Old Ironsides, or the Battle of Lake Erie.
Don't forget that The Buccaneer, with Yul Brynner and Charlton Heston (on one of his two turns as Andy Jackson) was about the Battle of New Orleans.

 

[Buck]

As for Irish military history, I still think someone needs to make a movie about the battle of Kinsale.

 

[Mayfly]

I took a military movie class in college and we watched several of those films. Dr. Strangelove was also a weird movie as an earlier poster said, but I would have to put Saving Private Ryan up on that list pretty high.

 

[Boom_70]

Why hasn't anyone made a top-notch movie about the War for Independence or the War of 1812?

There have been many scripts shot down and deemed as too anti england. The thought is that many US citizens could not handle the idea that the Brits burned down the White House and it would bring prejudice against many Brits living here in America. GB has very strong anti defamation lobby groups.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

As for Irish military history, I still think someone needs to make a movie about the battle of Kinsale.

As long as it's not Drogheda or the Boyne.