On this day, December 7, 1941, the United States was attacked by the Empire of Japan. This was the motivating factor that got us into World War II. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor left thousands of Americans dead or dying with an enormous chunk of the anchored fleet in ruins. The Japanese thought that the attack on Pearl Harbor was a decisive victory, but they underestimated the strength and will of the American people. On December 8, President Franklin Roosevelt asked Congress to declare a state of war on the Empire of Japan. This led to what is described as the deadliest war in human history. From the battlefields of Europe to the islands of the Pacific Ocean, World War II claimed the lives of millions of soldiers, civilians, and everything in between. I’m dedicating this post to the courage and memory of not only those who fought in World War II, but every major war that our country has been in. From the Revolution to Vietnam, men and women of the armed services put their lives on the line so that the free world would remain free from tyranny. For this post, historical accuracy and authenticity are key. So, movies like Braveheart are out of the question. A war movie can be fiction, but the period in which the film is based must be respected and not altered to fit the narrative. Again, Braveheart is not a part of the equation. The other part is that these wars must be based on real-life events, so fantasy films like Lord of the Rings are disqualified. With that in mind, let’s get into the war movies that I think everyone should see.
Saving Private Ryan
Kicking off this list with a World War II film, Saving Private Ryan follows a group of soldiers who are tasked with locating Private Ryan after his brothers have been killed in combat. Saving Private Ryan is one of the best war movies because it doesn’t shy away from the ugly reality of war. The opening thirty minutes at Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion is some of the most horrific and intense battle sequences I’ve ever seen. It gives the audience a glimpse into what some of our grandparents/great grandparents had to deal with. It’s an emotionally engaging story that really emphasizes the courage, duty and humanity of the soldiers that risked everything in World War II. Saving Private Ryan is considered to be one of Steven Spielberg’s best films and rightly so. It’s an incredible film.
Glory
Taking a few more steps back in history, Glory is a Civil War epic that follows Colonel Robert Gould Shaw as he is chosen to train and lead the Union Army’s first all-black 54th Regiment. Featuring an all-star cast and winning 3 Academy Awards, Glory is one of the greatest movies about the Civil War. The opening battle at Antietam is one of the most epic battle sequences ever committed to film. Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington give some of their best performances of their careers. It’s an authentic movie which shows how the regiment was treated and berated not just by the Confederates but by Union military personnel as well. Defying all odds, the 54th Regiment marched into history and legend during the second battle of Fort Wagner. It’s incredibly detailed and well-shot. It’s a window into one of the darkest chapters of American history.
We Were Soldiers
We Were Soldiers follows Lt. Colonel Hal Moore as he leads the newly re-formed 7th Cavalry into battle against the North Vietnamese during the 1965 Battle of Ia Drang. The first major battle between American and North Vietnamese forces tends to be glossed over in history books, but the film gives a very accurate depiction of what during the week-long battle. While there are certain issues with the film during the state-side scenes, you can’t ignore the incredible battle sequences that take place. There’s a sequence in which Moore’s battalion is getting over-run so he calls in major air support that ends up dropping napalm on the enemy. One of the napalm bombs gets too close to Moore’s position and ends up killing several American troops. It’s a pretty disturbing scene, but it also highlights that sometimes things go wrong during war. Joe Galloway , who was a reporter at the time, actually was there in the thick of battle. The attention to detail here is extraordinary. This battle was before the politics and the whole anti-war movement got under way. Showing the battle of Ia Drang was important, but so was showing the effect that the war had at home. The performances in this film are incredible. Mel Gibson is absolutely fantastic as Colonel Moore.
Letters From Iwo Jima
Most war movies have a tendency to take place from one side of the conflict. I’m not saying that’s wrong, but it’s really only half the picture. Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest battles of the second world war. Movies like Flags of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima tend to hit a little close to home for me, because my grandfather fought at Iwo Jima. Clint Eastwood directed those two films, one from the American perspective and one from the Japanese viewpoint. It’s important to understand that the Japanese soldiers depicted in Letters From Iwo Jima were as human as our grandparents were. They were afraid, but they also fought for the safety of their families. Lines become a little blurred when you can see both sides. The film was absolutely phenomenal and it really gave us a glimpse into what the other side was thinking and feeling at the time. It’s not a film that my grandfather would have watched, but it is an important film, nonetheless.
Tora! Tora! Tora!
Finally, we get to a movie that is specifically about December 7, 1941. Forget Michael Bay’s chick-flick of a film. If you want a movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor, Tora! Tora! Tora! is the one to see. Released in 1970, the film follows both the Americans and Japanese during the days leading up to the attack. This is an extraordinary production, because it involves film-makers from both the United States and Japan. The unique collaboration allowed for a very authentic and accurate depiction of everything leading up to and including the attack on Pearl Harbor. We get to see the Japanese plan for the attack and some of them have doubts. We also get to see the Americans as they realize too late what the Japanese were actually up to. The attack is one of the most spectacular sequences in film history. Tora! Tora! Tora! is one of the most unbiased historical films ever made. As a result, it’s one of the best movies ever.
While there are many other war films that are pretty good, these are the ones that truly stand out for me. I love these movies because they’re not only visually spectacular, but because they pay homage to the men and women who put their lives on the line for the rest of us. It’s important, especially today of all days, to recognize the courage and sacrifices that have been made and continue to be made by our armed forces.