First Gulf War

"Jarhead"

Like "Platoon," "Jarhead" follows the exploits of a Marine company from boot camp through the invasion of Iraq in the first Gulf War. It highlights the down time many military members deal with as they wait for combat. It also deals with the aftermath of war and what happened while the soldiers were away.

"Three Kings"

A heist movie set amid the chaos of the immediate end to hostilities in postwar Iraq. A group of soldiers find a map to some of the gold Saddam Hussein stole from Kuwait and try to steal it for themselves. The movie follows their story while also highlighting the immediate aftermath of the first Gulf War.

Global War on Terror

"Black Hawk Down"

The film portrays an early part of the war on terror when the U.S. tried to get involved in peacekeeping in Somalia. It portrays the events leading up to and including the shooting down of a Black Hawk helicopter in Mogadishu. It won two Oscars.

"Zero Dark Thirty"

This is the story of the hunt for Osama Bin Laden. It highlights special forces and CIA work to find the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. It won an Academy Award and was nominated for Best Picture, which it did not win.

"Lone Survivor"

The movie is based off the best-selling book by Marcus Luttrell. It is the story of a failed mission undertaken by Luttrell's SEAL team in Afghanistan. It follows the SEAL team's retreat, which ends with Luttrell as the team's "Lone Survivor." It is a poignant reminder of those who very recently paid the ultimate price.

"American Sniper"

This is Chris Kyle's autobiography. It follows his story as one of the Navy's best SEAL snipers through the War on Terror. It highlights the tough readjustment to civilian life that many veterans face and ends with the tragic story of his murder by a troubled veteran he was trying to help.

"Restrepo"

"Restrepo" is a documentary by Sebastian Junger that shows a tour of duty he did with an army unit in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan. It is heralded by many veterans as showing their true story. It doesn't sugarcoat what happens when brothers in arms pay the ultimate sacrifice and the effect that has on their servicemates. There are no actors in this movie. It is all real-life footage. It is a must-watch.

One of the most tired internet clichés is a list of war movies published over Memorial Day weekend. It feels like it has been done over and over again … because it has. What you usually get in such a top 10 list are eight World War II movies and two irrelevant Sylvester Stallone massacres. That’s why we’re going to do something different.

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we'll highlight war movies and miniseries you should watch from different time periods. Here are some can’t-miss World War II classics.

There are more movies about World War II than any other war in history. For that reason, only movies that center on American involvement were chosen. Eight movies were chosen.

“The Longest Day”

The 1962 war epic is one of the most celebrated movies of all time. It had legions of American, British, French, and German movie stars, all of whom spoke in their native tongues. Released in black and white, the movie singularly focuses on the events of D-Day, starting in the early morning through the end of the day. The viewer follows beach landings, ranger battalions, and paratroopers as they try to accomplish their D-Day objectives. It was nominated for five Academy Awards and won two. 

“Guns of Navarone”

The “Guns of Navarone” follows a group of Allied special forces who are assembled to take out a gun emplacement during the battle of Keros. The battle was an effort to rescue British soldiers who were stranded on the island. There are two guns on nearby Navarone that need to be destroyed in order for the rescue of the stranded soldiers to be successful. It is considered by many to be their favorite war movie of all time. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won one. In addition, it won two Golden Globes.

“The Great Escape”

The 1963 film is based on the real-life escape by Commonwealth POWs from a German POW camp. The role of the Americans depicted in the film does not match the historical record. Steve McQueen plays an Army Air Forces captain who continually tries to escape. McQueen’s character proves pivotal to finding a means of escape. The movie was the inspiration for “Chicken Run,” a 1990s stop-motion animated feature centered on the escape of chickens from a coop.

“Patton”

“Patton” is another WWII epic film that follows the exploits of U.S. General George S. Patton from his campaign in North Africa until just before his death in December 1945. The film won seven Academy Awards and was nominated for three more. Scott refused to accept his award for Best Actor.

“The Dirty Dozen”

“The Dirty Dozen” is a story of a ragtag bunch of court-martialed criminals given a second chance for redemption. They are dropped behind enemy lines to take out strategic locations. Another movie with a stellar cast, it was nominated for and won many awards, including four Academy Awards. The movie is considered the 65^th best movie of all time by the American Film Institute.

“Saving Private Ryan”

One of Steven Spielberg’s best movies, “Saving Private Ryan” opens with the invasion of Normandy. It is one of the most realistic looks at the horrors of that invasion, as the viewer is surrounded by bullets flying when listening in surround sound. It then pivots to a story focused on Tom Hanks’ character, who must find Private Ryan to escort him home, as his brothers have already died in battle and the Army has a rule that helps preserve the lineage of families. It was a return to the epic war drama genre, which had been dormant for some time. Released in 1998, it won five Academy Awards, two BAFTAs, two Golden Globes, and a number of other smaller awards.

“Band of Brothers” (HBO Miniseries)

Spielberg followed up the success of “Saving Private Ryan” with an HBO miniseries, “Band of Brothers.” The series follows the exploits of “Easy Company” of the 101^st Airborne Division from training through combat missions. It met with critical success.

“The Devil’s Brigade”

“The Devil’s Brigade” is a film adaptation of the First Special Service Force’s exploits during WWII. The FSSF was a commando outfit made up of Canadian and American forces. The film follows the story of their cohesion into a single fighting unit at Fort William Henry Harrison in Helena, Montana, through their exploits in the Italian mountain campaign. In full disclosure, it is added here because my grandfather served in the unit, so it is naturally one of my favorite movies of all time. Including it here is my way of honoring those he served with who lost their lives.

One of the most tired internet clichés is a list of war movies published over Memorial Day Weekend. It feels like it has been done over and over again … because it has. What you usually get in such a top 10 list are eight World War II movies and two irrelevant Sylvester Stallone massacres. That’s why we’re going to do something different.

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we'll highlight war movies and miniseries you should watch from different time periods. Here are some can’t-miss World War I classics.

“Gallipoli”

This 1981 Australian film was Mel Gibson’s first feature-length film. It is the story of soldiers from Australia’s Outback who enlist in the Australian Army and fight at Gallipoli, the futile attack where the Australian and New Zealand forces were first formed into battalions in WWI.

“Lawrence of Arabia”

The film is one of the top movies of all time. It centers on T.E. Lawrence’s exploits in the Arabian Peninsula during the First World War. Lawrence recruits an Arab army to fight the Turks.

“Sergeant York”

The film is based on the true story of Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Alvin York. Set during WWI, it follows the story of York, a hillbilly from the rural Tennessee mountains. York tried to avoid service as a conscientious objector but was denied. He gallantly saves his company through his superior marksmanship. The 1941 movie was released prior to U.S. entry into WWII.

“War Horse”

This 2011 movie by Steven Spielberg follows the course of World War I from the perspective of a horse born in England. The horse is drafted to serve with the British Army, is captured by Germans, and makes its way back to its original owner in England. The movie portrays the horrors of WWI trench warfare.

“Paths of Glory” 

The movie is a war movie and an anti-war movie at the same time. Released in 1957, the film centers on a group of French soldiers who refuse to carry out an attack that is guaranteed to end in their deaths. Their commanding officer tries to defend them against a court-martial. It was directed by Stanley Kubrick.

One of the most tired internet clichés is a list of war movies published over Memorial Day Weekend. It feels like it has been done over and over again … because it has. What you usually get in such a top 10 list are eight World War II movies and two irrelevant Sylvester Stallone massacres. That’s why we’re going to do something different.

Over Memorial Day weekend, we'll highlight war movies and miniseries you should watch from different time periods. Here are some can’t-miss Civil War classics.

“Glory”

Glory tells the tale of the 54^th Massachusetts Regiment, a “colored regiment” in the Civil War. The regiment was one of the first all-African American units in the nation’s history. The story of the bravery of the unit is told from the perspective of its white commanding officer. Denzel Washington won an Academy Award for his work in the film. It highlights the contributions of African Americans in defending the Union.

“Cold Mountain”

Cold Mountain is set in the mountains of western North Carolina. It is a story of the home front during the Civil War. It centers around a widow who is trying to keep her family alive and together by running her family farm. She helps deserters from the Confederate Army as well, even though the Home Guards are bent on rooting out and killing them. It is a poignant portrayal of the cost of war.

“North and South” (Miniseries)

Based on the John Jakes novel trilogy of the same name, the miniseries follows the lives of two West Point classmates, one from the South and one from the North. It highlights how families and friends were split during the Civil War.

“Gone with the Wind”

Based on the Margaret Mitchell novel, “Gone with the Wind” is a classic of American cinema. It tells the story of the Civil War and Reconstruction as seen from a plantation in Clayton County, Georgia. It highlights Sherman’s destructive march to the sea.

“Gettysburg”

This 1993 film is a war epic. It follows the Battle of Gettysburg and depicts both sides. It runs over four hours, as it was originally pitched as a miniseries. It is notable because it was the first film for which the National Park Service allowed filming on the Gettysburg battlefield.

“Gods and Generals” 

A prequel to “Gettysburg,” this 2003 film follows the first half of the Civil War up to the Gettysburg battle. It is centered on the actions of Confederate General Stonewall Jackson.

“Shenandoah” 

Like “The Patriot” after it, “Shenandoah” centers on the story of reluctant warriors called to service. In the Shenandoah valley of Virginia, a family wages battle on behalf of a member taken as a prisoner of war.