I thought we would continue the theme of showing both sides of the coin of how Heather and I have differing opinions when its comes to film.  We are not all that off each others radar when it comes to most films.  This list is slightly different as you will see below.

10.  Gallipoli (1981)

World War 1 is shown through the eyes of two Australian sprinters played by Mel Gibson and Mark Lee.  I love the films soundtrack, fully electronica in nature.  While this is not based on actual characters I still find this film to be enjoyable and a perfect mixture of Adventure, Drama, History and War.  Most people overlook this film on top war film lists and I have decided to not make that mistake.

9. Little Big Man (1970)

the film is not strictly a war movie, it follows the retelling of the life of Jack Crabb who was raised from birth by Indians and supposedly fought in the Battle at Little Big Horn with General Custer.  Dustin Hoffman is great as Jack Crabb in this film of epic proportions.

8. The Dirty Dozen (1967)

One of my favorite war movies growing up.  I remember loving watching this with my father when it would come on television.  I loved the theme of redemption throughout the film.  Many of the dozen members of the team were redeemed, unfortunately with their demise.

7. Empire of the Sun (1987)

I remember seeing this film in my hometown at the last showing in the historic Missouri Theater.  The movie is an excellent war film because it shows war through the eyes of a child, played by Christian Bale who is left to survive on his own after accidentally getting separated from his parents.  He soon becomes interned in a Japanese concentration camp.  This is an epic film that is beautifully shot with a glorious soundtrack.

6. Platoon (1986)

I love Charlie Sheen and Willem Dafoe’s performances in this film directed by Oliver Stone.  The whole cast is great.  This is one of my favorite Vietnam films.  It is a nice mix of a movie and does not beat you over the head with a message like some other Vietnam films do (Born on the Fourth of July).

5.Victory (1981)

WWII, Soccer, Pele, Michael Caine and Sly Stallone all in one movie!  What more could anyone ask for.  I love this movie because I a fan of soccer/futbol.  This is not as cool as The Great Escape but it is still awesome.  The scene at the end with the big match is excellent.  This is another film that is often forgotten when people are creating top ten lists!

4. Schindler’s List (1993)

The most moving part for me was at the end when Schindler began weeping and saying that if only he had been able to save more people and then started going through his possessions estimating how much each item would have bought.  Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley are phenomenal in this movie.  I love the music and the bleakness that is driven home by the use of black and white photography.

3. The Great Escape (1963)

One of my top WWII films ever.  It has an all star cast and some very suspenseful and funny moments.  I love McQueen in his role as Capt. Hilts “The Cooler King”!  If you are not humming the theme song to the movie by the time you are done watching this then there is truly something wrong with you.

2. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

R. Lee Ermey, Matthew Modine and Vincent D’Onofrio will never leave my mind in this excellent look into the Vietnam war through the eyes of Stanley Kubrick’s lens.  I love this film because of the wonderfully memorable characters and lines.  The action sequences are spot on and seem realistic.

1. Inglorious Basterds (2009)

My favorite movie of the year, favorite Tarantino film is also the best war flick that I can think of.  It has everything that you would want all rolled up into one great film.  The epitome of evil in the form of the Nazi’s and the epitome of bad ass in the form of the basterds!  The cast is exceptional and the movie truly is a spectacle that is worthy of the top spot on my list.

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