War Movie Primer

With a new month, it is time for another movie primer. This month is the War Movie Primer. War movies have been around since the early 1930s but really took off during the Vietnam era when big Hollywood tried to draw more attention to war. Most war movies cover either World War II or The Vietnam War but there will be a few that cover other wars and conflicts. With all that said, here is the War Movie Primer.

1. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

All Quiet on the Western Front is an early WWI movie about a German youth eager to join the war but soon discovers the true horrors of the conflict. This movie is considered a groundbreaking anti-war film for its unflinching portrayals of the horrors of war. The movie was one of the first anti-war films and laid the groundwork for many others like it to come. The movie was also important as it portrays the war from the German's perspective, something that was very rare at the time.

2. Paths of Glory (1957)

This is one of the early films by Stanley Kubrick. This is another anti-war film set during WWI. What makes this movie essential is that instead of focusing on the violence of war, it focuses on the flaws of the war machine as it criticizes the leaders, the system, and the dehumanizing effects. The movie was also incredibly thought-provoking as it showed how high-level decisions affected soldiers on the front lines.

3. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

Lawrence of Arabia is yet another WWI film and tells the story of T.E. Lawrence's role in the Arab Revolt. This movie is important for its epic nature and stunning visuals. The movie also discusses the effects of Western Imperialism on the Middle East. The film was also groundbreaking in its use of 65mm and Super Panavision 70 lenses as it captured the scope and scale of the desert.

4. The Great Escape (1963)

The Great Escape is the first WWII film to make the list and tells the story of an an escape from a German POW camp. The film is famous for its themes of defiance and resilience as the prisoners never give up on their escape attempts. The movie also featured an iconic score and a star-studded cast featuring icons of the time such as Steve McQueen and James Garner. The movie has also been cited by many famous directors such as Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard as a major influence on their work.

5. The Dirty Dozen (1967)

The Dirty Dozen is another highly influential WWII film. This movie was groundbreaking in its use of violence in war where it portrays the violence of war as indiscriminate and brutal as compared to the more idealized approach from previous films. The movie was also one of the first big films to effectively handle a large cast. Had this movie not been successful, we may not have movies like The Avengers today. The movie also has been a heavy influence on modern Hollywood with movies such as Inglorious Basterds, The Suicide Squad, and Guardians of the Galaxy.

6. The Deer Hunter (1978)

The Deer Hunter is groundbreaking as one of the first films about the Vietnam War. The movie was also groundbreaking in its portrayal of veterans and the effect that the war had on their post-war levels and brought a level of public understanding to veterans and their struggles. The movie also features an iconic all-star cast of Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep. The movie also features the iconic Russian Roulette scene which became a symbol of the brutality of war.

7. Apocalypse Now (1979)

Apocalypse Now is probably the most influential war movie ever made. This movie broke ground as one of the first major films about the Vietnam War and established themes and narrative structures that would be used by many other war films. The movie is also famous for its portrayal of the psychological toll of war on the soldiers. Aside from influence, the movie also has countless moments that are ingrained into pop culture such as lines like "The horror... the horror" or "I love the smell of Napalm in the morning" and iconic songs like Ride of the Valkyries and The End.

8. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Full Metal Jacket is the second Stanley Kubrick film to make the list. The film is unique with its documentary style of film making creating a sense of realism to the Vietnam War. The movie also deviates from the typical heroic style of war instead offering a more cynical and realistic approach. The movie is also full of iconic imagery, soundtrack, and performances and is one of those films that is studied by almost all film students.

9. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Saving Private Ryan is the hit war film from Steven Spielberg and is widely regarded as one of the best war films ever made. The movie was important in its unique portrayal of D-Day during WWII with a much more brutal realistic sequence. The movie has also been set as a standard for war films and has influenced countless films of the genre. This movie is also credited for reigniting interest in WWII at the turn of the 21st century.

10. Dunkirk (2017)

Dunkirk is the only movie from the 21st century on the list and is Christopher Nolan's take on the war genre. This movie is groundbreaking in its portrayal of different aspects of battle all at once. This movie shows sequences in the air, on land, and on sea when most other movies choose maybe or two of those at most. The movie uses all three stories layered on top of each other to create a sense of suspense and urgency. The movie is also praised for its sound design as it creates a sense of chaos and tension.