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Definition - to qualify as a 'war movie', there must be a battle or some combat in one of America's historical conflicts. Thus 'Casablanca' or 'Dr. Strangelove' do not qualify, although some people categorize them as war movies.
Here are my selections, please add some of yours.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
The Patriot - The pickings are slim for this category. This is not really a great movie, but it's about the best of the lot. For some reason Hollywood has never shown must interest in the war for independence.
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CIVIL WAR
Glory
Red Badge Of Courage - underrated film depicts the attitudes and confusions of simple country boys caught up in a vast violent conflict
Gettysburg
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WORLD WAR ONE
The Fighting 69th
What Price Glory?
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WORLD WAR TWO
Band Of Brothers - In my opinion, this is the best war movie ever made. Also the best thing ever created for television, although Lonesome Dove is a close second.
Saving Private Ryan
Bataan - I would recommend this for younger people who don't watch many old movies or b&w. This is a prime example of the 'propaganda' film of the WW@ era. The 'Japs' are treacherous sorts who play dead and then bayonet Americans in the back. They also charge headlong into withering machine gun fire for no apparent reason.
Patton
They Were Expendable
The Longest Day - Not really a great movie, but gives considerable detail of D-Day operations, as you would expect from a film based on a Cornelius Ryan book.
The Sands Of Iwo Jima
The Thin Red Line- the first time I saw this film I was underwhelmed, but I went back and watched it again and gained great respect for it. The philosophy of despair and acceptance.
Hell Is For Heroes - prototypical Steve Mc Queen characterization. Very underrated movie.
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KOREAN WAR
Pork Chop Hill
The Bridges At Toko-Ri
MacArthur
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VIETNAM WAR
Platoon
Apocalypse Now
The Siege Of Firebase Gloria - poor acting and a little weak on production values, but depicts all out action at times that is very exciting.
The Boys In Company C - one of the first Hollywood films about Nam. Introduced R. Lee Ermey (Full Metal Jacket) to movie audiences.
We Were Soldiers - Mel Gibson gives a very underrated performance as a US Army colonel sent with his small force as guinea pigs to test combat tactics against the North Vietnamese in 1965.
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POST 1980 'WARS'
Uncommon Valor
Blackhawk Down
Courage Under Fire
The Hurt Locker
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MISCELLANEOUS
The Alamo - both the Wayne version and the newer one.
Geronimo - An American Legend
