War. It has made women widows. It has toppled kings from their golden thrones. It has decided the fate of entire countries. It has made…history. Despite the unimaginable horrors that it leaves behind in its wake, war has an undeniable allure to it. That is why people have spent billions developing games, movies, books, etc. upon the theme of war and its aftermath. So, as an unimaginative block as I am, I have decided to go with the crowd and compiled a list of 4 great movies that in capture the essence of War:
1. Guns of Navarone (1961)
The story revolves around a rag-tag team of ‘specialists’ from different ‘Allied’ countries, brought together by the British Intelligence in order to accomplish the impossible: Destroying the German artillery. The many plot twists in the story and the top class acting that keeps one glued to the screen from the start to the finish.
2. Gettysburg (1993)
Gettysburg, is a masterpiece in terms of cinematography, historical accuracy and flamboyant speeches. What sets Gettysburg apart from the rest of the ‘Battle of Gettysburg gimmicks’ is that it provides a viewpoint of both the confederates and the union army – about their own personal motives and beliefs. It is fascinating to see thousands of men march in perfect synchronisation, in rhythm with the drums, screams, musket fire and exploding mortar shells.
3. Good Morning Vietnam (1987)
Good Morning Vietnam, is a comic story that revolves around a radio jockey, Adrian Cronauer (played by Robin Williams), and his personal growth as both a human being and a victim of a war. Throw in a little military action, a school boy romance and a touch of grim seriousness in the mix and we get a strangely inspirational war/comedy movie.
4. The Hurt Locker (2008)
A bomb disposal squad in Iraq loses their Staff Sergeant to unsuccessful bomb disarmament and is replaced by Sergeant 1st Class William James (played by Jeremy Renner). At first glance, the new squad leader seemed nice enough. But on their first mission as a team, they are shocked by the utter recklessness of their new Sarge. James’ maverick ways were a threat to the safety of the entire squad and that puts a strain in the squad’s psychology and cohesion. The Hurt Locker provides a total flip side – the addiction to war.
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