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Dad's Top
20 War Action-Adventure Films - Ranked!
Countdown from #20 to #1.
This
includes Dad's spoiler-free Mini-Preview!
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Honorable
Mention |
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Zulu
(1964)
Excitement Fills the
Screen in This Towering African Adventure!
Director: Cy Endfield, rated Approved, war violence
  Starring:
Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth,
Michael Caine, Nigel Green, Ivor Emmanuel, Paule Daneman, Glynn
Edwards, Neil McCarthy, David Kernan, Neil McCarthy, Patrick
Magee
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"Haven't you had
enough? Both of you! My god, can't you see it's all over! Your
bloody egos don't matter anymore. We're dead!" -
Adendorff
Why watch this? British soldiers demonstrate
rawa courage in the face of
utter disaster.
Plot Summary: This
depicts the true story of a small, outnumbered British garrison
holding off a massive force of Zulu warriors during the Battle
of Rorke's Drift in 1879. As the British soldiers prepare for
the seemingly impossible battle, tensions arise between the
aristocratic and working-class officers in command.
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Dad's Preview:
This film is based on a true story of a single unit of English
soldiers, approximately 150 men, who were ordered to defend a
small remote outpost in Natal, Africa. Heading quickly their way
are 4,000 Zulu warriors intent on driving out the Brits. This
unforgettable war epic is well-made, utilizing great character
development, namely the lead officers portrayed by Stanley Baker
and a young Michael Caine. One theme clearly driven home is that
war is useless, ugly and such a waste of life for all involved,
black or white. The men fighting and dying don't give
a damn about politics - it's simple survival. One final laud
must be the stunning cinematography - I kept thinking how
beautiful each scene was shot: the massive African marriage
ceremony; the vast valley surrounded by mountains; the natives'
adorned with furs, claws, swords, and shields; the red-coated
soldiers in stark contrast to a dry landscape of mostly yellow and
brown flora. While not a fan of British imperialism, I do recognize
Zulu as a cinematic feat that is a visual wonder to
behold. Watch the full movie free
HERE on YouTube. |
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Diamond Films;
Paramount Pictures
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#20 Top |
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The Patriot
(2000)
What would you
do if they destroyed your home, threatened your family. Where
would you draw the line?
Director: Roland Emmerich, rated R for war violence
Starring: Mel
Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs, Chris
Cooper, Tchéky Karyo, René Auberjonois, Tom Wilkinson
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"I have long feared...that
my sins would return to visit me. And the cost
is more than I
can bear." -
Benjamin Martin
Why watch this?
As a history buff, I really enjoy the colonial action in this
flick.
Plot Summary:
Benjamin Martin is a reluctant American colonist in South
Carolina who initially wants no part in the looming American
Revolutionary War. However, when his family and home are
threatened by the brutal actions of British soldiers, Martin is
driven to join the fight, leading a militia alongside his
idealistic son, Gabriel. The film follows their personal and
patriotic journey through the harsh realities of war.
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Dad's Preview:
I find it interesting that one of the best modern films about
the Revolutionary War happens to star an Australian in Mel
Gibson. This story follows the life of Ben Martin, a capable
fighting man and widower, who is just trying to live his life
and raise his family. As the revolution against England starts, his
eldest son
Gabriel leaves to join the fight. Soon Ben is pulled into the war as well, and he
intends to bring home his son. It's a little corny at times, but
emotionally engaging. This was Heath Ledger's breakout film. |
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Columbia Pictures,
Centropolis Ent., Mutual
Film Co.;
Sony Pictures Releasing
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#19 Top |
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The Last Samurai
(2003)
In the face
of an enemy, in the Heart of One Man, Lies the Soul of a
Warrior...
Director: Edward Zwick, Rated R for strong violence, battles
Starring:
Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly, William Atherton, Chad
Lindberg, Ray Godshall Sr., Hiroyuki Sanada, Masato Harada,
Timothy Spall
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"From the moment they
wake they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they
pursue. I have never seen such discipline. I am surprised to
learn that the word Samurai means 'to serve'..." -
Algren
Why watch this? It
takes the viewer on a historical journey through feudal Japan.
Plot Summary:
Set in 1870s Japan, this epic tells the story of an American
army captain who is conscripted to train peasants in order to
wipe out the rebellious Samurai. During the first skirmish,
Captain Algren is wounded and taken prisoner. As he heals, he
finds peace from his own demons, and respect for the Samurai
culture. He also befriends their leader, Katsumoto.
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Dad's Preview:
This massive
undertaking is set in wonderful natural scenery and has some of
the best battle scenes on film. However, its most commendable
trait is a rock-solid script that spends valuable time
developing its characters. Film critic Roger Ebert noted, "...
it's an uncommonly thoughtful epic." If you like historical
films, this is one you don't want to miss. |
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Radar Pictures,
The Bedford Falls Co.,
Cruise/Wagner Prod.,
Samurai Pictures,
LLC;
Warner Bros.
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#18
Top |
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Where Eagles Dare (1968)
They dare to
climb a terrifying new peak in suspense... all the way up to
hell!
Director: Brian G. Hutton, Rated M (Mature)
Starring:
Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, Mary Ure, Patrick Wymark,
Michael Hordern, Donald Houston, Peter Barkworth, Robert Beatty
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★☆☆
- great
"Look, Major, either
you start playing it straight or you can deal me out of this
mess." – Lt. Morris Schaffer
Why watch this? The
'60 produced some wonderful WWII espionage films. This is one of
the finest.
Plot Summary: This
thrilling World War II adventure follows a team of Allied
commandos led by Major John Smith. Their mission is to rescue an
American Brigadier General from a seemingly impenetrable German
fortress high in the Bavarian Alps. However, the rescue
operation uncovers a much deeper espionage plot.
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Dad's Preview:
A dangerous mission is required to rescue a captured American
general. The team must nab him before he can be interrogated by
the Nazis. He's being held in a mountain stronghold, the
Schloss Alder, high in the
German Alps, accessible only by cable car. Leading the group is
American Army Ranger Schaffer and British Major Smith. The
scenery is breath-taking, and the plot, with several ingenious
twists, makes for a very watchable WWII action flick. |
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Winkast Film
Prod.;
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#17 Top |
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Army of Darkness (1992)
Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas
Director: Sam Raimi, rated R for violence, gore,
language
Starring: Bruce
Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, Richard Grove,
Patricia Tallman, Timothy Patrick, Michael Earl, Bridget Fonda
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Well hello Mister
Fancy-pants. Well, I've got news for you pal, you ain't leadin'
but two things, right now:
Jack and shit... and Jack just left
town." - Ash
Why watch this?
Where the first two films just stayed in one place, this one
goes someplace very interesting - the Middle Ages!
Plot Summary: Ash
Williams is accidentally transported to 1300 A.D. To return to
his own time, he must retrieve the Necronomicon, a book of evil,
and battle an army of the dead it has unleashed. Ash must lead
medieval knights against skeletal forces and use his modern
ingenuity to defeat the supernatural threat.
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Dad's Preview:
This is the third film in the famed "Evil Dead" series
by director Sam Raimi. In my opinion, this is the best. It takes the horror
aspect of the first two films and turns it on its head. Ash is
transported (naturally) to the Middle Ages and there encounters an
unspeakable evil, all caused by the Book of the Dead. With a
shotgun in one hand and a chainsaw strapped on the other, Ash
revels in this newfound land where a gun can make you a god. "Shop smart, shop S-Mart!" |
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Dino De
Laurentiis Comm., Renaissance Pics,
Introvision
Int.;
Universal Pictures
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Genres:
Action-Horror,
Comedy-Horror,
Fantasy-Adv,
Fantasy-Drama,
Fantasy-Sword-&-Sorcery,
Historical-Fantasy,
Horror-Body,
Horror-Supernatural,
Horror-Zombie,
Sci-fi-Time-Travel,
War-Medieval
Dad's Genres:
Anti-Social |
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#16 Top |
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Gladiator
(2000)
A Hero Will Rise.
Director: Ridley Scott, rated R for graphic, combat
violence
Starring:
Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed,
Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, David Schofield,
Tomas Arana
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Father to a murdered son,
husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance,
in
this life or the next." - Maximus
Why watch this?
It's an award-winning film featuring Russell Crowe at his manly
best.
Plot Summary:
Maximus is a respected Roman general who is betrayed and cast
into slavery when the power-hungry Commodus seizes the throne.
Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and fight for his life,
but his determination to avenge his family and the former
emperor fuels his rise through the ranks of the arena. His
journey becomes intertwined with a quest for justice against the
corrupt Commodus and the hope of restoring honor and freedom to
Rome.
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Dad's Preview: Not
since the epic
Spartacus
(1960) has a film captured the life of a gladiator with such
brutal elegance. Russell Crowe, at the high point of his
career, is excellent as Maximus. The other gladiators also
render strong performances, namely Djimon Hounsou. That said, I must confess that I found Phoenix's portrayal of Commodus
very tiring. And because of his irritating performance, I enjoyed the film's
ending all the more! |
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Universal
Pics, Scott Free Productions,
Red Wagon Ent.;
DreamWorks
Dist.
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#15 Top |
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The General
(1926)
The tale of a
lad, a lass and a locomotive
Director: Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman, rated Passed
Starring:
Buster Keaton, Marion Mack, Glen Cavender, Jim Farley, Frederick
Vroom, Frank Barnes, Charles Henry Smith, Joe Keaton, Mike
Donlin, Tom Nawn
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Please don't lie - I
don't want you to speak to me again until you are in uniform." -
Annabelle Lee, to Johnnie Gray, regarding his enlistment
rejection
Why watch this?
Before Chaplin, there was Buster Keaton, and he was a comedic
genius.
Plot Summary:
At the start of the American Civil War, Johnnie Gray, a train
engineer aboard The General, is rejected from service.
This brings shame upon him and infuriates his girlfriend,
Annabelle Lee. A year later, when Union spies seize The
General, Annabelle is captured and held captive. Johnnie
rushes to free her, using any means available including a
handcar and bicycle. Eventually Johnnie boards a locomotive
called the Texas, but accidentally leaves the Rebel troop
car behind. This starts an epic adventure where a lone man must
stop the Union army, get back his favorite engine, and win back
Annabelle Lee.
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Dad's Preview:
This film initially flopped
at the box office, however time has been very kind. Keaton
himself was very proud of this work. This chase
movie is a true work of comedic genius. The stunts and effects are
themselves choreographed motion picture art. It also semi-chronicles an actual
event in history, called the
Great Locomotive Chase. Today, many film historians and
societies rank this comedy classic as one of the greatest films
every made.
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Buster Keaton
Prod., Joseph M. Schenck
Productions;
United Artists
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#14 Top |
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She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949)
Wayne's greatest
role as an Indian fighting Captain!
Director: John Ford, rated Approved
Starring: John
Wayne, Joanne Dru, John Agar, Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr.,
Victor McLaglen, Mildred Natwick, Arthur Shields, Chief John Big
Tree
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Captain of the troop one
day: every man's face turned towards you; lieutenants jump when
I growl!
Now, tomorrow, I'll be glad if a blacksmith asks me to
shoe a horse." –
Capt. Nathan Brittles
Why watch this?
Wayne's performance, as a retiring cavalry captain, was
Oscar-worthy.
Plot Summary:
Nearing retirement, Cavalry Captain Nathan Brittles is tasked
with one last mission: to prevent an impending Native American
uprising and transport two women to safety. This final patrol
takes them through dangerous territory.
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Dad's Preview:
This the second of three U.S. Cavalry films from director John Ford,
and it is by far the best. A soon-to-retire outpost commander
receives one last mission: handle the latest Indian uprising.
The movie is a wonderful, beautifully shot, action-filled
Cavalry-Western. Wayne,
playing a much older role as Captain Nathan Brittles, has experience
enough to use peace, keep his soldiers safe, and solve the
problems at hand.
This is one of the Duke's finest acting efforts, yet again he
was snubbed at the Oscars. |
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Argosy Pictures;
RKO Radio Pictures
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#13 Top |
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The Wind and the Lion
(1975)
Between the wind
and the lion is the woman. For her, half the world may go to
war.
Director: John Milius, rated PG
Starring: Sean
Connery, Candice Bergen, Brian Keith, John Huston, Geoffrey
Lewis, Steve Kanaly
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"The American grizzly
embodies the spirit of America. He should be our symbol! Not
that ridiculous eagle
- he's nothing more than a dandified
vulture." -
Theodore Roosevelt
Why watch this?
Connery knew how to pick a great script. This epic is
breathtaking.
Plot Summary: In
1904 Morocco, a powerful Berber chieftain kidnaps an American
woman and her children to incite an international incident and
challenge European colonial powers vying for control of the
region. Meanwhile, President Theodore Roosevelt, seeking
re-election, uses the kidnapping as an opportunity to project
American strength and influence on the world stage.
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Dad's Preview:
Connery is superb as the Raisuli, the arab leader of a band of
Berber insurrectionists. Bergen is likewise effective as the
kidnapped American. However, it's Brian Keith who steals every scene as
feisty, iconic U.S. President, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.
This film is epic, broadly romantic and a beautiful look at
American foreign policy in the early 1900s.
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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Herb Jaffe Prod.;
United Artists
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#12 Top |
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The Great Escape
(1963)
The great
adventure! The great entertainment!
Director and Writer: John Sturges, Rated Approved
Starring: Steve
McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson,
James Donald, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn, David McCallum
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Are
all American officers so ill-mannered?" -
Von Luger
Why watch this?
A great WWII POW film with an all-star cast.
Plot Summary:
A group of Allied prisoners of war, considered notorious escape
risks, are all transferred to a high-security German POW camp
during World War II. Despite the camp being supposedly
escape-proof, the prisoners, representing various Allied
nations, collaborate on an ambitious plan to engineer a mass
breakout through a series of expertly disguised tunnels.
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Dad's Preview:
During World War II, the Germans took many Allied prisoners.
This film features the efforts of Allied soldiers and officers
to escape from Stalag Luft III. The plan is to tunnel
under the camp yard, beyond the barbed wire fences, and get the 250
prisoners to safety. American Capt. Hilts (Steve McQueen), offers to
be the distraction with his constant escape attempts. It is an
all-star ensemble cast, and McQueen's rebellious performance rises to the top.
His motorcycle escape attempt is iconic. |
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The Mirisch
Company; United Artists
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#11 Top |
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The Bridge on the River Kwai
(1957),
Director: David Lean, rated PG
The
towering triumph of adventure from the makers of
"Lawrence of Arabia."
Starring: William
Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa, James
Donald, Andre Morell, Geoffrey Horne
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Must we work so well?
Must we build them a better bridge than
they could have built
for themselves?" -
Major Clipton
Why watch this?
This epic WWII film shows the madness war can infect men held in
brutal war camps.
Plot Summary:
British prisoners of war are forced to build a railway bridge in
Burma for their Japanese captors during World War II. A battle
of wills emerges between the British Colonel Nicholson and the
Japanese commander Colonel Saito over the treatment of officers.
An allied mission aims to destroy the bridge, creating a
conflict between the objective of the mission and Colonel's
drive to finish the bridge.
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Dad's Preview:
This film is a case study on how stubborn the English can be.
The British Colonel, feeling the bridge project's will boost the
men's spirits, is determined to complete it. Everybody else
wants to sabotage and destroy the bridge because it helps the
Japanese war effort. The viewer must bounce back and forth with where
loyalties lie. This film won seven Oscars including Best
Picture. Alec Guinness' performance is unforgettable. |
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Horizon
Pictures; Columbia Pictures |
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#10 Top |
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Black
Hawk Down
(2001),
Director: Ridley Scott, rated R for war violence,
language
Leave No Man Behind.
Starring: Josh
Hartnett, Eric Bana, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Sam Shepard, William Fichtner
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Don't really matter what I
think. Once that first bullet goes past your head,
politics and
all that shit just goes right out the window." – SFC "Hoot"
Gibson
Why watch this? This
is a historically accurate account of the
1993 Mogadishu Raid.
Plot Summary: In
1993, a group of elite U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force
operators are sent into Mogadishu, Somalia, on a mission to
capture key lieutenants of a powerful warlord. However, the
operation quickly escalates into a brutal and prolonged
firefight when two Black Hawk helicopters are shot down. The
stranded American soldiers must fight their way through hostile
territory in a desperate struggle to survive and rescue their
comrades.
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Dad's Preview:
I remember seeing the news footage of a US helicopter pilot's
body being
dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. This film replays the confusion
of that day as two U.S. helicopters
were shot down in the middle of an African civil war. We witness the
bravery of the U.S. soldiers who went in to extract the crash
victims. Courageous as that was, the brutal reality is that a terrible
toll was taken on the Somali militia and citizens, as well. |
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Columbia
Pics, Revolution Studios, J. Bruckheimer
Films;
Sony Pictures
Releasing |
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#9 Top |
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Braveheart
(1995),
Director: Mel Gibson, rated R for graphic battles,
language, torture
Every
man dies, not every man really lives.
Starring: Mel
Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick MaGoohan, Angus Macfadyen,
Catherine McCormack, Brendan Gleeson, Peter Hanly, Ian Bannen,
James Cosmo, David O'Hara
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Those men who bled the
ground red at Falkirk fought for William Wallace. He fights for
something that I never had.
And I took it from him, when I
betrayed him." - Robert the Bruce
Why watch this? This
is a powerful film about historical Scotland and its hero, William Wallace.
Plot Summary: This
story features William Wallace, a Scottish warrior who leads a
rebellion against the tyrannical King Edward I of England.
Wallace unites his people and fights for Scotland's
independence, driven by personal tragedy and a desire for
freedom. His bravery inspires a nation and leaves a lasting
legacy in their struggle for freedom.
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Dad's Preview:
This is a great education. William Wallace leads
the Scots striving for independence against King Edward I of England. It
is an epic, bloody story full of battles, betrayals and death,
yet you'll walk away inspired! The scenery and cinematography
are beautiful, set in scenic Ireland. This was Gibson's second film
to direct, and he garnered several Oscars including Best Director
and Best Picture - well done, Mel. |
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Icon
Productions, The Ladd Company;
Paramount Pictures |
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#8 Top |
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Seven Samurai (1954),
Director: Akira
Kurosawa, Not Rated (Dad's guess: PG)
The Mighty
Warriors Who Became the Seven National Heroes of a Small Town
Starring:
Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Tsushima, Isao Kimura, Daisuke Katō,
Seiji Miyaguchi, Yoshio Inaba, Minoru Chiaki
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"This is the nature of
war: By protecting others, you save yourselves. If you only
think of yourself,
you'll only destroy yourself." -
Kambei Shimada
Why watch this? This
is Kurosawa's great masterpiece about farmers at war with invading
bandits.
Plot Summary:
In feudal Japan, desperate villagers facing repeated bandit
raids decide to hire samurai for protection. They find Kambei,
an aging but skilled samurai, who reluctantly agrees and
recruits six other masterless warriors to defend the village.
The seven samurai train the villagers in defense tactics and
prepare for the bandits' inevitable return.
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Dad's Preview:
Kurosawa's work would influence many films, including Leone's
Spaghetti Westerns and
The Magnificent Seven
(1970). A
small group of samurai warriors agree to
protect a farmer village from forty marauding bandits. Each
samurai's personality is unique, the most charismatic being Kikuchiyo, a fiery
fighter with a hidden past. The group is led by
the steady and wise Shimada. They train the meek farmers in
self-defense and basic fighting. Its composition, pace, and
action are incredible. Don't miss this cinematic classic. |
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Toho |
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#7 Top |
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The Hunt for Red October (1990)
The Hunt Is On.
Director: John McTiernan,
rated PG
Starring:
Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, James Earl Jones, Sam Neill, Tim Curry,
Fred Thompson
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"Once more, we play our
dangerous game, a game of chess against
our old adversary — The
American Navy." - Capt. Ramius
Why watch this?
The best submarine film ever made, IMHO.
Plot Summary:
Marko Ramius, a Soviet submarine captain commanding the
innovative stealth submarine Red October, unexpectedly alters
course and heads toward the United States. Suspecting Ramius has
gone rogue, both Soviet and American navies launch their own
hunts for the submarine. However, CIA analyst Jack Ryan believes
Ramius might be trying to defect, a theory he must prove before
an international incident erupts.
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Dad's Preview:
I do love a good submarine movie, see
Run Silent, Run Deep
(1958) and
Crimson Tide
(1995). This stands alone at the top. Based on Tom
Clancy's novel, this takes us deep into a Cold War sea battle where a
Russian sub has gone missing, and the US sends its own sub to
intercept her, that is, before she can moor near the US coast
and launch ICBM missiles.
Sir Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin are excellent in their leading roles as Jack
Ryan and Soviet Captain Ramius. |
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Mace Neufeld
Productions;
Paramount Pictures
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#6 Top |
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Lawrence of Arabia (1962),
Director: David Lean, rated PG for battle
scenes
A Mighty Motion Picture Of Action And Adventure!
Starring: Peter
O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Jose Ferrer,
Claude Raines, Omar Sharif
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"He was a poet, a scholar
and a mighty warrior. He was also the most shameless
exhibitionist since Barnum & Bailey." – Jackson Bentley
Why watch this?
An epic movie about a man who's life was, in itself, an epic.
Plot Summary:
T. E. Lawrence is a British officer, who navigates the complex
politics of the Middle East during World War I. Tasked with
liaising between the Arabs and the British against the Ottoman
Turks, Lawrence becomes increasingly drawn into the Arab cause
for independence. He unites disparate Arab tribes, leading them
in daring raids and victories against the Turks, but struggles
with his identity and the conflicting loyalties between his
British origins and his adopted Arab allies.
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Dad's Preview:
This sprawling, grand adventure covers the life of T. E. Lawrence,
a
British soldier advancing England's interests in the Ottoman
Empire during World War I. Though huge in scope, the film does
mange to create
complex, intimate characters. This classic film is top-ranked on just about every
film list there is. It was
nominated for ten Oscars, winning seven including Best Picture, Director, and Musical Score. |
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Horizon Pictures;
Columbia Pictures |
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#5 Top |
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Spartacus (1960),
Director: Stanley Kubrick, rated PG-13 for
gladiator violence
The finest
cast ever assembled re-lives history's most powerful story of
love and rebellion.
Starring: Kirk
Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter
Ustinov, John Gavin, Tony Curtis
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"And
maybe there's no peace in this world, for us or for anyone else,
I don't know. But I do know that,
as long as we live, we must
remain true to ourselves." -
Spartacus
Why watch this?
It's the first great gladiator masterpiece.
Plot Summary:
This is the story of a Thracian slave, Spartacus, sold into
brutal gladiatorial training in the Roman Republic. Witnessing
the cruelty and oppression of his masters, Spartacus inspires
and leads a burgeoning slave rebellion against the might of
Rome. This revolt sparks a major conflict that challenges the
Roman establishment and its ambitious figures vying for power.
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Dad's Preview:
This sweeping epic chronicles the life of Spartacus, a slave,
who
becomes a fiery, yet wise, leader. This drama is superb, painful, and
historically interesting. Kirk Douglas carries much of the film,
but Tony Curtis also renders a strong performance as Spartacus'
second in command. This Kubrick
masterpiece garnered four Oscars. |
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Bryna Prod.;
Universal International |
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#4 Top |
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The
African Queen
(1951)
Bogart
the King is back with the 'Queen!'
Director: John Huston, rated PG for some war violence
Starring: Humphrey
Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull, Theodore
Bikel, Walter Gotell, Peter Stanwick
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
"I never dreamed that any
mere physical experience could be so stimulating!" – Rose
Sayer
Why watch this? It's
a wonderful adventure film from the 50's with two Hollywood
icons.
Plot Summary:
Set during World War I, in German East Africa, Charlie Allnut, a
rough-and-tumble Canadian riverboat captain, finds himself
thrown together with a strait-laced British missionary named
Rose Sayer. Together, they embark on a dangerous journey down a
treacherous river on Charlie's dilapidated boat, the African
Queen, facing natural dangers and German forces. Despite
their vastly different personalities and frequent arguments, an
unlikely bond develops as they navigate their perilous mission.
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Dad's Preview:
I've always been a lover of unlikely romances. Here we have the
uptight, religious spinster, Rose, and the rough, solitary chug boat captain,
Charlie.
Thrown together by circumstances beyond their control, they are
forced to brave a mighty African river known as the Ulonga-Bora.
Their journey is full of
obstacles that bring our two lead actors closer together. Casting
Humphrey Bogart and Kate Hepburn was pure genius. This is definitely one of my
top 10 romantic films. |
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Horizon
Pictures, Romulus Pics;
United Artists
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#3 Top |
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Excalibur (1981)
Forged
by a god. Foretold by a wizard. Found by a King.
Director: John Boorman, rated PG for some nudity,
Medieval violence
Starring:
Nigel Terry, Helen Mirren, Nicholas Clay, Nicol Williamson, Liam
Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Cherie Lunghi
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 50
#38 -
Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review
and Deep Dive of Excalibur
"You will be the land, and
the land will be you. If you fail, the land will perish;
as you
thrive, the land will blossom." - Merlin
Why watch this?
... because it is the Arthurian legend in vivid, wonderful detail.
Plot Summary:
Told here is the epic tale of King Arthur, tracing his journey
from humble beginnings to the throne of a unified Britain.
Guided by the enigmatic wizard Merlin, Arthur establishes the
legendary Round Table and builds the realm of Camelot, ushering
in an era of peace and prosperity. However, the kingdom's glory
is threatened by internal strife, including betrayal, forbidden
love, and the insidious plots of Arthur's treacherous
half-sister, the sorceress Morgana.
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Dad's Preview:
You've heard the stories... the wise King Arthur... the sword in
the stone... the mysterious sorcerer Merlin... Sir Lancelot the
brave. British director John Boorman masterfully wrought this
film about those legends, and it is perfection to behold.
Filming was difficult at best, but the result is better
for it. Like a
spell's dream, we witness each event in many instances through
Merlin's eyes. It's hypnotic, heroic, tragic, and wonderfully
allegorical. It really is a fable come to life. |
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Orion
Pictures, Cinema '84; Warner Bros.
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Genres:
Adv-Swordplay,
Fantasy-Adv,
Fantasy-Drama,
Fantasy-Heroic,
Fantasy-Sword-&-Sorcery,
Historical-Fantasy,
Romance-Fantasy,
Romance-Tragic,
War-Drama,
War-Medieval,
War-Non-US |
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#2 Top |
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Ben-Hur (1959)
A
Tale of the Christ
Director: William Wyler, Rated G
Starring:
Charlton Heston, Haya
Harareet, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith, Martha Scott, Cathy
O'Donnell, Sam Jaffe
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 50
#15 -
Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review
and Deep Dive of Ben-Hur
"We keep you alive to serve
this ship. Row well, and live." - Quintus Arrius
Why watch this? It's
epic scale is hard to comprehend in this CGI digital age.
Plot Summary: Judah Ben-Hur, a wealthy
Jewish prince in Roman-occupied Jerusalem, is falsely accused of
an assassination attempt by his childhood friend, the ambitious
Roman tribune Messala. After being sentenced to the galleys as a
slave, Ben-Hur vows to seek vengeance for his family's
destruction and his own unjust suffering. His quest for justice
eventually leads him to a dramatic confrontation with Messala in
a high-stakes chariot race.
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Dad's Preview:
This is one of the few films that still impacts me spiritually.
The epic religious tale centers on a Jewish man's quest to get
revenge on the Roman leader who devastated his life and
family. It is set in Judea at the time of Christ. Its
massive scope outdoes the early
1925 silent film by the great Cecile B. DeMille. Here, there were 15,000 extras employed during filming. The
chariot race segment is still breath-taking. It's one of
my very favorites and I highly recommend it. |
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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; Loew's Inc.
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Top 20
War Action-Adv Films
#1 Top |
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The Last of the Mohicans
(1992)
An epic
adventure and passionate romance unfold against the panorama of
a frontier wilderness ravaged by war.
Director: Michael Mann, rated R for frontier violence
Starring:
Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig, Jodhi May,
Steven Waddington, Wes Studi,
Maurice Roëves
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★★
- perfect
DML Top 50
#21 -
Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review
and Deep Dive of The Last of
the Mohicans
"When the Grey Hair is
dead, Magua will eat his heart. Before he dies, Magua will put
his children
under the knife, so the Grey Hair will know his
seed is wiped out forever." - Magua
Why watch this?
This classic American frontier story is a flawless work of art.
Plot Summary:
During the French and Indian War in 1757, three trappers must
escort a British colonel's daughters through the dangerous
American wilderness to the safety of Fort William Henry. Their
journey is complicated by the betrayal of a treacherous Huron
guide, leading to an intense struggle for survival against
hostile enemy forces. As the group battles through the rugged
frontier landscape, the eldest daughter, Cora, and the Mohican
scout, Hawkeye, form a profound connection amidst the escalating
conflict.
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Dad's Preview:
On rare occasions, a classic story will find the perfect
director, screenwriter and cast. Mohicans has it all,
plus an expansive, haunting soundtrack. The filmmakers wisely
focused on historical details, which has a huge impact on the
film's cohesiveness. Daniel Day-Lewis' stern charisma breathes
new life into Hawkeye, the white adopted son of Chingachgook,
the last of his tribe. Wes Studi also excels as the bitter Huron
chief, Magua, a man hell bent on revenge. I was surprised how seamlessly the
film's love
story meshed with classic prose by the great
James Fenimore Cooper. |
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Michael Mann, Hunt
Lowry; 20th Century Fox
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