Five Great American War Movies (that you may not have seen)

On this Memorial Day, when the United States honors its veterans, we frequently get the chance to see a heapload of war movies. The lists of good war movies are numerous, and the members are often obvious (Patton, Saving Private Ryan, Bridge on the River Kwai, The Great Escape, etc.). Fans of the genre have no doubt seen these. So, for this Memorial Day, Buzz Newsroom has some war movies that you just might not have seen that are worth a viewing. We’ve gone off the beaten track and tried to find some of the gems of the genre that aren’t household names like the Sands of Iwo Jima or the Longest Day. Perhaps they aren’t all ‘great’ – but all are worth a looksee. And we added a sixth for fun (not a theatrical film, but worthy of our list).

Remember, this is a list of not-so-famous films that focus on American troops in the combat zone.

Here’s our list – enjoy.

Sahara (1943)
No, not the lame Matthew McConaughey film. And not the lame Jim Belushi TV remake of 1995. We’re talking Humphrey Bogart in a great little film made in 1943. In it, Bogie’s the commander of an American tank in North Africa, where he assembles a United Nations’ worthy crew of ragtag men (some Brits, Americans, a Sudanese, a Frenchman, and even an Italian) to fend off Nazis trying to take a strategic water hole. The film boasts a charismatic star, zippy dialogue and a quick pace. The film is notable in that it actually let a black man – Rex Ingram playing the Sudanese soldier – fight alongside the rest of the soldiers – and not simply relegate him to the role of a servant or musician.
(Unfortunately, no trailer, but here’s the first five minutes of the film)

A Walk in the Sun (1945)
Superb movie follows a day long trek of an American platoon as they make their way from the beaches of Italy to a fortified German position inland. The film is unique in its more realistic portray of combat – with long stretches of quiet and conversation, interrupted by nasty, brutal bursts of violence. Great work by Dana Andrews as the platoon sergeant.
(We couldn’t find the trailer of the film, but did find the first 6-7 minutes of the film)

The Big Red One (1980)
A great, personal movie by maverick film director Samuel Fuller, following a unit of American soldiers from one battlefield to the next in WWII, from North Africa to Germany. The film features Lee Marvin’s last great performance. It is based upon director Fuller’s own account of his service during the war. The film was reconstructed in 2004, adding in over 40 minutes of footage that the studio had trimmed off the original theatrical release.

Pork Chop Hill (1959)
Nicely done action film set in Korea starring Gregory Peck. American troops have to take a hill that has been occupied by the Chinese. The film shows the grit and sweat of combat – as well as the meat grinder that it is for both sides. Based on an actual battle.

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)
Robert Mitchum gives a magnificent performance as a none-to-bright marine stranded on a Japanese controlled island with only a pretty nun (Deborah Kerr) for company. Not lots of action here, but instead a surprisingly sweet movie about two lonely souls from very different worlds being thrown together. Directed by John Huston.

Band of Brothers (2001)
Okay, this is a cheat. This is an HBO mini-series. Still, if you haven’t seen it. Do so. It’s a war film, sure, but the core of the film is about the normal Joes, and how they make do and survive in a terrible situation.