Hi guys, I don't know if this has been raised before but I wondered what you would nominate as the most realistic war film you have seen regarding getting the facts right? My nomination would be The Dambusters staring Richard Todd. I have read countless books on the dams raids and seen many documentaries on TV and for me the producers got it just about right.

My choice has to be Tora Tora Tora. (++) (++)

I would have to say Saving Private Ryan.

ummm... Battle of the Bulge??...-grin-

WWII Saving Pvt. Ryan or A Bridge Too Far
Modern Blackhawk Down.

My $0.02 US before tax cut... oh, wait...
I'm NOT stinking rich, I'm not GETTING a tax cut...

Mike

I never was in a war. But I think scenes from Private Ryan and Das Boot come close to reality...

Same here, was never in a war, but have the utmost respect for those who were.

I personally feel Black Hawk Down portrays frontline action the best. And Das Boot gives you the best feeling of tension, desparation, and the psychological impact of war.

It was made for HBO..Band of Brothers..My 17 year old daughter was so touched by it she has written to Gardanier (lost his leg) They have now written to each other numerous times.

For me:

Stalingrad, everytime I watch that movie I almost feel the suffering that the Germans and Russiand had to endure.

Second, the openingscene of Saving Private Ryan, that beach landing wil be the closest thing we can ever get to in the sence of the feeling, souds and fear of that historical day

I think that Das Boot is probably the most realistic movie. Nothing was glamourized it that movie.

I would have to say 'Enemy at the Gate' before Vassili the Russian soldier had a choice - our machine guns or theirs.

'Band of Brothers' one quote stands out, when they are moving into the Ardennes, and are warned of encirclement - "we're paratroops, we’re supposed to be surrounded”.

Windtalkers artillery does not go bang, it krumps.

1) Enemy at the Gate
2) Saving Private Ryan

The greatest war films of all times !!!!

The Green Berets



:) no just kidding....

Saving Private Ryan
Tora! Tora! Tora!
Band of Brothers
Staingrad
Revolution- very gritty

Gods and Generals - good battle scenes (SOOOOO long though)

Black Hawk Down

Das Boot

Normandy scene in Saving Private Ryan

Parts of various other films

Several good ones listed, so I thought I'd throw in Hamburger Hill. I think this movie showed the the futility of actually conquering a hill at a great loss, only to climb back on the helicopters and leave. What a waste.

Patrick

My vote goes for Tora Tora Tora.

We were soldiers I watch it with my dad who was in Vietnam he said out of all the nam movies he had seen this was some of what he saw while in service.

1) We where soldiers
2) Black Hawk Down
3) Hamburger Hill

For me it would be BoB and saving private ryan.
specially in BoB when they are in the forest and are getting shelled all the tree bursts and when Joe toye and wild bill get their legs blown off.

Wow, there are so many possibilities here, First off would have to be:

1. Saving Private Ryan, because w/o that Band of Bros probably wouldn't of been around today. Thanks Stevie Speilberg!

2. Band of Brother, because I felt that it was an accurate portrayl of the men of Easy Co.

3. Enemy at the Gate. I thought it was a little drawn out at first and still do a little, but once in a while I'll bust it out and watch it.

4. Battle of Britain, simply because its the only one of its kind made.

5. Windtalker, although once again I thought it was a little drawn out.

6. Black Hawk Down, action packed and made me feel energized.

7. Stalingrad, once again because its the only one of its kind around.

8. Memphis Belle, with Eric Stoltz. I liked that one and watch it once in a while. It was a pretty good movie, considering a good portion of it was BS.

Let me know if any of these hit home w/ you.

~Chip

Stalingrad, very good film

BoB, no doubt about that.

Das Boot, very realisticly made

Ran, (sp), it's a Japanese film, japanese version of King Leah (lear?), very very nice battle scene

Tora Tora Tora

Starship Troopers, very accurate protray of war in future, anyone think it's not accurate, can come talk to me with actual photo/documentary of the war

memphis Belle, I am glad Chip mentioned it, although the film is not accurate, the music is great!

Apocalypse Now

Ran (battle scenes are some of the greatest ever filmed)

The Longest Day

Gallipoli

*** does Dallas (Redux version with full interior detail) (name withheld to protect the innocent)

Oh almost forgot, the opening scene of Galdiator, the most accurate protray of Roman Wars to the date. Again if you dispute, please come to me with actual pic/documentary film, and we will talk. (++) (++) (++)

Damn... Glad I read the thread BEFORE answering, because it stirred up some I'd have forgotten about.

Blackhawk Down- #1 Favorite: Shows the gritty, awful reality of it all. Makes you want to be sure the mission makes sense! Gives a sense of the Brothers-In-Arms realitythat makes it all happen!

Saving Private Ryan- Especially the beginning as far as reality. Pretty grim...the scene of the guy dragging his buddy up the beach...

Battle of Britain- Good Movie, short on the "grit", but a great story! I remember dragging my Dad to see it while we were on vacation!

Gettysburg- Another good study of the reasons why we fight, and the costs. See the movie and then go visit the Battlefield. It is an experience!

Braveheart- Maybe not a "war" movie but full of battles. And the underlying theme of FREEDOM...well for me, THAT is what it is about!

Hamburger Hill & Full Metal Jacket- More gritty movies.

Gladiator was good as a war movie in the beginning. Bridge Too Far, but it has been a looong time since I saw it. Longest Day, still a favorite!

And most of these, I've made sure my kids have seen...they need to know that war is an b*tch, people have horrible things happen to them, people make the ultimate sacrifice and from time to time it is a price we must pay to preserve the FREEDOM we have!

Jim/ Jaster

Add to the list GLORY with, among others, Denzel Washington, Andre Braugher and Morgan Freeman. Captures the feel of ACW tactics and the sense of pride and honor these men carried. Also portrays the truly idiotic racism that was endemic in this country at the time.
Add, also THE PATRIOT for its depictions of tactics and effects of linear warfare of the time.
And, ZULU for bringing to the American public a period we never study in school. It also depicts desperate men in courageous battle without demonizing their foes.

Most realistic? "We Were Soldiers Once" gets my vote, hands down.

Shaun