In honor of Veterans Day, the Current-Argus staff is picking it's best war films. To keep with the holiday theme, we kept it limited to American war movies but we did not limit which war.

The Longest Day (1962)

A war movie that is rated G. However, it belongs up there with other bloody and violent films. In fact, I wouldn't say this movie lacks action, more that other ratings didn't really exist back then.

The Longest Day is a long movie, but it features great performances from John Wayne, Sean Connery and Henry Honda. The movie does well to remind you how long and hard the landing at Normandy was. It does not sugar coat the realities of death in war as several heavily featured characters meet their end.

It goes to show that great storytelling, acting and attention to detail is what makes a great war movie. Not CGI and explosions.

- Aaron Bracamontes

Patton (1970)

“Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.” Yes, that’s from General George Patton, and if you haven’t taken the nearly 3 hours to watch 1970’s “Patton,” I suggest you take the time. The movie is about one of World War II’s most famous (or infamous, depending on who’s talking) military leaders. General Patton was known for his hero complex, and actor George Scott does an astounding job.

- Maddy Hayden

Band of Brothers (2001)

So this isn’t a war movie, but an HBO mini-series, which is just really a long spread out movie. I picked Band of Brothers, because it not only accurately depicts battles from World War II, but also because each character is a real person. Throughout the series it cuts to recorded interviews from Easy Company veterans. Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg both produced the mini-series. The series follows the story of the soldiers who were part of  Easy Company of the US Army 101st Airborne division and their mission. The series is not only one of my favorites, but also one of my father’s and brother’s favorites to watch. I highly suggest that anyone who enjoys learning about World War II and who enjoys a good war-story to take the time and watch the series.

- Sarah Matott

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

“This is my rifle. There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life.” My love of war movies comes from this quote and watching this scene over and over with my dad who’s a U.S. Marine and Vietnam vet.

Was preparing for war/boot camp really like the movie portrays?

He won’t answer; but I like to think there was a bit more compassion than shown by Gunnery Sgt. Hartman who told his recruits they are all “equally worthless” maggots.

Awesome performance by a young Vincent D’Onofrio, Mathew Modine and Adam Baldwin.

- Jessica Onsurez

Platoon (1986)

Not only is Platoon a violent and realistic look at the Vietnam War, but it also highlights the psychological effects of being in combat. Soldiers’ limits were tested, as was their sanity. Soldiers fought with each other, sometimes with closed fists.

It features strong performances from Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe. Berenger and Dafoe are two squad leaders, often at odds. Sheen’s the college-aged private, initially treated with little to no respect - all while experiencing the terror and strain of war for the first time. And there’s one Dafoe quote that basically sums up Vietnam after the earlier wars:  “We’ve been kicking other people’s asses for so long, I figure it’s time we got ours kicked.”

Remember, Vietnam was the one war America lost.

The depth and realistic take on Vietnam is why the film gets my vote.

- Matt Hollinshead

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Saving Private Ryan is my favorite war movie because it showed how even a small group can have success against a large group.

Besides, anything with Tom Hanks is going to be a great movie.

- Anthony Ortiz

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