Top 10: The Best 4th of July Movies

Let's face it. Everyone likes lists. So, with that in mind, this post is our contribution to our great nation's birthday.

While a lot of people might like to use the phrase, "The Best War Movies" or "The Best War Movies of All-Time" we want to take a different approach. Instead, this is our "Top 10: The Best 4th of July Movies."

While there are quite a few ways to approach this (i.e. do we take the "sacrifice made in blood and lives lost" route or the "American spirit in pursuit of the 'American Dream'" route?), we decided to honor those individuals and families that have given (and lost) so much to give and preserve all the things in this life that we hold near and dear to us. Without them we wouldn't be writing this piece today.

As one fellow commentator points out,

A 'good' war movie makes you think about life, love, and morality. War - a subject that both intrigues and repulses us at the same time. A subject that has sparked many a debate and public protest. A subject that has consumed millions of men, women, and children world wide in its dark clutches. War - no one really wins. Economically, morally, physically, and mentally - war injures, maimes, and kills. So why are we so fascinated by movies of these tragedies? Especially graphic ones that make you feel as though you are on the battlefield watching it as a spectator would football? Why do we so enjoy movies that make veterans of conflict have flashbacks in the theater and relive the horrors they experienced first hand? Well, in short because we are all sick and twisted individuals.

We couldn't agree more although we'd like to add that it's also because these are the types of films that should serve as a constant reminder to us of just how fortunate we are to live in this great nation. Unfortunately, many of us take our lives for granted. Hopefully, these films are an attempt to remind of where we came from, where we are, and where we should be going.

TOP 10: THE BEST 4TH OF JULY MOVIES

10. Black Hawk Down

Without question, this film depicts the real, and horrifying threats that our brave men and woemn in the military (as well as many innocent people living in these types of nations) face on a daily basis. It's one of the most recent titles included on this list and we did so simply to remind people that wars and conflict - and the heroes that are a part of them - didn't just go away after WWII. Sadly, our media and Hollywood would have us believe that there is not a single decent soldier in America's military today and that none of them are there trying to help or do what's right for others in need. This movie reminds us that despite public outcry we were in Mogadishu to try and put an end to the brutal dictators and tribal leaders who failed to provide for their people even though the world had provided the resources (foods, medicines, and supplies) that were desperately needed. This film makes you feel proud that we have men and women who are trying to do what's right for other people in other parts of the world even though politicians try to use their efforts as a political football.

9. The Great Escape

This 1963 classic depicts the riveting true story of 250 Allied soldiers plotting a massive escape from a German P.O.W. camp during WWII. The all-star cast includes Steve McQueen (watch him in the famous motorcycle chase across the German countryside!), James Garner, Charles Bronson, and James Coburn. The great thing about this film is that it reminds viewers of the importance of human freedom and what one will do to attain it - no matter how high the price.

8. Patton

This guy was tough and I'm glad he was fighting on our side during WWII! Linked is a video clip of the famous speech given in the film so do yourself a favor and be sure to check it out. As you'd expect, this 1970 film simply tells the story of General george S. Patton during WWII. Some interesting facts about this film include that it won 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture and that Rod Steiger was offered the role, but turned it down, saying that he did not want to glorify war. After viewing the completed film, he said that refusing the role was the biggest mistake of his career

7. Memphis Belle

I'm sure that this selection will surprise many. However, I remember this film from my youth and had to include it on this list especially because it's the name of the plane (B-17 Bomber) that was made famous during WWII. It's the story of the American bomber crew of the Memphis Belle, the first U.S. Airmen to complete a full tour of 25 missions during the air battle of Europe during WWII. The film begins the night before the Belle's last mission, and follows the crew through the hectic flight that they must endure, and survive, in order to go home. What I remember most about this movie is the human element. I remember the characters wrestling with making sure they have the right targets so that innocent people are spared, I remember them worrying about whether or not they'd make it through one more mission so that they could get home to see their loved ones, I remember the sacrifices that were made when a new life and a new beginning to their lives was at their fingertips.

6. Pearl Harbor

We've all seen the Michael Bay summer blockbuster. Hopefully, we all know the actual story and what happened on that fateful day even better because it truly was "a day that will live in infamy." This film had it all! An all-star cast, big budget special effects, and the emotional arc needed to pull you in, keep you there, and make you feel something. In fact, that's one of the things I will always remember about this movie. I remember when I first saw the trailer at the theaters. It was one of the most epic, inspiring, patriotic 2 minutes of footage I had ever witnessed on the big screen and I distinctly remember thinking to myself what it must have felt like to Americans alive back then to learn of the surpise attack on our naval fleet. Ironically, who would've ever guess that in just a few short months later our lives would be forever changed by similar events on 9/11?

5. We Were Soldiers

Another film that I think might surprise others epecially because we have it listed so high on our list. Even so, I encourage you to watch this film for yourself (watch it again if you've already seen it) and then let us know what you think. This 2002 flick starring Mel Gibson is another true story about the very first battle of the Vietnam War. The fact that it came out only a few months after 9/11 probably helped solidify it in my memory because of the full range of emotions I was feeling at the time. It's amazing to me to think that only 450 U.S. soldiers were surrounded by nearly 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers in a small clearing in a battle that lasted for 3 full days. Plus, the whole concept of Gibson's character who believes in being "the first foot to set foot on the battlefield, and the last to leave the battlefield" was inspiring to say the least and it embodied everything that is great about the American spirit.

4. Band of Brothers

Yes, we're well aware that this is a TV Mini-Series and not an actual movie. We're fully prepared to take some heat over this and hopefully it won't render the rest of the list meaningless. Besides, it's our list and we get to decide what to put on it! LOL This was by far the best depiction of the events of WWII that we have ever seen and since we often refer to those who fought in that war as "The Greatest Generation" this is our salute to our grandfathers and grandmothers who preserved our freedom and way of life.

3. Saving Private Ryan

No list would be complete without this title from 1998. I'm sure that many of you have seen this film and that you're familiar with the basis of the story - the War Department's Sole Survivor Policy. The screenplay was based on the story of Sgt. Fritz Niland and the circumstances involving him and the deaths of his brothers. The Niland Brothers were a group of 4 American brothers from Tonawanda, NY - in Our Movie Date's own backyard and only about 20 minutes away from here.

2. Glory

There was no way that Wifey and I could create a Top 10 list of The Best 4th of July Movies and not celebrate those films dedicated to telling the story of how this nation and this soil we stand on was formed and shaped over the years. The first entry in that respect is this 1989 classic starring Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick. This movie recounts the bravery of a group of Civil War soldiers often overlooked by history - the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts, a troop of free black men who fought to help win liberty for their enslaved brothers. This gritty and realistic vision of the horrors of war is a moving and critical examination of a lost piece of history. Beautifully shot and triumphantly acted (by a cast that also includes Morgan Freeman, Cary Elwes, and Andre Braugher), director Edward Zwick's film serves as a tribute to the courage and selfless bravery of the black soldiers of the Civil War. In essense, it's a reminder to us all that war often means that sacrifices have to be made by all of us.

1. The Patriot

What else could we put as our top choice on this list? This film captures the spirit and will of the first Americans and their attempt to fight tyranny and establish their own nation under God. This is the second film on this list that stars Mel Gibson so you might think we have a Gibson fetish. It also stars the late Heath Ledger who also gives a remarkable performance here. This is the type of story that is the central focal point to the establishment of this great experiement.

We hope you've enjoyed this list and we welcome any and all comments. For further reading, or to see what some others think should be included here, please check out this article.

Happy 4th of July!!!