With Remembrance/Veterans Day having just passed, along with the recent release of All Quiet on the Western Front, the Bitesize crew has put their brains together to compile Bitesize Breakdown's consensus Top Five Military Films.
Each writer ranks his or her top 15 films in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five.
5. A FEW GOOD MEN
“You can’t handle the truth” because A Few Good Men is still one of the best military movies ever made. The whole cast, especially Jack Nicholson and Tom Cruise, give outstanding performances in this courtroom drama that is surrounding the death of a Marine at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. It has a beautifully written script by Aaron Sorkin brought to life by director Rob Reiner, who is able to capture the sentimental state of these characters perfectly. You can’t go wrong with watching this film on Veteran’s day, or any other day for that matter. - Paige
4. 1917
Sam Mendes’ 1917 may not be the greatest war film ever made, but it is, without question, one of the most accomplished WWI stories on the silver screen thus far. Besides the total immersion brought on by Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins’ one-shot approach, the film’s two lead performances are appropriately devoid of star power as well, allowing the audience to see past the performer and into the character. Even the VFX are great. The biggest thing, however, that separates this movie from the rest is its incredible Thomas Newman score. - Jacob
3. DUNKIRK
To this day, Dunkirk is still one of the best cinema experiences I have ever had. The sound design was remarkable, truly immersing you in the battles on land, air, and sea. Director Christopher Nolan did a fantastic job at crafting an anxiety ridden film that thrust you into the horrors of war. - Joseph
2. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
Arguably director Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece (at least according to him), there had never been a movie like Inglorious Basterds, nor has it been touched since. Featuring amazingly iconic performances, tension-filled scenes, and darkly humorous writing, Basterds is a singular movie that may never be replicated - Amarú
1. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
In Saving Private Ryan, director Steven Spielberg crafted a war movie masterpiece on the back of a terrific screenplay, a documentary-style approach, an outstanding cast, and a religiously-adhered-to authenticity. The 30-minute opening scene at Omaha Beach remains an unparalleled depiction of old-world combat, and what follows is a tribute to the heroism, sacrifices, and camaraderie often associated with those who wear the uniform. This film paved the way for movies like Dunkirk and 1917. - Quentin
HONORABLE MENTIONS
APOCALYPSE NOW
HACKSAW RIDGE
THE HURT LOCKER
ZERO DARK THIRTY
THE DEER HUNTER
Photo Credits: Photo 1 - Columbia Pictures; Photo 2, 3, 4 - Universal Pictures; Photo 5 - Dreamworks Pictures