Top 10 Historically Accurate Military Movies
There is nothing more shocking than the realities of war. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most authentic portrayals of military life and soldier’s experiences on film.
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00:00 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most authentic portrayals
00:06 of military life and soldiers' experiences on film.
00:10 "It's a trap.
00:11 But you know, there's a medal in it for sure.
00:16 Nothing like a scrap of ribbon to cheer up a widow."
00:21 Number 10 - Hacksaw Ridge
00:23 Mel Gibson's biopic about Desmond Doss seems so outrageous that it can't be true.
00:28 However, viewers should know that it's much closer to fact than fiction.
00:32 "Murder, it's the worst sin of all.
00:35 To take another man's life, that is the most egregious sin in the Lord's sight.
00:41 Nothing hurts his heart so much."
00:43 From basic training to the battlefield, Hacksaw Ridge takes audiences on a journey through
00:47 Doss' experiences.
00:49 His refusal to hold a gun put him at odds with his own unit, prompting serious action
00:53 from his superiors and fellow soldiers.
00:55 "While everybody else is taking life, I'm gonna be saving it.
01:02 With the world so set on tearing itself apart."
01:05 This kind of treatment is accurate for Doss' life and for many other recruits who had a
01:09 hard time acclimating to the military.
01:11 Once in the Pacific, the Medal of Honor recipient showed extraordinary bravery while saving
01:16 numerous people during authentic battle sequences.
01:19 His heroic actions are a cornerstone of the movie, showcasing the unprecedented sacrifices
01:24 made during World War II.
01:29 9.
01:30 Jarhead Other war films try to capture the fury of
01:33 the battlefield, but Jarhead is not your average military plot.
01:41 It instead tries to paint a picture of the psychological turmoil that soldiers go through.
01:45 Set during the Gulf War, the project showcases the lives of Marines who don't have much to
01:50 do.
01:51 There's too excessive boredom and even mental instability among the servicemen.
01:57 Seeking to show the unspoken part of warfare, the movie explores the quieter and more complex
02:02 moments of Marine life.
02:03 Anthony Swofford's book provides a template for a realistic experience, with the former
02:08 veteran himself approving of the adaptation.
02:13 8.
02:16 Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World
02:18 While it isn't always listed among other war films, Master and Commander deserves mention
02:22 for its period details.
02:24 Set during the early 19th century, the bulk of the adventure takes place on a British
02:29 ship.
02:36 The movie goes to great lengths to ensure everything looks and functions as accurately
02:40 as possible.
02:41 Director Peter Weir populates the naval vessel with believable costumes and weaponry, not
02:46 to mention a crew of densely layered shipmates.
02:52 Their loyalty and insubordination provide the plot with a rich interior that delves
02:56 into the hardships of naval service.
02:58 There's also the worry about mutiny, combat, and even wounds that require realistic surgery.
03:04 Even though it's based on a novel, the project captures many nuances of the time.
03:17 7.
03:19 Full Metal Jacket - Whether or not it's accurate all the way through, Full Metal Jacket
03:23 has arguably the most famous depiction of basic training on film.
03:27 The first section of the movie takes place at Paris Island as Marines endure the wrath
03:31 of a drill instructor.
03:33 Charlie Ermey plays the role with absolute precision, drawing from his own experiences
03:37 in real life.
03:45 Inspired by Ermey's improvisations, director Stanley Kubrick worked these actual insults
03:50 into the script.
03:51 This makes the training sequences all the more visceral, making viewers come to understand
03:55 the mental and physical tests that recruits endure.
03:58 While the second part of the film might be less authentic, the beginning attempts to
04:04 recreate the experience of entering the Marine Corps.
04:10 6.
04:11 Stalingrad - Taking on the German perspective at the strategic World War II battle, Stalingrad
04:20 makes an effort to show some of the more brutal elements of warfare.
04:23 It's a disturbing look at the Eastern Front, showing the desperation of the conflict and
04:28 the struggle to maintain sanity.
04:30 This includes dealing with sub-zero temperatures and the harsh conditions of Russian winter.
04:34 Not only must the soldiers fight the elements, but they also deal with dwindling supplies,
04:39 the lack of morale, and the concept of cowardice.
04:47 The actors were inspired by letters written by the soldiers of the time, reading that
04:51 participants were either blindly loyal to their cause or hopeless in their situation.
04:56 With that in mind, the cast plays the characters as imperfect people trying to stay alive.
05:05 5.
05:09 Das Boot - Many films try to recreate the claustrophobia of submarine warfare, but few
05:14 do it as well as Das Boat.
05:22 Critics and historians often call the movie the ultimate submarine movie for a reason.
05:26 It's based on the novel of the same name, which itself stems from the real experiences
05:30 on a German U-Boat during World War II.
05:40 This includes accurate depictions of naval drills, operations, and general routines of
05:44 the crew.
05:45 Cameras even capture long takes through the vehicle, showing the close-quarters nature
05:48 of life underwater.
06:03 The movie also takes a controversial look into the tensions between officers, government
06:07 officials, and ordinary seamen.
06:10 4.
06:11 1917 - In a one-of-a-kind experience, 1917 captures World War I through some immersive
06:17 filmmaking.
06:18 Director Sam Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins devised a way to make the entire movie
06:23 look like one unbroken take.
06:25 This gives every scene a more engaging feel.
06:28 Loosely based on a story from Mendes' grandfather, a two-man messenger team is sent to call off
06:32 an impending attack.
06:44 The journey through no-man's land, booby-trapped fortifications, and rat-infested trenches
06:49 make ample use of exceptional production design.
06:52 There is an attention to detail here in creating a first-person perspective of the sometimes
06:56 chaotic and seemingly hopeless nature of the Great War.
07:04 It also showcases the conflicted nature of modern warfare, putting characters in dangerous
07:09 situations that they must physically and mentally overcome.
07:18 3.
07:22 Glory - Set during the American Civil War, Glory details the story of the 54th Massachusetts
07:28 Infantry Regiment.
07:29 It's both an important tribute to the lives lost in that conflict and the black soldiers
07:33 who played a key part in it.
07:35 Based partly on the writings of Regiment Leader Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the movie
07:38 takes a hard look at the 19th century conditions and racism of the era.
07:47 This also includes the groundbreaking efforts to prepare these forces for battle.
07:57 While most of the infantry characters aren't real, the presence of Shaw gives this story
08:01 authenticity in terms of being a commanding officer during the time.
08:10 The performances of Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick help to sell the emotional
08:15 climax and the sacrifices of the real 54th.
08:19 2.
08:20 Platoon - Showing the harsh realities of Vietnam, Platoon won several Oscars for its unflinching
08:25 examination of the conflict.
08:30 The film follows an army grunt named Chris Taylor as he struggles to adjust to military
08:34 routine.
08:35 Drawing from his own personal experience, director Oliver Stone brings viewers along
08:39 as he details the day-to-day worries of patrolling the jungle.
08:49 Stone collaborated with fellow veteran Dale Dye to train the actors.
08:52 In a then-revolutionary concept, the main cast was forced to live in the jungle, go
08:57 on watch, and do real drills.
08:59 This helps to create a lived-in quality to their acting that embraces the fear, violence,
09:03 and uncertainty of it all.
09:05 The filmmakers' insistence on a more grounded exploration of the war helped make it a classic.
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09:33 Number 1.
09:34 Saving Private Ryan
09:35 Directed by Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan is one of the most famous World War II
09:40 films of its kind.
09:42 The opening sequence depicts the landing on Omaha Beach and takes great pains to show
09:46 the harrowing nature of combat.
09:48 While it might be commended for its battle scenes, the movie also attempts to showcase
09:52 the gritty and unglamorous actions of American soldiers during the Allied invasion.
10:00 Many veterans who saw the film felt that it was so effective, it even caused some to experience
10:04 symptoms of PTSD.
10:06 With added research from the filmmakers, the script attempts to showcase the importance
10:10 of camaraderie within a squad.
10:12 The production also put the actors through boot camp in order to bring a more authentic
10:15 performance to the screen.
10:21 Did we forget a movie that shows the reality of the military?
10:24 Let us know in the comments below!
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