I'm trying to find a 'good' war movie to watch with my 13 year old as part of an illustrated lesson on the sacrifices men and women in the armed forces have made. She's preparing to write an essay about the sacrifices of the people in the armed forces to be considered for an honorary event in D.C. this summer, and though she's read a lot about it and we've spoken to her about our own military experiences, I realize that it's really hard for a 13 year to grasp. Which is why I'm looking for a good movie. I'm hesitant to go with anything as graphic as "We Were Soldiers" or "Black Hawk Down", but on the same hand I'm not looking for a Disney version either. She did well with "War Horse" this winter, but that movie was focused on the plight of an animal - people were secondary and it had a (rather) happy ending. Any suggestions??
thank you for all the great suggestions. especially the military channel, I didn't even think of that. I had to smile at the suggestion of platoon... that was my first war movie when I was 16. left a huge impression on me. I actually own band of brothers, but only got through the first 3 or 4 episodes. my poor husband was traumatized after the american kid was executed because he was fighting with the germans. I guess we could watch it without him!
Without a doubt -"Saving Private Ryan". You're certainly old enough at 13 to see it, and boy oh boy will it leave NO doubt in her mind as to the sacrifices people and families in the service or with loved ones in the service make.
I highly recommend All Quiet on the Western Front, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Dr. Strangelove and Full Metal Jacket.
Miracle on St. Anna
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1046997/
This was a good war movie,
Behind enemy lines
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159273/
also this one
Not sure if these are exactly what you are hoping for, but hope they help
I love war movies! With some movies the language is worse than the gore. Most of the ones already mentioned previous may not be suitable for your daughter in regards to both aspects. I suggest Memphis Belle (Matthew Modine), Windtalkers (Nick Cage), Thin Red Line (Jim Caviezel) and Pearl Harbor (Ben Affleck). From what I can remember they have minimal bad language and gore. I have read "Flags of my Fathers" which to me is a PG/PG-13 book. I know it was made into a movie but I never saw it so I can't recommend the movie just yet. But if you read reviews the movie is just like the book and the rating is appropriate, then I highly suggest it. Very good and moving story.
I like FC's suggestion about the History Channel, or do you get the Smithsonian Channel or Military Channel? All those war documentaries on any of the channels are probably more appropriate and informative, although I'm sure might be rather boring to a 13 yr old.
Good luck and I hope you find a good one to watch!
Saving Private Ryan, graphic indeed. But it is life, it happened, it's a part of who we are.
The Longest Day
Saving Private Ryan
Platoon
Apocalypse Now
Glory
:)
red dawn was very good. sort of like what happened on 9/11 where foreign troops dropped down into cities all over the place. and took over the towns.
Why not watch the History Channel? They have so many shows on with actual videos.
Band of Brothers.. Oh my, it was not a movie but a series based on the true stories.. Maybe watch a few together, I promise she will want to see the whole series..
Excellent History brought to the screen.
I meant to say, it actually has some of the real men (that are depicted) in the show) speaking about the real events that occurred during their service.
Hi! Has she seen The Best Years of Our Lives?
I'm not sure of the rating and it has been a loooong time since I have seen it but maybe, Saving Private Ryan?
Here is a list of 101 war movies to see before you die, maybe an appropriate one can be found here
http://www.listology.com/robear61/list/101-war-movies-you...
Most of the movies I have seen do not follow the soldiers on the field but their lives before or after and the lives of their friends/family.
What about Saving Private Ryan?
I would check out your local library. They usually have all kinds of movies. I have seen some at our library about the Civil War. I am sure they have others. Good luck.
Pearl Harbor
From Here To Eternity
Saving Private Ryan
Tora Tora Tora
She Wore A yellow Ribbon
Gone with The Wind
The Longest Day
The Tuskegee Airmen
The TV show M*A*S*H*
If you look for John Wayne films from the 1950's You may get a sanitized version of the real story but there are a ton of them.
Band of Brothers ... Hands down
My son has been watching war movies chosen by history teachers from his middle school this winter. A couple that we enjoyed but I didn't see suggested yet were U-571 (with Jon Bon Jovi and Matthew McConaghey) about a sub in WWII and Flyboys, set in France during WWI about a group of early U.S. aviators who volunteered to fight with the French.
What about Black Hawk Down? That's one of my favorite war movies
Two movies I didn't see mentioned here are The Patriot and The Red Badge of Courage. She could also read the book The Red Badge of Courage as junior high students often have to read it for English or history classes anyway.
The Great Escape
The Battle of the Bulge
The Sands of Iwo Jima
Battleground
Valkyrie
These are old movies (except Valkyrie) and may carry an MA rating because of the age of the movie only.
My son is 9 and he has watched all of the above--he's a big fan of WWII history and books and movies. Half Price Books is a great place to get these DVDs used.
I grew up watching war movies. I think any documentary show on the History Channel, or the Military Channel is worth watching. They are very detailed, and provide a lot of information. I would also say that meeting with local veterans is always a way for someone to have a more personal connection to it.
As far as movies go, Saving Private Ryan is one of those movies that I find it so important for us to watch. Platoon is another good one. Tears of the Sun, Three Kings, and Gettysburg , Red Dawn, Behind Enemy Lines, Black Hawk Down, and Apocalypse Now, Casualties of War, Pearl Harbor are also good.
