What Was The Last Military Movie That Was Actually Really Good...?

[chuckman]

Ah got it. I can see that, but I didn't quite come away with the same impression on that score. But you bring up an interesting point, it does seem like many (most?), Nam movies, unlike any other war, portrays that "it was normal for units to be filled with people who killed civilians, got stoned, leadership fought, etc."

Based on the experiences of my family members, I think the reality based on war movies would be more along the lines of We Were Soldiers, The Green Berets, etc... competent and able if not professional. I think like World war II and Korea, most people who are drafted, their goal was to go in do their job and get out of life.

Speaking of movies and wars, I would love to see a movie or a mini-series dedicated to SOG, or the boat units and navy special warfare down in Rung Sat. That movie has a ton of background that could be made into great movies or series.

[WillBrink]

Based on the experiences of my family members, I think the reality based on war movies would be more along the lines of We Were Soldiers, The Green Berets, etc... competent and able if not professional. I think like World war II and Korea, most people who are drafted, their goal was to go in do their job and get out of life.

Speaking of movies and wars, I would love to see a movie or a mini-series dedicated to SOG, or the boat units and navy special warfare down in Rung Sat. That movie has a ton of background that could be made into great movies or series.

A movie that really needs to be redone is Bat 21. The movie told the story from the pilots POV and it's by far the least interesting aspect. The lone SEAL and his Vietnamese partner who went up the river to rescue that pilot is one of the most amazing stories if the entire war, and if not true, people would call BS if it was a fictional movie. The SEAL - Thomas R. Norris - won the MOH for it and his partner - VNN Petty Officer Nguyen Van Kiet - was awarded the Navy Cross, the only South Vietnamese sailor given that award during the war.

Done right, that movie would set the standard for the example of what our people were willing to do to save fellow soldiers.

Now, that may not even be the best story of the war!

[arptsprt]

Will,

Is there a non-fiction book dedicated to this story you recommend? Thx.

ETA: chuckman referenced the following above:

Saving Bravo: The Greatest Rescue Mission in Navy SEAL History

Anything else?

A movie that really needs to be redone is Bat 21. The movie told the story from the pilots POV and it's by far the least interesting aspect. The lone SEAL and his Vietnamese partner who went up the river to rescue that pilot is one of the most amazing stories if the entire war, and if not true, people would call BS if it was a fictional movie. The SEAL - Thomas R. Norris - won the MOH for it and his partner - VNN Petty Officer Nguyen Van Kiet - was awarded the Navy Cross, the only South Vietnamese sailor given that award during the war.

Done right, that movie would set the standard for the example of what our people were willing to do to save fellow soldiers.

Now, that may not even be the best story of the war!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WillBrink]

Will,

Is there a non-fiction book dedicated to this story you recommend? Thx.

ETA: chuckman referenced the following above:

Saving Bravo: The Greatest Rescue Mission in Navy SEAL History

Anything else?

The story of how one SEAL who had been awarded the MOH (Norris) who was saved by his buddy (Petty Officer Mike Thornton), who was awarded the MOH for it, making it the only time in history and MOH winner was rescued by someone awarded the MOH for it, is perhaps and even better story. Both of those gents are still with us and meeting them a real pleasure. See:

By Honor Bound: Two Navy SEALs, the Medal of Honor, and a Story of Extraordinary Courage

[chuckman]

The story of how one SEAL who had been awarded the MOH (Norris) who was saved by his buddy (Petty Officer Mike Thornton), who was awarded the MOH for it, making it the only time in history and MOH winner was rescued by someone awarded the MOH for it, is perhaps and even better story. Both of those gents are still with us and meeting them a real pleasure. See:

By Honor Bound: Two Navy SEALs, the Medal of Honor, and a Story of Extraordinary Courage

I heard him speak once, Norris, he said that he was attending an event in which all the living Medal of Honor recipients were attending. He was late showing up because he couldn't find it, it was in a box in his attic and it took him a while to find it. I have certainly never met him, I know a Vietnam era SEAL who knew him, said he was very unassuming and one of the most laid-back guys you would ever meet.

I think a movie from his perspective and the on the ground rescue operations would be very cool.

[Circle_10]

I think Apocalypse Now is probably my favorite military movie, possibly because, as mentioned above, it’s not really about the war and instead just uses it as a backdrop for the actual story.
Most of the war movies I like all tend to be older ones, The Great Escape, Das Boot, Full Metal etc..
Black Hawk Down is probably the most recent war movie that I actually thought was quite good.

Lone Survivor was alright, 13 Hours wasn’t bad....from what I actually remember of it. 1917 was decent I guess.

I saw American Sniper in the theater and remember thinking that it wasn’t very good.

[ar15556]

JoJo Rabbit was good.

[Whiskey_Bravo]

JoJo Rabbit was good.

Sounded really dumb but then I watched it. Highly recommend.

[bigkracka]

1917 sucked, long and slow. Ensing was anticlimactic.

[SteyrAUG]

Sounded really dumb but then I watched it. Highly recommend.

So just finished it. A bit bleak at times, reminded me a little of "Look Who's Back" (2015). But I think I'll stick with Europa, Europa (1990).

That said, the opening credits for JoJo with the Beatles "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" in German might be the most brilliant satire I've seen in my life. Unfortunately I think it set the bar too high and the rest of the film failed to measure up to expectations. Lots of "moments" though.