Greatest War Movie Heroes
I've been a fan of war movies for as long as I can remember. To this day, there are some movies that I watch every time they are on. This week, one of my favorites was on. It was late at night, it was on commercial television (I hate commercials), and I had to get up and go to work the next day—all good reasons to not watch. But I couldn't help it. I watched the whole thing, and didn't get to sleep until 1:00am.
It got me to thinking about the main characters in war movies. Admittedly, I haven't seen every single war movie ever made. But I've seen a lot of them, and it seems like a good idea to rank these heroes. Keep in mind that I'm not ranking the movies themselves. That might result in a different outcome. This is a list of the greatest heroes from the greatest movies.
Ladies, go on about your business. Gentlemen, let us talk of these things now.
13. Sergeant J.J. Sefton (William Holden), Stalag 17, 1953
Sgt. Sefton was the classic anti-hero in this film. Set in a German POW camp, we're led to believe early in the story that Sefton is giving information to the Nazis. His fellow prisoners despise him. In the ultimate show of cool, Holden doesn't defend himself, or try to prove that he isn't the mole. He just starts giving the real mole (played by Peter Graves) a little rope, until he has enough to hang himself. The big moment is where Holden outs Graves as a Nazi, and Holden is vindicated.
12. Captain Hilts (Steve McQueen), The Great Escape, 1963
The "kind of" true story of a group of POWs held in Germany during WWII. Steve McQueen played the stereotypical bad boy, motorcycle riding soldier.
Great movie, with more than a few heroes (including the man who spoke at my college graduation ceremony), but McQueen stole the show.
11. Major Reisman (Lee Marvin), The Dirty Dozen, 1967
A dramatization, of course, but a good story. Twelve misfit soldiers, all sentenced to death for various reasons, who are picked by Lee Marvin to complete a mission that will most likely result in their deaths anyway. Great ensemble cast, and Lee Marvin is awesome, as usual.
10. Captain Harry Clark (Treat Williams), The Eagle Has Landed, 1976
I always liked this movie about a plot to assassinate Winston Churchill during WWII. What always struck me about the story was that this Captain, out ranked but not out classed, stood up and took the mantle of leadership after his superior's lack of leadership got them killed (Larry Hagman, for example). The viewer sees it. And the German officer played by Donald Sutherland saw it too.
I saw it as a ten year old boy, watching the movie for the first time. What I didn't realize at the time was how Treat Williams stole the show from a lot of quality veteran actors. I mean, we're talking about a who's who list of award winning movie stars, like Sutherland, Robert Duvall, and Michael Caine. A great, heroic performance by an otherwise unknown actor in only his fourth role.
9. The Sergeant (Lee Marvin), The Big Red One, 1980
Lee Marvin makes the list twice, this time as a mysterious, quiet military officer who commands a group of young soldiers. We find out as the story unfolds that he is haunted by his experiences in WWI, which turn out to be very similar to his experiences in WWII. Great performances by Mark Hamill and Robert Carradine.
8. Lt. Colonel Mike Barnsby (Harrison Ford), Force 10 From Navarone, 1978
Love this movie. Other than the oddly placed Carl Weathers, it is outstanding. The scene where they blow up the dam, and take out the bridge, is a Hollywood classic. Not to mention the scene where they figure out who the spy is.
7. Major Jonathan Smith (Richard Burton), Where Eagles Dare, 1968
What kind of acting chops does it take to upstage and outclass Clint Eastwood? Richard Burton, that's who. To me, this movie would come to represent a "passing of the torch" moment in Hollywood. Burton, the classic tough-guy actor in the waning years of his career, passing the torch to Eastwood, who was making only his third film for a major domestic movie studio. Burton had all the answers in this flick, while Eastwood just stood and looked confused. The ultra-hot Mary Ure (who, it turns out, was older than my dad, and died only seven years after the making of this film) didn't fall for Eastwood, but for Burton. Remarkable. The scene where Burton outs the spy on the airplane ride home, and allows him to jump out of the plane with no parachute, shows what a studly character this was.
6. General Maximus (Russell Crowe), Gladiator, 2000
Some might argue this doesn't belong on the list, since Roman battles against barbarians do not usually come to mind when we mention war movies, but General Maximus is a true soldier, and at its heart, this is a war movie. All that matters to Maximus is that he do his job and go home to his wife and son. At least in the beginning. Later in the film, all that matters is that he exact vengeance for their deaths.
5. Admiral Chester Nimitz (Henry Fonda), Midway, 1976
This movie is a little too much like a soap opera for me (Charlton Heston is a little cheesy). But Fonda is remarkable as Admiral Nimitz. I love the scene between him and Hal Holbrook, upon learning that the American Navy had disabled three Japanese aircraft carriers:
Holbrook: "Three enemy carriers burning! Hallelujah!"
Fonda looks contemplative, but not overly happy.
Holbrook: "Three enemy carriers burning, sir, isn't that worth at least a 'hot diggity damn?'"
Fonda: "Yeah, Joe, but there's still that fourth carrier to deal with."
Holbrook: "You know, Admiral, we've already won a great victory. Yamamoto's still got a tremendous fleet out there. Shouldn't we get our people out?"
Fonda: "You mean break off, run for home?"
Holbrook: "Yes sir, before we get hurt."
Fonda: "Well, that might be the smart play commander. Trouble is, I WANT that fourth carrier."
4. Lt. Colonel Kiley (Henry Fonda), Battle of the Bulge, 1965
It is hard to go wrong with Henry Fonda, and he delivers in this movie. He plays an officer who was a cop in civilian life. He is the one who, using his skills as a detective, figures out that the Germans are running out of fuel. There are several great actors in this movie (Robert Ryan, Robert Shaw). The higher ranking officers are not too sure what to think of this draftee, but ultimately they realize that he is right. The most compelling scene is when Fonda, badly injured from a plane crash, limps up to the fuel depot, just before the Germans get there, and yells, "Burn it! Burn it all!" By the way, that's a great line to throw into everyday conversation, in case you are so inclined.
3. Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks), Saving Private Ryan, 1998
This is where it gets dicey. The top three could go in any order. As far as overall movies are concerned I might rank the top three differently. But as far as protagonists go, I'll stick with this order. Captain Miller, played by Hanks, manages to survive D-Day, only to be sent on a mission to save a soldier whose three brothers have all been killed in action. One of the greatest movies ever made, and serves as a reminder to a younger generation of the sacrifices made by "the greatest generation." The best line of the movie? Hard to say, but two scenes come to mind. Captain Miller, grabbing Private Ryan (Matt Damon) by the shirt collar, saying, "earn this." Wow. And Private Ryan as an old man, looking at his wife, standing at the grave of Captain Miller fifty years later, asking his wife to tell him he has been a good man. I don't care what kind of tough guy you are, if you don't tear up at that scene, you're just heartless.
2. Major Richard Winters (Damian Lewis), Band of Brothers, 2001
Another true story, written by an actual historian. This is my all-time favorite war movie (it is a mini-series, actually). It follows the lives of Easy Company, of the 101st Airborne Division, as they prepare for the invasion of Europe in WWII. The stories of each character are compelling, but none more so than Major Winters, played by British actor Damian Lewis.
He starts the film as a second lieutenant, who is a major threat to his superior officer (played by David Schwimmer). By the time the invasion is in full swing, we see what a natural born leader looks like, as Winters' talent and intelligence become evident.
1. Lt. Colonel Hal Moore (Mel Gibson), We Were Soldiers, 2002
I'm not much of a fan of Vietnam war movies, but this one stands out. It is the true story of the first major battle in America's involvement in the Vietnam war, and is based on the book written by Col. Moore himself. As a history minor, I appreciate that. I love a good story, but I mostly love a good true story. This movie is loaded with remarkable acting talent, including Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliot, Chris Klein, and Madeleine Stowe, who plays Mrs. Moore. The story is told from several different angles, not just from the front lines. The war is viewed from the perspective of the American soldiers on the battlefield, but also the Vietnamese soldiers, and the wives back home.
As Col. Moore prepares to take his men into battle, he meets one his young officers, Jack Geoghegan, in the chapel, praying before he ships out. Jack is afraid that Col. Moore will think that he is weak, not realizing that Moore is a devout Catholic who is there to make prayers of his own. So together, on their knees at the altar of the chapel, Col. Moore offers this prayer:
Our Father in heaven, before we go into battle, every soldier among us will approach you each in his own way. Our enemies too, according to their own understanding, will ask for protection and for victory. And so, we bow before your infinite wisdom. We offer our prayers as best as we can. I pray that you watch over the young Jack Geoghegan, that I lead into battle. You use me as your instrument in this awful hell of war to watch over them. Especially if they're men like this one beside me, deserving of a future in your blessing and good will. Amen.
Oh yes, and one more thing, dear Lord, about our enemies. Ignore their heathen prayers and help us blow those little bastards straight to hell. Amen.
The co-author of the book was Joe Galloway, who had been a reporter for UPI during the war, and who was on the battlefield for entire battle. He serves as the narrator for the story. After the fighting is over, he approaches Col. Moore.
Moore says to him, "I'll never forgive myself."
"For what?", Galloway asks.
With his lip stuck out and tears in his eyes, Moore says, "That my men...that my men died and I didn't."
Galloway then says to Col. Moore: "Sir I don't...I don't know how to tell this story."
Moore looks him in the eye, tears welling up, and says, "Well you got to Joe. You tell the American people what these men did here. You tell them how my troopers died."
Powerful moment, portrayed brilliantly by Mel Gibson, and I'll bet you can't find a man anywhere without a lump in his throat.
So there you have it, my list of the greatest war movie heroes. What do you think? Who do you like?
It got me to thinking about the main characters in war movies. Admittedly, I haven't seen every single war movie ever made. But I've seen a lot of them, and it seems like a good idea to rank these heroes. Keep in mind that I'm not ranking the movies themselves. That might result in a different outcome. This is a list of the greatest heroes from the greatest movies.
Ladies, go on about your business. Gentlemen, let us talk of these things now.
13. Sergeant J.J. Sefton (William Holden), Stalag 17, 1953
Sgt. Sefton was the classic anti-hero in this film. Set in a German POW camp, we're led to believe early in the story that Sefton is giving information to the Nazis. His fellow prisoners despise him. In the ultimate show of cool, Holden doesn't defend himself, or try to prove that he isn't the mole. He just starts giving the real mole (played by Peter Graves) a little rope, until he has enough to hang himself. The big moment is where Holden outs Graves as a Nazi, and Holden is vindicated.
12. Captain Hilts (Steve McQueen), The Great Escape, 1963
The "kind of" true story of a group of POWs held in Germany during WWII. Steve McQueen played the stereotypical bad boy, motorcycle riding soldier.
Great movie, with more than a few heroes (including the man who spoke at my college graduation ceremony), but McQueen stole the show.
11. Major Reisman (Lee Marvin), The Dirty Dozen, 1967
A dramatization, of course, but a good story. Twelve misfit soldiers, all sentenced to death for various reasons, who are picked by Lee Marvin to complete a mission that will most likely result in their deaths anyway. Great ensemble cast, and Lee Marvin is awesome, as usual.
10. Captain Harry Clark (Treat Williams), The Eagle Has Landed, 1976
I always liked this movie about a plot to assassinate Winston Churchill during WWII. What always struck me about the story was that this Captain, out ranked but not out classed, stood up and took the mantle of leadership after his superior's lack of leadership got them killed (Larry Hagman, for example). The viewer sees it. And the German officer played by Donald Sutherland saw it too.
I saw it as a ten year old boy, watching the movie for the first time. What I didn't realize at the time was how Treat Williams stole the show from a lot of quality veteran actors. I mean, we're talking about a who's who list of award winning movie stars, like Sutherland, Robert Duvall, and Michael Caine. A great, heroic performance by an otherwise unknown actor in only his fourth role.
9. The Sergeant (Lee Marvin), The Big Red One, 1980
Lee Marvin makes the list twice, this time as a mysterious, quiet military officer who commands a group of young soldiers. We find out as the story unfolds that he is haunted by his experiences in WWI, which turn out to be very similar to his experiences in WWII. Great performances by Mark Hamill and Robert Carradine.
8. Lt. Colonel Mike Barnsby (Harrison Ford), Force 10 From Navarone, 1978
Love this movie. Other than the oddly placed Carl Weathers, it is outstanding. The scene where they blow up the dam, and take out the bridge, is a Hollywood classic. Not to mention the scene where they figure out who the spy is.
7. Major Jonathan Smith (Richard Burton), Where Eagles Dare, 1968
What kind of acting chops does it take to upstage and outclass Clint Eastwood? Richard Burton, that's who. To me, this movie would come to represent a "passing of the torch" moment in Hollywood. Burton, the classic tough-guy actor in the waning years of his career, passing the torch to Eastwood, who was making only his third film for a major domestic movie studio. Burton had all the answers in this flick, while Eastwood just stood and looked confused. The ultra-hot Mary Ure (who, it turns out, was older than my dad, and died only seven years after the making of this film) didn't fall for Eastwood, but for Burton. Remarkable. The scene where Burton outs the spy on the airplane ride home, and allows him to jump out of the plane with no parachute, shows what a studly character this was.
6. General Maximus (Russell Crowe), Gladiator, 2000
Some might argue this doesn't belong on the list, since Roman battles against barbarians do not usually come to mind when we mention war movies, but General Maximus is a true soldier, and at its heart, this is a war movie. All that matters to Maximus is that he do his job and go home to his wife and son. At least in the beginning. Later in the film, all that matters is that he exact vengeance for their deaths.
5. Admiral Chester Nimitz (Henry Fonda), Midway, 1976
This movie is a little too much like a soap opera for me (Charlton Heston is a little cheesy). But Fonda is remarkable as Admiral Nimitz. I love the scene between him and Hal Holbrook, upon learning that the American Navy had disabled three Japanese aircraft carriers:
Holbrook: "Three enemy carriers burning! Hallelujah!"
Fonda looks contemplative, but not overly happy.
Holbrook: "Three enemy carriers burning, sir, isn't that worth at least a 'hot diggity damn?'"
Fonda: "Yeah, Joe, but there's still that fourth carrier to deal with."
Holbrook: "You know, Admiral, we've already won a great victory. Yamamoto's still got a tremendous fleet out there. Shouldn't we get our people out?"
Fonda: "You mean break off, run for home?"
Holbrook: "Yes sir, before we get hurt."
Fonda: "Well, that might be the smart play commander. Trouble is, I WANT that fourth carrier."
4. Lt. Colonel Kiley (Henry Fonda), Battle of the Bulge, 1965
It is hard to go wrong with Henry Fonda, and he delivers in this movie. He plays an officer who was a cop in civilian life. He is the one who, using his skills as a detective, figures out that the Germans are running out of fuel. There are several great actors in this movie (Robert Ryan, Robert Shaw). The higher ranking officers are not too sure what to think of this draftee, but ultimately they realize that he is right. The most compelling scene is when Fonda, badly injured from a plane crash, limps up to the fuel depot, just before the Germans get there, and yells, "Burn it! Burn it all!" By the way, that's a great line to throw into everyday conversation, in case you are so inclined.
3. Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks), Saving Private Ryan, 1998
This is where it gets dicey. The top three could go in any order. As far as overall movies are concerned I might rank the top three differently. But as far as protagonists go, I'll stick with this order. Captain Miller, played by Hanks, manages to survive D-Day, only to be sent on a mission to save a soldier whose three brothers have all been killed in action. One of the greatest movies ever made, and serves as a reminder to a younger generation of the sacrifices made by "the greatest generation." The best line of the movie? Hard to say, but two scenes come to mind. Captain Miller, grabbing Private Ryan (Matt Damon) by the shirt collar, saying, "earn this." Wow. And Private Ryan as an old man, looking at his wife, standing at the grave of Captain Miller fifty years later, asking his wife to tell him he has been a good man. I don't care what kind of tough guy you are, if you don't tear up at that scene, you're just heartless.
2. Major Richard Winters (Damian Lewis), Band of Brothers, 2001
Another true story, written by an actual historian. This is my all-time favorite war movie (it is a mini-series, actually). It follows the lives of Easy Company, of the 101st Airborne Division, as they prepare for the invasion of Europe in WWII. The stories of each character are compelling, but none more so than Major Winters, played by British actor Damian Lewis.
He starts the film as a second lieutenant, who is a major threat to his superior officer (played by David Schwimmer). By the time the invasion is in full swing, we see what a natural born leader looks like, as Winters' talent and intelligence become evident.
1. Lt. Colonel Hal Moore (Mel Gibson), We Were Soldiers, 2002
I'm not much of a fan of Vietnam war movies, but this one stands out. It is the true story of the first major battle in America's involvement in the Vietnam war, and is based on the book written by Col. Moore himself. As a history minor, I appreciate that. I love a good story, but I mostly love a good true story. This movie is loaded with remarkable acting talent, including Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliot, Chris Klein, and Madeleine Stowe, who plays Mrs. Moore. The story is told from several different angles, not just from the front lines. The war is viewed from the perspective of the American soldiers on the battlefield, but also the Vietnamese soldiers, and the wives back home.
As Col. Moore prepares to take his men into battle, he meets one his young officers, Jack Geoghegan, in the chapel, praying before he ships out. Jack is afraid that Col. Moore will think that he is weak, not realizing that Moore is a devout Catholic who is there to make prayers of his own. So together, on their knees at the altar of the chapel, Col. Moore offers this prayer:
Our Father in heaven, before we go into battle, every soldier among us will approach you each in his own way. Our enemies too, according to their own understanding, will ask for protection and for victory. And so, we bow before your infinite wisdom. We offer our prayers as best as we can. I pray that you watch over the young Jack Geoghegan, that I lead into battle. You use me as your instrument in this awful hell of war to watch over them. Especially if they're men like this one beside me, deserving of a future in your blessing and good will. Amen.
Oh yes, and one more thing, dear Lord, about our enemies. Ignore their heathen prayers and help us blow those little bastards straight to hell. Amen.
The co-author of the book was Joe Galloway, who had been a reporter for UPI during the war, and who was on the battlefield for entire battle. He serves as the narrator for the story. After the fighting is over, he approaches Col. Moore.
Moore says to him, "I'll never forgive myself."
"For what?", Galloway asks.
With his lip stuck out and tears in his eyes, Moore says, "That my men...that my men died and I didn't."
Galloway then says to Col. Moore: "Sir I don't...I don't know how to tell this story."
Moore looks him in the eye, tears welling up, and says, "Well you got to Joe. You tell the American people what these men did here. You tell them how my troopers died."
Powerful moment, portrayed brilliantly by Mel Gibson, and I'll bet you can't find a man anywhere without a lump in his throat.
So there you have it, my list of the greatest war movie heroes. What do you think? Who do you like?
Good list, but you can't leaveout James Whitmore as Sgt Kinnie in "Battleground"... Short of "Band of Brothers", the best Battle of the Bulge film made.
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I like your list. Two of your top ten are based on novels by the greatest author of wartime/spy/mystery novels ever written. That would be Alistair MacLean, who in addition to Force 10 from Navarone and Where Eagles Dare also authored Ice Station Zebra (not a bad movie itself), The Guns of Navarone (a bit cheesy), and an outstanding book that wasn't adapted to the big screen, H.M.S. Ulysses.
You also missed one of my old favorites from many moons ago--"None but the Brave." It had a pretty good cast as well and a compelling storyline.
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What about "All Quiet on the Western Front"? That's one of my favorites. It puts WWI on the list (as far as I can tell, not having seen a few, but which are now on my list).
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I read the book when I was in the sixth grade. It was a big bite to chew for an eleven year old. I never really understood WWI, until college, when I read the history behind our involvement in it. I didn't see the movie until later on in my life. You're right, it puts "the big one" on the list.
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Jason
Where do you come up with these ideas? Great article!
My personal favorite was George C. Scott as Patton. Another favorite of mine, even though it has been the butt of some jokes was Sylvester Stallone in the first Rambo. His speech at the end was moving in my opinion. Unfortunately Stallone took a good character and ruined it with cheesy follow-up movies. It may not be considered a war movie in the technical sense, but I believe it showed how many veterans were still fighting the war after they returned home.
I agree with your number one pick. My dad told me that Gibson's movie was the first that told the story of Vietnam that he remembered.
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You know, Robin, a lot of people have mentioned Patton, and looking back, it should certainly be on the list. It was by far George C. Scott's best role, and showed Patton in a way that history had not, up to then. I loved the scene where he kneels down by the solider. I loved how he used/treated the press. And I loved his reaction to the chaplain's prayer. "This man's got a direct line to the almighty." I still quote the line, as he was looking over the battlefield, "God help me, I do love it so. I love it more than my life." Sad, but a good quote.
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That's a fine list. Dick Winters is(was) truly a fine combat leader from all accounts. The choice of LGEN Hal Moore is also spot on. I have been privileged to see him speak twice, and he said that he was on the set of that movie the entire time, and that it was about 85% accurate, which is, in his estimate, about 70% higher than most other Hollywood war movies.
One character I always found compelling was John Wayne's role as Rock Torrey in the movie In Harm's Way. It's about the Navy in the Pacific in WWII, and Wayne puts in one of his best performances in this movie, portraying a character a bit different than most of his other roles.
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