Fifty Great War Films offers expert analysis of fifty of the definitive war films from the last century. From The Battle of the Somme (1916) through to American Sniper (2014), war and conflict has been a staple source of inspiration for the film industry since the turn of the 20th century. Today, this genre and its continued popularity, which has covered some of the most important conflicts in recent history, has become a means of educating the young and remembering the fallen. They are the war memorials of a modern society. This study, which includes classics such as Sergeant York (1941) and The Great Escape (1963), and modern Hollywood epics such as Black Hawk Down (2001) and The Hurt Locker (2008), details fifty of the greatest war films of the last hundred years. Expert analysis detailing the varying influences behind each film is accompanied by a host of images and original movie posters, offering the reader rare and invaluable insight into some of the greatest cinematic productions ever made.

Fifty Great War Films offers expert analysis of fifty of the definitive war films from the last century. From The Battle of the Somme (1916) through to American Sniper (2014), war and conflict has been a staple source of inspiration for the film industry since the turn of the 20th century. Today, this genre and its continued popularity, which has covered some of the most important conflicts in recent history, has become a means of educating the young and remembering the fallen. They are the war memorials of a modern society. This study, which includes classics such as Sergeant York (1941) and The Great Escape (1963), and modern Hollywood epics such as Black Hawk Down (2001) and The Hurt Locker (2008), details fifty of the greatest war films of the last hundred years. Expert analysis detailing the varying influences behind each film is accompanied by a host of images and original movie posters, offering the reader rare and invaluable insight into some of the greatest cinematic productions ever made.

This book serves as a fascinating guide to 100 war films from 1930 to the present. Readers interested in war movies will learn surprising anecdotes about these films and will have all their questions about the films' historical accuracy answered. This cinematic guide to war movies spans 800 years in its analysis of films from those set in the 13th century Scottish Wars of Independence (Braveheart) to those taking place during the 21st-century war in Afghanistan (Lone Survivor). World War II has produced the largest number of war movies and continues to spawn recently released films such as Dunkirk. This book explores those, but also examines films set during such conflicts as the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, World War I, the Vietnam War, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The book is organized alphabetically by film title, making it easy to navigate. Each entry is divided into five sections: Background (a brief discussion of the film's genesis and financing); Production (information about how, where, and when the film was shot); Synopsis (a detailed plot summary); Reception (how the film did in terms of box office, awards, and reviews) and "Reel History vs. Real History" (a brief analysis of the film's historical accuracy). This book is ideal for readers looking to get a vivid behind-the-scenes look at the greatest war movies ever made.

This book serves as a fascinating guide to 100 war films from 1930 to the present. Readers interested in war movies will learn surprising anecdotes about these films and will have all their questions about the films' historical accuracy answered. This cinematic guide to war movies spans 800 years in its analysis of films from those set in the 13th century Scottish Wars of Independence (Braveheart) to those taking place during the 21st-century war in Afghanistan (Lone Survivor). World War II has produced the largest number of war movies and continues to spawn recently released films such as Dunkirk. This book explores those, but also examines films set during such conflicts as the Napoleonic Wars, the American Civil War, World War I, the Vietnam War, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The book is organized alphabetically by film title, making it easy to navigate. Each entry is divided into five sections: Background (a brief discussion of the film's genesis and financing); Production (information about how, where, and when the film was shot); Synopsis (a detailed plot summary); Reception (how the film did in terms of box office, awards, and reviews) and "Reel History vs. Real History" (a brief analysis of the film's historical accuracy). This book is ideal for readers looking to get a vivid behind-the-scenes look at the greatest war movies ever made.

An excellent contribution to the growing studies on American films and to the war film genre in particular. The author defines war movies as those in which combat or its influence are central, although "military movies" in which military men are portrayed in training or preserving peace are also considered. Within these definitions, Suid selects several dozen films from The Big Parade (1925) to Apocalypse Now and uses them to develop his main themes: the image of the military presented to mass audiences and the related question of the military's assistance to film makers. The relationship between Washington and Hollywood that emerges will be a disappointment for anyone seeking confirmation of conspiracy. The Pentagon is always looking for positive portrayals of the services, and the military's chief concern has been for accuracy in detail and procedure with increasing sensitivity to any costs to taxpayers. The author concludes that as long as movies can portray individual bravery, perseverance, or the excitement of challenging death in personal combat, "they will maintain their special place in American homes and theaters."

An excellent contribution to the growing studies on American films and to the war film genre in particular. The author defines war movies as those in which combat or its influence are central, although "military movies" in which military men are portrayed in training or preserving peace are also considered. Within these definitions, Suid selects several dozen films from The Big Parade (1925) to Apocalypse Now and uses them to develop his main themes: the image of the military presented to mass audiences and the related question of the military's assistance to film makers. The relationship between Washington and Hollywood that emerges will be a disappointment for anyone seeking confirmation of conspiracy. The Pentagon is always looking for positive portrayals of the services, and the military's chief concern has been for accuracy in detail and procedure with increasing sensitivity to any costs to taxpayers. The author concludes that as long as movies can portray individual bravery, perseverance, or the excitement of challenging death in personal combat, "they will maintain their special place in American homes and theaters."