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Someone just had a birthday! Yes, America, that’s who. And while she ain’t perfect, she’s worth celebrating and fighting for – and even dying for. Movies have always been a lens through which we examine our own values. Here are some of the patriotic movies worth a second look this month, from the Revolutionary War and Civil War to the Cold War and the Gender War – and a couple of American gems to round it out. Happy viewing, my fellow Americans!
“The Patriot” (2000) – Mel Gibson and director Roland Emmerich made a blockbuster out of the Revolutionary War, with Gibson playing a widowed father of seven who is drawn into the militia to fight against the Redcoats led by a particularly nasty Dragoon (played by expert villain Jason Isaacs).
“Glory” (1989) – The story of the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an all-Black unit that fought for the Union in the Civil War, even as its soldiers were subject to overwhelming racism and demeaning treatment.
“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939) – In Frank Capra’s classic Washington, D.C., tale, Jimmy Stewart plays Jefferson Smith, a local hero brimming with idealism who’s appointed to serve out the term of a deceased senator. Washington’s greed and cynicism almost break him down – but he comes roaring back with zeal in a glorious filibuster that will renew your faith in government service.
“Saving Private Ryan” (1998) – From the opening sequence taking Omaha Beach, to the sniper fire faced at every turn, Capt. Miller (Tom Hanks) leads a squad of soldiers across France through questionable territory looking for the last of four brothers to bring him home alive. The first 24 minutes are gut-wrenching and visceral.
Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky IV” (MGM photo)
“Rocky IV” (1985) – Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) always was a shining example of American values: hard work, loyalty, heart. But “Rocky IV” pits the Italian Stallion against one Ivan Drago, a Soviet supervillain and hard-driven machine of a boxer. But with those red, white and blue trunks, our boy is up to the task.
“G.I. Jane” (1997) – In a story from real life, Demi Moore stars as military pioneer Jane Parkhurst, the first woman to undergo training at the U.S. Navy Special Warfare Group. Tough as nails and with an iron will, Jane faces discrimination and harassment as she earns the respect of her peers.
“National Treasure” (2004) – An unimaginable treasure is tended by illuminati and hidden by the Founding Fathers, locatable only through an intricate and elaborate system of maps and clues, some hidden on and in the very fabric of our nation. Nicolas Cage plays Benjamin Franklin Gates, a third-generation treasure hunter who is all-in on finding it.
“Independence Day” (1996) – An egotistical pilot (Will Smith) and a tree-hugging genius (Jeff Goldblum) join forces with an all-American president (Bill Pullman) and a drunkard crop duster (Randy Quaid) to save the planet from an alien invasion on the Fourth of July. Pure American gold.
© 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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