#Middlebury #Movies
The last Monday in May might mark the unofficial beginning of summer, but Memorial Day is not about barbecues or furniture sales; it’s a very special day set aside to honor those truest of Americans who gave their lives in wartime service. Its roots are in Decoration Day, a time when people would set aside their day-to-day lives, visit cemeteries and decorate the gravesites of soldiers and seamen who died in the Civil War. After the tragic losses of World War I, and the conflicts that followed, Decoration Day slowly evolved to Memorial Day, cemented as a national holiday in 1971 by an act of Congress. Here are eight movies that honor the bravery and sacrifice of our fallen military heroes.
“Glory” – Matthew Broderick stars alongside Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington in this Civil War story of the first all-African-American regiment, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Under the command of Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Broderick), the unit is formed, trained and fights for equality, both in the broader context of the Civil War and within the Union Army itself.
“1917” (R) – A riveting first-person war story by celebrated director Sam Mendes, “1917” centers around two British lance corporals who are sent across enemy territory to stop a division of British soldiers from advancing into a German ambush.
“The Longest Day” (1962) – With a legendary cast – John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, Rod Steiger and more – the story of the Allied landing at Normandy Beach plays out, from early reports of bad weather to the tremendous loss of life and eventually the tide-turning influence of the largest seaborne invasion in history.
“Flags of Our Fathers” – From director Clint Eastwood, an iconic moment – the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima – is reflected on in flashback by three servicemen involved.
Tom Hanks in “Saving Private Ryan” (DreamWorks/Paramount photo)
“Saving Private Ryan” – From the opening sequence on Omaha Beach, to the sniper fire faced at every turn, Capt. Miller (Tom Hanks) leads a squad across France through questionable territory looking for the last survivor of four brothers to bring him home. The first 24 minutes are gut-wrenching and visceral.
“Apocalypse Now” – A Special Forces colonel gone mad (Marlon Brando), a burned-out captain brought in to seek out and reckon with him (Martin Sheen), a squadron commander who uses napalm to clear the way for surfing, this dark tale by Francis Coppola is on most major top-film lists.
“Platoon” – Written and directed by Oliver Stone – a Vietnam veteran himself – this film follows a volunteer soldier (Charlie Sheen) as he moves through his experience of combat and the jading of his idealism.
“American Sniper” – A biographical drama centered around the life of Chris Kyle, whose service in the Iraq War led to him being the deadliest marksman in U.S. military history.
© 2021 King Features Synd., Inc.
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