Veteran’s Day is not just a day off from school or work, Veteran’s Day is a day set aside to honor the brave men and women who have risked and given their lives to protect Americans and our way of life. Take a couple hours out of your day to watch a movie that reminds us all just why we celebrate our veterans on Veteran’s Day.
Veteran’s Day Movie: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) Drama
A British officer shows grit and determination by defying the orders of his Japanese prison camp commander. In an effort to show British superiority and to boost the morale of the men in his command by giving them something to do, he later agrees to build a bridge for the Japanese railway. Unknown to him, the bridge is an Allied target scheduled to be destroyed upon its completion as a train carrying Japanese soldier and officials makes the first crossing. Will he stand by and let the monument he has built be destroyed or will he come the aid of his countrymen and help destroy the bridge?
Veteran’s Day Movie: Patton (1970) Drama
One of the most decorated and an ingenious commander of WWII, Patton demonstrates his skills from North Africa to Italy to France and then Germany. His reputation wins him many supporters but his big mouth gets him in trouble time and again.
Veteran’s Day Movie: Von Ryan’s Express (1965) Drama
Ryan is a US Colonel, shot down over Italy and installed and the new ranking officer in the prison camp. Most of his charges are British and have been digging tunnels for a planned escape. Exposing the tunnels in exchange for supplies, Ryan is distrusted, even hated by most of the men. When the war ends, he leads the men out of the camp on an arduous day and night march, only to fund they are surrounded by Germans. Captured, they are forced onto a train> their only hope for freedom is to seize the train.
Veteran’s Day Movie: Bataan (1943) Drama
A group of soldiers, each separated from his own unit, form a new unit and are ordered to hold their position at a bridge crossing to give the retreating American troops time to move from Manila to Bataan. The team decides to blow the bridge and wait the enemy to arrive. Advancing Japanese soldiers in their conquest to capture the Philippines do arrive and set about trying to rebuild the bridge by night. Battling not only the enemy but malaria, lack of food and water and no medicine, the group realizes that they were left behind…expendable.
Veteran’s Day Movie: Victory (1981) Drama
German officers discover that the POWs in their charge include a number of talented soccer players. After some cajoling and bartering, the Germans convince the prisoners to play the German national team in a propaganda match. The prisoners accept as a ploy to cover an escape attempt.
Veteran’s Day Movie: PT109 (19603) Drama
John F. Kennedy’s time in the Navy is chronicled in this film. He captained the PT109 which was ultimately sunk. He and his crew had to reach an island and figure out how to survive there until they could be rescued.
Veteran’s Day Movie: Operation Petticoat (1959) Comedy
A newly commissioned submarine is badly damaged. A captain, desperate to for a commission of his own, volunteers to retrieve the ship, get it to port for repairs and then command it. Along the way they discover five stranded Army nurses who they are obliged to take on board. During repairs, they discover the only way to have enough primer paint for the ship is to mix white and red. They come under attack before repairs are completed and are forced to flee in their pink submarine carrying the five women.
Veteran’s Day Movie: Mister Roberts (1955) Comedy Drama
Mr. Roberts is stuck on a cargo ship delivering supplies to the “Real” ships, the ones seeing action in the war. He longs to be on one of those ships and to see action. The problem is his commanding officer refuses to sign his transfer requests. He and the captain lock horns at every turn until finally one of them can take it no more. An all-star cast makes this a great one to catch.
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Veteran’s Day Movie: Pearl Harbor (2001) Drama-Romance
Two childhood buddies find themselves on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The tale follows their lives and loves as the war envelopes them bringing tragedy and heroism to each. Great special effects and a musical score you won’t forget make this a memorable film.
Veteran’s Day Movie: Saving Private Ryan (1998) Drama
Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster hit that changed the way we look at war movies. Explicit visuals of the grim realities of war, this movie opens with a compelling look at the invasion of the beach at Normandy on D-Day. Next we learn that four out of five brothers have been killed in battle and the State Department wants the fifth brother, Private Ryan, removed from harm’s way. The problem is no one is sure exactly where he is. Captain Miller leads a hand-picked squad of Rangers into the field to find Private Ryan. As the squad faces death numerous times along the way, each must answer for himself whether the life of one man is worth the price they are paying.
War is grim part of our history and those who have paid the ultimate price to sustain our freedom should never be forgotten. While one or two are told from a humorous perspective, many of these films pay tribute to those who have served our country. Remember the veterans on Veteran’s Day.
