00:00 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most authentic portrayals
00:06 of military life and soldiers' experiences on film.
00:10 "It's a trap.
00:11 But you know, there's a medal in it for sure.
00:16 Nothing like a scrap of ribbon to cheer up a widow."
00:21 Number 10 - Hacksaw Ridge
00:23 Mel Gibson's biopic about Desmond Doss seems so outrageous that it can't be true.
00:28 However, viewers should know that it's much closer to fact than fiction.
00:32 "Murder, it's the worst sin of all.
00:35 To take another man's life, that is the most egregious sin in the Lord's sight.
00:41 Nothing hurts his heart so much."
00:43 From basic training to the battlefield, Hacksaw Ridge takes audiences on a journey through
00:47 Doss' experiences.
00:49 His refusal to hold a gun put him at odds with his own unit, prompting serious action
00:53 from his superiors and fellow soldiers.
00:55 "While everybody else is taking life, I'm gonna be saving it.
01:02 With the world so set on tearing itself apart."
01:05 This kind of treatment is accurate for Doss' life and for many other recruits who had a
01:09 hard time acclimating to the military.
01:11 Once in the Pacific, the Medal of Honor recipient showed extraordinary bravery while saving
01:16 numerous people during authentic battle sequences.
01:19 His heroic actions are a cornerstone of the movie, showcasing the unprecedented sacrifices
01:24 made during World War II.
01:29 9.
01:30 Jarhead Other war films try to capture the fury of
01:33 the battlefield, but Jarhead is not your average military plot.
01:41 It instead tries to paint a picture of the psychological turmoil that soldiers go through.
01:45 Set during the Gulf War, the project showcases the lives of Marines who don't have much to
01:50 do.
01:51 There's too excessive boredom and even mental instability among the servicemen.
01:57 Seeking to show the unspoken part of warfare, the movie explores the quieter and more complex
02:02 moments of Marine life.
02:03 Anthony Swofford's book provides a template for a realistic experience, with the former
02:08 veteran himself approving of the adaptation.
02:13 8.
02:16 Master and Commander - The Far Side of the World
02:18 While it isn't always listed among other war films, Master and Commander deserves mention
02:22 for its period details.
02:24 Set during the early 19th century, the bulk of the adventure takes place on a British
02:29 ship.
02:36 The movie goes to great lengths to ensure everything looks and functions as accurately
02:40 as possible.
02:41 Director Peter Weir populates the naval vessel with believable costumes and weaponry, not
02:46 to mention a crew of densely layered shipmates.
02:52 Their loyalty and insubordination provide the plot with a rich interior that delves
02:56 into the hardships of naval service.
02:58 There's also the worry about mutiny, combat, and even wounds that require realistic surgery.
03:04 Even though it's based on a novel, the project captures many nuances of the time.
03:17 7.
03:19 Full Metal Jacket - Whether or not it's accurate all the way through, Full Metal Jacket
03:23 has arguably the most famous depiction of basic training on film.
03:27 The first section of the movie takes place at Paris Island as Marines endure the wrath
03:31 of a drill instructor.
03:33 Charlie Ermey plays the role with absolute precision, drawing from his own experiences
03:37 in real life.
03:45 Inspired by Ermey's improvisations, director Stanley Kubrick worked these actual insults
03:50 into the script.
03:51 This makes the training sequences all the more visceral, making viewers come to understand
03:55 the mental and physical tests that recruits endure.
03:58 While the second part of the film might be less authentic, the beginning attempts to
04:04 recreate the experience of entering the Marine Corps.
04:10 6.
04:11 Stalingrad - Taking on the German perspective at the strategic World War II battle, Stalingrad
04:20 makes an effort to show some of the more brutal elements of warfare.
04:23 It's a disturbing look at the Eastern Front, showing the desperation of the conflict and
04:28 the struggle to maintain sanity.
04:30 This includes dealing with sub-zero temperatures and the harsh conditions of Russian winter.
04:34 Not only must the soldiers fight the elements, but they also deal with dwindling supplies,
04:39 the lack of morale, and the concept of cowardice.
04:47 The actors were inspired by letters written by the soldiers of the time, reading that
04:51 participants were either blindly loyal to their cause or hopeless in their situation.
04:56 With that in mind, the cast plays the characters as imperfect people trying to stay alive.
05:05 5.
05:09 Das Boot - Many films try to recreate the claustrophobia of submarine warfare, but few
05:14 do it as well as Das Boat.
05:22 Critics and historians often call the movie the ultimate submarine movie for a reason.
05:26 It's based on the novel of the same name, which itself stems from the real experiences
05:30 on a German U-Boat during World War II.
05:40 This includes accurate depictions of naval drills, operations, and general routines of
05:44 the crew.
05:45 Cameras even capture long takes through the vehicle, showing the close-quarters nature
05:48 of life underwater.
06:03 The movie also takes a controversial look into the tensions between officers, government
06:07 officials, and ordinary seamen.
06:10 4.
06:11 1917 - In a one-of-a-kind experience, 1917 captures World War I through some immersive
06:17 filmmaking.
06:18 Director Sam Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins devised a way to make the entire movie
06:23 look like one unbroken take.
06:25 This gives every scene a more engaging feel.
06:28 Loosely based on a story from Mendes' grandfather, a two-man messenger team is sent to call off
06:32 an impending attack.
06:44 The journey through no-man's land, booby-trapped fortifications, and rat-infested trenches
06:49 make ample use of exceptional production design.
06:52 There is an attention to detail here in creating a first-person perspective of the sometimes
06:56 chaotic and seemingly hopeless nature of the Great War.
07:04 It also showcases the conflicted nature of modern warfare, putting characters in dangerous
07:09 situations that they must physically and mentally overcome.
07:18 3.
07:22 Glory - Set during the American Civil War, Glory details the story of the 54th Massachusetts
07:28 Infantry Regiment.
07:29 It's both an important tribute to the lives lost in that conflict and the black soldiers
07:33 who played a key part in it.
07:35 Based partly on the writings of Regiment Leader Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the movie
07:38 takes a hard look at the 19th century conditions and racism of the era.
07:47 This also includes the groundbreaking efforts to prepare these forces for battle.
07:57 While most of the infantry characters aren't real, the presence of Shaw gives this story
08:01 authenticity in terms of being a commanding officer during the time.
08:10 The performances of Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick help to sell the emotional
08:15 climax and the sacrifices of the real 54th.
08:19 2.
08:20 Platoon - Showing the harsh realities of Vietnam, Platoon won several Oscars for its unflinching
08:25 examination of the conflict.
08:30 The film follows an army grunt named Chris Taylor as he struggles to adjust to military
08:34 routine.
08:35 Drawing from his own personal experience, director Oliver Stone brings viewers along
08:39 as he details the day-to-day worries of patrolling the jungle.
08:49 Stone collaborated with fellow veteran Dale Dye to train the actors.
08:52 In a then-revolutionary concept, the main cast was forced to live in the jungle, go
08:57 on watch, and do real drills.
08:59 This helps to create a lived-in quality to their acting that embraces the fear, violence,
09:03 and uncertainty of it all.
09:05 The filmmakers' insistence on a more grounded exploration of the war helped make it a classic.
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09:33 Number 1.
09:34 Saving Private Ryan
09:35 Directed by Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan is one of the most famous World War II
09:40 films of its kind.
09:42 The opening sequence depicts the landing on Omaha Beach and takes great pains to show
09:46 the harrowing nature of combat.
09:48 While it might be commended for its battle scenes, the movie also attempts to showcase
09:52 the gritty and unglamorous actions of American soldiers during the Allied invasion.
10:00 Many veterans who saw the film felt that it was so effective, it even caused some to experience
10:04 symptoms of PTSD.
10:06 With added research from the filmmakers, the script attempts to showcase the importance
10:10 of camaraderie within a squad.
10:12 The production also put the actors through boot camp in order to bring a more authentic
10:15 performance to the screen.
10:21 Did we forget a movie that shows the reality of the military?
10:24 Let us know in the comments below!
10:39 [music]
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