Swamp of Boredom

It's typical Memorial Day weekend in the US - ceremonies to honor the soldiers that gave their life in battle are being held across the country, the Indianapolis 500 is being run, people are planning barbecues and spending time with their family and Turner Classic Movies is running a 72 hour war movie marathon.

I resisted being sucked in until They Were Expendable screened last night. After a quick break to make dinner, I was right back on my bed watching Battleground. I could have watched war movies all night and it made me realize that there's nothing better than a really good war movie. Except maybe a really good western.

What is a good war movie to me? First and foremost, it can't be full of obvious propaganda and jingoism. Those stirring speeches at the end of war movies proclaiming how just our cause is make me want to hurl. If a movie has to have a stirring speech at the end, it must not have done a good job of telling the story because all of that would be implied. Although, soldiers don't fight for a cause; they fight for the man standing next to them, but that's another post.

I decided late last night when I couldn't sleep that, to honor my father who served in the Navy in World War II and was one of the most patriotic men I've ever known, I'd highlight my favorite war movies on my blog. I'm going to break the list in two; today's list will focus on movies that aren't typical war movies, although a war plays a significant role in the story. Movies are by year of release since there's no way I can pick a favorite.

J' Accuse (1919)

[J'Accuse] "was intended to show that if war did not serve some purpose, then it was a terrible waste. If it had to be waged, then a man's death must achieve something." ~ Abel Gance, director

Using actual footage from one of the most significant battles in World War I and French soldiers on leave* for the climactic "walk of death" Abel Gance created one of the most visceral anti-war movies in the history of cinema.

It's a silent movie but don't let that scare you away. This film will move you like no other and, not matter what your ideology, you'll go away wondering what the point of war is.

*Most of these soldiers would be killed in the war in the following weeks.

The General (1927)


In this day of stunt men and safety harnesses and wires that are edited out in post-production, it's fascinating to watch a Buster Keaton movie. While you're watching this silent, consider that there was no safety net and Buster Keaton did his own stunts. His athleticism is amazing.


Wings (1927)

The first Best Picture Oscar winner is a love triangle drama set against the backdrop of war. Look for Gary Cooper in a small role. Notable for it's flying sequences, especially when you consider it was made in 1927. Silent.


Gone With the Wind (1939)

You probably don't think of Gone With the Wind as a war movie but as a drama/romance. I think it's all three, which is why it's on this list.

The Great Dictator (1940)


A movie mocking Hitler released during World War II. Do I really need to say anything else to get you to watch this movie? Okay, I will anyway. Chaplin is a genius. He wrote, produced, directed, starred in and scored the music for every movie of his I've ever seen. I'll pause for a moment to let that sink in...

Plus, he had his own movie studio. His personal life was a mess, to be sure, but he was a genius. Whenever I think of today's directors, I think of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin and decide their talent would fit on the tip of Keaton's and Chaplin's pinkie with room to spare.

Cry Havoc (1944)


Female civilians from Singapore are roped into volunteering to help out at a field hospital in Bataan. An all female cast highlights the sacrifices and hardships that women in the war had to endure. I've always felt like the end of the movie was really the beginning of their story, as if all we had seen was the prologue to their struggle that was just beginning.

Lifeboat (1944)

Surviving passengers from a downed ocean liner share a lifeboat with the captain of the U-boat that torpedoed them. Interesting for the fact that the entire movie takes place on a lifeboat but the movie never feels confined. Look for Hitchcock's most creative cameo as the before and after picture for a weight loss ad in a magazine.

The Best Years of our Lives (1946)


One of my favorite movies of all time. This movie deals with the plight of the returning soldier and what it says about the difficult adjustment awaiting them still applies today. What I like best is that it doesn't wrap everything up in a nice little bow at the end. You know that these people will struggle, whether it's with making ends meet, alcohol abuse or the struggle of living life with a disability. Wonderfully acted. Don't let the three hour run time put you off. It will fly by.


Paths of Glory (1957)


It seems like World War I is the go to movie for anit-war films. Paths of Glory, Stanley Kubrick's second movie, concerns three soldiers accused of cowardice and the fight their commanding officer's fight to save their life. Considered anti-military by many. The French hated it because of the portrayal of a French officer. This movie will stay with you for a while.

This list will give you a good idea of the type of music I'll be talking about on this blog. I'm an indie, alternative, punk, retro, Brit pop kind of gal. Plus, Johnny Cash.

Forty Songs

Rain in the Summertime - The Alarm
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) - The Arcade Fire
Black Mirror - The Arcade Fire
Passacaglia - Bear McCreary
Rain - Bishop Allen
Bells - Black Tie Dynasty
Banquet - Bloc Party
Coffee + TV - Blur
Parklife - Blur
Carrion - British Sea Power
Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols
O Valencia! - The Decemberists
The Killing Moon - Echo & The Bunnymen
40' - Franz Ferdinand
Dirty Harry - Gorillaz
Whatsername - Green Day
Useless Inventions - Guided By Voices
Kiss ya Lips - Ian Brown
Laid - James
San Quentin - Johnny Cash
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
Molly's Chambers - Kings of Leon
Holy Roller Novocaine - Kings Of Leon
Daft Punk Is Playing At My House - LCD Soundsystem
Welcome To The North - The Music
Battleflag (Album) - Pigeonhed
Down to the Well - The Pixies
Come Together - Primal Scream
Common People - Pulp
Panic - The Smiths
Wow - Snow Patrol
The Lightning Strike - Snow Patrol
The Underdog - Spoon
She Bangs The Drums - The Stone Roses
Barely Legal - The Strokes
Promentory - Trevor Jones
Sunshinin - The Vines
Add It Up - Violent Femmes
C'mom, C'mon - The Von Bondies
Jarvis Cocker - Washington Social Club