Editor's note: Military Movie Madness, our 64 film bracket-style competition to determine the greatest military movie ever made, ends today. Vote at militarytimes.com/milmovies. Meanwhile, since launching the competition in March, many readers have shared films we overlooked. A sampling:
Although technically not a "two-hour movie," two of the best miniseries are "Band of Brothers," about the 101st Airborne Division in World War II, and "The Pacific" about the Marines in the Pacific during WWII.
No one lists them in the "movie" category, but they are two of the best, with great lessons to learn for our young leaders.
"Rough Riders" is another great true story military movie showing the Spanish-American War in 1898 with Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders.
"The Lost Battalion," with Rick Schroder. This true story takes place in WWI in the Argonne Forest, which resulted in three of the unit's soldiers earning the Medal of Honor, and helped to break the backs of the German military on the western front.
Army First Sgt. Kenton J. Falerios (ret.)
Amarillo, Texas
I'm surprised that "Paths of Glory," one of Stanley Kubrick's first efforts, wasn't considered.
It had a lot to do with the politics of war and starred George Macready, Kirk Douglas, Wayne Morris, Adolphe Menjou. Maybe next time!
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Thomas Gray (ret.)
Arlington Heights, Ill.
The following films have been grossly overlooked:
"From Here to Eternity": Hall-of-fame cast as well as the script. A classic.
"They were Expendable": Great naval action, acting and drama. Also a classic.
"The Train": Burt Lancaster at his best, again.
"Is Paris Burning?": Excellent WWII drama. French resistance.
"Battle Cry": Drama and history of early Marine Corps Pacific training.
"Tunes of Glory": Alec Guinness. Outstanding acting.
"Under Siege": Naval drama and action.
"Red Dawn" (the original): Great action. Could happen tomorrow.
"The Enemy Below": Great young actor. Suspense/drama.
"The Thin Red Line": Another action film.
"Run Silent, Run Deep": Naval action/drama, again. Two great actors (Clark Gable, Burt Lancaster).
Former Marine Corps Sgt. Carl Bernardo
Wayland, Mass.
I was an instructor at the Army Intermediate Level Education school and used movies to teach military lessons. Below are movies I used that you did not have on your list. Each one has a key lesson to make our future military leaders better:
"Lost Battalion," "Zulu," "Restrepo," "Enemy at the Gate," and "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon."
Army Lt. Col. Glenn Phillips
Plymouth, Mich.
Thanks for offering to let me submit a list of movies that should have been listed in the brackets. Here are my top 10 snubs:
1. "Dances with Wolves." Life out West on the plains is brought into perspective from the Indians' point-of-view. Actors had to learn the Indian language, and it makes you feel like you're inside the teepee during some heated discussions with the Chief.
2. "Fail Safe." An older movie, but it makes the possibility of an accidental nuclear war seem real; especially the sequences inside the cockpit of a B-52.
3. "An Officer and a Gentleman." Louis Gossett Jr. was spot-on in the role of the wise, professional and impeccably dressed USMC drill instructor.
4. "The Bridge at Remagen." One of the best movies for nailing the grit and realism of combat, right down to the bullets in the machine gun belt.
5. "Cinderella Liberty." James Caan and Eli Wallach give memorable performances as two sailors; one who has orders to ship out, but would rather get out of the Navy, while the other is being forced out and would rather stay in the Navy. In one scene, the sailor being discharged is asked if he's going home. In reply, he looks toward the docks and says, "Home? This is home."
6. "The Last Detail." Jack Nicholson made this a mesmerizing road-trip movie about two sailors escorting a Navy prisoner on his way to the brig.
7. "From Here to Eternity." Barracks life on an Army post in Hawaii is depicted with all its peaceful tranquility, including a trail-blazing scene on the beach. Burt Lancaster, as the first sergeant, runs an efficient company and maintains the upper hand. Everything changes on Dec. 7, 1941, and the panic of the surprise attack is underlined as a supply sergeant refuses to open up the arms room until someone signs for the keys.
8. "The D.I." Jack Webb, as a no-nonsense drill instructor, made USMC boot camp a scary place.
9. "A Soldier in the Rain." Another older, black-and-white movie, but it gives a realistic portrayal of barracks life in between the wars.
10. "Stalingrad." Gritty portrayal of WWII combat during the winter with bone-chilling realism. In one harrowing and historically accurate sequence, Russian infantrymen assault the German lines, while Russian machine gunners lay in wait behind them; ready to shoot down any of their fellow country men who decide to turn back.
Army Col. Richard Edwards (ret.)
Eugene, Ore.
