One of the enduring topics of both art and the human condition is the ever-present spectre of conflict and warfare. Filmmakers have naturally gravitated to the subject for as long as movies have been made... In part, this is because of the dramatic nature of war -- it grips the imagination and captures the audience -- and because of the unique ability of cinema to show us something close to reality, visceral visions packed with the sights, sounds, emotional impact and sheer terror of organized, widespread violence. This webpage is an attempt to sort through some of the classics of the genre and several forgotten gems that may help shed some light on the subject. For now, I'm organizing this section chronologically, that is, in relation to the specific conflicts in question. My goal is not to review every dumb war film ever made, just those I think are of particular interest. (By the way, your recommendations are welcome...)

• NOTE: Other film reviews, including a few artist profiles and my monthly review columns are available at my Film Review Index

• If you're interested in the topic of war, you might also enjoy checking out my survey of war-related propaganda and protest music.

"The Green Berets" (1968)

"Go Tell The Spartans" (1978)

"The Deer Hunter" (Universal, 1978)

"Apocalypse Now" (1979)

"Apocalypse Now Redux" (1979)

"Full Metal Jacket" (1987)
Matthew Modine

"Platoon" (1986)

"Good Morning Vietnam" (1987)

"Born On The Fourth Of July" (1989)

• Spanish-American war films are the subject of this interesting Library of Congress webpage...

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