10 Best War Movies of the 1980s

The 1980s witnessed the debut of some of the most celebrated and influential war movies of all time. Following in the footsteps of acclaimed productions of the 1970s such as Apocalypse now, Circle of ironAnd The Deer HunterThe decade played host to several standout entries, moving viewers with their authentic depictions of war, explorations of the intricate social impact of armed conflict, and evocative narratives.

While the desolate landscape of World War II serves as the backdrop for some of the decade’s most acclaimed genre offerings, many of the 1980s war movies focus on the more recent Vietnam War. The heavy human cost of the conflict meant that many films of the 1980s chose to cultivate anti-war rhetoric, Highlighting the devastating social ramifications of war and simultaneously paying tribute to the heroes and personal sacrifices of those involved in the fighting.

10

Good Morning Vietnam (1987)

Directed by Barry Levinson

Loosely based on the real-life story of Adrian Joseph Cronauer, The war comedy Good morning, Vietnam Is A wonderful blend of uneasy humor and philosophical musings about the nature of war. Led by the late, great Robin Williams in one of his most celebrated roles, Barry Levinson’s picture was universally acclaimed by fans and critics, lending a much-needed air of levity to one of the darkest social periods in American history.

Good morning, VietnamThe success and lasting cultural impact is largely due to Williams’ incredible lead performance, which was made all the more impressive by the revelation that large parts of the actor’s radio broadcasts in the film were almost entirely improvised. Receiving an Academy Award for Best Actor nomination for his turn as Cronauer, Williams’ infectious energy serves as the cornerstone for one of the decade’s most celebrated offerings, regardless of genre.

9

Casualties of War (1989)

Directed by Brian De Palma

While Casualties of war Standing as one of the finest war films of the 1980s, it is definitely not an easy watch. The 1989 title is a war film based on the famous true story of the rape and murder of a young Vietnamese woman by a squad of US Army soldiers; A terrible incident that caused an international outcry. Led by a pair of powerhouse performances from leading duo Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn, in addition to impeccable direction from Brian De Palma, Casualties of war Is An unflinching depiction of the darkest aspects of the Vietnam War.

Penn particularly shines in his role as revolting war criminal Sergeant Tony Meserve, the film’s main antagonist and foil to Fox’s naively principled Private Erickson. The winner of the Academy Awards gives a frightening authenticity to his morality without charge, with the strength of his raw performance De Palma’s poignant commentary on the visceral actions of soldiers during wartime.

8

Gallipoli (1981)

Directed by Peter Weir

Set against the backdrop of one of the most devastating and costly military campaigns of the First World War, 1981’s Gallipoli is a seminal piece of Australian cinema. Peter Weir’s film follows a pair of idealistic young sprinters who enlist in the Australian Armed Forces in search of glory and adventure, only to see their dreams of battlefield heroism quickly dashed by the brutal reality of wartime.

One of the best World War I movies ever made, Gallipoli Also opts for strong anti-war rhetoric, with a pair of raw performances from leading duo Mel Gibson and Mark Lee That perfectly capture the destruction of innocence caused by armed conflict. Although certain aspects of the film have been criticized for a lack of historical accuracy, Weir’s picture remains a poignant and moving tribute to the bravery of the countless Anzac soldiers who died in the conflict that rarely fails to elicit an emotional response.

7

born on the fourth of july (1989)

Directed by Oliver Stone

Earning eight Academy Award nominations and featuring Tom Cruise in one of his most acclaimed dramatic roles to date, 1989s Born on the Fourth of July is based on the remarkable life of Ron Kovic. A United States Marine Corps sergeant who was left paralyzed from injuries sustained in the Vietnam War, Kovic’s subsequent disillusionment with the war led him to become a prominent anti-war activist who often clashed with his own government.

One of acclaimed director Oliver Stone’s best movies, Born on the Fourth of July Underlines the profound physical and psychological toll that armed conflict inflicts on its participants, Highlighted by Kovic’s substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder upon his return to civilian life. Placing a desolate emphasis on the aftermath of war, Stone’s direction and Cruise’s visceral lead performance combine for a cinematic experience that inspires and devastates in equal measure.

6

Come and See (1985)

Directed by Elm Klimov

Controversy was one of the most difficult war films ever made, Elm Klimov Come and see is the quintessential example of an almost flawless war film that most viewers can only bring themselves to watch once. The director pulls no punches in bringing to life one of the most disturbing experiences in the history of cinema, chronicling a series of wartime atrocities through the eyes of a young boy who joins the Belorussian partisans after his family is murdered by the Nazis.

Aged 14 at the time of the film’s production, Russian actor Alexei Kravchenko is central to the film’s success and lasting impact, turning in a haunting arc that stands as One of the most impressive child performances in the history of cinema. The film’s intensely powerful narrative, nuanced philosophical musings and graphic depiction of war crimes combine for a devastating tale that remains imprinted in the viewer’s mind long after the credits roll.

5

The Big Red (1980)

Directed by Samuel Fuller

One of the most ambitious and impressive WWII films ever conceived, Samuel Fuller’s The big red one Stands as one of the more underrated genre offerings out there. Chronicles the experiences of a US it. Army squad from the arid deserts of North Africa to their harrowing discoveries at Falkenau concentration camp, Fuller’s image harbors legitimacy from the start; Hardly surprising, given that the film is partially based on the director’s real-life experiences As a soldier during the war.

In addition to an array of explosive action sequences, the film’s sense of gritty realism is aided by a standout performance from fellow veteran Lee Marvin in the film’s leading role as the squad’s unnamed sergeant. A well-acted and deftly paced depiction of the average infantry soldier’s experience during WWIIFuller’s outing stands as a hidden gem for the genre to this day, as well as one of the 1980’s most underrated war films.

4

Empire of the Sun (1987)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Starring a 12-year-old Christian Bale in his first leading role, Empire of the Sun is one of Cinema’s quintessential coming-of-age storiesIn addition to one of the finest war films of the decade. Steven Spielberg’s 1987 picture chronicles the story of a young boy caught up in the Japanese invasion of China during World War II, capturing an evocative snapshot of the conflict through the innocent eyes of a child.

Empire of the Sun eschewing the bloody carnage typically associated with World War II in favor of a hauntingly introspective commentary On the loss of innocence precipitated by armed conflict. With an incredible score by John Williams and another one of the most impressive child roles in the cinematic history of the aforementioned Bale, Spielberg’s picture never fails to pull on the heart and stands as one of his most criminally underappreciated offerings to this day.

3

The Boot (1981)

Directed by Wolfgang Peterson

A gripping account told from the perspective of a German U-boat crewWolfgang Peterson’s This boot is not only one of the best genre offerings of the 1980s, but one of the most celebrated and influential war films ever conceived. Earning six Academy Award nominations, Peterson’s 1981 claustrophobic epic captures the aura of World War II submarine warfare in a manner that has never been successfully replicated. It’s a war movie steeped in realism, with the director’s laser-focused attention to detail producing one of the most immersive cinematic experiences of all time.

Complemented by an utterly gripping narrative, nerve-wracking combat sequences and an array of superb performances from the cast, This boot is an indispensable entry for any connoisseur of the genre. An utterly devastating conclusion to the proceedings serves as a poignant capstone for one of the most influential war films ever seen on the silver screen.

2

Plato (1986)

Directed by Oliver Stone

Arguably Stone’s most impressive image, and Undoubtedly one of the greatest films about the Vietnam War ever made, It’s hard to overstate the lasting cultural impact of Plato. Led by a trio of incredible performances from Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger, the 1986 war movie received a glowing critical response and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

A Vietnam veteran himself, Stone’s real-life experiences of the war are expertly channeled into Plato, Emphasized by the Grounded nature and realism of the war film’s battle sequences, in addition to the immersive cinematography that it utilizes. The end result is an unflinching commentary on the futile nature of armed conflict that breeds authenticity and an epic battle between the concepts of morality and reality that is universally regarded as one of the genre’s most seminal offerings.

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

A nihilistic masterpiece by Stanley Kubrick, Full metal jacket is a desolating commentary on the Vietnam War Which also stands as one of the most acclaimed war films in the history of cinema. The film is divided into two distinct portions, beginning with the experiences of a platoon during boot camp and concluding with a deep dive into the average foot soldier’s experience of the Vietnam War.

Kubrick’s direction and a number of award-worthy performances from the cast capture the moral ambiguity and air of futility that has become synonymous with the wider conflict in unflinching fashion. Full metal jacket Is darkly funny at times but is depressing enough to make viewers cry at others. Kubrick’s endlessly rewatchable war movie is as engrossing as it is grueling, a showcase of the director’s inimitable style of filmmaking that stands as the finest war film of the decade.