Movies About 4Th Of July

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D'Onofrio, Adam Baldwin
Rated R

Full Metal Jacket is a 1987 film directed by Stanley Kubrick that follows two U.S. Marines, Private Joker and Private Cowboy, from basic training to the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War. At the beginning of the film, Joker and Cowboy are subjected to an intense regimen of physical and mental training at Parris Island, South Carolina. After completing their training, Joker and Cowboy are sent to Vietnam, where they participate in a bloody search and destroy mission. Although the pair survive their mission, they are left with a deep understanding of the true horrors of war. The film also follows Joker's life as a war correspondent, detailing the inhumanity of the situation in Vietnam. As the film progresses, the audience is reminded of the brutality of war and its devastating effects on the human spirit.

From Directors: Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Sam Wood, starring Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Thomas Mitchell, Barbara O'Neil
Rated Passed

Gone with the Wind is a 1939 epic romantic drama film set in the American South during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. It is based on the novel of the same name by Margaret Mitchell, first published in 1936. The film stars Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, and Hattie McDaniel. The story follows Scarlett O'Hara, the daughter of a Georgia plantation owner, as she struggles to survive the war and its aftermath. She is determined to keep her family's plantation, Tara, and finds herself falling in love with Rhett Butler, a roguish Confederate officer. As the war rages, Scarlett is forced to use every means necessary—even if it means compromising her own moral code—to keep Tara safe from the destructive path of the advancing Union army. In the end, Scarlett must face the consequences of her actions, and the choices she has made in pursuit of her dreams.

From Oliver Stone, starring Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Keith David
Rated R

Platoon is a 1986 war drama directed by Oliver Stone, and is based on Stone's experience as a soldier in Vietnam. It stars Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, and Willem Dafoe. The film follows a platoon of U.S. infantry soldiers in the Vietnam War as they struggle to survive the physical and psychological hardships of the conflict. Through the soldiers’ experiences, the film examines the brutality and chaos of war, as well as the moral complexity of the combat. In the end, the platoon must confront the grim reality of the war, and come to terms with the fact that there is no clear-cut victory or defeat.

From William Wyler, starring Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Fredric March, Teresa Wright
Rated Approved

The Best Years of Our Lives is a 1946 American drama film directed by William Wyler and starring Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo, and Harold Russell. It tells the story of three World War II veterans, Al Stephenson (March), Fred Derry (Andrews), and Homer Parrish (Russell), who return to civilian life after fighting in the war. Each man struggles with inner turmoil, post-traumatic stress disorder, and lack of direction in civilian life. As they try to overcome their difficulties and redefine their lives, their friendship and mutual support helps them to cope with the psychological and physical costs of war. The film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for March, and a special award for Russell.

From Morton DaCosta, starring Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Hermione Gingold
Rated G

The Music Man is a musical comedy film based on the 1957 Broadway musical of the same name by Meredith Willson. It stars Robert Preston as Harold Hill, a con man who poses as a traveling band instructor and plans to fleece the townspeople of River City, Iowa. However, his plans are disrupted when he falls in love with Marian, the town librarian, played by Shirley Jones. The film follows Harold as he attempts to redeem himself by helping the townsfolk to form a marching band, while also contending with the suspicious townspeople, a rival suitor for Marian's affections, and the strict town mayor. With the help of Marian and the townspeople, Harold eventually succeeds and learns a valuable lesson about the power of music and friendship.

From Ted Kotcheff, starring Sylvester Stallone, Brian Dennehy, Richard Crenna, Bill McKinney
Rated R

First Blood is a 1982 American action film directed by Ted Kotcheff, starring Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a troubled and misunderstood Vietnam War veteran. After being arrested and persecuted by small town Sheriff Will Teasle, played by Brian Dennehy, Rambo escapes from police custody and takes refuge in the nearby wilderness. Determined to survive, Rambo gains the upper hand in a tense confrontation with Teasle's men, leading to a violent and destructive pursuit that culminates in a dramatic showdown between Rambo and the local police force. Ultimately, Rambo is convinced to surrender and taken into military custody. The film paints a sympathetic portrait of a war veteran struggling to adjust to civilian life, while at the same time illustrating the dangers of unchecked police power and misuse of authority.

From Robert Aldrich, starring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, John Cassavetes
Rated Approved

The Dirty Dozen is a 1967 American war film directed by Robert Aldrich. Set during World War II, the film revolves around an American officer, Major John Reisman (Lee Marvin), who is tasked with training twelve convicts to form an elite military unit and lead them on a daring mission behind enemy lines. Reisman and his men are given the dangerous task of infiltrating a Nazi-held chateau and assassinating the twelve high-ranking German officers who are attending a secret meeting. With the help of his rag-tag, untested unit, Reisman must overcome seemingly impossible odds to complete the mission and return home safely. Filled with intense action, daring stunts, and colorful characters, The Dirty Dozen is a classic war film that continues to thrill audiences to this day.

From George Stevens, starring Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, Brandon De Wilde
Rated Not Rated

Shane is an iconic 1953 western film directed by George Stevens and starring Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, and Van Heflin. It tells the story of a mysterious gunslinger named Shane (Ladd) who rides into a small Wyoming valley to help a family of homesteaders fight off a ruthless land baron and his minions. Shane befriends the family, falls in love with the wife, and ultimately leads them in an epic battle. With its themes of morality, bravery, and loyalty, the film has become an enduring classic of the western genre.

From Richard Attenborough, starring Sean Connery, Ryan O'Neal, Michael Caine, Laurence Olivier
Rated PG

From Roland Emmerich, starring Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs
Rated R

From Andrew V. McLaglen, starring John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Patrick Wayne, Stefanie Powers
Rated Passed

From Roland Emmerich, starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum, Mary McDonnell
Rated PG-13

From Tony Scott, starring Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer
Rated PG

From Mike Nichols, starring Matthew Broderick, Christopher Walken, Matt Mulhern, Corey Parker
Rated PG-13

From John Milius, starring Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen
Rated PG-13

From Ted Kotcheff, starring Gene Hackman, Patrick Swayze, Robert Stack, Fred Ward
Rated R

From Joseph Zito, starring Chuck Norris, M. Emmet Walsh, David Tress, Lenore Kasdorf
Rated R