Movies About Fourth Of July

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

Full Metal Jacket is an 1987 American war film directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick, starring Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D'Onofrio, Adam Baldwin and Dorian Harewood. The film is set during the Vietnam War and follows a platoon of U.S. Marines from their initial training to their eventual deployment in Vietnam. The film begins with the marines undergoing basic training under the hard-nosed Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, whose brutal drill may have been intended to prepare the men for the hardships of war. It then shifts to Vietnam itself, where the platoon is sent to Hue City. Initially, the Marines are successful in their missions, but the city eventually descends into chaos and the men are forced to face the harsh realities of war and the horrors that come with it. Full Metal Jacket is a powerful and unflinching look at the Vietnam War and its consequences. Filled with intense action and some of the finest performances of its time, the film is considered a classic of its genre.

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 set in the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods. It follows Scarlett O’Hara, a strong-willed Southern belle who is determined to keep her family’s plantation, Tara, intact while also seeking true love. The film stars Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, a charming rogue who eventually falls in love with Scarlett, and Vivien Leigh as Scarlett. On the brink of the Civil War, Scarlett is forced to choose between her beloved Ashley Wilkes, who is engaged to her cousin and her passionate suitor, Rhett. As the Civil War and Reconstruction era progress, Scarlett struggles to hold onto the people and the land she loves, and she ultimately discovers the true power of resilience and determination.

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

Platoon is a 1986 American war drama film written and directed by Oliver Stone, depicting the brutal experiences of a platoon of American soldiers during the Vietnam War. The film follows a young American soldier, Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen), as he is deployed to Vietnam and quickly realizes the harsh realities of war. The platoon is divided between the more experienced, hardened soldiers, led by the violent Staff Sergeant Barnes (Tom Berenger), and the more idealistic, naive soldiers, led by the idealistic Lieutenant Wolfe (Willem Dafoe). With the two sides constantly at odds, the platoon quickly descends into chaos and violence. Through the film, Taylor is forced to confront the harsh morality of warfare and learn what it takes to survive.

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

The Best Years of Our Lives is a 1946 drama film by director William Wyler about three World War II veterans who return home to small-town America to discover how much their lives have changed. Al Stephenson, Fred Derry, and Homer Parrish are three lifelong friends who have to readjust to life after their service in the war. Al is a banker trying to reconnect with his family, Fred is a family man struggling to find work, and Homer is a disabled veteran who has to come to terms with his handicap. The film follows the three men as they seek to find their place in a world that seems far removed from their wartime experience. Along the way, they must come to terms with their own insecurities, as well as the harsh realities of postwar life. The film earned multiple Oscar awards and is widely regarded as one of the greatest American films of all time.

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

The Music Man is a 1962 film directed by Morton DaCosta. It is an adaptation of Meredith Willson's 1957 Broadway musical of the same name. The film follows the story of fast-talking sales-man Harold Hill (Robert Preston), who travels to a small town named River City and convinces the locals to start a boys' band in order to help combat juvenile delinquency. However, Hill is not what he appears to be, and his real reason for coming to town is to con the townsfolk out of their money. Along the way, he has a romance with Marian (Shirley Jones), the town librarian, and the townsfolk eventually learn the truth about him, but ultimately forgive him. The Music Man is a charming and humorous musical that celebrates the power of music, friendship, and love.

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

First Blood is an action-thriller film directed by Ted Kotcheff in 1982. It stars Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a former Green Beret and Vietnam War veteran who is wrongfully accused of a crime and pursued by law enforcement. Fleeing into the mountains of Washington, Rambo wages a one-man guerilla war against the police. Along the way, he is helped by a sympathetic small town sheriff, played by Brian Dennehy. As the conflict escalates, Rambo must confront the demons of his past while struggling to survive against overwhelming odds.

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

The Dirty Dozen is a World War II action-war film from 1967 directed by Robert Aldrich. The film follows a group of twelve US military prisoners, convicted of various offenses, who are given the opportunity to redeem themselves by taking part in a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. Led by Major John Reisman (Lee Marvin), the group is tasked with infiltrating a German chateau and assassinating the high-ranking German officers who will be in attendance at a meeting. Along the way, the men must contend with clashing personalities, unwelcome distractions, and the ever-present risk of death. In the end, only a few of the men make it back alive, but their heroic actions have earned them the admiration and respect of their peers.

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

Shane is a classic western film directed by George Stevens and released in 1953. The story centers on a retired gunslinger, Shane (Alan Ladd), who arrives at a homestead in Wyoming and becomes entangled in a range war between a ruthless cattleman and a tenant farmer, Joe Starrett (Van Heflin). Shane quickly realizes the only way to protect the Starrett family is to become their protector and stay in the valley. With the help of Joe and his wife, Marian (Jean Arthur), Shane wages a battle against the cattle baron and his henchmen. In the end, Shane is forced to make a difficult decision that will change his life forever. The film is remembered for its stunning cinematography and moral themes, making it a 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