Movies About The Fourth 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, set during the Vietnam War. The film follows a platoon of U.S. Marines from their rigorous boot camp training at Parris Island, South Carolina, to the bloody street fighting in Hue, Vietnam. The first half of the movie focuses on the dehumanizing experience of boot camp and the transformation of "the kids" into marines, under the guidance of the cruel, foul-mouthed drill sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman (played by R. Lee Ermey). The second half follows Joker (Matthew Modine), the platoon's intellectual and moral center, as they fight their way through Hue. The film highlights the psychological cost of war and the transformative power of violence. It is a powerful and unflinching portrait of war and its aftermath.

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 American epic historical romance film set in the American South during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. The film follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara, played by Vivien Leigh, from her carefree, pre-war days in Georgia to her struggles to rebuild her life and estate in the aftermath of the war. The film also stars Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, and Leslie Howard, and features an ensemble cast of Hattie McDaniel, Barbara O'Neil, and Thomas Mitchell. The film was a commercial success and is widely considered one of the greatest and most popular films of all time. It won 10 Academy Awards and was nominated for 13 more.

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

Platoon is a 1986 war film directed by Oliver Stone, starring Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, and Charlie Sheen. It is a semi-autobiographical account of Stone's experience in the Vietnam War. It follows a young recruit, Chris Taylor (Sheen), as he arrives in Vietnam and is quickly thrown into the brutal conflict. He is caught between two sergeants, Barnes (Berenger) and Elias (Dafoe), who are leading a platoon of soldiers. Both have very different views of the conflict, with Barnes believing in a strict, no-questions-asked approach, and Elias advocating a more compassionate approach. As the soldiers battle the enemy and each other, Chris must come to terms with his own inner struggles to find his own place in the war.

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

The Best Years of Our Lives is a 1946 drama directed by William Wyler. The film follows three WWII veterans as they return home to small-town America and try to adjust to civilian life. Al Stephenson (Fredric March) is a bank manager and the father of a young daughter. Homer Parrish (Harold Russell) is an armless navy veteran who lives with his wealthy family. Fred Derry (Dana Andrews) is a war hero navigating the job market. All three men struggle to find their place in post-war society and reconcile their experiences of war with their pre-war lives. The film captures their struggles, the impact of homecomings on their families, and the way their friendship allows them to support one another through the challenges of their new reality.

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

The Music Man is a classic musical set in 1912 in the small town of River City, Iowa. The film tells the story of con man Harold Hill who travels to River City, pretending to be a bandleader and music instructor. He convinces the townspeople to buy band instruments and uniforms and begins to teach the townspeople how to play music, while at the same time, falling in love with the town librarian, Marian Paroo. However, Hill's past catches up with him when the townspeople discover he is not the person he claims to be. In the end, Hill and Marian are saved by the town's children, who have learned to play music from him. The film ends on a happy note with Hill and Marian embracing and the townspeople singing the finale.

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

First Blood is an action-packed 1982 movie directed by Ted Kotcheff and starring Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a veteran of the Vietnam War. After being released from prison, Rambo travels to a small town in the Pacific Northwest in search of an old friend, only to find himself the target of a local sheriff's (Brian Dennehy) oppressive tactics. Refusing to be mistreated, Rambo unleashes his combat skills to fight against the sheriff and his deputies. With help from a sympathetic local (Richard Crenna) and a female journalist (Julia Nickson-Soul), Rambo embarks on a mission of revenge and justice. The film is set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and explores the trauma and psychological effects of war on veterans.

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 and starring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, and John Cassavetes. It follows a group of condemned military prisoners who are offered a chance of redemption by participating in a suicidal mission to destroy a large force of German troops during World War II. During the mission, the prisoners must confront their own inner demons, as well as the enemy, in order to succeed. Ultimately, the men grow to trust each other and discover a newfound sense of honor and courage in the face of danger.

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

Shane is a classic western movie about a mysterious drifter named Shane (Alan Ladd) who comes to the aid of a struggling homestead family, the Starrett’s. Shane’s mysterious past and skill with a gun make him an ideal defender against the oppressive rancher, Ryker, and his hired guns. Shane quickly finds himself in a heated battle between the homesteaders and Ryker, testing the limits of his loyalty and courage. In the end, Shane emerges victorious and decides to move on, leaving the Starrett’s with newfound hope for a better future.

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