LOOKING AT AMERICA’S 250th BIRTHDAY: The History of Sacrifice Through Film

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It can be difficult to feel Patriotic at a time when there seems to be so much division however, I’m a believer into the ideology of which America was built on. That people of all races, sexual orientations, and religions can come and achieve their dreams. America’s history isn’t all roses and rainbows and it often has a darker past than we like to admit. However, sacrifices by men and women have helped build upon the foundation which is this country, and that can be the greatest symbol of hope. Throughout the years various films have depicted various military heroes in war and so today we look at some of the best films that honor the sacrifices made to build a better future.

• 1. Saving Private Ryan (1998) It’s rare that a film gets so much right to the point that those who lived through the time felt as though they were back in those moments. Steven Spielberg did just that with the opening sequence depicting chaos and bloodshed on the beaches of Normandy as Tom Hanks and his crew fight their way across the treacherous beach. Hailed as perhaps the best war film of all time it shows the realities of war and the sacrifices made during World War 2. And No I will never forgive Upham for sitting there while Mellish is stabbed to death.

• 2. Born on the Fourth of July (1989) Oliver Stone’s follow-up to 1986’s Best Picture winning Platoon tells the true story of Ron Kovic. Kovic enlisted to fulfill his patriotic duty during the Vietnam War. He was paralyzed during his second tour of duty in Vietnam. During his recovery, Kovic became disillusioned with the war effort and with the treatment he was receiving from people on all sides of the political aisle and from the Veterans Affairs bureaucracy. He became a staunch anti-war and veterans’ rights activist. Kovic continues these efforts, writing in 2005, “I wanted people to understand. I wanted to share with them as nakedly and openly and intimately as possible what I had gone through, what I had endured.” His commitment to peace, nonviolence, and telling the truth about war is as strong as ever. Ron Kovic is a different type of Patriot than what we’re used to seeing in film and just as significant. This is what makes his story and Born on the Fourth of July so important.

• 3. Gettysburg (1993) Ronald F. Maxwell’s film based on the novel The Killer of Angels by Michael Shaara is one of the most renowned films of all time. Honestly it is one of the best Jeff Daniels’ performances of all time as he portrays Colonel Joshua Chamberlain. It showcases the 3 day battle that proved pivotal in the campaign by Robert E. Lee who aimed to take the fight to the north and win support from European nations. While there were times in this film that it felt as though Maxwell was trying too highlight the Confederates as some sort of heroes, the sequences showcasing Chamberlain’s heroism on Little Round Top which ultimately held the Union lines were some of the best and heart-pounding scenes. Moments where both Confederates and Union members came face to face and discussed how they are not so different showcases how brutal this war was. Brother against brother fighting a rich man’s war was one step into building a free and united America.

• 4. Selma (2014) Ava DuVernay’s film chronicling Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s campaign for voting rights is centered around the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery which culminated in the Voting Rights Act. David Oyelowo as Dr. King delivers an incredible performance and it highlights the struggles and the violence the 60’s Civil Rights movement had faced. The Civil War may have ended 100 years prior and the slaves were freed however, this didn’t deliver true freedom. This film is one drop in the bucket full of stories showcasing brave individuals taking a stance despite their personal safety.

• 5. Glory (1989) Edward Zwick directs this film focused on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and stars Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, and Denzel Washington (Who won an Oscar for this role!). The film depicts the racism within the Union Army and although the Union fought on the side of freeing the slaves not everybody bought into that ideology. Morgan Freeman is also in this film as Major John Rawlins who gives a performance of a lifetime as their regiment fought during the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. The film depicts that the courage of the men in the 54th led to Union Army accepting thousands of Black troops and President Lincoln credits them with turning the tide of the war.

While these are just a few films that depict various important moments in history there are many more out there showcasing and highlighting the courage of both men and women. We may still have a long way to go but, America is a place for people to come and find a better life and if we all come together we can make it just that. Happy 250th Birthday, America, let’s go eat some hot dogs!

What are some of your favorite historical films? Let us know in the comments below, and check out more reviews by Matt!