1970s
War movies from the 1970’s
The Battle of Okinawa (1971)
Toho Studio’s 1971 epic The Battle of Okinawa is definitely an, um, interesting piece of film. A telling of the last major “battle” (if you want to call it that) of the Pacific War, the invasion of Okinawa in 1945, from the Japanese perspective. Now, I’m going to go out on a limb and try... »
March or Die (1977)
The French Foreign Legion. Last refuge of scoundrels, criminals, and scumbags left over from the first world war. At least that’s what 1977’s March or Die would have you believe. American and Legion Major William Sherman Foster (Gene Hackman) is tasked with protecting a French archaeological expidition in Erfeud. The problem is, that he’s the... »
1941 (1979)
In all of Hollywood history, I don’t think there have been many projects involving quite as many famous names and faces, in front of and behind the camera, as the “epic” 1941. Directed by none other than Steven Spielberg, with a soundtrack by John Williams, and starring everyone from Dan Akroyd and John Belushi... »
Johnny Got His Gun (1971)
Johnny Got His Gun is a mostly little-known movie, which would be even more obscure if it weren’t for Metallica’s “One” music video back in the day. But forget about that for a minute. What you get here is a surreal trip into one man’s nightmare after suffering extensive injuries on the battlefields of World... »
Under the Flag of the Rising Sun (1972)
From Japan comes Under the Flag of the Rising Sun, a movie which might fall under the category of mystery, or even your average drama, but is still interesting as a picture of Japanese opinion of the war, and the men who served under the flag of the Empire. In Under the Flag of the... »
Time Slip, aka G.I. Samurai, aka Sengoku Jieitai (1979)
There are times when you just have to throw all the analysis and whatnot right out the window, and just say, “DAMN! That was a cool movie!” Time Slip (aka G.I. Samurai) is exactly the movie that time was made for. In it, Lt. Iba’s (Sonny Chiba) squad of the Japanese Self Defense Force gets... »
Inglorious Bastards (Quel Maledetto Treno Blindato, 1978)
“Whatever the Dirty Dozen did they do it dirtier!” Well, I don’t know about that. I do know that the Italian made 70’s B-movie campfest Inglorious Bastards was surprisingly a lot of fun. This despite an obvious low-budget production, mediocre writing, and even more mediocre acting. Hey, this is late 70s cheese... »
Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973)
Hitler: The Last Ten Days takes us into the depths of der Furher’s Berlin bunker during his final days. Based on the book by Gerhard Boldt, it provides a bleak look at the goings-on within, and without. The style of the film is a little interesting. You’ll quickly notice that “above ground” things... »
Force 10 From Navarone (1978)
In this sequel to the eternal 1961 classic The Guns of Navarone, two of the same characters return to join a new mission and a new squad into enemy territory. The result doesn’t carry the same punch or weight as the original, but still puts Force 10 From Navarone into the realm of... »
Too Late The Hero (1970)
Ahhh, sometimes it’s refreshing to just watch a good old fashioned action war movie. No particular message, no relevance to historical facts, or concerns about accuracy, just a good time for a couple of hours. That’s where Too Late the Hero comes in. American Navy officer Lt. Sam Lawson (Cliff Robertson) gets sent from his... »
