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While war movies often focus on the action-packed nature of battles and conflict, it’s important to highlight the excellent films that shine a light on war tactics. Long-standing conflicts are not won on sheer offense alone, as clever commanding officers and quick-thinking soldiers must utilize their training to preemptively plan for every occurrence and ensure they come out victorious no matter the challenges that stand in their way. From historically accurate WWII movies to accounts of lesser-known conflicts, tactical military war encompasses stories of armed forces on the battlefield, naval missions, and pulling strings behind the scenes.
Many of the best war movies ever focused on the tactics of conflict, as it is essential that armed forces do not enter conflict zones without a firm plan for how to proceed. Some of the greatest directors who have ever lived have used military tactics as a springboard to produce powerful anti-war films that force viewers to reckon with the inhumanity of violence. By showcasing the planning that goes into war, tactical war films highlighted a side of conflict rarely seen on screen.
You are watching: 10 Best Tactical Military War Movies
10
Patton (1970)
Explores the tactics of U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II
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Patton
PG
Biography
Drama
History
War
8/10
Release Date
April 2, 1970
See more : Who are Christopher Eubanks Parents? Meet Chris Eubanks Sr and Rachel Scollions
Runtime
172 Minutes
Cast
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-
George C. Scott
-
Karl Malden
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Patton is truly one of the greatest American war movies ever produced and was made even better through the insights it gave into U.S. General George S. Patton’s masterful battlefield tactics and operational strategy. With George C. Scott as Patton, this World War II movie highlighted mobile warfare across several major incidents, such as the Battle of El Guettar, Operation Husky, and The Battle of the Bulge.
An impressive tactical moment came when Patton predicted a German attack and preemptively planned a counterattack as his entire army shifted 90 degrees to march toward Bastogne in one of the fastest, most effective battlefield maneuvers in history. Patton showcased how smart tactics changed the trajectory of the war and that it was thanks in part to clever preemptive planning from figures such as General Patton that the U.S. emerged victorious.
9
The Siege of Jadotville (2016)
Explores defense warfare tactics in the face of overwhelming hardship
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The Siege of Jadotville
War
Drama
Thriller
10/10
Release Date
September 19, 2016
See more : Who are Christopher Eubanks Parents? Meet Chris Eubanks Sr and Rachel Scollions
Runtime
108 minutes
Cast
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-
Guillaume Canet
Rene Faulques
-
Jamie Dornan
Pat Quinlan
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While the true account of the Siege of Jadotville may not be as well-known as other conflicts, it remains one of the most impressive examples of defensive tactical warfare ever seen. The Siege of Jadotville was directed by Richie Smyth and starred Jamie Dornan as the Irish Army commander Patrick Quinlan in a nail-biting account of a standoff between Irish soldiers and French and Belgian mercenaries. Set amid the United Nations Operation in the Congo in 1961, The Siege of Jadotville saw Irish soldiers facing unimaginable hardships in the face of certain defeat.
The Siege of Jadotville depicted Irish peacekeepers under attack and holding off aggressive forces for such a sustained period that they were left without food, ammunition, or water. While the soldiers did eventually concede defeat and were labeled cowards upon their return, the truth was that they exhausted every tactic they could and stood their ground for as long as possible until they were at the point of certain death. The Siege of Jadotville recontextualized this misunderstood historical moment and rightfully showcased the men as the brave soldiers that they were.
8
Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)
Explores the lead-up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
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Tora! Tora! Tora!
G
Action
Drama
History
Release Date
September 23, 1970
See more : Who are Christopher Eubanks Parents? Meet Chris Eubanks Sr and Rachel Scollions
Runtime
144 Minutes
Cast
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-
Martin Balsam
-
Sô Yamamura
-
Jason Robards
-
Joseph Cotten
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While Michael Bay’s action-packed blockbuster and Titanic ripoff Pearl Harbor may be the best-known movie on this surprise military strike, Tora! Tora! Tora! Offered a much more nuanced and insightful exploration of this event. With a focus on the lead-up to the attack on Pearl Harbor from both the Japanese and American points of view, the intense action sequences and focus on tactical planning make this a favorite among aviation enthusiasts. As an Academy Award-winning movie for Best Visual Effects, Tora! Tora! Tora! has not lost any of its innate power in the decades since its release.
With impressive historical accuracy and astounding attention to detail, Tora! Tora! Tora! was helmed by American and Japanese directors, with Akira Kurosawa even working on the project during pre-production. As one of the most infamous surprise attacks in the history of warfare, Pearl Harbor was the decisive factor in the U.S. entering WWII. With a thoughtful approach that gave insight into the complexity of this event, Tora! Tora! Tora! was an astounding piece of filmmaking.
7
U-571 (2000)
Explores submarine warfare
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U-571
PG-13
Action
War
1/10
Release Date
April 20, 2000
See more : Who are Christopher Eubanks Parents? Meet Chris Eubanks Sr and Rachel Scollions
Runtime
116 minutes
Cast
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Matthew McConaughey
-
Bill Paxton
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While U-571 received widespread criticism for its historical inaccuracies to the point that UK Prime Minister Tony Blair described it as an “affront” to British soldiers (via BBC), if viewed on its entertainment merits alone, it was an engrossing exploration of submarine warfare. Telling the story of a World War II German submarine boarded by American submariners attempting to capture an Enigma cipher machine. U-571 showcased Lieutenant Andrew Tyler’s (Matthew McConaughey) silent tactics and evasive maneuvers to pull off their fictionalized mission.
From its Special Ops boarding mission to the chess match that is submarine combat, where U-571 faltered in historical accuracy, it succeeded in its presentations of naval tactics. Featuring the use of sonar pings to locate submarines, fixing mechanical failures under pressure, and utilizing periscope-assisted torpedo targeting, it was thrilling to witness how these tactics played out on the big screen. While the accuracy controversy has overshadowed the better aspects of this film, those looking for a tactical war movie to sink their teeth into can’t go wrong with U-571.
6
Paths of Glory (1957)
Explores the grim tactics of trench warfare during World War I
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Paths of Glory
Approved
War
Drama
9/10
Release Date
December 25, 1957
See more : Who are Christopher Eubanks Parents? Meet Chris Eubanks Sr and Rachel Scollions
Runtime
88 Minutes
Cast
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-
Kirk Douglas
-
Ralph Meeker
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While Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece of anti-war cinema focused on war more than military tactics, they did play an essential role in this iconic World War I movie, Paths of Glory. With Douglas as Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas), this commanding officer of the 701st Infantry Regiment came face-to-face with the dark realities of tactical trench warfare and the way superior officers view low-level soldiers as pawns to be disposed of as needs be.
Colonel Dax was forced to confront this inhuman system as he refused to send his men on a suicide mission and had to defend himself against charges of cowardice in a court-martial. Paths of Glory highlighted how empathy for one’s fellow man can sometimes stand opposed to the rigid calculations of tactical warfare, where a soldier’s death becomes little more than a statistic. A controversial film upon release, the war Kubrick shone a light on the darkest aspects of war, and perceived heroism made Paths of Glory a timeless classic.
5
Greyhound (2020)
Explores naval warfare tactics during World War II
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Greyhound
PG-13
War
Drama
5/10
Release Date
July 10, 2020
See more : Who are Christopher Eubanks Parents? Meet Chris Eubanks Sr and Rachel Scollions
Runtime
91 minutes
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-
Lee Norris
-
Elisabeth Shue
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As the US Navy Commander Ernie Krause, Tom Hanks showcased a thrilling exploration of tactical naval warfare as he led the USS Keeling and 37 merchant and troop ships across the Atlantic in Greyhound. Despite military seniority and extensive naval education, Krause was leading his first military command and was thrust into the deep end as he entered the ‘Black Pit,’ a stretch of sea where they were out of range from air protection.
As a realistic depiction of naval warfare, Greyhound saw Krause enter an intense game of cat and mouse against German U-boats. With a need to utilize tactics of deception and psychological warfare, it was essential that Krause preemptively planned for every emergency and found a way to expect the unexpected and keep himself and his men alive. As an underrated war movie whose wide theatrical release was canceled in the wake of the pandemic, those who missed it at the time should go back and check out Greyhound on Apple TV+.
4
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Explores the wartime tactics behind the manhunt for Osama bin Laden
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Zero Dark Thirty
R
History
Thriller
Drama
7/10
9.3/10
Release Date
December 19, 2012
See more : Who are Christopher Eubanks Parents? Meet Chris Eubanks Sr and Rachel Scollions
Runtime
157 Minutes
Cast
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-
Jessica Chastain
Maya
-
Jason Clarke
Dan
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Zero Dark Thirty gave viewers a glimpse into the tactics behind modern warfare and the nearly decade-long international manhunt for the terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. With Jessica Chastain as Maya, a CIA intelligence analyst modeled after Alfreda Frances Bikowsky, this political thriller showcased the work that occurs behind the scenes to gain the intelligence needed to plan out top-secret military tactics. From director Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty followed up her Best Picture-winning release, The Hurt Locker, to deliver yet another insightful, albeit controversial, exploration of conflicts in the Middle East.
While Zero Dark Thirty was criticized for its historical inaccuracies and the way it portrayed torture techniques, it did provide unique insight into the long-festering assassination of Bin Laden by U.S. forces. As a historic moment in the fight against Al-Qaeda, Zero Dark Thirty did not shy away from the dark side of war and the choices that those in power must make in the pursuit of peace. As a film whose power was carried through by Chastain’s extraordinary performance, Zero Dark Thirty gave insight into a defining moment of modern times.
3
Zulu (1964)
Explores the tactics behind the Battle of Rorke’s Drift
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Zulu
Approved
War
Drama
History
8.5/10
Release Date
June 17, 1964
See more : Who are Christopher Eubanks Parents? Meet Chris Eubanks Sr and Rachel Scollions
Runtime
138 Minutes
Cast
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-
Stanley Baker
-
Jack Hawkins
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One tactical war movie that focuses on a lesser-known conflict was Zulu, an epic British drama set during the 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift between a detachment of the British Army and the Zulu in the Anglo-Zulu War. Featuring a young Michael Caine at the beginning of his movie stardom, Zulu gave insight into every step of the battle. Exploring defense preparations, the use of terrain, and the coordination of soldiers, Zulu was a masterclass in showcasing how smaller military forces can use tactical warfare to ward off a much larger enemy base.
While many elements of Zulu were fictionalized and strayed from the true historical account, the film captured the essence of this complex battle. Commonly regarded as one of the best British war movies ever made, Zulu has had a major influence on cinema as a whole and even informed Peter Jackson’s depiction of the Battle of Helm’s Deep in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (via Telegraph.) As an account of how 150 British soldiers held out against 4,000 Zulu warriors, Zulu was an extraordinary example of tactical warfare in practice.
2
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Explores Special Forces tactics during the Battle of Mogadishu
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Black Hawk Down
R
War
Drama
History
11
8.9/10
Release Date
January 18, 2002
See more : Who are Christopher Eubanks Parents? Meet Chris Eubanks Sr and Rachel Scollions
Runtime
144 minutes
Cast
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-
Jason Isaacs
-
Eric Bana
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Black Hawk Down showcased how unexpected events force soldiers to shift tactics in real-time in order to ensure survival. From director Ridley Scott, Black Hawk Down showcased the change from a snatch-and-grab to a desperate rescue operation after a Black Hawk helicopter was shot down during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia in 1993. Showcasing how soldiers must adapt to mistakes and make split-second decisions in an urban environment, the fast-paced nature of these soldiers’ predicament highlighted the need for heroes to possess a sharp tactical mind.
With an impressive ensemble cast, many of whom would become far better known in later years, Black Hawk Down featured earlier performances from the likes of Josh Hartnett, Tom Hardy, Ewan McGregor, and Orlando Bloom. As Special Forces operatives were forced to suppress enemy fire, use their surroundings for cover, and hold off while waiting for reinforcements, Black Hawk Down was a heart-racing and realistic depiction of tactical warfare in a crisis situation.
1
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Explores naval warfare strategy
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Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
PG-13
Action
Adventure
Drama
Release Date
November 14, 2003
See more : Who are Christopher Eubanks Parents? Meet Chris Eubanks Sr and Rachel Scollions
Runtime
138 Minutes
Cast
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-
Russell Crowe
-
Paul Bettany
-
Billy Boyd
-
James D’Arcy
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The epic period war movie Master and Commander powerfully addressed naval warfare strategy during the Napoleonic Wars. Adapted from novels by Patrick O’Brian in his Aubrey–Maturin series, this highly underrated release sadly never got a sequel despite being based on a book series with over 20 entries. With Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey, Master and Commander showcased his pursuit on the HMS Surprise against the powerful French privateer, Acheron.
Rather than bombard audiences with brute force, part of the appeal of Master and Commander was the way it focused on the intricacies of tactical maneuvering and the way deception can be used to win the upper hand. From camouflage techniques to dummy signals, Aubrey’s strategy was to fight smarter and not harder. With everything from weather conditions to environmental factors playing a role in warfare, Master and Commander proved how a smart naval officer can come out on top even when the odds are stacked against him.
Sources: BBC, Telegraph
Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment