Fight the Power Not the War

List creator: Eoliano Created on: February 2, 2003 - 4:07 PM PST Description: Anti-war films may not soothe the savage beast, but they're at least worth a try. The great nations have always acted like gangsters, and the small nations like prostitutes. - Stanley Kubrick

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	movie title	related list	average rating	MPAA rating	watch	rent	buy
	All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)			Not Rated
Banned in Germany by the Nazis and in Italy by the Fascists, this landmark anti-war film stands as one of Milestone's greatest films.
	Apocalypse Now (1979)
Coppola's epic folly almost never got made, but thankfully, it was. This mesmerizing and almost hallucinogenic trip into the heart of darkness is the great anti-war film of the past quarter century and one of the best films of the Seventies.
	The Atomic Cafe (1982)			Not Rated
Some of us recall school drills meant to protect us from an atomic blast, hiding under desks and covering our heads, yet knowing nothing could save us. This exposé of official lies is witty, droll, uproariously funny, and at times, downright frightening.
	Das Boot (Uncut Version) (Disc 1 of 2) (1981)			Not Rated
Petersen's unparalled German U-Boat epic captures the claustrophobic atmosphere of the submariner's day-to-day existence. It's a noble and humanistically felt film.
	Coming Home (1978)
An anti-war tear jerker. This soulful and emotionally charged drama about the mental and physical ravages of war is primarily notable for the compelling performances of John Voight and Jane Fonda.
	The Deer Hunter (1978)
Though highly overrated when initially released, Cimino's flawed film is still his best, and nevertheless has something to say about what war does to us. With excellent performances by De Niro, Savage and especially Walken, who walked away with an Oscar.
	Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Without peer, Kubrick's terrifying black comedy is an out and out assault on the insanity of our suicidally apocalyptic need for nuclear arsenals; its never been more relevant and its last moments are disturbingly moving. Sellers and Hayden are terrific.
	Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Moore's anti-war magnum opus unabashedly takes Bush bashing to higher levels as he more than insinuates culpability in what happened on that fateful day and points a judicious finger at Bush family ties to that of Bin Laden and their instinct for greed.
	The Fog of War (2003)
	Gallipoli (1981)
This extremely stirring and tragic anti-war film about Australia's unfortunate campaign to secure the Dardanelles in 1915 is one of Peter Weir's finest films, and features a young Mel Gibson before he was ravaged by Hollywood fame and fortune.
	Grand Illusion (Criterion Collection) (1937)
One of the great films. Almost lost during WWII, Renoir's compassionate WWI masterpiece is fortunately it's still with us. This fin de siècle portrayal of war is full of hope for humanity. With the incomparable Jean Gabin and Erich von Stroheim.
	Grave of the Fireflies (Collector's Edition) (1988)			Not Rated
A truly remarkable and devastatingly moving film based on Akiyuki Nosaka's semi-autobiographical book. A masterpiece of animation.
	The Great Dictator (Criterion) (1940)
Chaplin as Hynkel, dictator of Tomania, literally turns the world upside down in this shamelessly didactic, yet effective indictment of fascism. Jack Oakie puts in his two cents as Napaloni, Dictator of Bacteria.
	How I Won the War (1967)			Not Rated
Lester's typical visual and sardonic wit come through in this zany and offbeat anti-war frolic. Though all's not completely up to snuff, it's got a certain bite and gruffness about it.
	The Killing Fields (1984)
A startlingly moving account about how Pol Pot, the leader of Cambodia's Khmer Rouge, wreaked vicious havoc on his own people. With a beautiful performance by the late Haing S. Ngor as Dith Pran.
	King and Country (1964)
A British Paths of Glory, with terrific performances by Dirk Bogarde and Tom Courtenay.
	Paths of Glory (Criterion) (1957)			Not Rated
Banned in France for nearly 20 years, Kubrick's stunning anti-war film about military stupidity and injustice still packs a wallop. Douglas is outstanding as Col. Dax, and George Macready is perfectly despicable as the ambitious and arrogant Gen. Mireau.
	Platoon (1986)
A brutal, hard hitting and grueling first hand account of the Viet Nam War as seen through the eyes of grunt Charlie Sheen. Berenger's bloodthirsty Sgt. Barnes is effectively spooky, and Dafoe memorable as his polar opposite.
	Slaughterhouse-Five (1972)
Vonnegut's sci-fi anti-war fantasy might have seemed unfilmable, and that it defies easy classification is an understatement, but its message nevertheless comes through. Perhaps Billy Pilgrim is still out there somewhere, unstuck in time.
	Stalingrad (1992)			Not Rated
A gripping and gruesomely visceral portrayal of one of WWII's most bitter battles as seen through the lives of German soldiers.
	Three Kings (1999)
This all too relevant anti-war film satirizes the lunacy of the Gulf War and turns it on its ear. Should we slap Bush Sr. for being a slouch? Should we remain, as before, becalmed in the face another onslaught? Let's hope not!.