13 Old School War Movies Every Trooper Needs To Watch

Steve McQueen stars in this epic WWII film about a group of POWs trying to escape from a German prison camp.

Related: 5 Dramatic WWII POW Escape Attempts—All By the Same Pilot

Directed by Brian G. Hutton, the film follows a group of American troops who travel deep behind enemy lines to retrieve some Nazi treasure.

This classic stars Kirk Douglas as Col. Dax, an officer who attempts to defend his troops who are accused of cowardice while fighting in the dangerous trenches of WWI.

Directed by John Irvin, this story depicts one of the bloodiest American battles to take place during the hectic Vietnam War.

Related: The 9 Best Vietnam War Movies

This film is considered one of the greatest movies ever produced. The story follows Capt. Willard’s journey to locate and assassinate a renegade Army colonel during the Vietnam War.

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John Wayne plays Col. Mike Kirby, an Army Special Forces officer tasked with two vital missions consisting of building a camp and kidnapping a North Vietnamese General.

This time John Wayne plays Sgt. John Stryker, a Marine who puts his men through his rough style of training to prepare them to fight in one of the Corps’ most historic battles.

Related: Iwo Jima: The True Details of an Iconic Photograph in the Midst of Battle

Directed by Jack Smight, this classic tale re-enacts the American victory at the Battle of Midway—considered one of the most critical turning points in the Pacific during World War II.

This 1970 film focuses on the incredible career of Gen. George S. Patton during WWII.

Related: How General Patton's Granddaughter Is Honoring His Legacy

In this 1955 release, real-life war hero Audie Murphy plays himself in the story of how he became one of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. history.

This epic motion picture follows Maj. Reisman, a rebellious soldier assigned to train a dozen convicted murders to carry out a deadly mission to kill multiple German officers.

Related: 18 World War 2 Movies Every History Buff Should Watch

John Wayne plays Lt. Cmdr. Wedge Donovon, a construction worker building military bases in the Pacific. After they come under fierce attack from Japanese forces, the Seabees have to defend themselves at all costs.

Directed and starring Jack Webb, this film follows one of the toughest Marine drill instructors to ever serve on Parris Island as he pushes a recruit platoon through basic training.