It’s November 11th, and as such it is Veterans Day (or Armistice Day) here in the United States.
In honor and observance of Veterans Day, we felt that recommending movies, shows and specials would help us remember why we celebrate the men and women in all the branches of the military, who served valiantly in the past. Since there are a plethora of movies and TV shows that are known to have masterfully captured the many aspects of combat on and off the battlefield, we decided to highlight a few that are also readily available online, for free or from Netflix Instant Watch.
These selections aim to give us a greater appreciation for that which combat soldiers have to encounter at one point or another:
Movies
This Clint Eastwood war drama follows career Marine and combat veteran Tom Highway as he faces what might be the toughest challenge yet, whipping punks in boot camp into shape and making them combat ready. This movie is great in that it’s dramatic, comedic and inspiring all in the same breath.
Available on Netflix!
Based on actual events, Saints and Soldiers tells the gripping story of a small band of Allied soldiers trapped behind enemy lines with information that could save thousands of American lives. Outgunned and ill-equipped, they battle a frigid wilderness and roving German troops in order to smuggle the critical intelligence back to Allied territory. This epic war drama stars a cast of relative unknowns, yet packs a powerful action and adventure punch we can all enjoy.
Available for Free!
Directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Matt Damon, both known for their work on the Bourne films, reunite for this action-packed thriller. Set in modern day Baghdad, Damon stars as Roy Miller, a rogue U.S. Army Officer on a covert mission to uncover faulty intelligence on the discovery of weapons of mass destruction in the area. Green Zone brings the explosions and gun battles you’d expect. I liken it to Modern Warfare 2, if MW2 was a blockbuster movie with all the cool weaponry. It’s hard to understand why this film missed out on publicity and overall accolades when it was first released.
TV Shows
Mail Call is a military documentary television program from The History Channel wherein retired Gunnery Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps., R. Lee Ermey, reads and answers questions submitted by viewers regarding U.S Military weapons and equipment.
Of course you might remember R. Lee Ermey from Full Metal Jacket: now he’s yelling at the screen in an effort to educate us… boot camp style.
Available for Free!
Future Weapons is a military-based television series from the Discovery Channel where host Richard Machowicz, a former Navy SEAL, reviews and demonstrates war technologies. AK-47′s, Gatling Guns, Grenade Launchers, Sniper Rifles, and advanced jet fighters, to name a few. These are the weapons civilians only see in popular video games. To be able to see and experience them up close and in combat situations is must see TV.
Available on Netflix!
Dogfights is a war themed television series from The History Channel that depicts historical aviation battles using state-of-the-art computer generated imagery (CGI) to re-enact the air-to-air combat that took place in World War I, World War II, The Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It is the battle re-enactments that make this show amazing. Most don’t have the stomach for flying, but now you don’t have to.
Available for Free!
Specials
Survival School welcomes you to the Air Force SERE program, one of the absolute toughest training programs in the U.S. military. Out of 500 applicants, only 47 airmen get admitted to the program and half of them won’t make the cut. For those that thought the state mandated recreational period in high school was rough, think again. One can learn everyday survival skills just by watching.
Available for Free!
This 10-part history of World War II is told through the accounts of 12 people who served in the war. Narrated by Gary Sinise, the series includes rare color footage enhanced for clarity, photos, and diaries. Since this series is currently airing on The History Channel on a week to week basis, you can view all ten parts uninterrupted online now. The quality of these videos is epic it its own right.
Available for Free!
History Specials: The Story of Veterans Day
Retired Gunnery Sergeant is back to show us the real story behind Veterans Day. He answers all the questions you could possibly have about how this holiday came to be, how one celebrates it today and about the veterans who are remembered on this day.
Available for Free!
Patriotism doesn’t mean you have to be gung-ho and wear the American Flag as clothing (though that’s a pretty awesome idea). Sometimes all it takes is the effortless act of watching movies and shows that help us remember why we observe this grand holiday.
