I had this squirreled away for a while now so I decided to post it. I can't quite remember where I got it, but I figured Mr. Evans and a few others out there would appreciate it. ================================ John Wayne is one of the most recognizable leading men in war movies. His movies continue to be popular (thanks to the introduction of DVDs and Bittorerent), and are seen by millions every year. The impression was not always positive. For over a generation, basic training instructors had to constantly admonish recruits to avoid "that John Wayne stuff" (reckless heroics). In the 1980s, the recruits were instead warned against "that Rambo crap," and Wayne became an icon of military virtue. While " the Duke" is best identified with western movies like Rio Bravo and Hondo, his war movies are some of the better films he has done, even though John Wayne never served in the military (this was due to a series of World War II draft deferments). While Wayne was criticized for this, his lack of actual military service did not diminish the impact of his performances on soldiers and civilians alike. Here are the top ten war movies that John Wayne starred in. 10. The Flying Leathernecks. This was a movie centered around the notion of Marine pilots providing close-air support to grunts on the ground. Not terribly realistic (in truth, much of this was already being done prior to World War II), but it is still an enjoyable movie for those who liked Wildcats and Corsairs. 9. The Flying Tigers. Again, this is a movie whose historical accuracy is grossly suspect (the biggie is the fact that the Flying Tigers were in combat before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor). The ending is very trite ? involving a kind of mission never even flown by the American Volunteer Group. Still, it is one of the few films that actually tells this story. 8. The Longest Day. Here, Wayne has a relatively small part as the commander of one of the airborne battalions during Operation OVERLORD. It is a solid film, and Wayne's got some good moments (particularly his description of where he landed after a cross wind scattered his unit during a jump). This film is docked for the short amount of screen time Wayne has. 7. The Fighting Seabees. Again, Wayne relates a story not often told during World War II. This time, it is about the formation of the U.S. Navy's Construction Battalions. This is a solid film, albeit the incidents are clearly more fictional than based on any real battles. 6. The Sands of Iwo Jima. For the 1950s, John Wayne was just the person to play a Marine NCO in a film about the invasion of Iwo Jima. Not much credit for the typecast role, but still one worth watching. 5. In Harm's Way. The classic World War II movie was an epic, and covered the whole war. Yet at the same time, it was a fictionalized account, and while very well-done, is not the best World War II film that Wayne has done. 4. They Were Expendable. John Wayne's part in this movie about the heroic struggle against overwhelming odds by the American naval personnel who operated PT boats in the Philippines in World War II is one of the finer World War II movies done. For the all-too-often ignored story, it gets a lot of extra credit. 3. Back to Bataan. John Wayne also did a movie about the Philippine resistance. It is a well-told movie about this heroic struggle by American guerillas that also reflected (albeit with punches pulled) the brutality of Japanese occupation at times. 2. The Green Berets. John Wayne's entry into Vietnam was a decent picture about the American Special Forces. It is a rare Vietnam movie picturing the Americans as the good guys (it was made in 1968). It also provides some idea of what was faced in the early portions of that war. 1. Operation Pacific. This is a well-told story of American submarine operations. Probably Wayne's best as it provides a number of experiences faced by real American submarines during World War II (including a fictionalized version of the incident that won Howard W. Gilmore the Medal of Honor in 1943). Probably Wayne's best war movie. The saddest thing when one thinks about John Wayne's movies today is the fact that these days, Hollywood really doesn't make war movies like these any more. The closest Hollywood has come in recent years is 2002's "We Were Soldiers" and 2001's "Black Hawk Down". It is a long, long fall from what John Wayne did with much less in the way of special effects. -Harold C. Hutchison
Both of these are good movies, watch them if you can. In Harm's Way was one of the last B&W movies and had Kirk Douglas and Patricia Neal in it also. Produced by Otto Preminger, it was based on the novel of the same name and depicted the Pearl Harbor attack and the Solomon's Campaign. It had the large human interest aspects that authors though necessary for war novels of the period. It's major weakness is the poor ship models used in the fleet combat scenes. They look like plastic models a 10 year old would have built.
Thinking back, John Wayne may be one of the reasons I'm such a fan of WWII. I still love watching these films and always leave them feeling good.
Thanks Otto ;-)) - If you were a female-i'd kiss ya on the cheek for this one ;-D But since you aint-a handshake will have to suffice. This posting made my day (sorry Clint) 2) The Green Berets. Duke made this movie as his way of thanking our soldiers. Also, he was sick and tired of all the negativity that the media had out night after night -that was against our soldiers. Also, Duke made several USO tours (at his cost) to go visit our guys in Nam. I've seen several photo's of him doing so. Also, I know and are friends with a few collectors of Duke memorabilia who also have a few of Duke's possessions in their collections. One being a metal bracelet that Duke wore-which was made and presented to him, by some Montagnard Tribemen as their way of honoring Duke. If I recall correctly, Duke was made an Honorary Montagnard. 3) Back To Bataan also starred: Anthony Quinn and Paul Fix. Anthony Quinn in this movie-as well as Paul Fix Both are responsible for pulling the pins from grenades with their teeth-and of which John Wayne was wrongfully blamed for doing so. As a matter of fact, John Wayne NEVER not once, in any of his war movies, ever pull the pin from a grenade with his teeth. However, Anthony Quinn did that in Back to Bataan as well as Guadalcanal Diary and The Guns of Navarone. As fas as I know, Paul Fix (Harry Carey Jr's Father-in-Law) did that in only one war movie-which was Back to Bataan. 5) In Harms Way. During the filming of this movie, it was rumored-(which caused a huge public scandal) that Kirk Douglas had raped one of his female co-stars. 6) Ike, Operation Pacific is a very good film but is also one made as a more of a Patriotic War Film. This movie also stars Raymond Massey-as the Captain of that Submarine w/ Duke as his exec. 8) The Longest Day. John Wayne did have a relative short time on screen but was paid $300,000. for his appearance. Also, Duke donated his entire salary for this movie to various charities. 9) The Flying Tigers. John Waynes character was loosely based on real life Flying Tiger "David Lee "Tex" Hill," who was one of the squadron commanders. This movie was one of two movies filmed near the same time and also featured somebody who portrayed Tex Hill or was a character based on Tex Hill. 10) The Flying Leathernecks. This movie was produced and directed by estranged Billionnaire Howard Hughes. Howard Hughes IMO, had no business in trying to direct a film. I seem to recall that he originally was going to have either Director: John Ford or Howard Hawks; as director for this movie. However, that did not happen because it was a clash between egos-so Hughes directed the movie himself.
Thanks Scott. When it comes to Duke, I want to make sure that all info on him is correct as far as I have learned and or have been told by those who know much more than I do on him ;-)) Also, if your a fan, there are two sites out there on Duke, and im a member of both. They are: John Wayne - which is the official site about Duke and is ran by an US Navy vet/friend of mine. This man's knowledge on Duke is simply fantastic. Also, he runs that site for John Wayne's son, Ethan Wayne-who is the one in charge of Wayne Enterprises in Newport Beach, Calif. This site is heavily moderated and is simply amazing with what is shared with the public, about Duke. Forums Moderator is a Generous Gent by the name of Michael. His username is: Dakota Surfer. The other site im a member of is: JWMB - The Original John Wayne Message Board! This site is also heavily watched over and is also a great site. You will be amazed at what you can find on this site. The Gent who owns this site is a guy named Kevin. It is very easy to make friends with the good folks on both sites and, they all make it enjoyable to be a member there. Not that im trying to take away from Otto and this site but, if you want to know just about anything about Duke-you will find it on both sites. ;-))
Great list Otto, but, and maybe it's just me, I do not consider The Longest Day a John Wayne film but a very good film in which John Wayne plays a part. Like I said maybe just me, but I do feel there is a difference.
Hi Mike, here's one movie that one should not think of as a John Wayne movie, and that one is: "The Greatest Story Ever Told." Reason being, is that John Wayne only makes a camoe appearance as a Roman Soldier. You might see him all of maybe 10 seconds? Anyway, he made a much longer appearance in a late 1920's film, as a corpse lying in a casket. I can't think of the name of it off-hand but, I do know he is shown longer in that film, than he was shown in tGSET. Anyway, in: "The Greatest Story Ever Told, John Wayne spoke only one line - which was something like: "Truely, he was the son of God." So he appeared however long it took for him to speak that line, and I think briefly as he was just standing around.
IIRC The Green Berets was the only dramatic movie about Vietnam that was made during the period of the Vietnam war (compared to the multitude of WWII movies made during those war years).
Here's a bit more info about "The Sands of Iwo Jima" and "Flying Leathernecks" John Wayne was inspired to do that part because of his close personal connection and friendship with a US Marine named Sgt. Fritz Truan. My Uncle. Not all the background was accurate because My Grandmother refused to endorse it, the death still being too much for her until many years later. SHe would often give Fritz hell for his commercial endorsements such as Sears, Stetson, Marlboro etc. Mr. Wayne was later involved in a few business enterprizes with a few of My aunts (Fritz's sisters). They met (My Uncle and John Wayne) thru Mr. Wayne's early Cowboy Films. My Uncle was a "All Around World Champion Rodeo Cowboy" and (Hall of Fame), was close friends with several other working Real Cowboys and Actors such as Harry Carrey Jr., Ben Johnson, Yakima Knute. I also met John Wayne several times and met/knew Ben Johnson and Yakima Knute during my years as a Cowboy. My Dad was highly Decorated Navy Pilot (Silver Eagle) Purple Hearts, DFC w/clusters etc in WWII and Korea. And he flew both the types of planes in the movie "Flying Leathernecks" corsairs and hellcats. Dad was given a copy of the film when it was done and I watched it countless times with our family when I was young. I inherited it when my Dad passed away. I served in the US Navy and one of my Sons is a Marine, just back from 2nd tour in Iraq. My personal opinion, I am all for Peace, BUT if the anti-war people want to prove their point, let them go make peace on the battle field instead of our Service Men and Women. where ARE the human shields when you need one? where were they went 100,000's were slain by Sadam? Safe behind our military and within our borders. Where were they when the towers went down?? screaming for our military to kill the bastards for sure, as usual. to paraphrase "full metal jacket", they (protesters) maybe be stupid and silly but where are their guts (courage of their convictions) when sometimes guts is enough. Well until then (hell freeze over) it will be the sons and daughters following their ancestors into the flame and fury, so others can stay safe and warm, and most be ungrateful for it. fact: today both Germany and Isreal have universal service, both military and civilian options. Why don't we? I believe that each CITIZEN owes some time in some form of service to the country they take so much from their entire life, in order to BE an actual citizen. If you haven't EARNED it, it isn't a right, it is a priviledge someone else paid for.
I've seen almost all of them except for Operation Pacific. I have two that I think are the best Wayne war movies. Either one can be on top. It really depends on my mood. These are the Sands of Iwo Jima and the Flying Leathernecks. As for recent Hollywood war movies that comes close to the way war movies were made before, I'd add Full Metal Jacket to the list that includes Black Hawk Down and We Were Soldiers.
to paraphrase "full metal jacket", they (protesters) maybe be stupid and silly but where are their guts (courage of their convictions) when sometimes guts is enough. Thought this was about John Wayne, Ill say this and leave this thread wouldnt want to start a war in the war room... As a war pensioner myself and peace protester when I need to be and married to a peace protestor, and my own family need no explanation of warfare, I see no problem with being a peace protester and a service vet, and as for the courage of their convictions, Ive seen many vet badges on the lapels of protestors, but we are sll just sill and stupid with no guts...Pwwww...
