Top Films to Watch Memorial Weekend

Monday is Memorial Day, in remembrance of U.S. soldiers who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Below is a list of films that reflect what Memorial Day represents, the sacrifice of lives in the military service. Please keep in mind that movies observing soldiers often contain depictions of war and may not be suitable for children. 11. The Longest Day This 1962 epic war film is based on Cornelius Ryan's book The Longest Day (1959), depicts the D-Day landings at Normandy on June 6, 1944, during World War II. One of the last major films made in black and white, the picture boasts dozens of top-name stars, including Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, Robert Ryan, Sean Connery, Richard Burton, and John Wayne. 10. Hamburger Hill A 1987 American war film about the actual assault of the U.S. Army's 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, part of the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division Screaming Eagles," on a well-fortified position, including trench works and bunkers, of the North Vietnamese Army on Ap Bia Mountain near the Laotian border. 9. Sergeant York A 1941 biographical film about the life of Alvin York, one of the most-decorated American soldiers of World War I. 8. Patton A 1970 American epic biographical war film starring George C. Scott as U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II. 7. Flags of Our Fathers A 2006 American war film. It is based on the book of the same name written by James Bradley and Ron Powers about the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima, the five Marines and one Navy Corpsman who were involved in raising the flag on Iwo Jima, and the aftereffects of that event on their lives. 6. Born on the Fourth of July A 1989 American war drama film adaptation of the best-selling autobiography of the same name by Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic. 5. Full Metal Jacket A 1987 British-American war film. Its storyline follows a platoon of U.S. Marines through their training and the experiences of two of the platoon's Marines in the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War. The film's title refers to the full metal jacket bullet used by soldiers. 4. Glory A 1989 American war film. The film is about one of the first military units of the Union Army during the American Civil War to be made up entirely of African-American men except for its officers, as told from the point of view of Colonel Shaw. 3. Platoon A 1986 American war film written and directed by Oliver Stone. It is the first film of a trilogy of Vietnam War films. Platoon was the first Hollywood film to be written and directed by a veteran of the Vietnam War. 2. Blackhawk Down A 2001 British-American war film. Chronicled the events of a 1993 raid in Mogadishu by the U.S. military aimed at capturing faction leader Mohamed Farrah Aidid and the ensuing firefight. 1. Saving Private Ryan A 1998 American epic war drama film set during the Invasion of Normandy in World War II. The film is notable for its graphic and realistic portrayal of war, and for the intensity of its opening 27 minutes, which includes a depiction of the Omaha Beach assault of June 6, 1944.