In the spirit of American Independence Day, I decided to list some of my all-time favorite patriotic movies. I invite you to criticize my choices and add some of your own in the comments.
A few caveats. The movies do not have to take place on the 4th of July (though some do), nor do they even have to take place in America. The important thing is that the movie has to represent the ideals of America, or in the words of Superman, “Truth, Justice, and the American Way.”
Oh, and one more thing, let’s try to keep the comments from getting too political. I know that not everyone’s interpretation of the so-called “American Dream” is the same, which is why this post should be read solely for amusement purposes. I repeat, this post is not intended to make a political statement of any kind.
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Independence Day
From Godzilla to the upcoming 2012, director Roland Emmerich has practically made his career out of big budget disaster movies. Whether you think this is good or bad is up to you, but I for one will always have a special place in my heart for Emmerich’s first major box office success: Independence Day.
Combining three of my favorite things – Will Smith, aliens, and a whole bunch of stuff blowing up – Independence Day really puts the “Riot” in Patriotism. From Jeff Goldblum perfectly channeling his Dr. Ian Malcolm character in Jurassic Park to Will Smith punching an alien in the face (”Welcome to earth!”), Independence Day has it all. Even Brent Spiner (a.k.a Lieutenant Commander Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation) gets in on the action.
While Independence Day can easily be dismissed as a silly action movie, I find it oddly irresistible. I mean, how many times do you get to see the White House demolished by a giant laser?
Braveheart
“They’ll never take our freedom!“
Sure, there might be some historical inaccuracies, and, at just shy of three hours, it might be a little long for some tastes, but as far as I’m concerned Braveheart deserved every one of its 10 Academy Award nominations. While Mel Gibson’s personal life has taken a somewhat unusual turn over the last few years, there’s no denying the man has talent as both an actor and director.
Braveheart contains all of the elements of a classic patriotic story: a dynamic and courageous leader who perseveres against overwhelming odds, moments of terrible tragedy balanced by moments of stunning bravery and heroism, and a crazy Irish guy. (For all our Irish readers, that last line was a joke. Please don’t send Screen Rant angry e-mails.)
Although it takes place in Scotland in the 1300’s, Braveheart could just as easily be about the American revolution, or the French revolution, or…you know, any revolution. It’s simply an awesome movie.
Rocky
A perfect cinematic expression of the “American Dream,” Rocky is not only one of the greatest sports movies of all time, but the greatest underdog story ever told.
Based in Philadelphia (the historical center of the American revolution), Rocky practically drips with patriotic goodness. Not only is the film about Rocky getting a second chance for success in the boxing ring, but it’s about Rocky overcoming the self-doubt and fear that has plagued him over a lifetime of bad breaks.
When Rocky is still standing at the end of 15 rounds, even though he has lost the fight, he has won his redemption from a life of failures. He has shown himself, and all of us, that with a little luck and endless determination, you can achieve your dreams. To this day, the strains of “Gonna Fly Now” bring a stir to my heart and a smile to my face.
I know there are dozens more, but these three particularly speak to me when it comes to describing the American spirit of freedom. What films would you add to these?
And Happy Independence Day!
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77 Comments
“Independence Day” is one I like to watch every year.
I love Iindependence Day but every time Bill Pullman gives that speech,
I hate it when He says the 4th of july will no longer be an american holiday.
This day is for US.
Happy 4TH of July everyone.
Because Pulman says it’s for everyone doesn’t make it so..It’s yours, no one is going to take it or share it with the world…Geez relax..I always found that to be one of the worst lines in the film anyway.
Happy July 4th America!!Hope everyone has a great day!!
I think the original Star Wars movie exemplifies The American Spirit .
It was a tale of Revolution,
Of Freedom against Tyranny .
a few more from me .
The National Treasure films always inspire me to look further into our nations past.
Apollo 13 celebrates American Ingeneuity.
Michael Manns The Last Of The Mohicans Takes a look at The French and Indian War .
a period of our history rarely examined by Hollywood.
Dave tells us what would happen if a regular guy outside the political system occupied The White House .
Anybody else have any favorites ?
When Bill Pullman gives his speech in Independence Day, I always get goosebumps. It’s awesome. It makes me want to kick alien butt, and I’m not even there! Also, it’s a little surprising that no one mentioned Ghostbusters II. Hello? The scene where the Statue of Liberty walks around New York? It doesn’t get anymore American than that. And, I’m sorry, but all the Die Hard movies make me proud to be American.
Patton
Rocky
Godfather
I love the ones you pick because it is not so much in your face american kick ass-ness it is more about the deep never giving up aspect that represents how I feel about our awesome country! I have pride that makes me well up when I hear the national anthem or when I watch the U.S. in the Olympics! Hot Damn Happy 4th!
Three films I would like to add:
-The Pursuit of Happiness: This is one of the few awsome tearjerkers ever and a true story of how with focus, courage and sacrifice we all can achieve the American Dream, even under very dire circumstances. Great film to watch at this very point in time.
-We Were Soldiers: Also based on a true story, reflects a soldier’s love for America, and his willingness to fight for American ideals during the Vietnam War. This film also shows another angle to the Vietnam War most films do not show, demonstrating same sacrifices that US soldiers endured while not really knowing who they were fight and why. Spoiler: The ending when our protagonist writes a letter to the wife of a vietcong soldier he killed in battle, made me feel proud to be an American.
-Farenheit 911: Hate or love Michael Moore, this film is a testament of the freedom of speech we enjoy in America. I don’t think a documentary where its director accuses his President of indirectly being an accomplice to a terrorist attack on its own country, would ever see the light of day anywhere else in the world.
Team America??? anybody
go america $$$$ ya!
armageddon is a pretty patriotic movie, or the patriot for that matter
Jaelex choices and Rich with The Patriot starring Uncle Mel and Heath Ledger are great 4th film fare. May I offer “Yankee Doodle Dandy” starring the great Jimmy Cagney ?
Thank God Michael Bay isn´t on anyone´s list… O, wait, Armageddon´s mentioned…
Independence Day indeed remains great fun, a true American movie, directed by a German.
The Sandlot…
Happy Independence Day!!
@ JalexM
As much as I think Michael Moore either an idiot that’s biting the hand that feeds him (and he eats A LOT apparently…) or he’s a genius mocking fans of his films because he knows that they are full of blatant in-your-face lies, I have to agree with you on your choice on F911, or ANY of his movies really. It does say a lot about the freedom that we have, the freedom that our troops fought and died for, the same troops he insults, but it’s ok, the freedom is for everyone, not just for a few.
But while I choose not to take advantage of that freedom by protesting against it, it’s everyone’s individual choice if they want to ignore the obvious fact that they wouldn’t be able to protest if they had their way, lol.
Anyway, about patriotic movies.
I thought The Dark Knight had a patriotic feel to it, the whole never let terrorists dictate our policy, don’t back down from fear or whatever.
What about Air Force One? I liked Ford’s speech in the beginning, lol. “It’s your turn to be afraid” Hell yah!
I know there must be a patriotic Clint Eastwood, I guess might as well point out my most recent Clint Eastwood memory, Gran Torino.
Then I guess there’s The Patriot.
I know there have been movies that I thought were patriotic, but can’t really think of them all right now…
Pokemon the First Movie
i have nothing against pokamon (the older one any ways) but were the hell did you get that idea from?
-independence day
-Armageddon
-national treasure
Me and a buddy in high school went to see “Red Dawn”, when the movie ended my friend turned to me and said he was going to join the Air Force.
I saw him one last time right before he shiped off to ROTC bootcamp… Russ was his name.
AMC’s playing True Lies, what about that one?
RED DAWN!!!!!!
790 = genius
Happy 4th of July to all the yanks out there!
PS
Braveheart is grossly over rated.
“Saving Private Ryan” and “Band of Brothers” were also very patriotic American films.
True Michael Claymore, but “Braveheart” did give Conan O’Brian some great material to goof on.
Cheers !!!!
Glory gives me a similar feeling Independence day does. aside from the honor-y patriotism kind, there is the ones that are simply “America Kicks @$$.” Transformers and independence Day most specifically fit that category. Lest not i forget the ultimate in the best-satire-becomes-the-quintessentials of this America-Kicks-@$$ subcategory, Mars Attacks and Team America.
Also i mention Lawrence of Arabia. forget the Character-study side of things for now, focus on the rebellious Arabs. makes me feel very american as a story, despite viscerally it does not.
I loved both Brave heart and Independence Day. I don’t think that Brave heart is at all over rated. I’m not a big fan of Rocky though so I would remove it and either add The Patriot or Die Hard one. Die Hard isn’t directly preachy about America, but for some reason that movie always makes me proud of my country lol can’t say why. I think it’s just Bruce Willis in general.
happy Independence Day, America..
mine is august 17th
I think of movies that actually portray the reason for us to celebrate July 4th.
The Patriot – great movie but odd how the lead characters are played by two Aussies
Johnny Tremain – Here’s a great Disney family movie that is sorely overlooked every year. The story is great and the acting up to par with the times.
John Adams – It’s not a movie but a fantastic mini-series and may be the best telling of early American history
Ben and Me – Again Disney shines with one of it’s classic animated tales about a mouse that is the inspiration behind Benjamin Franklins inventions and ideas, including the Declaration of Indendence
Sort of sad actually, I did a quick IMDB search regarding American Revolution movies and there hasn’t been anything of significance done on the subject sine The Patriot in 2000.
I know people are arguing about other war films but I think those fall more into the Memorial Day theme.
@Paul
It is about time someone does a good film about the American Revolution, maybe remind people what this country stands for and why we are different than our European counterparts.
Hope you all had a Great July 4th weekend!
*ahem*
Not that we REALLY want to claim Mel Gibson anymore, but BRAVEHEART was an Australian film, which used an Aussie and British cast, Director and cinematographer.
The humour was distinctly Australian as well. ‘Taking the Micky out of the Poms’ is peppered throughout BRAVEHEART. The battle scenes were like a big rugby scrum between The Aussies (we are mostly of Irish/Scots stock) and the Brits. It was great!
DANCES WITH WOLVES is more an American patriotic film, I feel.
Oh, you can have Mel, if you like. We don’t want him anymore. He’s a nutcase. I went to school with one of his sisters, Anne, and she is much nicer.
gottarhyme wrote:
“Oh, you can have Mel, if you like. We don’t want him anymore. He’s a nutcase.”
Only if you take Tom Cruise, lol.
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