By Sam Watermeier
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Iraq war films are failing at the box office. “In the Valley of Elah,” “Redacted” and the underrated “Lions for Lambs” to name a few, drew very small crowds. Could it be that no one wants to see an Iraq war film because the experience is equivalent to pouring salt on open wounds? Audiences may not be ready to look back and understand the horror because that horror is unfortunately still lingering. Men and women are still fighting and dying for our country. Over time, these films and, more importantly, their subjects may become richer and gain resonance. Here are some examples of war films where time distanced itself from audiences, therefore leaving those audiences more prepared to open their minds.

1. “Saving Private Ryan”

No other war film, especially World War II-related, comes close to capturing the visceral experience of war like this masterpiece. It has the most jarring and realistic battle scenes in the history of film. The aspect of the movie that is more important to admire, though, is its emotional realism. It stands out from other World War II films (i.e. “The Dirty Dozen,” “The Longest Day”) because it shows the moments of war that those safe, gung-ho films were afraid to show: a leader hiding behind a hill to cry so his men won’t see him, a medic calling out for his mother as he suffers from a bullet wound.
World War II is universally known as “The Good War.” It is often glorified to the extreme in films. In an interview with entertainment reporter Bruce Kirkland, director Steven Spielberg said, “In earlier films, I always felt that World War II was just used as a backdrop for action and glory.” Spielberg’s intentions for depicting the war were completely different. He said, “I wanted to resensitize people to the realities of war.” Spielberg, like the masterful director he is, accomplished exactly that. “Saving Private Ryan,” in its uncompromising depiction of war, breaks conventions and sets the standard for all war films to come. It’s quite an accomplishment to make audiences realize that World War II was not so “good” after all and more importantly, that no war is.

2. “Platoon”

This film is the best depiction of the Vietnam War (“Apocalypse Now” is too quirky to be considered a “realistic” interpretation). “Platoon’s” authenticity comes from the fact that its writer-director Oliver Stone actually served in the war. The average soldier’s experience is captured perfectly. One can sense the men’s confusion and frustration in every move they make.

3. “Letters From Iwo Jima”

With this film, Clint Eastwood accomplishes something unprecedented. He respectfully tells the story of the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima from the enemy’s point of view. In doing so, he shows that all soldiers, no matter what side they represent, share the same fear and pressure. With his compassionate approach, Eastwood actually makes the Japanese soldiers’ fears our own.

4. “The Deer Hunter”

This film is unique for its use of the game Russian roulette as a metaphor for the mental brutality of the Vietnam War. The risk of the game mirrors the risk of the war. Like in the game, men were essentially holding guns to their heads with one bullet in the chamber just waiting to explode.

5. “Jarhead”

This is probably the least action-oriented war film ever made. Then again, according to the film and the book upon which it is based, the Gulf War did not have much action either. This film perfectly captures soldiers’ boredom during the Gulf War. It also attacks the administration behind that war and indirectly, the current one with its sharp, biting wit.