With Veteran’s Day on the horizon, many people will choose to spend their day off by relaxing and enjoying a nice meal, but why not watch a movie honoring the people who choose to fight for their country? This list of five movies and TV shows is sure to get the ball rolling.

Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers is the harrowing true tale of 101st Airborne’s Easy Company and their experiences throughout the end of the Second World war. This 10 part HBO mini-series follows these paratroopers through the skies of Normandy during Operation Overlord, as well as the many battles they fought thereafter. Care was taken in every step of the show’s production, and it shows, the screenwriting and historical accuracy take precedent, even when displaying the not-so-glorious parts of war. Over the course of the series, the directors depict the heroism displayed by the men of Easy Company and the leadership of Major Richard Winters in the final days of World War Two.

All Quiet on the Western Front

Based on the book by Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet on the Western Front is a story about the brutality of trench warfare in the First World War. Shown from the perspective of an Imperial German soldier, the movie focuses not only on the dying morale of an Army plagued by leadership and supply problems but also on the effect of war on the psyche of those who fight. The film is based on Remarque’s experience in World War One, and even in the book the effects of PTSD and CPTSD are evident. The story as a whole has had its critics for its strong Anti-war themes, in particular drawing the ire of the Nazi regime, who banned Remarque’s writing, and put his sister on trial for “undermining morale”.

Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down is the story of an American rescue effort in Somalia, after a black hawk helicopter carrying United States troops is shot down in Mogadishu. Most of the movie is centered around the rescue effort and the defense of the wounded men involved in the crash. Many of the characters struggle with complex decisions regarding both the fate of their comrades and the wishes of command. 

Saving Private Ryan

Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan is hailed as one of the greatest films ever made, with the title being entered into the Library of Congress as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically important”. The opening scene is a terrifying, 23-minute look at the beaches of Normandy on D-Day, its extraordinarily graphic and historically accurate depiction of the Allied amphibious landing is a sight to behold. Tom Hanks and Matt Damon sell the film with their portrayals of Captain Miller and Private Ryan respectively, the former would win Best Actor for his performance.

Platoon

Based on director Oliver Stone’s experiences in the Vietnam war, Platoon is a deep dive into the world of enlisted servicemen during the conflict. The film is filled with dark themes prevalent through the fighting in Vietnam and Cambodia, especially concentrated in the battle scenes, but especially showing the relationship between US troops and the Vietnamese. However, the film explores the psychology of men during wartime and the attitudes they take towards war, through the dichotomy of characters like Barnes and Elias and their actions. 

Even if you choose not to watch one of these movies, be sure to thank a veteran, not just for fighting for our freedom, but for putting their lives on the line for the people back home. If you have the time, listen to a story, some may even top the movies on this list.