Actors might not have firsthand experience of being on a battlefield, yet they convincingly portray soldiers. Over time, we’ve witnessed numerous remarkable Oscar-winning performances in films depicting war. For instance, Alec Guinness was honored for his portrayal of Colonel Nicholson, a prisoner of war, in “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” and Denzel Washington earned his first Academy Award for playing Private Silas Trip, a member of the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in “Glory.
Instead of using professional actors, having real veterans in the cast significantly enhances authenticity. Having ex-military personnel on set not only contributes to an accurate portrayal of war but also serves as a valuable consultant, minimizing potential misconceptions. Moreover, actors who have served in the military are likely to deliver genuine performances, which is particularly appreciated by genre enthusiasts and fellow veterans alike.
Here are war movies featuring former military personnel in an acting capacity.
10
‘Platoon’ (1986)
Vet: Dale Dyle
In this gritty war movie directed by Oliver Stone, who is also a veteran, we follow Chris Taylor (played by Charlie Sheen) as he enlists in the Vietnam War, soon discovering that the reality of combat is far from the enjoyment he initially anticipated. The film, titled Platoon, additionally explores an internal conflict within their platoon, where Staff Sergeant Barnes and his troops engage in a power struggle, some advocating for the massacre of civilians while others oppose such actions.
A Legend in the Industry
In the movie Platoon, the cast went through rigorous training, but it’s likely that life was less challenging for Dale Dye, given his experience as a combatant during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War. On-screen, Dye portrayed Captain Harris, the Company Commander. Although Dye’s role was limited, it proved crucial, as his character helped to restore order within a platoon that had descended into chaos. Nowadays, Dye is well-known in Hollywood, having established Warriors, Inc., a firm providing technical advice on portraying authentic military action.
9
‘To Hell and Back’ (1955)
Vet: Audie Murphy
The movie “To Hell and Back” is one of those rare films where actors portray themselves. This autobiographical war story transports us onto the battlefields, following the experiences of Audie Murphy, the most decorated enlisted soldier in U.S. history. He was bestowed with every military valor award that the United States Army offers, as well as some French and Belgian honors for his bravery. In this film, he assumes the role of himself.
A Murphy of All Trades
Has any individual been more productive throughout human history than this person? The Washington Post attributes an astonishing 241 kills to him. Following his military service, Murphy went on to appear in over thirty films, primarily Westerns. An intriguing behind-the-scenes tale tells of a time when he arrived armed with real guns during the shooting of To Hell and Back, causing quite a scare among his co-stars. It’s no surprise that the film feels like a true-life account. Authentic feelings are evident in every moment of its 106-minute duration, and we could not have envisioned anyone else playing the part.
8
‘The Dirty Dozen’ (1967)
Vets: Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Telly Savalas
The action-packed movie titled “The Dirty Dozen” can be likened to the 1960s adaptation of “The Unorthodox Warfare Bureau“. It transports us back to March 1944, where OSS officer Major John Reisman (portrayed by Lee Marvin) is given a classified assignment called “Project Amnesty”. This mission involves selecting and training some of the U.S. Army’s criminals into proficient commandos, with the ultimate goal of eliminating Wehrmacht officers at a French château close to Rennes.
It’s Raining Tough Dudes
The movie’s success lies in its strong ensemble cast, with each member of this unconventional squad demonstrating impressive firepower against the opposition while maintaining a sense of enjoyment. This is due to many of the actors having prior experience in similar roles. Lee Marvin, recognized for his deep voice and prematurely white hair, served as a scout sniper in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Bronson was an aerial gunner on a Boeing B-29 Superfortress in World War II, completing 25 missions and earning a Purple Heart. Tell Savalas, famed for his portrayals of Bond villain Blofeld and TV detective Lt. Theo Kojak, served in the 12th Medical Training Battalion.
7
‘Ike: Countdown to D-Day’ (2004)
Vet: Tom Selleck
Titled “Ike’s Kitchen: A Taste of D-Day“, this work delves into the meticulous planning phase of one of history’s most significant military operations – the attack on Nazi-occupied France, known as D-Day. Notable figures like the former U.S. president Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower, who served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War II, were instrumental in this process. This narrative offers a unique perspective on the events leading up to D-Day, providing insights through the lens of “Chef Ike”.
A Perfect Hors d’oeuvre Before Consuming ‘Saving Private Ryan’
Tom Selleck may not have experienced the level of action portrayed in “Ike: Countdown to D-Day“, but he did serve as an infantryman in the California Army National Guard from 1967 to 1973, reaching the rank of sergeant. Despite this military background, Selleck is known for his roles as law enforcement figures and authoritative characters in shows like “Magnum P.I.” and “Blue Bloods“. He carries a similar presence here, and the film can be seen as an unofficial prequel to “Saving Private Ryan“. It’s recommended to watch this movie before Steven Spielberg’s film.
6
‘Missing in Action’ (1984)
Vet: Chuck Norris
As someone who holds a deep respect for the sacrifices made by our service members, I’ve noticed that while the POW/MIA issue hasn’t been as prevalent in recent conflicts as it was during the Vietnam War, my admiration for stories about those missing in action has never waned. One such captivating tale is portrayed in the movie “Missing in Action,” where a character I greatly esteem, Colonel James Braddock (played by Chuck Norris), embarks on a journey ten years after his own escape from captivity, to verify reports of American soldiers still being held in camps within Ho Chi Minh City.
The Toughness Didn’t Come Out of Nowhere
It’s not unexpected that someone known as one of the toughest individuals globally had a military background. In 1958, Carlos Ray Norris enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving as an Air Policeman (AP) at Osan Air Base, South Korea. It was there where he started his Tang Soo Do (tangsudo) training and earned the nickname Chuck. Since then, he’s been delivering powerful blows and those from ‘Missing in Action’ can vouch for it.
5
‘The Bedford Incident’ (1965)
Vet: Sydney Poitier
In “The Bedford Incident,” we meet Ben Munceford (Sidney Poitier), a photojournalist, who is on a U.S. Navy vessel cruising through the Denmark Strait. His destination is to conduct an interview with Capt. Eric Finlander (Richard Widmark). Finlander is a stern anti-communist naval commander. As he spots a Soviet submarine near Greenland’s coast, his determination to follow it leads to potentially lethal repercussions.
Always an Actor
As a movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase that as follows:
In my youth, Sidney Poitier, the first black actor to claim an Oscar, found himself enlisted in the Army during World War II, having fibbed about his age (he was only 16). Assigned to a Veteran’s Administration hospital in Northport, New York, I soon grew restless and yearned for a discharge under Section VIII. Despite not being mentally unwell, I sought freedom from military life. However, my acting skills, showcased later in Hollywood, proved more than adequate for the role of pretending. One of my finest performances can be seen in “The Bedford Incident,” where I portrayed how the monotony of military service could lead to hasty and dangerous decisions.
4
‘The Rack’ (1956)
Vets: Paul Newman, Lee Marvin
In “The Rack,” Captain Edward W. Hall Jr., portrayed by Paul Newman, experiences an unrelenting downpour of troubles. Having endured two grueling years in a Korean prisoner-of-war camp and returning to a US Army post in San Francisco, he is far from receiving a hearty greeting. Instead, he finds himself falsely accused of treason. To make matters worse, his father, a retired colonel, disowns him upon hearing the accusations.
A Career Switch Was a Great Idea
As a cinephile, I must admit that Paul Newman excelled more as an actor than he did as a serviceman during his time. It’s said that he struggled with a pilot training program and didn’t shine as a gunner in World War II. Nevertheless, the harrowing events he encountered in the Pacific theater significantly enriched his acting career.
In an interview on RogerEbert.com, screenwriter Stewart Stern recounted how Newman leveraged his military experience as an “emotional catalyst” to portray his character’s turmoil on set for ‘The Rack’. He shared that Newman would often recall a haunting memory from the war—the day when his best friend was gruesomely mutilated by a plane’s propeller. The raw emotion evident on Newman’s face in that film is undeniably palpable.
3
‘Casablanca’ (1942)
Vet: Humphrey Bogart
In the classic film “Casablanca,” directors often find inspiration. The protagonist, Rick (played by Humphrey Bogart), operates a nightclub in Casablanca, Morocco. However, when an ex-lover appears with her husband – who happens to be a resistance leader wanted by the Nazis – Rick grapples with whether he should hand him over or instead, draw upon his own sense of national duty.
Joined for the Wrong Reasons… but It’s Okay
As a movie enthusiast, let me share with you some insights from the fascinating biography “Bogart: A Life in Hollywood”. The legendary actor himself divulged his reasons for joining the military, exclaiming something along the lines of “At eighteen, war was like a dream come true – Paris! Charming French ladies! Wow!” But hey, that’s classic Bogie for you. So, the man we all know as Rick in Casablanca enlisted in the United States Navy during World War I. He spent most of his sea time transporting soldiers back from Europe following the armistice before leaving, having earned the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. While he may not have been overly enthusiastic about war in Casablanca, his portrayal is simply mesmerizing, especially the casual tone with which he delivers his lines.
2
‘The Great Escape’ (1963)
Vet: Steve McQueen
The Great Escape” movie was inspired by Paul Brickhill’s 1950 real-life account of the same title, however, for increased commercial success, the director and screenwriter took creative liberties with historical facts. The film narrates an imaginative portrayal of a daring breakout attempt by British prisoners of war from the German POW camp Stalag Luft III during World War II. Interestingly, some American characters are depicted as heroes in this tale, despite no actual Americans being present.
A Time of His Life
Steve McQueen portrays Captain Virgil Hilts, famously known as ‘The Cooler King,’ who is among the three American prisoners in the camp. Despite his character, renowned for executing an iconic motorcycle stunt on screen, having a fictional background, the actor had real-life military experience. He joined the United States Marine Corps immediately following World War II and served as part of the presidential yacht guard detail, responsible for safeguarding the yacht of U.S. President Harry S. Truman.
The book titled “Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel” discloses that he was given a 41-day prison sentence when he was caught spending romantic time with a woman. However, he also shared that his time in the service was enjoyable, expressing, “The Marines shaped me into a man. I learned to coexist with others and they provided me a launchpad.
1
‘Paths of Glory’ (1957)
Vet: Timothy Carey
Under the guidance of renowned director Stanley Kubrick, who adapted the screenplay from Humphrey Cobb’s novel of the same name, Paths of Glory features Kirk Douglas in the role of Colonel Dax, a commanding officer leading a band of French soldiers who refuse to participate in a fatal offensive. Predictably, they face court-martial for cowardice, but Colonel Dax remains steadfast in their defense.
Carey Hated War, Just Like the Characters in the Movie
Throughout much of his acting career, Carey was often portrayed as an emotionally turbulent character due to his consistently troubled on-screen demeanor. Given his background, it’s plausible that he might have suffered from PTSD. As revealed in his autobiography, the actor joined the U.S. Marine Corps at just 15 during WWII, an experience he deeply disliked. This apparent dissatisfaction is strikingly similar to the character he played as Private Ferol in “Paths of Glory.” Throughout his film career, he appeared in two films directed by Kubrick, and if he had been born in a different time, he would have been an excellent fit for the role in “Full Metal Jacket.
Read More
- Crypto VC funding roundup: Riot snags over $594m, BVNK raises $50m
- PYTH PREDICTION. PYTH cryptocurrency
- The Final ‘Gladiator II’ Trailer Has Arrived
- ‘Fast and Furious’ Star Paul Walker Remembered 11 Years After His Death
- 15 Charged for converting Drug Cartels’ Cash into Cryptocurrency in U.S.
- OREO Unveils Six New Products for 2025
- XRP Price Eyes $2 Support Level Amidst Market Correction
- TROTOAR Gallery Bridges Local and Global Art with ‘That’s What’s Up!’
- Russell T Davies Says He “Kind Of Hopes” The Streaming Bubble Will “Pop”
- IMX PREDICTION. IMX cryptocurrency
2025-01-13 01:02