#4thofjuly #Definingcinema #Patriotic #Hollywood Hollywood is no stranger to propaganda, but many of the features on this list are just from the hearts of the directors making them. This is a subjective list, but all of the films on this list do show love for the United States of America. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
During World War II, the United States population needed a lot of cheering up. The tail end of 1941 had the US maliciously attacked by the Japanese, an action that forced the US into the conflict. Yankee Doodle Dandy is a wonderful piece on how the United States was a land of opportunity. Many consider it to be a propaganda piece to the World, as it shows a rags to riches story that could only happen in. The features main character Cohan also was a mouth piece for American resolve, in the film he was often monologuing almost directly to the audience, perhaps most notably, when he indirectly referenced the Pearl Harbor attacks here:
It seems it always happens. Whenever we get too high-hat and too sophisticated for flag-waving, some thug nation decides we're a push-over all ready to be blackjacked. And it isn't long before we're looking up, mighty anxiously, to be sure the flag's still waving over us. - Cohan, in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
1776 (1972)
This movie is literally just a musical where the founding fathers explain the merits of the Representative Republic that they collaborated together to create. Not as uplifting, inspiring or nearly as entertaining the rest of the movies on this list, but for sure a patriotic creation that deserves mention.
Mr.Smith Goes To Washington (1939)
This Jimmy Stewart outing was actually released in the most crowded year for cinema which had the most true contenders for best picture, and it still was able to nab 9 nominations, and one win for best original screenplay from the Academy of Motion Picture and Sciences. This film follows an up and coming Jr Representative for the United States congress, Jefferson Smith and deals with his battles in politics. This feature is patriotic in the sense that Smith's wide eyed love for America blinds him to the corruption he ultimately has to stand up to. 1939's biggest potential Oscar snubbing was when they picked Robert Donat over Jimmy Stewart and Clarke Gable, especially considering Stewart's fantastic monologue at the end of Mr.Smith Goest To Washington.
Independence Day (1996)
Who knew Will Smith, the actor most known for Fresh Prince of Bell Air, could pair so well with the charismatic juggernaut, Jeff Goldblum. Their on screen chemistry is only overshadowed by the incredible speech by Bill Pullman as President of the US, while inspiring the Air force pilots form all over the World to stand up to the invading forced which have already taken so many US landmarks.
We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! -President Thomas J Whitmore, Independence day
This of course was followed by a cheering crowd and a couple extremely enthusiastic salutes. Definitely encapsulated how many Americans felt in the 90s.
Rocky 4 (1985)
This movie metaphorically exemplified the conflict between the US and USSR. The whole World knew what Stallone was telling us, that the Soviet Union was a cold heartless killer, and the US was going to go the distance, no matter how big and scary they were. There have been some film experts who have even theorized Apollo Creed dying in the fight symbolized America's pride after their loss in Vietnam, and Rocky represented the general publics reaction to coming to terms with that loss. Metaphorical message or not, it still allowed for the Creed movies to help us forget Rocky 5 and Rocky 6.
Top Gun (1986)
Another Cold War propaganda piece, Top Gun follows Maverick and Goose through their attendance of the prestigious Top Gun Academy, the school for the top pilots in the Navy. The film begins with Maverick and Goose taunting Russian MIG pilots, and ends with Maverick shooting down the first MIGs since Vietnam. The end of the film has the entire aircraft carrier cheering Maverick's victory, and shows Maverick's closure of his past, but of course, we all know World War Three would have been what happened next.
Dave (1993)
Dave is a story about how a President's double had to act as the Commander and Chief. This feature was less propaganda piece, more romantic comedy, but the film does a great job of explaining the complexities of our Government while also showing how revered the oval office is. The film was also nominated best original screenplay, for the script written by Gary Ross, and it was nominated for best picture for the Golden Globes.
The American President (1995)
Aaron Sorkin written, Rob Reiner directed, and Michael Douglas lead The American President is a rare perfect storm where you had a snappy writer with a charming director and an intense actor. The film does an incredible job of humanizing the president while presenting the challenges the oval office presents. The film got 5 Oscar nominations, and won best soundtrack.
Red Dawn (1986)
The 1970s Movie Brat’s writing arm, John Milius seldom ventured into Directing, but this is one time he may have wished he hadn’t. Red Dawn is the literal definition of a propaganda feature, which aims to scare the American public of the terrors of the Red Army. Basically, the Russian Army invades the US, and in a small rural town a bunch of really attractive teenagers, played by Patrick Swayze, and Charlie Sheen stand up to them and win. Although Red Dawn was not successful, it still has a cult following and is loved by many 1980s film aficionados. Miracle (2004)
Miracle is often considered to be the greatest sports movie of all time, right up there with Tin Cup, The Sandlot and Happy Gilmore. But, Miracle is based on the true story of how the US beat the undefeated Russian team in the 1984 Olympics. Miracle also features one of the greatest pre game speeches of all time, performed by Kurt Russel:
Great moments are born from great opportunity. And that's what you have here tonight, boys. That's what you've earned here tonight. One game. If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. -Herb Brooks, USA Ice Hockey Coach, 1984
The Patriot (2000)
Mel Gibson tried to recapture the lightning in a bottle that he got with Braveheart (1995), and although critically it didn’t do as well, financially it was nearly as successful as the William Wallace war epic. The Patriot is about a family who stands up to the British in the American revolution. Like Braveheart, it does a really good job of making you hate the British, and makes you love their rivals, but in this case, the American Colonist. The Patriot also features Heath Ledger in the supporting role, one of the few reminders of how Ledger was taken from us too soon.
Glory (1989)
Glory follows a Civil War regiment through many battles in the Civil War. It features an amazing cast of Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary E;wes, and Morgan Freeman, and won three Academy Awards, for best cinematography, best editing, and a best supporting actor award win for Denzel Washington. But, Glory only made about 27 Million in the Box Office. One of the many features deserving of more attention by audiences.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan is often considered the greatest War epic ever created. Stephen Spielberg put together an amalgamation of all the stories he was told by actual World War II Veterans Into one film. Although, the ending isn't exactly happy, the film aims to share the horrors of war our own had to endure and asks its audience to reflect on the freedoms they take fore granted.
Patton (1970)
Patton was based on the tail end of WWII through the eyes of General George S Patton. It was a time where American morale was pretty low as we were in the middle of our war with Vietnam, which was widely unsupported by the American people. Patton was not only a love letter to the General, but also an attempt to remind the American people that we are the good guys. Patton was loved by critics and it won best picture, Frank C Mcarthy won best director, and George C Scott won best actor at the Oscars.
Team America World Police (2004)
Team America World Police is a parody of the 80s action films that America used to consume on the regular. Only a year prior to the release of Team America World Police, The US easily beat the Iraqi military, and there was a fleeting feeling of pride, almost a Universal understanding that America is the best, amongst the American people and the film definitely capitalized on that.
Written by,
Tyler Wiest
Defining Cinema Producer and Editor
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