The towering triumph of adventure from the makers of "Lawrence of Arabia."

Starring: William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa, James Donald, Andre Morell, Geoffrey Horne

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Must we work so well? Must we build them a better bridge than they could have built for themselves?" - Major Clipton

Why watch this? This epic WWII film shows the madness war can infect men held in brutal war camps.

Plot Summary: British prisoners of war are forced to build a railway bridge in Burma for their Japanese captors during World War II. A battle of wills emerges between the British Colonel Nicholson and the Japanese commander Colonel Saito over the treatment of officers. An allied mission aims to destroy the bridge, creating a conflict between the objective of the mission and Colonel's drive to finish the bridge.

Dad's Preview: This film is a case study on how stubborn the English can be. The British Colonel, feeling the bridge project's will boost the men's spirits, is determined to complete it. Everybody else wants to sabotage and destroy the bridge because it helps the Japanese war effort. The viewer must bounce back and forth with where loyalties lie. This film won seven Oscars including Best Picture. Alec Guinness' performance is unforgettable.

Horizon Pictures; Columbia Pictures

The World Forever Changes

Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Benny Safdie, Jason Clarke, Dylan Arnold, Tom Conti

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"They won't fear it until they understand it. And they won't understand it until they've used it. Theory will take you only so far." - J. Robert Oppenheimer

Why watch this? The Manhattan Project changed everything in a world shackled to a war with no end in sight.

Plot Summary: This historical drama details the origins of atomic theory, the determined scientists, the desperate military leaders, the governmental pressures - all to culminate in a world-changing event. It is a moment in our nation's past that is truly incredible, yet simultaneously horrible - the advent of nuclear fission. Oppenheimer was an American theoretical physicist who served as the Manhattan Project's director at Los Alamos Laboratory, where the atomic bombs were developed that would obliterate two Japanese cities, Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and effectively end World War II.

Dad's Preview: This is a story, often only a few paragraphs in history books, best told using an in-depth, smart and visceral film. Delivered in a non-linear fashion, this superb film weaves together all the factions at play, the characters and their inner thoughts, all taking us on a scientific journey to detonation; a crowning achievement that many immediately regretted. Cillian Murphy always brings conviction to his roles, and here he shines as the title character - we feel his inner-conflict, and though we pity his position, he remains a hard-minded, man-of-science. It won seven Oscars including Robert Downey Jr. for his intense role as Lewis Strauss. Thanks to an all-star cast and stunning visuals, the film soars as a historical document on the weapon that prompted Oppenheimer to posit, "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."

Syncopy Inc., Atlas Ent., Gadget Films, Breakheart Films, Peters Creek Ent.;
Universal Pictures

Never stop fighting till the fight is done

Starring: Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Charles Martin Smith, Andy Garcia, Robert De Niro, Richard Bradford, Jack Kehoe, Billy Drago, Patricia Clarkson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You wanna know how to get Capone? They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That's the Chicago way!" – Jim Malone

Why watch this? A great, if romanticized, account of the Elliott Ness story.

Plot Summary: Federal Agent Eliot Ness arrives in Prohibition-era Chicago, determined to bring down the notoriously powerful and corrupt gangster Al Capone. Facing widespread corruption within the city's police force, Ness realizes that traditional methods are insufficient to tackle Capone's illegal empire. He assembles a small team of trustworthy lawmen who are unburdened by fear or bribes to confront the ruthless crime boss and his network of organized crime.

Dad's Preview: Elliott Ness and his deputies (called Untouchables) went after notorious gangster Al Capone in Chicago during the 1920's. This film by Brian De Palma is superb - Connery finally won an Oscar for his portrayal of beat cop, Jim Malone. Costner is steady as Ness, but Robert De Niro, who gained weight to play the part, steals the show as the brutal, tough Capone.

Art Linson; Paramount Pictures

The first casualty of war is innocence.

Starring: Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen, Keith David, Forest Whitaker, Francesco Quinn, Kevin Dillon, John C. McGinley, Reggie Johnson

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Somebody once wrote: "Hell is the impossibility of reason." That's what this place feels like Hell." - Chris Taylor

Why watch this? This is the apogee of Vietnam films. It's gut-wrenching.

Plot Summary: Vietnam in 1967 sees a young American, Chris Taylor, leave a privileged life to volunteer for infantry combat. Thrust into the heart of the jungle, he quickly confronts the brutal reality of warfare and the disillusionment that follows. As the conflict intensifies, Taylor finds himself caught between two conflicting ideologies represented by his sergeants, one embodying ruthlessness and the other compassion.

Dad's Preview: This is Chris Taylor's journey through war in Vietnam. He leaves college and enlists in the infantry (most infantry soldiers were not in college). His platoon becomes embroiled in an internal civil struggle between the brutal Sgt. Barnes and compassionate Sgt. Elias. Tom Berenger's portrayal of Barnes is one of the most powerful I have ever scene on film. The war scenes are intense, harrowing, and almost too real. One can easily see how experiencing that war would seriously damage the men who came home.

Hemdale Film Corporation; Orion Pictures

One of the most important and powerful films of all time!

Starring: Robert De Niro, John Cazale, John Savage, Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken, George Dzundza, Chuck Aspergren

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"You gotta listen to me... You wanna stay down here and die? Go on. It's up to you. Now it's up to you." - Michael

Why watch this? The Vietnam war damaged its survivors. Here, we see the depth of that devastation.

Plot Summary: This epic war drama explores the devastating impact of the Vietnam War on a close-knit group of friends from a small, working-class Pennsylvania mining town. It follows three steelworker buddies who volunteer for military service and face harrowing experiences, forever altering their lives and testing the bonds of friendship.

Dad's Preview: This powerful drama follows a group of friends who are back from Vietnam. Some adjust, but some can't - the war still rages within them. The final chapter takes the main character, Mike, back to Vietnam to find his best friend Nick, who returned because he could not handle being home. The film won five Oscars including Best Picture, Director and Supporting Actor (Walken). It is intense and some parts, notably the Russian Roulette scenes, are not for children.

EMI; Universal Pictures

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), Director: George Roy Hill, rated PG

You never met a pair like Butch and The Kid.

Starring: Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Katharine Ross, Strother Martin, Jeff Corey, Henry Jones, George Furth, Cloris Leachman, Richard Kiel

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"It's your great ideas that got us into this mess. I never want to hear another one of your great ideas. Ever!" - Sundance Kid

Why watch this? It's really fun to see Newman and Redford having such a good time.

Plot Summary: Two notorious outlaws, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, rob banks and trains in the late 1800s American West. Facing relentless pursuit by a skilled posse, they flee with Sundance's girlfriend, Etta Place, to Bolivia seeking a fresh start. However, their attempts to escape their past lead to a series of humorous and action-packed events as they continue their criminal ways.

Dad's Preview: This film certainly stands out as different among Westerns of its time. Newman and Redford portray the famous real-life bank robbers, Butch and Sundance. The film's quip-filled dialog almost doesn't fit the era, but I can let that slide, as it helps the film flow. During the movie, we root for our anti-heroes to escape the law, get across the Mexican border, and make it to Bolivia. But even there, they still become wanted men. The lauded film won four Oscars.

Campanile Productions, Newman-Foreman Company; 20th Century-Fox

An Immortal Screen Classic that will live Forever!

Starring: Renée Jeanne Falconetti, Eugène Silvain, André Berley, Maurice Schutz, Antonin Artaud, Gilbert Dalleu, Michel Simon 

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"When the mission that God has entrusted to me is over, I will again dress as a woman." - Jeanne d'Arc, when asked why she wears men's clothing

Why watch this? ... her passion, as shown here, is otherworldly.

Plot Summary: This silent film chronicles the 15th-century trial of Joan of Arc, a young warrior accused of heresy for claiming divine visions. The film focuses on her intense interrogation by church officials who attempt to force her to recant her claims and beliefs. Ultimately, she faces a brutal punishment and becomes a symbol of martyrdom and steadfast faith.

Dad's Preview: This silent film is called historical, as it was created from the detailed records of Jeanne d'Arc's trial and execution.  Before age 20, she led the French in many battles during the Hundred Years' War and was captured by the church in England, She was then tried for heresy. The religious court threatens and intimidates her in a effort to get her to sign a document stating she was under the devil's influence. This early film is a cinematic landmark for its production value and use of close-up shots for effect. You will walk away from this powerful masterpiece with a lot to think about. On my second viewing, I wept uncontrollably.

Société Générale des Films

She was heralded as unsinkable...

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, David Warner

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"The press knows the size of Titanic, now I want them to marvel at her speed, too. We must give them something new to print. And the maiden voyage of Titanic must make headlines!" – I. Bruce Ismay

Why watch this? A truly epic telling of the greatest maritime disaster.

Plot Summary: A young, upper-class lady, Rose DeWitt Bukater, feels trapped by her engagement to a wealthy but controlling man, Cal. Aboard the luxurious RMS Titanic, she meets Jack Dawson, a free-spirited artist traveling in third class. Despite their stark class differences and Rose's engagement, they fall deeply in love. However, their romance unfolds against the backdrop of the ship's fateful maiden voyage and the impending disaster that will forever change their lives.

Dad's Preview: I've always found sea disasters interesting to research. What went wrong? Could it have been prevented? The story of R.M.S. Titanic is an exercise in man's hubris. For god's sake they called her "Unsinkable", before she had sailed a single league. The film, its cinematography and effects are very well done. Even the fictional love story is engaging. As horrible as it was, the actual sinking, which takes quite a while, is remarkable to witness on the big screen, and I loved every minute of it. 

20th Century Fox, Lightstorm Entertainment; Paramount Pictures

Once in a generation...a motion picture explodes into greatness!

Starring: Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Maximilian Schell, Marlene Dietrich, Judy Garland

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Those people, those millions of people...I never knew it would come to that. YOU must believe it, you MUST believe it." – Ernst Janning

"Herr Janning, it came to that the first time you sentenced a man to death you knew to be innocent." - Judge Dan Haywood, responding to Janning

Why watch this? Its historical significance. War criminals must face judgment.

Plot Summary: An American military tribunal convenes in post-WWII Nuremberg, Germany, to try four German judges accused of crimes against humanity under the Nazi regime. The proceedings delve into the extent of individual and collective responsibility for Nazi atrocities, examining whether the judges were simply following orders or willingly participating in a corrupt legal system. Presiding Judge Dan Haywood faces moral and political pressure as he navigates the complex issues of justice, truth, and the value of a single human life amidst a tense international backdrop including the onset of the Cold War.

Dad's Preview: This is the trial of the key German scientists and officers who oversaw the prison camps and atrocities that would become known as The Holocaust. It's important to see and absorb. This is a film about historical record. It happened. Don't let anyone tell you different. This all-star cast, and Kramer's stern direction, puts forth an amazing, yet understandably disturbing film. While Tracy, Widmark and Lancaster deliver memorable performances, its Maximilian Schell, as the German defense attorney, who captivates us - he's relentless as a man defending the indefensible. 

Roxlom Films, Amber Entertainment; United Artists

The spectacular story of America's first astronauts.

Starring: Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Fred Ward, Sam Shepard, Lance Henriksen, Kim Stanley, Barbara Hershey, Veronica Cartwright, Pamela Reed

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"It takes a special kind of man to volunteer for a suicide mission, especially when it's on national TV." – Chuck Yeager

Why watch this? It's an educational, and thoroughly engaging, film about the U.S. space program.

Plot Summary: Based on Tom Wolfe's book, the film chronicles the early days of the American space program, focusing on the lives of the first astronauts. It follows their selection and rigorous training as they strive to be the first Americans in space, juxtaposed with the exploits of legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager.

Dad's Preview: This flick started the careers of many young stars including Scott Glenn, Ed Harris and Dennis Quaid. It covers two parallel stories: the Mercury space program, and Chuck Yeager's attempts to break the sound barrier in a jet. This film takes us back to a time when it was OK to get a little excited about our air and space programs. You will be inspired to witness this little history lesson.

The Ladd Company; Warner Bros.

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), Director: Lewis Milestone, rated Passed

The Human Side of the War as Seen Through the Eyes of Youth!

Starring: Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, John Wray, William Bakewell, Arnold Lucy, Ben Alexander, Scott Kolk, Owen Davis Jr.

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"He tells you, 'Go out and die! But if you'll pardon me, it's easier to say 'go out and die' than it is to do it." - Paul Bäumer

Why watch this? WWI was a brutal, horrible war. This shows that nobody wins.

Plot Summary: Inspired by patriotic fervor, a group of young German schoolboys enlists in the army at the outbreak of World War I. They soon find their romantic notions of war shattered by the harsh realities of trench warfare, witnessing death and disillusionment firsthand. The film follows their experiences on the Western Front, emphasizing the dehumanizing effects and futility of the conflict.

Dad's Preview: This is a perfect example of early, almost amateurish, film-making that enhances the film's impact. Made in 1929, a mere 14-years after WWI, the film has a distinctive authenticity regarding this era in history. It is an unapologetic anti-war film. Back then, it was not popular to be anti-war, especially with Hitler gearing up in Europe for what would become the second World War. Here our protagonist is a German soldier who finds out that real war is not what he expected - the war is over-glamorized at home; leadership is incompetent; the only bond a soldier has is with his fellow soldiers. In sum, war is futile. You will forever remember the scene in the bomb crater with the dead Russian soldier.

Universal Studios

Same Land. Same God. Different Dreams.

Starring: Jeff Daniels, Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen, Maxwell Caulfield, C. Thomas Howell, Kevin Conway, Stephen Lang, Sam Elliott

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"We are adrift here in a sea of blood and I want it to end. I want this to be the final battle." - General Robert E. Lee

Why watch this? It was a turning point in the U. S. Civil War - YOU NEED TO SEE THIS FILM!

Plot Summary: This historical epic depicts the pivotal three-day battle of the American Civil War, following the actions and decisions of key figures from both the Union and Confederate armies. It showcases the strategic movements, fierce fighting at crucial locations like Little Round Top, and the climactic Confederate charge known as Pickett's Charge.

Dad's Preview: This is a very well-done historical epic recreating one of the most pivotal battles in American history. The viewer is asked to take in all the pieces that had to come together for this battle to occur. It is all there: Devil's Den, Little Roundtop, Pickett's charge. I get that this was years ago, but historically, it is important to understand what occurred there in June of 1863. Jeff Daniels' performance shines, as Col. Chamberlain, in charge of the 20th Maine on Little Roundtop.

Turner Pictures, TriStar Television, Esparza/Katz Productions; New Line Cinema

His Triumph Changed The World Forever.

Starring: Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergman, Trevor Howard, John Gielgud, Martin Sheen, Daniel-Day Lewis, Roshan Seth

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Whenever I despair, I remember that the way of truth and love has always won. There may be tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they may seem invincible, but in the end, they always fail. Think of it: always." – Mohandas Gandhi

Why watch this? This stunning epic still finds a way to intimately touch each heart that views it.

Plot Summary: This epic drama follows the life of Mohandas K. Gandhi, the influential leader of India's nonviolent independence movement against British rule. The story showcases his journey from his time as a lawyer in South Africa to his eventual leadership of the movement in India, promoting his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. It highlights significant events in his personal and political life, depicting both his successes and the challenges he faced in uniting his country and achieving self-rule.

Dad's Preview:  It's hard to argue with 8 Academy Awards. This film is massive and unrelenting, as it follows the life of Mohandas Gandhi, and his non-violent protests against the British occupation of India. Ben Kingsley's performance is hypnotic - he transforms into the peaceful leader. The man Gandhi, was a miracle of a humanity on this Earth and we should all acknowledge his beliefs and way of thinking.

Goldcrest Films; Int'l Film Investors, National Film Development Corp of India
Indo-British Films; Columbia Pictures

Leave No Man Behind.

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Sam Shepard, William Fichtner

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Don't really matter what I think. Once that first bullet goes past your head, politics and all that shit just goes right out the window." – SFC "Hoot" Gibson

Why watch this? This is a historically accurate account of the 1993 Mogadishu Raid.

Plot Summary: In 1993, a group of elite U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force operators are sent into Mogadishu, Somalia, on a mission to capture key lieutenants of a powerful warlord. However, the operation quickly escalates into a brutal and prolonged firefight when two Black Hawk helicopters are shot down. The stranded American soldiers must fight their way through hostile territory in a desperate struggle to survive and rescue their comrades.

Dad's Preview: I remember seeing the news footage of a US helicopter pilot's body being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. This film replays the confusion of that day as two U.S. helicopters were shot down in the middle of an African civil war. We witness the bravery of the U.S. soldiers who went in to extract the crash victims. Courageous as that was, the brutal reality is that a terrible toll was taken on the Somali militia and citizens, as well.

Columbia Pictures, Revolution Studios, J. Bruckheimer Films; Sony Pictures Releasing

All the President's Men (1976), Director: Alan J. Pakula, rated PG

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein are about to ask you a few questions.

Starring: Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Jack Warden, Martin Balsam, Hal Holbrook , Jason Robarbs, Ned Beatty

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"It leads everywhere. Get out your notebook. There's more." - Deep Throat

Why watch this? This explains Watergate in a very interesting and suspenseful manner.

Plot Summary: Two reporters from the Washington Post, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, are assigned to what initially seems like a minor break-in at the Democratic Party Headquarters in the Watergate complex. As they investigate, they uncover a much larger political conspiracy, tracing the trail of illegal activity higher and higher within the Nixon administration, despite obstacles and threats to their safety. Their persistent investigative journalism ultimately aims to reveal the truth about the Watergate scandal and its connections to those in power.

Dad's Preview: This is a very intelligent film about the Watergate scandal in 1972. As a teen, I did not understand what Watergate entailed - this film helped a lot. There are stellar performances from Hoffman, Redford and Robarbs, who all work for the Washington Post. Together they expose a depth of political corruption that includes officials, senators and the even the U.S. President. As with most scandals, it's all about the cover-up. This certainly applies today with horrific events related to Enron, the Penn State Sandusky scandal, and child molestation occurring in various religious and civic organizations.

Wildwood Enterprises; Warner Bros.

Every man dies, not every man really lives.

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick MaGoohan, Angus Macfadyen, Catherine McCormack, Brendan Gleeson, Peter Hanly, Ian Bannen, James Cosmo, David O'Hara

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"Those men who bled the ground red at Falkirk fought for William Wallace. He fights for something that I never had. And I took it from him, when I betrayed him." - Robert the Bruce

Why watch this? This is a powerful film about historical Scotland and its hero, William Wallace.

Plot Summary: This story features William Wallace, a Scottish warrior who leads a rebellion against the tyrannical King Edward I of England. Wallace unites his people and fights for Scotland's independence, driven by personal tragedy and a desire for freedom. His bravery inspires a nation and leaves a lasting legacy in their struggle for freedom.

Dad's Preview: This is a great education. William Wallace leads the Scots striving for independence against King Edward I of England. It is an epic, bloody story full of battles, betrayals and death, yet you'll walk away inspired! The scenery and cinematography are beautiful, set in scenic Ireland. This was Gibson's second film to direct, and he garnered several Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture - well done, Mel.

Icon Productions, The Ladd Company; Paramount Pictures

Ordinary men. Extraordinary times.

Starring: Damien Lewis, Ron Livingston, Dale Dye, Scott Grimes, Neal McDonough, Donnie Wahlberg, David Schwimmer, Kirk Acevedo, Michael Cudlitz, Rick Gomez, Frank John Hughes, Matthew Settle, Rick Warren

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

"The only hope you have is to accept the fact that you're already dead. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function: without mercy, without compassion, without remorse. All war depends upon it." – Lt. Speers to a very nervous Pvt. Blithe

Why watch this? This encapsulates WWII in an enthralling, intense, realistic package.

Plot Summary: The story follows Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, from their training in the United States to the end of World War II in Europe. The series chronicles their experiences through significant battles like D-Day, Operation Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge, highlighting their courage, sacrifice, and the bonds of brotherhood forged in combat.

Dad's Preview: Ground-breaking HBO mini-series spanning 10 episodes (yes, I realize it's a mini-series not a movie). This is the unequalled exposé regarding the events of U.S. Army soldiers in World War II. Each episode is engaging, poignant and important to understanding the war in Europe. Its realism matches that of Saving Private Ryan (1998). In fact, one episode was directed by Tom Hanks. This is not just an HBO mini-series, it is U.S. History 101 - an absolute must see for every American.

Playtone, Dreamworks Television; HBO Entertainment

Stirring - In the seeing! Precious - In the remembering!

Starring: James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains, Thomas Mitchell, Edward Arnold, Beulah Bondi, Harry Carey, Eugene Pallette

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #34 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

"You all think I'm licked. Well I'm not licked. And I'm gonna stay right here and fight for this lost cause!" - Senator Jefferson Smith, Tenn.

Why watch this? ... an idyllic young Senator finds himself attacked by corruption.

Plot Summary: Idealistic young man Jefferson Smith is unexpectedly appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill a vacant seat. Initially, Smith is seen as easily manipulated by corrupt political figures, including his state's powerful political boss and even his childhood hero, Senator Joseph Paine. However, when Smith proposes a national boys' camp that interferes with a corrupt land scheme, he finds himself in a fight for his ideals against the powerful forces of political corruption.

Dad's Preview: Nobody plays the underdog like Jimmy Stewart. This is the second Stewart-Capra collaboration. Every American should watch this, and ask yourself, "What do I stand for?" Am I pulling for the young Tennessee senator, Jefferson Smith, who still believes is fair government, helping common citizens? Or do I relate more to the senator who takes bribes from bullying businessmen? Well? I choose Jeff Smith, and a government of the people by the people and for the people. This is a MUST SEE!

Frank Capra; Columbia Pictures

The list is life. The man was real. The story is true.

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagallie, Embeth Davidtz, Mark Ivanir, Beatrice Macola

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #25 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Schindler's List

"They came with nothing. Nothing. And they flourished. For six centuries there has been a Jewish Krakow. Think about that. By this evening those six centuries are a rumor. They never happened. Today is history." – SS 2nd LT Amon Göth

Why watch this? ... to remember, and not let it happen again - EVER on this Earth.

Plot Summary: During World War II in German-occupied Poland, a German industrialist named Oskar Schindler arrives in Kraków seeking to make his fortune amidst the war's chaos. Initially driven by profit, he establishes a factory employing Jewish workers, seeing them as a source of cheap labor. As the Nazi regime intensifies its persecution of Jews, Schindler is confronted with the atrocities of the Holocaust and undergoes a profound moral transformation.

Dad's Preview: How do you tell a story so horrible it defies belief? As honestly as you can. Many films have referenced the Holocaust, using it as a backdrop. However, no film more directly confronts humanity's most devastating chapter than this dark, necessary effort. It recounts fascist Germany's creation of the Płaszów concentration camp during World War II. The Jews sent there endured total upheaval, horrible prison conditions and merciless torture by Nazi camp officials. It was horrific. Director Steven Spielberg, himself a Jew, had to commit this story to film, and his effort is a masterpiece on both inhuman depravity and the courageous human spirit.

Amblin Entertainment; Universal Pictures

the mission is a man.

Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Giovanni Ribisi, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, Adam Goldberg, Barry Pepper, Dennis Farina

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★ - perfect

DML Top 50 #3 - Dad's Full (Spoiler) Review and Deep Dive of Saving Private Ryan

"The boy's alive, and we are going to send somebody to find him, and we are going to get him the hell out of there." - Gen. George C. Marshall

Why watch this? This film honestly illustrates what many infantry soldiers went through during WWII.

Plot Summary: A squad of US soldiers during World War II, led by Captain John Miller, survive the D-Day invation. They get a new assignment to venture behind enemy lines in German-occupied France to locate Private James Ryan and bring him home safely. This extraordinary assignment is sparked by the tragic news that Ryan's three brothers have already been killed in action, and the government hopes to spare his family from further loss. As the soldiers confront the brutal realities of war, the film explores the moral dilemmas of risking many lives to save one man.

Dad's Preview: If you watch only one segment of film from all of Dad's lists, it has to the first thirty minutes of this movie. It is hard to watch, but it should be a requirement of everyone daring to call themselves "American". This amazing war epic focuses on a mission to find one man in France after the invasion of Normandy. But the story behind the story is that war can be confusing, bloody and costly in human lives. Here nothing is held back - Director Spielberg did his best to take us there. The ensemble cast is amazing, led by Hanks and Tom Sizemore's career-best performance.

Amblin Entertainment, Mutual Film Co.; DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Pictures