On 9/11 I’d like to remember those we lost, but I also want to celebrate the resilience of America. Even though Americans bicker like any other family at a Thanksgiving table, we also share values about freedom, justice, and fair play.
So, here’s what I’d like to hear from you: What are your favorite movies that capture the American spirit?
Casablanca (made on the cheap during WW II with a script being written while shooting) Showed a typical American dilemma: self-interest vs. doing the right thing. Of course, doing the right thing wins. The best in American history is when we do the right thing. The worst is when we act only in self-interest. Freedom, justice, and fair play have been founding ideals although, in practice we don't score all that well most of the time. But that's what we really need now.
Peace Mr. Abdul-jabbar, well I would say The Jackie Robinson story, the league of distinguished gentleman, the matrix: revolutions, star wars: return of the jedi, empire strikes back and the avengers: the end game to be quite honest.
Airplane! From being a diverse cast able to poke fun at ourselves to also standing up for ourselves, to being more funny than it has any right to, for being kinda dumb and racist in parts even, and, well, learning to fly on the fly, faking it til you make it, aint that America?
The Prestige in a strange way - it's a story about ruthless competition, innovation, and people willing to risk it all for a few moments of greatness. While it takes place in England(?) thematically feels extremely American
Thanks Kareem. I find Michael Moore's work to promote freedom, justice, and fair play to be very important. “Fahrenheit 9/11” for starters ... and then the rest, including 'The Awful Truth'.
Birth of a Nation - In so many ways, this silent film is a horrifically stark reminder of what the "American" spirit has truly never been nor ever shall be. That phoenix will not take flight on this soil again.
It's a Wonderful Life or a Patch of Blue. In It' a Wonderful Life a community of family and friends comes to the aid of one of their own. In A Patch of Blue a Black man meets and befriends a White blind woman and demonstrates our shared humanity.
Saving Private Ryan is good, but while mixed performances also good is Glory. Looking through the responses there are a ton of good/better examples. Judas and the Black Messiah and Blackkklansman are good recent examples. Even Schindler's List. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada is a sleeper.
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" - first release. When faced with something we didn't understand, we shot at it. But, in the face of prejudice and misunderstanding, one American and her son saw the good in a stranger and risked their lives to save him.
Love this question! A few movies come to mind. Casablanca for sure. It's such a great story about the conflict between self-interest and sacrifice. Glory is, IMO, an underrated film about freedom and justice in a world that's neither free nor just. But that's enough war movies for me. I'm partial to War Games and Amazing Grace & Chuck. Both films say a lot about American kids during the Cold War and their desire, perhaps naive, to create a more peaceful world. A few sports movies come to mind. Hoosiers, The Natural, and Bull Durham. I think each one has something powerful to say about teams, underdogs, and redemption.
In Pursuit of Happiness starring actor Will Smith.
Soul Food (1997) and, of course, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
Clint Eastwood’s Letters from Iwo Jima, amazing prospective from the Japanese side, Made me understand their culture at that time in history
Field of Dreams, To Kill a Mockingbird, Saving Private Ryan, 42
To Kill a Mockingbird, Hidden Figures, and Twelve Angry Men.
Casablanca (made on the cheap during WW II with a script being written while shooting) Showed a typical American dilemma: self-interest vs. doing the right thing. Of course, doing the right thing wins. The best in American history is when we do the right thing. The worst is when we act only in self-interest. Freedom, justice, and fair play have been founding ideals although, in practice we don't score all that well most of the time. But that's what we really need now.
Apollo 13 and Glory
The Grapes of Wrath. Family survival amongst all odds
Stand by Me comes to mind but so does 42.
Love and respect one another respect now and always
Breaking Away, The Right Stuff, Good Will Hunting, The Good, the Bad & the Ugly, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Stripes....
Peace Mr. Abdul-jabbar, well I would say The Jackie Robinson story, the league of distinguished gentleman, the matrix: revolutions, star wars: return of the jedi, empire strikes back and the avengers: the end game to be quite honest.
"East of Eden" - "Race to Freedom: The Underground Railroad" - "Ali" - "Little Big Man" - "Lonesome Dove"
American spirit? I’d say Glory.
Breaking Away (1979)
Hoosiera and Glory Road!
Airplane! From being a diverse cast able to poke fun at ourselves to also standing up for ourselves, to being more funny than it has any right to, for being kinda dumb and racist in parts even, and, well, learning to fly on the fly, faking it til you make it, aint that America?
Drag Me to Hell
United 93
Back to the future because we have come to biffs future
Not an American but I love the movie NWA I think you would watch it Kareem btw my name is Abdul Kareem too 😆
Airplane
Mr. Jabber I'm sorry but is Mr lees and your position on movie nudes.,???I like it!!!
long time fan, kareem! How about The Natural for an aspirational approach and Blazing Saddles for a very funny, albeit very blunt approach.
The Prestige in a strange way - it's a story about ruthless competition, innovation, and people willing to risk it all for a few moments of greatness. While it takes place in England(?) thematically feels extremely American
I would goes with McFarland, USA. Thanks for the question & a lot a great answers
Mr. Jabber what do you think about movies where bad guy star papion tthe sting blazing saddle ect evt ect?????
I don't even know what "the spirit of America" is.
Thanks Kareem. I find Michael Moore's work to promote freedom, justice, and fair play to be very important. “Fahrenheit 9/11” for starters ... and then the rest, including 'The Awful Truth'.
Birth of a Nation - In so many ways, this silent film is a horrifically stark reminder of what the "American" spirit has truly never been nor ever shall be. That phoenix will not take flight on this soil again.
12 Years A Slave and Waking Life
It's a Wonderful Life or a Patch of Blue. In It' a Wonderful Life a community of family and friends comes to the aid of one of their own. In A Patch of Blue a Black man meets and befriends a White blind woman and demonstrates our shared humanity.
Family Man with Nicholas Cage and Tea Leoni. It portrays the importance of family as an integral part of the fabric of America.
Saving Private Ryan is good, but while mixed performances also good is Glory. Looking through the responses there are a ton of good/better examples. Judas and the Black Messiah and Blackkklansman are good recent examples. Even Schindler's List. The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada is a sleeper.
Remember the Titans
So many good movies already mentioned. Have to agree with Field of Dreams and 42 and will add will add Rocky, Saving Private Ryan and Forrest Gump
Independence day
Airplane of course! Citizen Kane. Castaway. Forrest Gump
Glory, Born on the Fourth of the July, The Right Stuff, Apollo 13
Wizard of Oz.
On the Waterfront (1954)
Precious (2009)
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)
Stand and Deliver (1988)
Cooley High (1975)
The Frisco Kid (1979)
Giant (1956)
The Bad News Bears (1976)
Harlan County, USA (1976, documentary)
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" - first release. When faced with something we didn't understand, we shot at it. But, in the face of prejudice and misunderstanding, one American and her son saw the good in a stranger and risked their lives to save him.
Does anybody have hobbit juice
Love this question! A few movies come to mind. Casablanca for sure. It's such a great story about the conflict between self-interest and sacrifice. Glory is, IMO, an underrated film about freedom and justice in a world that's neither free nor just. But that's enough war movies for me. I'm partial to War Games and Amazing Grace & Chuck. Both films say a lot about American kids during the Cold War and their desire, perhaps naive, to create a more peaceful world. A few sports movies come to mind. Hoosiers, The Natural, and Bull Durham. I think each one has something powerful to say about teams, underdogs, and redemption.
Of course the best movie of all time was Bambi. That couldn't be because I played the roll of young Flower? What, I'm disqualified?
Casablanca; Midway; PATTON; Band of Brothers; - if it were American I would add Darkest Hour. But, yes, for today: The Flight That Fought Back" AA #93
I love movies
Lil big man silent Green willow raising Arizona super hero movies
Band Of Brothers, Lincoln
On The Waterfront, Our Man Godfrey, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.
A League of Their Own