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Zulu (1964)
The Soldier: Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead
Up Against: Zulu warriors at Rorke’s Drift.
The Awesome: Brimming with experience and intellect, Bromhead knows just what to do when he discovers that 4,000 Zulu warriors will be descending on his 140 man contingent in mere hours. He’s essentially the David in this David vs Goliath model of war, and deserves as many badges for bravery as we can find.
Wings (1927)
The Soldier: Jack Powell
Up Against: The Germans. In France.
The Awesome: Powell is one heck of a fighter pilot. Despite being a bit of a dope when it comes to women (he fights with his best mate over a girl), there’s no denying that when he’s in the air, Powell really comes into his own. Dammit, now we have Westlife in our heads...
The Patriot (2000)
The Soldier: Benjamin Martin
Up Against: Great Britain and 13 British colonies in North America.
The Awesome: A historical one, this, with Martin a seasoned war vet who’s now against violence as an end to social unrest. He refuses to vote in support of a war with Great Britain, but when he finally succumbs to war, his guerrilla tactics take the biscuit.
Born On The Fourth Of July (1989)
The Soldier: Ron Kovic
Up Against: First the Vietnamese, then the US regime that sent him over to fight an unnecessary war.
The Awesome: Kovac goes on a massive journey of self-discovery, starting out as a naive teenager who just wants to serve his country, before his eyes are opened by the horrors of war.
Soon, he begins to question the reasons he was sent over to Vietnam, and struggles to reconcile his love for his country and family with the things he’s been made to do in their name.
The Dawn Patrol (1938)
The Soldier: Captain ‘Court’ Courtney
Up Against: Any number of World War I enemies.
The Awesome: A right pain in the backside for his superiors, Court is a charming, confident pilot whose insubordinate behaviour makes for trying times for Major Brand, but great viewing for us.
Gods And Generals (2003)
The Soldier: Lieutenant General Stonewall Jackson
Up Against: The Union Army.
The Awesome: Eccentric to the extreme but brilliant because of those quirky characteristics, Jackson was born to lead soldiers in war. Proof? He’s able to deliver truly rousing speeches , even though he knows many of his young men will die in battle. A true gent.
Toy Story (1995)
The Soldier: A bucket full of toy soldiers.
Up Against: Evil humans and anybody who seeks to do harm to innocent toys.
The Awesome: They’re our childhood come to life! Not only that, but they also act like real-life soldiers, even though they’re really tiny little moulded pieces of plastic. Their brilliantly-concocted plans of action and their endeavours to do right by all are honourable. Their achievements are nothing short of towering, despite their diminutive statures.
Waterloo (1970)
The Soldier: Duke of Wellington
Up Against: Napoleon
The Awesome: He’s quite simply the best of the British generals, old chap. Not just any old soldier would be sent to track down Napoleon – it takes a man of real steel to take on such a task. And the Duke of Wellington is one such gent. Just don’t call him Wellie.
Johnny Got His Gun (1971)
The Soldier: Joe Bonham
Up Against: His own body.
The Awesome: Joe lies seriously injured in a hospital bed after being hit with an artillery shell. He’s a quadruple amputee who’s also lost the use of his eyes, ears, mouth and nose. Despite his dire situation, Joe figures out how to communicate via Morse code, and wants to be put on display in a freak show as a warning against war. Brave fella.
Dances With Wolves (1990)
The Soldier: Lt. John Dunbar
Up Against: His own Union troops.
The Awesome: Dunbar is that rare thing – a soldier who allows his emotions to come first. Which is probably why his mind is open when he encounters Native Americans, and realises that they’re not the wild savages that everybody believes them to be. And that's why we love him.
