Connect with us

Entertainment

The 5 Greatest Soldiers In Film

We all love a good war film, but thanks to principles, loyalties, and personal darkness, there are some soldiers who stand above the rest.

Toy Soldiers

Image by JWPhotowerks


Take cover; here are five to set the standard.

John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone, First Blood)

“They drew first blood, not me.”
In his debut, Rambo is portrayed as a shell-shocked drifter, attempting to recover from the horrors of ‘Nam. An encounter with a less-than-friendly sheriff kickstarts a slide towards brutality, but during the film he kills only a handful of people; definitely nothing on the sheer, bloody scale seen during later instalments.
With his wartime friends all dead, Rambo has no-one to talk to about his past. From this, the film casts him as a reluctant killer, abandoned by the country he once served, and fighting simply for his own dignity. As a society, we tend to value people who stand up for their principles, and John Rambo made one hell of a stand.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor, Star Wars)

“It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them!”
The Jedi were not just the best diplomats of the Old Republic, but also the elite ‘special forces’. What made them particularly interesting, however, was the strict moral code they adhered to.
Like Rambo, Obi-Wan was a man of principle. He believed completely in the ways of the Jedi, to the point of blindness to his own apprentice embracing evil.
During his climactic battle with Anakin at the end of Episode III, Obi-Wan is torn between loyalty to his apprentice and to the Republic. Eventually, he recognises that Anakin represents a grave threat to the galaxy and cannot be saved, but this conflict of loyalties is a recurring theme for many of our military heroes, along with an almost unbreakable loyalty to brothers-in-arms.

T.E. Lawrence (Peter O’Toole, Lawrence of Arabia)

“I pray that I may never see the desert again.”
Not just a Christmas snooze-fest, Lawrence of Arabia shows a remarkable soldier, and the only historical figure on this list. Like Obi-Wan, Lawrence balances allegiances to Britain and to Arabia but, alarmingly, Lawrence admits that he has begun to enjoy the killing involved. Gradually, he’s pulled in three directions at once; between loyalty to his country, to his Arab friends, and also to his own conscience.
Lawrence of Arabia presents a soldier who was warped by war, in much the same way as Rambo, but he recognises his own growing malignancy. By showing him addressing his darker side, we gain insight into the mind of a man who might otherwise have turned into an anti-hero.

Jean Rasczak (Michael Ironside, Starship Troopers)

“You don’t do your job, I’ll shoot you myself.”
Another soldier who toed the line between good and evil, Rasczak was a formidable soldier, but almost as scary to his own men as to the bugs.
Unlike Obi-Wan, Rambo, and Lawrence, Rasczak’s ultimate loyalty lies with the mission. He’s a pragmatic, ‘getting the job done’ kind of man, and when one of his troopers is captured by a flying creature, he personally takes a rifle and shoots the man to end his suffering. The kicker is in his next line: “I’d expect anyone here to do the same for me.”
His resilient drive to complete the mission makes him a good soldier, but his fairness in doing what has to be done, even if it means his own death, is what makes him a great one.

John H. Miller (Tom Hanks, Saving Private Ryan)

“We all have orders, and we have to follow ’em.”
Lastly, we see a man who exhibits all the traits of the other great soldiers above. Like Rambo, Miller is a man of principle. His loyalty to his squad is bound in blood, but he has a healthy respect for the enemy.
Like Obi-Wan’s dilemma, he is torn between completing the mission, and his personal desire to return home to his wife.
Like Lawrence, he’s concerned about his darker side. He admits his fear that his own wife wouldn’t recognise him because of the things he’s done.
Finally, like Rasczak, he is steadfast in his commitment. When Private Ryan expresses a desire to stay at war, Miller puts his foot down and does the job he was given.
In all these ways, John Miller reflects how soldiers should be. He was not just a great military man, but perhaps the greatest soldier in film.
What do you think? Is Miller the greatest soldier ever, or did we miss someone?

Featured images:

License: Creative Commons
image source
Murray is a blogger and writer who loves war films and explosions. He recommends JBI Insurance

Continue Reading

Recent Posts

Autos2 days ago

In a Car Accident? Here’s How to Find a Great Lawyer

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you know that it can be an overwhelming experience. Not only do...

Education3 days ago

Considering Therapy? Here’s a Few Common Therapy Techniques Explained

If you’re considering therapy as a means to improve your mental health, you may be curious about the type of...

home repairs home repairs
Home Improvement4 days ago

Top 5 Home Repairs You Should Never DIY

DIY home repairs are all the rage these days. But before you jump on the bandwagon, there are some things...

Health2 weeks ago

The Power of CBD Oil for Relaxation: How to Use it for Sleep and Stress Relief

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s sleep or feeling stressed, try CBD oil. CBD oil has a moment...

General2 weeks ago

Benefits of Getting your Mobile Phone Repair

Mobile phone repair is a task that needs high skills and experience. That is why we always recommend users trust...

Home Improvement2 weeks ago

Great Ways To Clean To Get Your Security Deposit Back In Full

Moving is almost always stressful as there are tons of things to plan and do. Getting your security deposit back...

Home Improvement2 weeks ago

DIY Garage Door Repair: Tips and Tricks for Fixing Common Problems and Maintaining Your System

If your garage door needs to be fixed, wait to call a repairer. Many common problems can be fixed quickly...

Education4 weeks ago

7 Tips to Choosing the Right University for You

Are you considering continuing your education at university? If so, it can be overwhelming to decide which school is right...

Finance1 month ago

3 Ways Loans from Credit Unions Are Different From Major Banks

If you’re in the loan market, you may wonder if a credit union is the right choice. Here are three...

Food1 month ago

The World of Coffee: Exploring the Aromas, Flavors, and Benefits of the World’s Most Popular Beverage

Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages, enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s also one...

Education2 months ago

New Driver? 5 Things to Consider When Looking for Driving School

When it comes to choosing a driving school, there are many factors to consider. Not all driving schools are created...

Home Improvement2 months ago

Landscape Irrigation Systems: The Basics

If you’re a homeowner, you know that keeping your lawn and landscaping looking nice can be a lot of work....

Travel2 months ago

5 Things to Look for in Luxury Hotels

When it comes to luxury hotels, there is a lot to look out for. Here are five key things that...

Home Improvement2 months ago

Is There a Difference Between Commercial and Residential Concrete?

If you’re a contractor, you know that concrete is a versatile construction material. But did you know that there are...

Law2 months ago

5 Tips to Find the Right Litigation Firm

When it comes to selecting the right litigation firm for your legal needs, choosing wisely is of utmost importance. It’s...

Categories

Archives

Trending