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Edge of Darkness (1943)![]() Only see this movie for its historical influence. This is actually a very good movie, but it’s more of a drama. This movie becomes legendary when you consider it was actually made during World War 2. The final battle is surprisingly good and worth the wait. I’ve never seen so many Nazis getting gunned down, and so much passion and emotion in a battle. It’s the story of Norwegian resistance fighters. It is a very old movie and pretty slow in parts, and that’s why most people haven’t heard of it. Compare it to the modern day “Defiance.” “Edge of Darkness” has been nearly lost over time, but it is one of Errol Flynn’s best considering its significance. Action movie, no. Classic war movie, yes. 2 action rating
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Edge of Tomorrow![]() 5 out of 5 action rating
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Eight Iron Men![]() More of a character study than a war movie. There’s a quick combat scene at the beginning and one at the very end. Most of the film takes place in a bunker where seven men are "holed up." The eighth man in their squad is pinned down behind enemy lines. With orders to pull back when it gets dark, the men debate about what they should do about their comrade. Starring Lee Marvin, this is a good WWII drama…but don’t fool yourself into thinking it will be a good action movie. It is, however, one of the few chances you will get to see Lee Marvin with dark hair. So take that for whatever it’s worth. 1.5 action rating.
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El Cid![]() Charlton Heston’s most underrated movie. This is not only a great medieval movie, but a great war movie as well. The story takes place during the tumultuous Reconquista (Reconquest) era in Spain. A civil war has broken out between the Christians and the Moores, and who better to save the day than another epic hero played by Charlton Heston. This time he plays the legendary warrior El Cid, and yes, this is a 3+ hour movie. My only complaint is its length, because the story is superb and action-packed battles abound. There’s also a really good one-on-one medieval combat scene that is awesomely choreographed. More people need to see this epic action movie, which is a pretty even mix of “Ben Hur” and “Kingdom of Heaven.” It’s a shame it has gone under the radar for so long. 3.5 action rating
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El Dorado![]() See it – This might be John Wayne’s most timeless western. Enjoyable for people of all ages, it’s entertaining, funny, and action-packed. It also co-stars Robert Mitchum as the drunk sheriff and James Caan as the sawed-off shotgun wielding greenhorn. Basically a condensed version of “Rio Bravo,” another John Wayne western made 7 years before. But if I could only own one John Wayne movie, it would be this one. 4.5 action rating
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The Enemy Below![]() See it – An exciting and well done "surface vs. sub" movie. You’ll like it because it’s not the generic sub vs. sub. Robert Mitchum is the captain of an American destroyer hunting a German U-boat. The hunt literally lasts the entire movie. A bit talky in parts but the ending is great. The only thing that could have made it better is if Andy Samberg had co-starred and rapped “I’m on a boat!” But we can’t have everything. 2 action rating
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Escape from Fort Bravo![]() See it – This is a fairly average cavalry movie. What makes it unique, however, is that it takes place during the civil war. William Holden plays a union captain at Fort Bravo in injun’ country. The fort also acts as a prison for Confederate soldiers. But the Civil War itself becomes the least of their problems as Indians go on the warpath. The yanks and the rebs just might have to put their differences aside if they want to survive. The film is bookended by two thrilling desert battle sequences. A little slow in the middle. 3 action rating
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