Quick personality test: How patriotic are you?
- • You silently judge anyone who selects cherry over apple pie
- • You’ve had the urge to petition for French fries as American fries
- • You call soccer by its God-given name: soccer
- • You once started a “USA! USA!’ chant in public
If you’re like us, you don’t need the 4th to remind you how proud you are to be American-made. But sometimes, there’s nothing like enjoying some gripping cinema that explores themes of justice, equality and opportunity to stir the flag waver in us all. So grab your sparklers and a box of tissues. Here are five classic flicks we return to again and again.
“Saving Private Ryan” The story of Tom Hanks’ Captain Miller and his team’s efforts to find and retrieve Matt Damon’s GI, who has lost all his brothers in other battles, takes us on a brutal journey through World War II and stands as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our brave American soldiers. Their valor and loyalty personify the best of American ideals to the end.
“Casablanca” Set against the backdrop of World War II, Casablanca remains a masterpiece that showcases the fight against oppression. Humphrey Bogart’s iconic portrayal of Rick Blaine, an American expatriate who makes his choices in the end for the greater good, puts a human face on the sacrifices made during wartime beyond the battlefield.
“Braveheart” This epic tale of Scottish warrior Wallace’s quest for independence from English rule serves as an enduring symbol of courage, resilience and the fight for one’s country. Spoiler alert: We dare you not to cry when Mel Gibson’s William Wallace shouts his defiant “freedom” in the face of unspeakable torture at the end of the film.
“Glory” In this gripping Civil War drama, Matthew Broderick’s Colonel Robert Gould Shaw leads the first all-black volunteer Army regiment of freed men and freedom seekers to prove to his own white Union Army and the Confederates that liberty is worth dying for.
“Rocky” The iconic sports film of all time tells the story of our favorite underdog boxer’s journey towards success, symbolizing the American dream, determination, and the relentless pursuit of one’s goals.
Are you swelling with national pride yet? Happy 4th of July to you and yours.