As a parent, you can watch one or several movies about the military on Veterans Day. Older kids will understand the sacrifices made by military personnel during wartime. You can also show them Operation Gratitude, which was established to thank every veteran. This will help your kids learn the importance of thanking veterans and honoring their sacrifices. If you’re not sure which veterans day movies to watch, here are some recommendations for you.
The Great Escape
The Great Escape is a 1963 epic adventure, suspense, and war film starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, and Hannes Messemer. Based on a true story, it tells the story of Allied troops trying to escape a German POW camp. Pleasance and Attenborough were real-life RAF pilots captured by the Nazis. Both Pleasance and Attenborough offered technical advice to the director of the film to make it more accurate.
Hacksaw Ridge
In honor of Veterans Day, you might want to take your kids to the movie theater to see Hacksaw Ridge. This movie is based on a true story of an American Army Medic during WWII, Desmond T. Doss. While he refused to kill his fellow soldiers, he fought alongside them in the front lines. Though the film depicts war violence and death, the message is one of courage, integrity, and duty.
Stalag 17
If you’re looking for a great movie for Veterans Day, consider Stalag 17. Based on a play by two prisoners, this movie won Oscars for its performances. A great way to talk to your kids about the importance of humor in harsh situations is through Stalag 17, which is also known as “gallows” or “black” humor. Prisoners try to create a sense of control through humor.
Midway
There are many Midway veterans day movies for kids, from animated adventures to realistic historical dramas. The most popular film of all time, “Military Times,” is based on real events in WWII. Though critics gave the film mostly negative reviews, audiences loved it. Even though “Military Times” is not perfect, the movie is a great choice for families and children. Here are some of the best movies about Midway.
The Civil War
If you want to celebrate Veterans Day by showing your children a movie about this period in American history, you might want to check out The Civil War. It’s rated R, and uses some words that are outdated today. However, it’s still a good choice for young audiences. It follows the story of the first all-black regiment. You can rent the movie on Amazon Prime. Read on to learn more about this film and how it’s appropriate for young audiences.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
If you’re looking for a movie for veterans day that will delight your little ones, you might want to consider the animated film Bedknobs and Broomsticks. This tale follows three children evacuated from London during the Blitz, who must find the magical spell Subsitutary Locomotion. The film follows these children as they travel on a magical bed and join their temporary foster parent, Miss Eglantine Price. They eventually learn the art of witchcraft, and they are transported to an animated world called Naboombu.
Hamilton’s 1776
The upcoming movie Hamilton is based on the hit Broadway musical. The musical stars Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, who is the first president of the United States. Hamilton came to America in 1776 from a British colony in the Caribbean. He never left the British political system until the Revolution. Hamilton’s character was killed in a duel because of his “despicable opinion” of the vice president. In the musical, Hamilton also refers to Lafayette as an immigrant, despite the fact that Lafayette came to America in 1777 and returned to France in 1785.
