Apocalypse Now - Francis Ford Coppola approached the production of Apocalypse Now as if it were his own epic mission into the heart of darkness. On location in the storm-ravaged Philippines, he quite literally went mad as the project threatened to devour him in a vortex of creative despair, but from this insanity came one of the greatest films ever made. It began as a John Milius screenplay, transposing Joseph Conrad's classic story "Heart of Darkness" into the horrors of the Vietnam War, following a battle-weary Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) on a secret upriver mission to find and execute the renegade Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has reverted to a state of murderous and mystical insanity. The journey is fraught with danger involving wartime action on epic and intimate scales.

Deer Hunter - A big, intense drama following a group of steelworker friends who're ripped from their peaceful home in Pittsburgh and plunged into the Vietnam War, where their patriotic innocence is shattered by incomprehensible horrors. Academy Award Nominations: 9 - also available on DVD

Full Metal Jacket - In this riveting look at military life during the Vietnam conflict, Stanley Kubrick, who made the powerful anti-war classics "Paths of Glory" and "Dr. Strangelove," once again explores the behavior of men in battle. "Full Metal Jacket", adapted from Gustav Hasford's novel "The Short Timers", follows several raw recruits as they endure the soul-breaking rigors of boot camp. The film focuses particularly on Private Joker, an aspiring photojournalist who provides the story's point of view. After surviving basic training, Joker initially goes to Vietnam as a member of the army's press corps, but ends up with a combat unit during the 1968 Tet Offensive.

Gettysburg - "Gettysburg" captures in vivid detail one of the most famous battles of the Civil War where over 50,000 lives were lost. Covering three days of brutal military campaigns, the film recreates the world in which Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, Lewis Armistead and others made their tactical decisions and demonstrated their leadership.

Glory - A privileged young Boston Brahmin, disillusioned by the savagery of the Civil War, is offered the command of the 54th Regiment, the first black fighting unit. The regiment soon discovers its first battle is to prove it can fight with skill and courage. Academy Award Nominations: 4 - also available on DVD

The Long Gray Line - A "must see" for anyone that knows a cadet at a military academy. A real tear jerker with a glimpse of what it is like to be at a cadet.

Good Morning Vietnam - In 1965, DJ Adrian Cronauer joins the armed forces radio station in Vietnam, where his manic on-air antics entertain the soldiers and infuriate his superiors. His involvement with a young Vietnamese woman and her brother undermine his already tenuous position with the army brass, while opening his eyes to the harsh realities of the world around him. - also available on DVD

Platoon - An American infantry rifle platoon in the jungles of Vietnam faces evil temptations in the gray jungles of an even grayer war. Writer/director Oliver Stone drew on his first-hand combat experiences to create this powerful film. Academy Award Nominations: 8

Patton - An award-winning and highly praised biography of controversial World War II hero General George S. Patton. The film covers his wartime activities and accomplishments, beginning with his entry into the North African campaign and ending with his removal from command after his outspoken criticism of US post-war military strategy.

Starship Troopers - A gung-ho war picture turned special effects sci-fi actioner. Some time in the future, a group of friends joins Earth's military forces after high school graduation to battle the insectoid Klendathu. One fights for the chance to be a renowned pilot, one for revenge, and one for the love of a good man, but interpersonal relationships take a backseat to the firepower leveled against (and returned from) the chitinous aliens. - also available on DVD