Fix bayonets! I was talking the other day with some friends about the best charge scenes in war movies. It got me thinking. Sure, there's the amazing massed formations in the 1969 movie, "Waterloo," the entire beginning of "Saving Private Ryan," and Pickett's Charge in "Gettysburg," but I'm talking about the times bayonets get fixed, screaming starts, and a butt kicking commences at close range. I compiled a list of my favorites, feel free to add your own or comment.
Here is my top best movie Charges list, in no particular order: “The Wind and the Lion” The US Marines charge the palace. This is my personal favorite. If this doesn't get your blood flowing, call for an ambulance!
"Glory” Two great charge scenes, but the assault on Battery Wagner is most impressive.
"Gettysburg” The Little Round Top sequence near the middle of the film is great. "Bayonetttttts!!!"
"The Lighthorsemen” The last cavalry charge in (western) modern military history, against entrenched machines guns. Need I say more?
"The Last Samurai” Sure, it's bad history but the ending is well worth what is otherwise a really long film.
"Gods and Generals” the Chancellorsville sequence near the end. A film depiction of a strong Confederate victory was long overdue!
"Braveheart” The Battle of Sterling, but without the bridge and the river in the middle? Okay, it's like a D-Day movie filmed in the middle of a desert, but still a very impressive sequence!
"Alexander” Ah, crushing a Persian army to a soundtrack by Vangelis. Post-9/11, who wouldn't like the sight of that?
"Legends of the Fall” The night attack WW1 scene is incredible.
“Blackhawk Down” Not exactly a charge, but tell me you don't feel the heart pounding when that first Little Bird drops off the Delta operators on that rooftop?
“A Bridge Too Far” The first attack on Arnhem Bridge by British paratroopers is good, but the German counterattack? Military debacles never were never this impressive again!
“Lawrence of Arabia” Two words: NO PRISONERS!
"300” Yeah, it's a digital comic book put to film. So what? This has some of the most eye-popping visuals ever done in a battle sequence.