10 Incredible War Movies About Doomed Missions
The war movies where everything was doomed from the off.
Whether it's a heroic last stand or a routine encounter that suddenly descends into bedlam, there's something ineffably compelling about a doomed mission on the silver screen.
History may be written by the victors, but that's not to say that the defeated fade quietly into the night - a war movie theme that has been widely celebrated by multiple generations of cinema. From thrilling accounts of final stands to heart-pounding missions against the odds set during World War II, many of the war genre's finest outings centre on an objective that is ultimately destined to fail.
By their very nature, many of these acclaimed entries present a raw and unfiltered window into how human beings act when confronted with their own impending demise. Drawing attention to the unbelievable levels of bravery, loyalty and sacrifice that humans beings are capable of in the face of near-certain death or defeat, these stories unsurprisingly make for electric cinema.
Moreover, many of these rousing entries are inspired by the tales of real-life individuals, invoking a fresh wave of awe and respect for these seemingly impossible historical accounts.
Whether these films leave the viewer in a state of mournful introspection or amped up enough to charge through the screen to join a battle, war movies about doomed missions rarely fail to leave an impression.
10. Black Hawk Down
Chronicling a desperate fight for survival against the backdrop of the Battle of Mogadishu, Black Hawk Down retains beloved status among film fans for its unflinching and harrowing depiction of modern warfare.
Spearheaded by Ridley Scott, Black Hawk Down boasts one of the most star-studded casts that the war genre has to offer, including many unknown names at the time who went on to become some of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
Centring on American efforts to capture two prominent lieutenants of a Somali warlord, saying that the original mission didn't go quite according to plan would be quite the understatement. Not only did both targets escape, but they swiftly found themselves as a mere footnote in proceedings after multiple Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in battle.
Black Hawk Down has received its fair share of criticism for purported historical inaccuracies, but Scott's picture retains classic status to this day. Two decades on, Black Hawk Down remains an indispensable entry for any self-respecting war movie buff, aided by some first-rate one-liners and unforgettable action set pieces.