The Military in Movies Trivia Quiz

Answer: Good Morning, Vietnam

"Good Morning, Vietnam" came out in 1987 and stars Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker and Bruno Kirby. Williams is fantastic as a DJ on Armed Services Radio who brings humor and morale to the troops, although the movie is certainly not lacking in touching and painful war scenes.

Answer: Gettysburg

Sheen portrays General Robert E. Lee in this four hour and fifteen minute portrayal of the Battle of Gettysburg, as seen from the perspectives of both the North and the South. It is based on the novel "The Killer Angels" by renowned author Michael Shaara. A definite must-see for any history buff.

Answer: Full Metal Jacket

One of many fantastic films directed by the late Stanley Kubrick, "Full Metal Jacket" begins with Ermey as the Drill Instructor to a group of men on their way to Vietnam. Ermey's character does not follow them to the war, but the lessons he taught them certainly do.

Answer: M*A*S*H

The movie "M*A*S*H" is based on an army hospital in the Korean War, although many would argue that the reference to Korea was a front and the producers were actually making a statement about Vietnam. The first time I saw this star-studded movie I didn't particularly enjoy it since I grew up watching "M*A*S*H" on TV and to see entirely different actors playing Hawkeye, Trapper, Frank and Hotlips was simply too spooky.

However, it has since become one of my favorites and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the TV show.

Answer: An Officer and a Gentleman

This movie stars Richard Gere as Zack Mayo, a young officer candidate who falls in love with a young lady named Paula (played by Debra Winger.) Louis Gossett, Jr. is wonderful as Gunnery Sgt. Foley and David Keith gives an excellent portrayal of the tragic Sid Worley. (If you chose "Top Gun," that would be correct if I had said Fighter Weapons School, not OCS.)

Answer: A Few Good Men

This spectacular film from 1992 stars Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Jack Nicholson and Kiefer Sutherland and it contains one of the most famous lines in movie history: "You can't handle the truth!" (as spoken by Nicholson on the stand as Colonel Nathan R. Jessup.)

Answer: Stripes

"Stripes" is about two buddies (Murray and Ramis) who are bored with their lives and think it would be "fun" to join the Army. They actually do wind up having a lot of fun, and so does the audience! Some of the things they get away with are simply atrocious, yet absolutely hilarious.

Answer: Memphis Belle

The Memphis Belle was the name of the B-17 bomber in which the crew had to fly one final mission in order to go home. The pressure was incredible, for they all knew that just one "mess-up" and it would all have been over.

Answer: Down Periscope

Grammer plays Lieutenant Commander Tom Dodge and he is assigned to be the Captain of the rusty, decrepit USS Stingray, a diesel submarine which appears to be on its last leg. When he and his inept crew engage in a series of "war games" in an effort to ultimately destroy a dummy battleship, general silliness ensues. It's classic when they make Rob Schneider "walk the plank."

Answer: Glory

Historically accurate and beautifully acted, "Glory" tells the tale of the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and its contribution to the war. Denzel Washington won the 1989 Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Private Tripp.
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