14 Most Patriotic Movie Moments
In celebration of the Fourth of July, I wanted to take a closer look at some of the most patriotic cinematic moments. What are the scenes that make us stand up and exclaim “‘MERICA!”? What are the lines and inspirational visuals that make us proud to be an American? Can the greatness of film match the greatness of this great country?
Note: As with any movie opinions, this list is completely subjective and doesn’t come close to cataloging the wide range of distinctly American movies in general.
14. Patton (1970) – The flag looms large
This is the only entry on this list that I actually haven’t seen, but it earned the number 14 spot solely based on its grandiose iconography that’s been parodied and copied in other films and throughout pop culture since. There is something sad and proud about how Patton’s aggressive “Americans love a winner” speech rings true. Where’s the lie?
13. A Few Good Men (1992) – “You can’t handle the truth”
Tom Cruise faces off in open court against the intimidating Jack Nicholson, and the result is a scene often quoted by staunch supporters of our military and dads alike. Colonel Nathan R. Jessup answers the “Code Red” question, but not before giving the most self-righteous speech extoling the importance of the military with a level of disgust for Daniel Kaffee and a nationalistic flair like no other. Jessup might be complicit in the murder of an innocent marine, but this scene lives on outside of the movie’s context.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it.
12. Armageddon (1998) – The Americana speech
The president’s speech given before the crew takes off for their mission to save Earth may not be as momentous as another speech on this list, but it is certainly made better as it echoes behind the slow-motion montage of American citizens and the citizens of Earth tuning in to the broadcast and watching our heroes march on in their battle regalia—their orange spacesuits. It’s a sequence only Hollywood bro Michael Bay could pull together with his eye for golden-hour shots of Americana: a flag waving behind a woman listening to the radio in her red vintage pick-up truck; a barber shop in small-town America; military officers in dress uniforms giving a resolute salute; a boy looking up to the skies, a red, white, and blue popsicle in his right hand.
11. Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) – Helicopter vs. Helicopter
There’s no bigger staple of American action movies than explosions and helicopters. When a simple surveillance mission turns into a full-on rescue of American POWs in Vietnam, John Rambo turns up the heat, despite being abandoned by his countrymen (and country, but that’s another can of worms). The scene in First Blood Part II takes the chase to the skies, and Rambo, with a payload of human souls aboard, grounds his wounded aircraft, unassumingly luring in the Soviet heli… Then he takes a G-d damn BAZOOKA and blows up the enemy! I mean, what is more patriotic than this display of lethal prowess?
10. Apollo 13 (1995) – “We have liftoff”
The space race was an unprecedented time in our nation’s history. I think many just remember the infamous “Houston, we have a problem” from Apollo 13, but the triumphant lift-off sequence seems to embody the hope and curious wonder of the era. The James Horner score definitely plays up the conquering and adventurous theme. I think the “go for launch” segment was true in more ways than one. We are go for launching humanity to the stars and back, yes, but there is simply no stopping our momentum for becoming a better, more inclusive, more understanding country. We have liftoff!
9. Pearl Harbor (2001) – The true hero
The movie Pearl Harbor, another Michael Bay vehicle, might offend people for any number of reasons. (It tries to follow the Titanic formula, with a fictional romance surrounding a real historical event; questionable dialogue; historically inaccurate in places; Ben Affleck is annoying; etc.) But the scene where Cuba Gooding Jr.—who plays actual African American Pearl Harbor hero Doris Miller—fires up the massive deck gun aboard the West Virginia and courageously shoots down enemy fighters is a larger-than-life moment, the moment a cook becomes a warrior and an icon.
8. National Treasure (2004) – Interpreting the Declaration
Sure, this movie could be viewed as a (slightly campy) masterpiece or another wacky Nic Cage miss, but one thing’s for sure, the movie seems to have a lot of respect for history. I find the scene right after Ben fails to convince Abigail Chase that there is a real threat to the Declaration utterly patriotic, even though it tends to get lost in the melee. He reads a line from the document and then summarizes, “It means if there’s something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have a responsibility to take action.” It sucks that people remember the next line—“I’m gonna steal the Declaration of Independence”—and mock its delivery way more than they appreciate the true passion and reverence that Cage’s character has for America.
7. Air Force One (1997) – “Liberty 2-4 is now Air Force One”
Air Force One is, basically, Die Hard in the sky. Instead of the Nakatomi Plaza, it’s Air Force One, and instead of Bruce Willis’s John McClane, it’s Harrison Ford as the president. Ford’s president is a virtuous, bipartisan vision, a dedicated family man, and ultimately a hero worth rooting for. The best moment comes toward the end of the movie once President James Marshall has defeated the bad guys and hangs precariously in midair on a rope attached to the rescue plane. They finally safely get him on board, and in a brilliant use of the movie’s name within the movie, the aircraft triumphantly changes call signs—“Liberty 2-4 is now Air Force One!” The U.S. does not negotiate with terrible movie endings; this one is a keeper.
6. A League of Their Own (1992) – “We’re the members of the All-American League”
A League of Their Own is a beautiful, charming story of strong females conquering a male-dominated sport, making it their own. The entire film smells of feminism mixed with 1940s aesthetics and culture, making it prime Americana fodder, but the true highlight of the film, the part that makes the camaraderie and national pride soar is when the girls finally enter the new Women in Baseball portion of the Baseball Hall of Fame. It’s no doubt validating for the ladies, who are more than anything emotionally reuniting with their friends and the memory of their youth spent safeguarding and redefining America’s favorite pastime. It culminates in a glorious moment when the original Peaches start singing the team song: “We’re the members of the All-American League, we come from cities near and far / We’ve got Canadians, Irish ones, and Swedes / We’re all for one, we’re one for all / We’re all-American.” Sorry, Jimmy Dugan, there is in fact crying in baseball.
5. Rocky IV (1985) – Besting Drago
Never mind that it’s the fourth movie in a franchise that started from truly humble roots, Rocky IV bleeds red, white, and blue. There is so much riding on this final fight between Rocky and Drago. It’s more than two personalities clashing. It’s more than the testosterone highs. It’s Rocky avenging Apollo Creed’s merciless murder. And it’s the U.S. vs. the Soviet Union. It’s about honor, resilience, determination—hallmarks of American values. Rocky wins by knockout, and (unbelievably) the victory is applauded by the Soviet crowd. His victory speech—“If I can change, and you can change, everybody can change!”—unites the nations and instills a very “peace on Earth” vibe to what is really a Christmas movie. And that one maniacal line from Drago, “I must break you”? I like to think Rocky’s response is thus: “No, sir, it is I who must break YOU” (in so many words).
4. The Sandlot (1993) – “America the Beautiful”
A family comedy about a bunch of kids playing baseball in the summer of 1962. I submit that the Fourth of July scene, with the kids playing nighttime baseball illuminated only by fireworks and to the tune of Ray Charles’s “America the Beautiful” is an all-time patriotic moment. Somebody give me a pair of Chuck Taylors, a baseball cap, and a hot dog, STAT!
3. Lincoln (2012) – The Gettysburg Address
Helmed by the seminal Steven Spielberg, Lincoln is excellent (as evidenced by its two Oscar wins), but I think the opening scene is truly masterful and absolutely stirring. We see a weary Lincoln, conversing lightly with two African American soldiers in the Union Army when their pleasant chat is interrupted by two white fanboys who compliment Lincoln on his Gettysburg speech, despite not having been present, and even rudely ask how tall he is. “Could you hear what I said?” asks the president. They each quickly recite the speech, concentrating more on impressing Lincoln and getting all the words out than the content of what they are saying. It seems the speech was heard, but they didn’t listen. The company starts to ship out, but one soldier remains. Played by the great David Oyelowo, the unnamed African American soldier stands proudly before Lincoln and delivers the last of Lincoln’s own short speech back to him, giving full weight to the words and the respect it deserves.
That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
2. The Patriot (2000) – “No retreat!”
Yes, I understand that Mel Gibson is not American and neither is director Roland Emmerich, but that doesn’t stop The Patriot from being a bastion of American cinema. When Mel Gibson’s Benjamin Martin realizes that the American forces are being driven back by the British and the flag bearers are screaming “retreat!” and running in fear, he yanks the flag away and screams “No retreat!” bravely advancing the flag and hollering “Hold the line!” I quite like how he chucks his hand gun in favor of holding the flag with two hands. His actions inspire Chris Cooper’s Colonel Tavington to order “Push forward!” The scene is a magnificent rallying cry. May this country never stop pushing forward.
1. Independence Day (1996) – The President’s Speech
I’m not sure this top entry needs any explanation really. In a sci-fi summer blockbuster centering on an alien incursion and humanity at the brink of extinction, somehow, someway, this speech exists. It completely transcends the entire movie to represent the bonding facets of patriotism and a rebellious, fighting spirit. I would argue that this movie is the most American movie ever to be directed by a non-American (the same Roland Emmerich of The Patriot). Just like Bill Pullman booms “We’re going to live on; We’re going to survive,” the scene also lives on in the American zeitgeist, a timely reminder of everything we truly stand for during difficult times, like, for instance, a global pandemic. (Another ‘Merica moment that comes in a very close second is when Will Smith sucker punches an alien in the face. That might be more American, actually.)