Favorite Films For July Fourth: Hudson Valley Readers Vote

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — We asked our Facebook friends to name their favorite patriotic movies. We got an interesting list!

Hands down, the top pick was The Patriot. It came out in 2000, and boy was Heath Ledger young. While critics panned the movie for making a lot of stuff up, and it became controversial after a Sony marketing executive writing positive reviews under a fake name was unmasked, it also won kudos for its depiction of the ideals of American independence.

There were some quirky votes: The Great Escape, surely for its great July 4th scene and terrific performances by Steve McQueen and James Garner as the token American prisoners of war; Jaws, which after all takes place in New York over July Fourth Weekend; and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, speaking of American ideals. The saddest suggestion was Mandingo.

Here are the other suggestions:

• Yankee Doodle Dandy
• The Longest Day
  
• Patton
  
• Born on the 4th of July
• Midway
  
• The Red Badge of Courage
  
• 1776
  
• The Spirit of '76
  
• Glory
  
• Independence Day

If you have other ideas, tell us in the comments!

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