Your July 4th Weekend Patriotic Viewing Guide, as Brought to You by the NRCC Communications Team

July 2, 2015

After fireworks and baseball have wrapped up, and you still find yourself craving to watch something patriotic and gloriously American, the NRCC Communications team has you covered with our favorite movies (and a mini-series) celebrating what makes this country great. From timeless classics to recent blockbusters, this list spans from reliving the nation’s founding to remembering contemporary American heroes, with tales of valor, honor, and some laughs in between.

With that, happy Fourth of July, everybody! Enjoy!

 

American Sniper

Selected by Kate Constantini, Deputy Press Secretary

Even though it’s not a classic, there is nothing more American than hearing Chris Kyle’s reason for joining the military: “‘Cause it’s the greatest country on Earth, and I’d do everything I can to protect it.”

 

Field of Dreams

Selected by Jordan Davis, Policy Director and Communications Adviser

I’ll let Terence Mann (as played by James Earl Jones) take it from here: “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it’s a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh… people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.”

 

John Adams

Selected by Stephanie Genco, Deputy Policy Director

The Founding Fathers who shaped our country were great men, but they were indeed men—farmers, lawyers, doctors—who risked everything to break with England and imagine a new nation. They grappled with fundamental questions of natural rights, liberty, self-government, and these debates would determine the fate of a country, the course of history, and impact the lives of millions of Americans that would follow them.

 

Lincoln

Selected by Andrew Johnson, Digital Press Secretary

Thanks to a spectacular performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln brought our 16th president to life on the big screen, both humanizing as well as lionizing a truly incredible man. Born in a one-room log cabin, Abraham Lincoln was used to the odds being stacked against him as he found himself facing the country’s most trying time. But because of his resilience, determination, conviction, optimism, and even a touch of humor—all truly great American qualities—he was able to unify a divided nation and helped inspire it to reach its fullest potential.

 

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Camille Gallo, Director of Television and Radio

In this Spielberg classic, the U.S. Government hires Harrison Ford (A.K.A Han Solo) to kick some Nazi butt and find the Ark of the Covenant. That sentence alone should suffice as my explanation for this pick.

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford/Han Solo) evades poison darts, snake pits, giant boulders, and Nazis. He’s a great American hero. And he makes a fear of snakes seem cool, right? I mean, I’m not afraid of snakes…just asking for a friend…

 

Rocky IV

Selected by Katie Martin, Communications Director

“He’s cut!” Rocky IV is a great movie that highlights the strength of America and our love of freedom. How can you not love this Cold War-era film which shows Rocky Balboa fighting against Communism and proves that American ingenuity will always triumph? USA, USA, USA!!!

 

Rocky Balboa

Selected by Chris Pack, Regional Press Secretary

Rocky Balboa flies under the radar when it comes to epic Rocky movies, which is a shame because it realistically epitomizes what it means to chase down your dreams. If you believe in yourself, don’t make excuses, and keep fighting in the face of adversity, you will realize your dreams. “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now if you know what you’re worth then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits…” It doesn’t get any more American than that!

 

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Selected by Zach Hunter, Regional Press Secretary

“If you ain’t first, you’re last.” In a few short words, Ricky Bobby captures the essence of American Exceptionalism, making Talladega Nights an instant American classic. Throw in a not-so-friendly rivalry with a gentleman from France and a classic redemption storyline, and Ricky Bobby basically embodies the spirit that made, and still makes, America the greatest country the world has ever known.