Is there A Quintessential American Independence Day Movie?

[DrNewGod]

The first reflex in answering that question would be "duh! Independence Day!" (aka ID4). Thing is, title aside, that isn't really about The American Holiday, or its spirit or ideals.

(As an aside, can we avoid letting argument about the degree to which The US lives up to those ideals dominate this thread? Given the question, some of that is unavoidable, but I hope the discussion can focus whether films have capture the topic, and duke it out about The US' greatness/failings elsewhere)

So if ID4 isn't the answer, what would be?

By way of example, :

• I would characterize Miracle on 34th Street as A Quintessential Christmas Film. It's set during the holiday season, and its plot focuses on things deeply associated with The US practice of Christmas (commercialism, the giving of gifts, a season of good will, and the importance of belief, particularly when believing his hard [by which manner it implicitly {rather than explicitly} addresses the the religious associations of the holiday]).
• To me, The Best Years of Our Lives is A Quintessential Memorial (or Veterans) Day Film. While not set on the holiday, it deals with the human costs of military service, why veterans deserve our understanding and gratitude (regardless of what we may think of the wars in which they have fought), and also what veterans owe themselves and others in getting on with their lives.
• Ben-Hur seems A Quintessential Easter Film. Its final acts not only use The Easter Story as a backdrop, but its themes of suffering, faith, forgiveness, and redemption all reflect the Christian meaning of the holiday.

There doesn't seem to be a film that is really about Independence Day. The closest I can think of is perhaps The Patriot, but that film is really more of a war story about family and revenge, in which the causes behind US Independence are really more of muguffin than a theme or plot.

I won't belabor the ingredients that I think necessary for A Quintessential US Independence Day Film, because I'd like to see if anyone can identify one, and what reasons you see for declaring a film as such. So, any thoughts?

[Qwerty]

Miracle on 34th is not the quintessential Christmas movie. It may crack the top ten but barely

[Hiromi]

My absolute all time favorite

[Jokerz79]

I always watch Jaws on the 4th of July.

[Qwerty]

I always watch Jaws on the 4th of July.

Rewatchables covered it for their pod cast this week.

[Jackalope89]

One that is often watched is Yankee Doodle Dandy (though, lets just say a remake would most likely leave several things out, as it contains things like blackface early on).

[HowitzerJoe]

The Patriot?

[Indian Ink]

The Patriot?

What, the one with historical slave raping protagonist, and inserted Nazi war crimes?

[DrNewGod]

I always watch Jaws on the 4th of July.

But Jaws has nothing to do with the themes of US Independence. It's a monster movie that happens to occur in the summer.

[DrNewGod]

The Patriot?

See OP. It mentions this.

[DrNewGod]

My absolute all time favorite

A contender based on content, but how prominent is it?

[DrNewGod]

Miracle on 34th is not the quintessential Christmas movie. It may crack the top ten but barely

Hence, saying

"I would consider..."

[AndrewCrossett]

Yeah, I would agree with "1776"... if you want to get a more or less accurate picture of how it all went down. Pretty good musical, too.

[Hiromi]

Also of note while not a movie the HBO John Adams miniseries is absolutely excellent

[AnakinFlair]

The first reflex in answering that question would be "duh! Independence Day!" (aka ID4). Thing is, title aside, that isn't really about The American Holiday, or its spirit or ideals.

(As an aside, can we avoid letting argument about the degree to which The US lives up to those ideals dominate this thread? Given the question, some of that is unavoidable, but I hope the discussion can focus whether films have capture the topic, and duke it out about The US' greatness/failings elsewhere)

So if ID4 isn't the answer, what would be?

By way of example, :

• I would characterize Miracle on 34th Street as A Quintessential Christmas Film. It's set during the holiday season, and its plot focuses on things deeply associated with The US practice of Christmas (commercialism, the giving of gifts, a season of good will, and the importance of belief, particularly when believing his hard [by which manner it implicitly {rather than explicitly} addresses the the religious associations of the holiday]).
• To me, The Best Years of Our Lives is A Quintessential Memorial (or Veterans) Day Film. While not set on the holiday, it deals with the human costs of military service, why veterans deserve our understanding and gratitude (regardless of what we may think of the wars in which they have fought), and also what veterans owe themselves and others in getting on with their lives.
• Ben-Hur seems A Quintessential Easter Film. Its final acts not only use The Easter Story as a backdrop, but its themes of suffering, faith, forgiveness, and redemption all reflect the Christian meaning of the holiday.

There doesn't seem to be a film that is really about Independence Day. The closest I can think of is perhaps The Patriot, but that film is really more of a war story about family and revenge, in which the causes behind US Independence are really more of muguffin than a theme or plot.

I won't belabor the ingredients that I think necessary for A Quintessential US Independence Day Film, because I'd like to see if anyone can identify one, and what reasons you see for declaring a film as such. So, any thoughts?

ID4 is all about American ideals. The whole movie is America-centric. Nothing happens until we decide to do something. Hell, the Brits, the Isralies, and the Iranians are just cooling their heels until we send out a signal.