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War is hell. Art, specifically filmmaking, has captured war’s horrors, bravery, and tragedy. A film can depict war biographically, through historical fiction, satire, and comedy. Films can be a cautionary tale or commentary on past or current wars. It is something that should not be forgotten, whether in honor of those who have fallen or dismissal of unnecessary violence and, at times, evil. Here are the top 30 war movies of all time.
30. Patton

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Patton is an iconic war drama directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and co-written by Francis Ford Coppola. The film is based on the biography Patton: Ordeal and Triumph written by Ladislas Farago and A Soldier’s Story by Omar N. Bradley. General George S. Patton was a real person who fought in both World Wars. However, the film focuses on Patton’s career during World War II, showing his brilliance as a leader and his darker side. George C. Scott gives an astounding performance as Patton, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. However, Scott was the first actor to refuse the award. The film was nominated for ten Oscars and won seven, including Best Picture. Critics loved it, giving it a ninety-one percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
29. Three Kings

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Three Kings is a comedic war film directed by David O. Russell. The script was inspired by an article about soldiers trying to find hidden gold during the Gulf War. It is set during the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, focusing on four American soldiers. They plot to steal gold, which was stolen from Kuwait. It is a highly stylized film that, at its heart, is a story about greed, friendship, and redemption. Ultimately, it is more of an anti-war film. It has an incredible cast, which includes George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze, and Nora Dunn. Critics adored the film, giving it a ninety-four percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
28. Catch-22

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Catch-22 is a brilliant film that satirizes war in a comedic and tragic way. The highly acclaimed director Mike Nichols directed it. It is based on the celebrated novel Catch-22, written by Joseph Heller. The film captures the absurdity and horrors of war. The story is about bomber pilot Captain Yossarian, played by Alan Arkin, and his trials and tribulations during World War II while stationed in the Mediterranean. The film also stars Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Art Garfunkel, Bob Newhart, and Orson Welles. It received an eighty-one percent on Rotten Tomatoes and was nominated for two BAFTA Awards. The film shows the bureaucracy of war and how it is a “Catch-22”, meaning a no-win situation.
27. All Quiet on the Western Front

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All Quiet on the Western Front is a classic War film directed by Lewis Milestone. The film is based on Erich Maria Remarque’s novel of the same name. The novel had some controversy and was banned in Nazi Germany due to its anti-war storyline. The film is about a group of younger German Soldiers and their experience during World War I. Their patriotism and fantasy of war are turned upside down when they experience the horrific reality of trench warfare. The film’s themes are brotherhood, disillusionment, the futility of war, and the loss of innocence. It was one of the earlier anti-war films that laid the groundwork for future filmmakers. The film stars Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, John Wray, Arnold Lucy, and Ben Alexander. It was highly acclaimed, winning two of the four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Critics praised the film for its powerful storytelling, giving it a ninety-eight percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
26. Beasts of No Nation

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Beasts of No Nation is a dramatic War film written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. It is based on Uzodinma Iweala’s novel of the same name. The film depicts child soldiers fighting in an unnamed African country. Some of the film’s themes include loss of innocence, survival, and the brutality of war. It stars Idris Elba, Abraham Attah, Emmanuel Nii Adom Quaye, Ricky Adelayitor, and Ama K. Abebrese. Elba plays a brutal, manipulative leader who mentors Agu, the film’s protagonist. Elba was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the BAFTA Awards. Critics gave the film a ninety-one percent on Rotten Tomatoes. It was the first feature distributed by Netflix, which paved the way for what was to come for the streaming company.
25. Hacksaw Ridge

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Hacksaw Ridge is a historical war biography directed by Mel Gibson. The film is based on the true story of Desmond Doss, played by Andrew Garfield, a medic and a conscientious objector during World War II. The film takes place during the battle of Okinawa, where Doss saved seventy-five men without using a weapon. The real-life Doss was awarded the Medal of Honor and is considered the first conscientious objector to win this great honor. The film’s themes include sacrifice, bravery, faith, and nonviolence. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture of the Year, and won two. The film received an eighty-four percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
24. Letters From Iwo Jima

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Letters From Iwo Jima is a historical dramatic war film directed by Clint Eastwood. The film was inspired by letters written by Japanese soldiers during the Battle of Iwo Jima. It focuses on General Kuribayashi, played by Ken Watanabe, a Japanese soldier defending Iwo Jima during World War II. It also stars Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryo Kase, and Shidou Nakamura. What makes the film unique is the rare perspective of the Japanese during World War II. Eastwood does a brilliant job of humanizing the story. Some of the films’ themes are honor, sacrifice, humanity, and the cost of war. Eastwood also made Flags of Our Father, which depicts the same battle of Iwo Jima but from the American side. Letters from Iwo Jima was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture of the Year, and won one for Best Achievement in Sound Editing. The film received a ninety-one percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
23. The Last of the Mohicans

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The Last of the Mohicans is an action-packed, dramatic war piece directed by Michael Mann. It is based on the James Fenimore Cooper novel, which has the same name. The film takes place during the French and Indian War. A white man named Hawkeye, played by the renowned actor Daniel Day-Lewis, was raised by the Mohicans in the film. Hawkeye tries to protect his daughters from the British colonel. The film has themes of love, honor, survival, and cultural differences. It won one Academy Award for Best Sound but has incredible cinematography and a memorable score. It also had powerful performances by Day-Lewis and his co-stars Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means, Eric Schweig, and Jodhi May. Day-Lewis is famously a method actor and, for the role, learned how to live off the land. Critics gave it a solid eighty-eight percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
22. The Pianist

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The Pianist is a biographical war drama directed by Roman Polanski. The story is based on the autobiography The Pianist, written by Władysław Szpilman. The film takes place during the Second World War and follows the true story of Szpilman, played by Adrien Brody, who is a Jewish pianist surviving the Holocaust. The harrowing film tackles themes of survival, loss, resilience, and the power of music. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It ended up winning three Oscars, including Adrien Brody for Best Actor in a Leading Role. To prepare for the biographical role, Brody lost thirty pounds and learned to play the piano. Brody was the youngest person to win Best Actor at age twenty-nine. The film struck a chord with the critics, earning it an impressive ninety-five percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
21. M-A-S-H

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M-A-S-H is a war film with a comedic sensibility. Robert Altman directed it. The film was based on the novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors by Richard Hooker and later became an acclaimed and popular TV series. The film is set during the Korean War and focuses on the characters in the mobile army surgical hospital. It has a satirical take on war and shows the absurdity of it all. It blends comedy and drama well, also highlighting the horrors of war. It has a phenomenal cast, including Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Tom Skerritt, Sally Kellerman, and Robert Duvall. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Sally Kellerman won Best Actress in a Supporting Role award. Critics gave the film a respectable eighty-five percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
20. The Bridge on the River Kwai

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The Bridge on the River Kwai is an epic adventure war drama directed by David Lean. It is based on the Pierre Boulle novel of the same name. The film takes place in Burma during World War II. It focuses on the British POWs being forced to build a railway bridge across the river Kwai for the Japanese captors. The film depicts themes of honor, duty, madness, and the cost of war. The film had an incredible cast, including William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa, and James Donald. It won seven out of eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It has a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes with a ninety-six percent.
19. The Thin Red Line

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The Thin Red Line is an intense war film co-written and directed by Terrence Malick. It is based on the novel The Thin Red Line by James Jones. The author based the novel on his personal experiences in war. The film takes place during the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. It delves into the physical and philosophical struggles the soldiers faced. The film depicts the complex themes of nature vs. war, the human condition, fear, and courage. Malick had not made a film in about twenty years before making this film. It was a stunning comeback, highlighting his unique storytelling approach and visually striking cinematography. It stars Sean Penn, Jim Caviezel, Nick Nolte, Elias Koteas, and Ben Chaplin. The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
18. Platoon

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Platoon is a classic war film written and directed by Oliver Stone. Stone drew inspiration from his personal experiences as a soldier during the Vietnam War. The film takes place during the Vietnam War and shows the brutality of war. The film explores morality, brotherhood, violence, and internal conflict themes. The ensemble cast gives powerful performances, which include Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Forest Whitaker, and Johnny Depp. A contributing factor to the actor’s authentic performances can be attributed to the two weeks of boot camp they endured in preparation for the film. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won four of them, including Best Picture. It also scored fairly high on Rotten Tomatoes with eighty-seven percent.
17. Stalag 17

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Stalag 17 is a dramatic war film directed by Billy Wilder. It is based on the Broadway play Stalag 17 by Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski. The playwrights were both former POWs and drew from their personal experiences. It takes place in a German POW camp during World War II. It follows Sergeant Sefton, played by William Holden, an American POW accused of betraying his fellow prisoners. The film depicts themes of trust, survival, loyalty, and deception. The film is intense and suspenseful but has moments of levity and even comedy. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, and William Holden won Best Actor in a Leading Role. Holden’s talented co-stars include Don Taylor, Otto Preminger, Robert Strauss, and Harvey Lembeck. Critics enjoyed the film, giving it a ninety-one percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
16. The Deer Hunter

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The Deer Hunter is an intense, raw war film directed by Michael Cimino. The film follows three wartime buddies and their journey before, during, and after their experience in the Vietnam War. The film depicts themes of friendship, trauma, sacrifice, and the lasting effects of war. Part of what makes the film so enthralling is the tremendous cast, including Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, John Savage, Meryl Streep, and John Cazale. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won five awards, including Best Picture. The iconic Russian roulette scene is one of the most memorable scenes in the movie and in cinematic history. It earned an eighty-six percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
15. Glory

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Glory is a biographical historical war film directed by Edward Zwick. It is based on the personal letters of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the books Lay This Laurel by Lincoln Kirstein and Richard Benson, and One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard. The film takes place during the Civil War. The film follows the fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first black American units fighting in the Civil War. The film depicts themes of courage, equality, brotherhood, and sacrifice. It was nominated for five Academy Awards and won three, including Denzel Washington winning his first Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Washington was joined by the ensemble cast, which includes Matthew Broderick, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman, and Jihmi Kennedy. The film was well received by critics on Rotten Tomatoes, earning it a ninety-five percent.
14. Jarhead

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Jarhead is a biographical dramatic war film directed by Sam Mendes. It is based on the memoir Jarhead by Anthony Swofford. Swofford was a sniper in the Marines during the Gulf War, giving the film rich and authentic source material. The film takes place during the Gulf War and shows a unique perspective of war, where soldiers await action. It is not too dissimilar from the acclaimed play Waiting for Godot. The film depicts themes of alienation, identity, the futility of war, and even boredom. Jake Gyllenhall, who played Swofford, did some intense physical training to prepare for the role. The film also stars Jamie Foxx, Peter Sarsgaard, Lucas Black, and Chris Cooper, but Mendes also used real Marines as extras, adding another layer of authenticity. Some critics, like the characters in the film, were bored with the film, giving it sixty percent on Rotten Tomatoes. It may not be as action-packed as other war films, but it gives an often unseen realistic depiction of soldiers during wartime.
13. The Hurt Locker

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The Hurt Locker is a thrilling, dramatic war film directed by Kathryn Bigelow. It is an original script by the film’s writer, Mark Boal, who based the story on his experience as a journalist who interacted with the EOD team in Iraq. The film takes place during the Iraq war. It focuses on the character Sergeant William James, played by Jeremy Renner, who is an adrenaline junkie working as a bomb disposal expert. The film does a masterful job of showing the high stakes of war and the psychological effects it can have. The film depicts themes of brotherhood, survival, and the addiction to seeking an adrenaline fix. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won six, including Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Achievement in Directing. Bigelow became the first woman to win an Academy Award for directing. Critics praised the suspenseful film, giving it a ninety-six percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
12. No Man’s Land

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No Man’s Land is a compelling dramatic war film written and directed by Danis Tanović. Tanović drew from his personal experiences as a war documentarian, which brought a sense of authenticity to the film and a unique perspective where he was an observer. The film takes place during the Bosnian War. Two soldiers from opposing sides are trapped together in a trench. The film is anti-war and breaks down the humanity found on both sides. Besides being dramatic, the film offers a darkly comedic look at war and the futility of it all. The film depicts themes of survival, the role of the media, and humanity. It stars Branko Đurić, Rene Bitorajac, Filip Šovagović, Georges Siatidis, and Serge-Henri Valcke. It won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It was the first film from Bosnia and Herzegovina to win an Oscar. Critics applauded the poignant film, giving it a ninety-three percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
11. Dr. Strangelove

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Dr. Strangelove is a hilarious satirical war film directed by Stanley Kubrick. It is based on the novel Red Alert by Peter George. This anti-war film takes place during the Cold War. The story follows the U.S. government trying to prevent a nuclear apocalypse with the Soviet Union. The film tackles themes of power, the absurdity of war, self-destruction, and sexuality. Peter Sellers gives not one but three brilliant performances. Sellers’ co-stars also deliver, including George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn, and Slim Pickens. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It received a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes of ninety-eight percent and is considered one of the greatest satire films ever made.
10. Braveheart

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Braveheart is an epic biographical war film directed by Mel Gibson. It is based on the true story of the life of Sir William Wallace. However, the film took some creative license on the story. Wallace is a Scottish warrior who led his men into combat in the thirteenth century against the English. Gibson also starred in the film and gave a powerful performance. Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack, and Brendan Gleeson also starred in the film. The film explores themes of freedom, nationalism, sacrifice, and love. Braveheart was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won five, including Best Picture.
9. Paths of Glory

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Paths of Glory is a mesmerizing dramatic anti-war film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film is based on Humphrey Cobb’s novel of the same name. It takes place during the height of World War I and follows French soldiers who refuse to attempt a suicide mission, leading the men to be court-martialed. The film depicts themes of corruption, sacrifice, honor, principle, and the futility of war. Kirk Douglas shines in this film. Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, and Wayne Morris also star in the film. Paths of Glory was sadly only nominated for one BAFTA Award. However, critics praised the film’s beautiful cinematography, powerful performances, and resonating storyline. They gave it a ninety-six percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
8. Inglourious Basterds

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Inglourious Basterds is a historical fiction war film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino worked on the script for nearly a decade. The highly stylized film takes place during World War II. It follows a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” who seek to eliminate all Nazis. The film explores themes of revenge, a common thread throughout Tarantino’s filmography, as well as heroism and resistance. Its stellar cast includes Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Mélanie Laurent, Michael Fassbender, Eli Roth, and Diane Kruger. Waltz received an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role for his sinister role as the Nazi, Col. Hans Landa. Overall, the film received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture of the Year. The critics agree that this is another Tarantino hit, giving it an eighty-nine percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
7. Dunkirk

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Dunkirk is an action-packed war film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film is based on real events that occurred during the evacuation of Dunkirk, France, during World War II. It is a harrowing tale of a rescue mission that even involved civilians. What makes the film unique is Nolan’s signature use of non-linear storytelling. The story occurs across three perspectives: land, sea, and air. It has a wonderful ensemble cast, including Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Cillian Murphy, and Kenneth Branagh. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won three, including Best Achievement in Film Editing. Critics were blown away by the film, giving it a ninety-two percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
6. Life is Beautiful

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Life is Beautiful is a dramatic and comedic war film co-written and directed by Roberto Benigni. The film was inspired by Rubino Romeo Salmoni’s novel, In the End, I Beat Hitler. The film takes place in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. A Jewish-Italian father uses his sense of humor and imagination to protect his son from the horrors of their reality. It is truly heartwarming and heart-wrenching. The film tackles themes of love, sacrifice, hope, and imagination. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won three, including Best Actor in a Leading Role for Benigni and Best Foreign Language Film. It received an eighty-one percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
5. Saving Private Ryan

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Saving Private Ryan is a dramatic war film directed by Steven Spielberg. The film is loosely based on the true story of the Niland brothers. It takes place during World War II. It follows a group of American soldiers trying to track down and bring home Private James Ryan, played by Matt Damon. The film is extremely graphic and realistic, especially during the D-Day invasion sequence. The film tackles sacrifice, brotherhood, heroism, and war terrors. Tom Hanks shines in this film and prepares for the role, along with many of his co-stars, through an intense boot camp experience. The film also stars Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Vin Diesel, and Giovanni Ribisi. It was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and won five, including Best Director for Steven Spielberg. Critics praised the film for its authenticity and incredible performances. They gave it a ninety-four percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
4. 1917

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1917 is an ambitious dramatic war film co-written and directed by Sam Mendes. Mendes drew inspiration from the stories his grandfather Alfred Mendes told him about his time in World War I. The film follows two British soldiers tasked with delivering a message that could save the lives of sixteen hundred men from a trap. This harrowing journey is beautifully captured in seemingly one take by the master cinematographer Roger Deakins, who won an Academy Award for his visually striking cinematography. The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture of the Year, and won three. Critics adored the film, giving it an eighty-eight percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
3. Full Metal Jacket

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Full Metal Jacket is a dramatic but darkly funny war film co-written and directed by Stanley Kubrick. It is based on the Gustav Hasford novel, The Short-Timers. The film’s first half takes place in a Marine’s boot camp. After the grueling basic training, the troops are sent off to war in Vietnam. It is there that they experience violence, death, and war. The film depicts themes of duality, chaos, dehumanization, and the brutality of war. It stars Matthew Modine, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D’Onofrio, Adam Baldwin, and Dorian Harewood. D’Onofrio gained seventy pounds in preparation to play Private Pyle. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium. Critics praised the highly stylized film and its brutal look at war. It received a Rotten Tomatoes score of ninety percent.
2. Schindler’s List

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Schindler’s List is a biographical war film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is based on the novel Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally. The film tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, played by Liam Neeson, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. It is an important film that shows the utter horror of the Holocaust and is arguably one of the greatest World War II films ever made. The film tackles themes of humanity, courage, sacrifice, and the horrors of war. Joining Neeson in the cast are Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagall, and Embeth Davidtz. It was nominated for twelve Academy Awards and won seven, including Best Picture. Critics praised it for its powerful score by John Williams, amazing cast, and brilliant black-and-white cinematography. It received an extremely high Rotten Tomatoes score of ninety-eight percent.
1. Apocalypse Now

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Apocalypse Now is an epic war masterpiece directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It is loosely based on the novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. It takes place in the Cambodian jungle during the Vietnam War. Captain Willard, played by Martin Sheen, is sent on a mission to assassinate Colonel Kurtz, played by Marlon Brando. The film tackles themes of madness, the human psyche, power, and the dark side of war. It also stars Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest, Albert Hall, Sam Bottoms, and Laurence Fishburne. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It won two Oscars, including Best Cinematography. Critics loved the dark and twisted Vietnam War film, giving it a ninety-one percent on Rotten Tomatoes. It is considered one of the greatest war films of all time.