Most war movies on the big screen are obligated to be filled with intense battles, wide-sweeping themes and thundering music that could puncture your eardrums. TV doesn’t have the same obligations. Most often, quieter, more subtle takes work better on the small screen - and it turns out that’s a fine way to tell different kinds of war stories ones that range from how a family reacts to the loss of a loved one to an indepth look at a general’s strategy.

 On Feb. 21, HBO has a terrific movie called “Taking Chance” starring Kevin Bacon. It’s only about a Marine taking a corpse across country to his final resting place, but in that simple storyline, numerous, unexpected emotions are tapped. I’ve got a full review running this Sunday. In the meantime, here are 10 other made-for-TV war movies worth getting (all are available on DVD). Feel free to suggest other titles:

“The Strike” (1954): This Rod Serling story is included in the terrific new “Studio One” box set, a must-buy for anyone whose heard about the glory days of live TV, but are too young to have seen it. This tale focuses on a commander who must sacrifice the lives of a small group of men to save his entire troop. It takes place in a bunker so dank and miserable, you can feel your stomach growl.

“The Missiles of October” (1974): If you liked Kevin Costner’s “13 Days,” you’ll love this superior adaptation of the same material with William Devane doing a great JFK.

“All Quiet on the Western Front” (1979): This is the best of this oft-filmed classic with Ernest Borgnine and Richard Thomas proving that they’re more than McHale and John Boy. Delbert Mann, who directed, “Marty,” is at the helm.

“Friendly Fire” (1979): Carol Burnett and Ned Beatty want the truth - but can they handle the truth? - about how their son was killed.

“Playing For Time” (1980): Jane Alexander and Vanessa Redgrave are among the prisoners who escape the showers by playing classical music for the Nazis.

“The Tuskegee Airmen” (1995): Laurence Fishburne stars as one of the unheralded fliers who were heroes during WWII.

“The Crossing” (2000): Jeff Daniels as George Washington? Trust us, it works in this look at the most important battle of the Revolutionary War.

“Live From Baghdad” (2002): The best TV movie ever about press coverage of the war with Michael Keaton and Helen Bonham Carter as CNN rebels. Watch it alongside “The Year of Living Dangerously” and “The Killing Fields” to see how journalism has changed over the years.

“The Gathering Storm” (2002): Albert Finney won a well-deserved Emmy for his portrayal of Winston Churchill as he braces England for WWII.

“Ike: Countdown to D-Day” (2004): Tom Selleck sans mustache plays DDE as he plans the most important strike of WWII.

“Playing For Time” (1980): Jane Alexander and Vanessa Redgrave are among the prisoners who are able to escape the showers by performing classical music for the Nazis.

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