[March 11, 2022] Alexander the Great once said that “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.” Of course, he was talking about inspiration. Indeed, it must have been an inspirational speech that day; I only wish I’d been there to hear it.
“Success is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.” – Thomas Edison
We are inspired by many things in our lives; a great song, a hero’s actions on the battlefield, authentic leadership in bad times, a come-from-behind victory by our favorite sports team, and unusual stories of survival. I too have been inspired.
What inspiration does is drive us beyond what we think is possible. Do we truly know ourselves? Perhaps not if the acts of others can inspire us.
Here are five war movies where inspirational speeches were made that made a difference in the outcome.
- Zulu: This classic film follows a group of British Infantrymen defending a hospital for 12 hours from a massive force of Zulu warriors. The battle speech is more a song as the men take courage from their circumstances to defeat the brutal, blade-wielding charge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhusCY_vq0Q
- Braveheart: This Oscar-winning film centers around one poor Scotsman (played by Mel Gibson) as he rallies a country to fight against English oppression. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2vW-rr9ibE
- Patton: One of the most classic motivational speeches ever given before going to war was from the actual U.S. Gen. George S. Patton. George C. Scott gives a great rendition of the actual speech in the movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv9XNFpRdhg
- 300: At the Battle of Thermopylae, Spartans were ready for the Persian horde. The problem for the Spartans, and they knew it, as they were vastly outnumbered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDpI6Zzy-vo
- Independence Day: Aliens are about to annihilate the human race. America is about to send its Air Force to attack the alien ships. Watch as the U.S. President inspires his pilots before the attack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t1IK_9apWs
- Gladiator: Encouragement for his cavalry as Roman General Marcus Aurelius prepares for the attack on the rear of the enemy German tribes. Opening scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhusCY_vq0Q
—————
Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
Watched them all. Seen them before. Very inspiring! 😊😊😊😊😊
These are pretty good. What I’d liked to personally here and ‘experience’ is what the REAL speech was like. Imagine, if you will, being present before the battle and hearing your leader tell you about how you will prevail, if only you follow him. Rousing speeches? You bet.
These speeches are all good – er, excellent. Keep up the great work you are doing Gen. Satterfield to continue to bring us the latest in leadership philosophy.
Big Al, spot on comment. That is why I keep coming back to this website on leadership. I learn something new every single day and also get a little entertainment too.
We are all huge fans of this leadership website. Don’t forget to support Gen. Satterfield by purchasing his new book, ‘Our Longest Year in Iraq’ at Amazon.com. Just type in his name or the book title and it will come up. Then download it on your Kindle or order the book itself (book is best option) and then leave him a review. Thanks all.
GEN. Patton speech is the best. George C. Scott, actor, does a really good job.
Thanks Gen. Satterfield. I watched the videos again. There is something in each that touches my heart.
This is in part why they are great speeches, they touch us in some unknown way. Well, the psychologists might be able to tell us why but being there to witness such a speech is truly an event that you “feel.” Whenever I watch many of our politicians on tv, I’m not overwhelmed at all. When they READ their SPEECH, I’m insulted.
Excellent point Jonny.
Gen. Satterfield, here is wishing you a full recovery from your time in the hospital. I’ve not forgotten. Keep on putting out great articles. ✔
TGIF. Yes, it’s Friday and the end of the week struggling to make ends meet. I talked with my boss today about a raise so I could help pay for Biden’s inflation. He was not happy I blamed it all on Biden. Ha Ha, I might get fired but at least I know the nutjobs are finally figuring out that Biden is not up to the task of running the country. And, his VP Harris, well no one has to say anything about her. Peter Principle in action.
Hi Gen. Satterfield. I’ve seen all these movies at least 3 times each and enjoyed them immensely. That said, the best speech of them all was in Gladiator. Why? I’m not so sure but they certainly are inspirational. The least effective is the one in Independence Day. Just my thinking. Great article.
I agree with you Forrest. Off subject of this article, I want to remind everyone to go online to Amazon, type in “Doug Satterfield” and his book will pop up. Buy it and give it a review. This benefits us all. 👍👍👍👍👍
Excellent article this morning, Gen. Satterfield and on a subject often relegated to the unimportant. If you want to be a real leader who is very very successful then you have to know how to INSPIRE folks and this is what great speech making is all about.
Great speeches are rare. It would do us good to study and emulate their success at rousing the crowd. Practice speaking plainly, forcefully, and clearly. And, with passion. That is how you get people to sit up and take notice.
Yep, practice practice practice. Leadership requires practice.
https://www.theleadermaker.com/leadership-requires-practice/
That’s how you succeed. And, that is why I follow Gen. Satterfield’s advice to read autobiographies.
Whoa! These were great speeches or, of course, short pep talks like my football coach used to give us before the game.
=== and they work well. 😊
Just more OLD RULES. Who pays attention to them any more? This is a new age of humankind?
Next you will blame it on white patriarchy or on the rises masses. Come on man! Let’s do better than that. The “old rules” are proven effective over and over and over. You cannot dismiss them by the swipe of the hand unless you are a real dumbass.
Commie, good to see you back but please try to make a better argument. Try to persuade folks thru logic and not thru leftist bullet points.
Not going to happen Tom. That’s the point of leftists. Logic does not work.
Commie Red, good to have you back and have the opposite of a good argument laid before us to critique. I hope you take our message to heart.