For filmmakers, World War II is like a well that never runs dry. Anyone could choose to make 20 movies about the conflict, and they would never run out of unique stories to tell. Unsurprisingly, many of the world’s greatest filmmakers have explored this war at different points in their careers. Steven Spielberg made Saving Private Ryan, Quentin Tarantino made Inglourious Basterds, and Christopher Nolan made Dunkirk.
While the popular movies are cool, are they really the best? Some classics have fallen out of the conversation about the war in recent years, yet they paint the best picture of a conflict that left an estimated 70 to 80 million people dead. I picked these eight films because they cover one or more of the major topics, including genocide, economic turmoil, and totalitarianism. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Why You Should Trust Me: I’ve spent the last three years writing numerous lists for MovieWeb, many of them revolving around war. I’m also obsessed with World War II and have not only watched numerous movies about it, but also read several non-fiction books highlighting the perspectives of different parties.
Honorable Mentions
- Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983): Starring David Bowie, this moving story of journalist Sir Laurens van der Post’s experience as a prisoner of war in Java (Japanese-occupied Dutch East Indies) during WWII has little to no combat. However, it perfectly highlights the cultural divide. It has an excellent score, too, but the dialogue could be better.
- The Longest Day (1962): While The Green Berets is the John Wayne war saga fans remember the most, The Longest Day has a stronger plot about the planning and execution of the Normandy landings. Unfortunately, Wayne’s big-name co-stars, Henry Fonda and Sean Connery, don’t give their best performances.
- The Guns of Navarone (1961): Watching elite Greek soldiers attack an impregnable German fortress on the Aegean island is pure fun, but too many necessary historical details are left out. Some might struggle to get the context.
‘Come and See’ (1985)
The Perfect Use of Surrealism and Philosophical Existentialism to Highlight War’s Horror and Psychological Damage
Watch This If: Do you love war stories where the hero is a kid? Well, watch Come and See. Filmed in an almost cinema verité style by director Elem Klimov (who fought censorship for eight years), this breathless, spellbinding WWII movie evokes the slightly fraying quality of life in Eastern Europe during the conflict. While the plot has a gritty, edgy tone, Aleksei Kravchenko also does excellent work as a boy who joins the resistance when the Nazis attack Belarus. Did you think Christian Bale was great in Empire of the Sun? Kravchenko’s iconic child performance will blow you away.
Skip This If: I wasn’t pleased with the characterization. The obsessive, hard-nosed style of a few of the adults put me off. Besides that, some of the scenes are extremely disturbing. But from a filmmaking perspective, Come and See is out of this world. The numerous close-ups and Steadicam shots will leave anyone slack-jawed.
‘Sunflower’ (1970)
Vittorio De Sica’s Film Features Cinema’s Most Relentless Character
Watch This If: Love and war often go together, and if you intend to watch more WWII romance movies, start with Sunflower. The movie tells the fictional story of a woman who uses unorthodox means to track down her MIA husband after he goes to fight for Italy on the European Front. Sophia Loren’s electrifying performance as the wife-of-the-year transformed her overnight from a supporting player in Italy’s film industry to a star. Anti-jingoism plots also land well, and there are wild subplots, such as a character pretending to struggle with their mental health, to avoid going to war.
Skip This If: The best love stories have happy endings. Sunflower doesn’t. Those who hated Romeo & Juliet and Titanic can spare themselves some more agony. Other than that, the film is flawless. And, on the bright side, the views are capable of boosting anyone’s spirits. Few films have better cinematography.
‘The Big Red One’ (1980)
Straight from the Horse’s Mouth
Watch This If: Many filmmakers who find themselves irresistibly drawn to WWII only rely on historical accounts. Samuel Fuller actually served, and this semi-autobiographical movie details his own experiences in the 1st Infantry Division. The choice to go biographical in this sorrow-laden picture works because of great talents like Lee Marvin and Kelly Ward. War is portrayed in its brutal form, with anxiety and sexual repression being highlighted.
Skip This If: There is no Hollywood romanticism here, just the redundant mechanics of survival. The doomed servicemen never seem to catch a break and tumble into one mess after another. Those who prefer their military heroes strong and capable of total annihilation might thus struggle to sit through this rough picture that was originally meant to star John Wayne.
‘Went the Day Well?’ (1942)
What Life is Like for the Ordinary Citizen When Paradise Becomes Hell
Watch This If: In the fictional English village of Bramley End, a group of British soldiers arrives for a routine assignment, only for locals to discover they are German attackers in disguise. The director uses blunt, matter-of-fact violence to turn the bucolic English scene into a bloody field, and anyone watching can’t help but feel the pain. This film reminds you of just how much fear the public had at the time, and how determined everyone was to protect their land. And if you enjoy great quotes, there are tons of them. My favorite? “Yes, that’s the only bit of England they got,” one character says at the end while pointing to a graveyard full of German soldiers.
Skip This If: The great Leslie Banks is perfectly cast as a treacherous squire, and Valerie Taylor oozes passion as a vicar’s daughter. However, everyone else appears to be on autopilot. That’s the film’s only weakness, and if you can ignore it, you’ll have a great time. Given its unique plot, this is the kind of war flick that would be a major hit if it were made today.
‘Army of Shadows’ (1969)
Showcasing the Ugly Side of Resistance
Watch This If: Parlez-vous français? French resistance fighters are at work, doing everything in their power to stop Hitler’s men from taking over their country. This WWII classic builds on the foundation set in Joseph Kessel’s 1943 book of the same name, with the earnest resistance fighters getting even closer to a major triumph. More story-driven and less stunt-heavy than other movies of its kind, it’s still full of priceless moments. A scene where a traitor is cornered is a particular highlight.
Skip This If: Army of Shadows crosses the lines between political sensitivity and morality. In line with its bleak, unromantic view of the Resistance, the heroes kill without mercy. The movie was also denounced for its glorification of the statesman Charles de Gaulle. It was banned in the United States until 2006.
‘The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp’ (1943)
A Fast-Paced Wartime Tale Packed With Numerous Funny Moments
Watch This If: If you can’t do without a dose of humor, watch this satirical flick filmed in vibrant Technicolor. Loosely based on the Colonel Blimp comic strip by David Low, it constantly makes fun of British military leadership structures and strategies during the war. This was British filmmaking duo Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s finest work, and it remains one of the most enduring WWII movies released during wartime.
Skip This If: Winston Churchill hated The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, claiming it made a mockery of Britain at a time when it was essential to portray the country as a mighty force. He had a point. While its timing was wrong, the film holds up when watched today. It will not only make you laugh but also features several iconic historical moments as backdrops.
‘Ivan’s Childhood’ (1962)
When War Forces a Child to Make Adult Decisions
Watch This If: For those who value good-looking movies above everything else, Ivan’s Childhood is worth following. Never has nature been portrayed so perfectly as an active witness of human violence, as it is here. Here, we have a burned-out, orphaned Soviet boy, on the fringes of the war, who dedicates his life to providing timely information to his country’s fighters. The character confronts a frightening future, yet remains trapped in an idyllic version of youth. On-location shooting at Russian locales only heightens the movie’s sense of authenticity.
Skip This If: While Ivan’s Childhood is an ultra-realistic war picture, the numerous dream sequences can be jarring. Steer clear if you prefer your war movies without an element of visual poetry. Other than that, it’s a wonderful piece of cinema. It totally deserved the Golden Lion award it won at the Venice Film Festival.
‘Rome, Open City’ (1945)
A Detailed Explanation of the Link Between War and Religion
Watch This If: In this story about a Resistance fighter trying to escape the city with the help of a Catholic priest, Federico Fellini’s Oscar-nominated screenplay vividly captures the distinctive language of Italy’s wartime underworld. The cast is also first-rate. This isn’t just a war tale. It’s one of the most representative products of Italian neorealism, ideal for anyone interested in the art of cinema as a whole. In a 2013 interview with America Magazine, Pope Francis named it one of his favorites.
Skip This If: Rome, Open City’s strong elements are also its weak ones, depending on who is watching. If you expect action, you might be irked by the shots of random shops and roads. There is too much focus on the art. But what else can be expected when the director is Roberto Rossellini and script duties are handled by Fellini?
Which other World War II classic deserves more attention? Let us know in the comments!
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