War films are as old as cinematography itself. As soon as people learned to make films for entertainment, war, among other things, found itself in front of the lens of a movie camera. And although some images of military operations have little to do with reality and were created to amaze the viewer with explosions and pumped up men in tattered camouflage, the really best films are very serious and show the horror and humanity of battles. Here is a list of the most respected military films.
30. The Lord of the Storm, 2008
Before playing an archer in the Marvel films, Jeremy Renner appeared before the audience as an experienced military man, commander of a group of sappers in Iraq. Not the most tempting job offer, but the film earned director Katherine Bigelow an Oscar. Despite all the dangers, for soldiers like Sergeant First Class William James, war is a drug. He is happy only in the thick of it. And even when, due to his rash actions, he and his team, having learned that bombs are being surgically implanted in children, find themselves in a mortally dangerous situation, the hero feels in his place. This is an honest and comprehensive picture of what war does to a person.
29. "The grave of the fireflies", 1988
Studio "Ghibli" talentedly translates the darkest scenarios into bright and playful films. This Japanese animation studio has outdone itself in a stunning picture, reminding everyone in a tough way that children are the hardest hit by war. Animation techniques are striking in a way that no live actor can hit throughout the history of Seita and Setsuko, children orphaned after American bombing destroyed their home. Recognized as one of the most moving anti-war films, Tomb of the Fireflies will make you cry with ease.
28. Rage, 2014
One of the lesser-known films on this list, Rage follows the exploits of a tank crew in 1945, when the Allies entered Nazi Germany. Despite the caste of Hollywood beauties, this is a truly serious and tough narrative of the horrors of World War II. And although Brad Pitt is overly zealous, portraying the captain of the crew Don Collier, nicknamed "Daddy", it helps the viewer to maintain a positive attitude, because the rest of the crew, played by Shia LaBeouf, Michael Penya and John Bernthal, die one after another. The film is similar in mood to Saving Private Ryan, but the theme of war goes deeper.
27. "Goal number one", 2012
Target One is about the assassination of Osama bin Laden and is one of the quietest war films ever. It begins with a calm, measured spying and ends with a tough battle scene. US Navy SEALs find and destroy the terrorist in an atmosphere of gloomy silence, interrupted by the sounds of gunfire. The film turned out to be thoughtful and balanced. Director Katherine Bigelow has earned the title of credibility and unvarnished portrayal of one of the least popular military operations of the 21st century.
26. Killing Fields, 1984
The film follows two journalists who find themselves in the thick of things during the height of the civil war between the Khmer Rouge and the Cambodian national army. Sam Waterson and John Malkovich play as the Americans Schoenberg and Rockoff, teaming up with local reporter Diet Pran to tell the truth about Pol Pot's barbaric regime. This brutal and moving motion picture is based on real events described in the article by the real Schoenberg and Pran. The name is also no coincidence. Dit Pran named the places of death where the Cambodians killed by the Khmer Rouge remained.
25. "The Imitation Game", 2014
Benedict Cumberbatch did an excellent job of playing Alan Turing, the main character in The Imitation Game, which tells the story of the codebreakers who broke into the infamous German Enigma encryption machine during World War II. Of course, there are elements of a thriller in the film, but the narrative is more focused on the life and untimely death of Alan Turing, and the war here acts more as a background. Despite the fame of historical events, the viewer will be amazed at the overwhelming difficulties that befell the hero. Perhaps it is the understanding that all this happened in reality that will make the film's denouement even more tragic.
24. "Bunker", 2004
Even dictators have bad days. Humanizing, but not justifying, Hitler makes his crimes all the more horrific. "Bunker" in the smallest approximation tells about the last ten days of the Fuhrer's life from the point of view of his personal secretary. At the beginning of the film, we even hear the voice of the real Traudl Junge. Adding realism to the resulting portrait of Hitler is his ability to instantly transition from the kindness with which he treats those close to him, to absolute contempt for the millions of those he poisons to death. What makes the film nearly perfect is the chilling scrupulousness of the starring Bruno Gantz.
23. All Quiet on the Western Front, 1930
Boredom, hunger, and the constant danger of sudden death make a passing story the standard of Hollywood portrayal of trench warfare. The original 1930 film and the role of the German soldier Paul Beumer made actor Lew Ayres a star. The main character is one of the schoolchildren who received a patriotic education and went to the front. Soon Paul and his friends realize that to give their debt to their homeland means to give everything to it.
22. "Dunkirk", 2017
What makes Dunkirk an outstanding film? Sound. The plot and the pace of the narration are truly Nolan's, the acting is on top, the visuals are excellent, but the sound is breathtaking. For example, the contrast between the rumble of exploding bombs and the ominous silence of the troops as the soldiers take refuge on the beach is striking. Dull roar of fighter engines. The calm rustle of water filling the pierced ships, and the screams of drowning people. Dunkirk is not the scariest or most instructive war movie, but the way sound (or lack thereof) is used to convey threat and horror is noteworthy.
21. "Only Old Men Go to Battle", 1973
Soviet film dedicated to fighter pilots led by the positive captain Titarenko, who picked up newcomers for himself on the principle of singing. His "old men" were no more than twenty. Replenishment came from fast-track flight schools. They still had a lot to experience - both the sadness of losses and the joy of victories ...
20. "Deer Hunter", 1978
The war drama by Michael Cimino is best known for its Russian roulette scene. In this moment, all the despair and hopelessness of a person who finds themselves in a war is embodied. The protagonist is one of three friends called to serve in Vietnam. War destroys ordinary people, and the viewer clearly understands this, as he sees scenes of both civil and front-line life of the characters. The cast of the film - Christopher Walken, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep - do an excellent job of their roles, embodying the piercing horror of war on the screen.
19. "Inglourious Basterds", 2009
The opening scene of the film is 15 minutes long. "Hunter of Jews" Hans Landa calmly interrogates a French farmer and convinces him to confess to harboring Jews in the basement of his house. According to Tarantino, this is the best dialogue he has filmed. The film is an action movie with comedy elements.A group of "Bastards" under the command of the uncompromising Lieutenant Aldo Rein (Brad Pitt), known for the ability to scalp their victims, conceives a plan to gather the elite of the Third Reich government in the cinema and destroy. Crazy idea.
18. "Submarine", 1981
The description "epic" fits Wolfgang Petersen's film, which lasts just under 5 hours, just fine. There is a theater version, a miniseries, and an additional director's cut, all united by one chilling truth - war is terrible wherever you are. German divers face boredom, claustrophobia and fear. Fear is particularly vivid in the scene when the sailors, ordered not to take hostages, watch as the British submarine, which has received a hole, sinks. Terrible.
17. "Star", 2002
A 2002 film made in the spirit of Soviet war films and based on the story of Emmanuil Kazakevich. "Zvezda" is the call sign of a group of Soviet intelligence officers who carry out command assignments behind enemy lines. A very lifelike and exciting film.
16. The Great Escape, 1963
A familiar story. An uplifting song played in many films to show the authorities a metaphorical middle finger. But there's more to The Big Escape. A fun and interesting adventure of a group of allied prisoners of war during the Second World War, sent by the Germans to a camp in Poland. The two main characters, Steve McQueen and Richard Attenbrough, arrange for the prisoners to dig three tunnels. Interestingly, everyone understands that it will not be possible to escape. Then why dig it? It's just to annoy the Nazis. You will admire the boldness of the characters.
Also Don't Miss: 30 BEST WORLD WAR II FILMS - PART 2
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10 MOST EXCITING HOLLYWOOD WORLD WAR II FILMS! from the TOP Films channel. Exciting films about the Second World War with trailers.
