Ten War Movies That Everyone Should Watch

Both World Wars were among the bloodiest episodes in the annals of mankind, and their effects are still being felt today. Many novels, dramas, and films have been made on warfare, its battlefields, and the courageous warriors fighting on both ends.

There’s nothing like seeing a good war film to let you feel all the raw passion, dread, and terror of that time period. Fortunately, there are a plethora of movies about the World War that will carry you to the battlefield and allow you to experience a little of what it was like for those who served and perished there.

Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)

Let’s begin this list with one of the most moving, realistic, and emotional war films ever made. The focal character of Letters from Iwo Jima is Major Tadamichi, who tries to stave off the American invasion of Iwo Jima. You’ll get to witness firsthand the difficulties Tadamichi and his soldiers face as they make preparations to secure the peninsula from a number of letters that he sends to his wife.

The Japanese forces are outmatched in both numbers and firepower, a truth that Tadamichi recognizes almost immediately after taking control of the island, but still does his best to protect the territory, such as hiding in caverns and passageways to ambush the US forces.

Clint Eastwood, the director has done a great job in showing the compassion of the Japanese troops via their commitment, courage, and suffering. In addition, the movie also hints at the distinctions between Japanese and American cultures and stresses the importance of responsibility and dignity in Japanese tradition.

The Dirty Dozen (1967)

In this Robert Aldrich film, protagonist John Reisman recruits a group of 12 former servicemen who have all served their time to complete a classified operation. John has been tasked with preparing the team for a war footing against a besieged French château, which is currently being used as a hideaway by high-ranking Nazi officials.

These servicemen have served their time for crimes spanning from theft to homicide, and Reisman is tasked with teaching the soldiers how to operate together while also accommodating their perspectives and bearings to the objective. Conflicts increase as the squad prepares for the campaign, leading several men to argue among themselves and even physically collide.

The Bridge On The River Kwai (1957)

In the opening scenes, Commander Nicholson and his soldiers arrive at a Japanese prisoner camp located in the Thai countryside. General Saito, head of the enemy forces, issued a directive for Nicholson as well as his troops to construct a footbridge that spans the River Kwai.

At first, Nicholson declines to let his soldiers build the structure, citing the International Conventions as his justification but when faced with the possibility of having his troops executed, he finally agrees. There is no doubt that David Lean’s The Bridge on River Kwai is a timeless piece of cinematic warfare, that explores all the nooks and crannies of warfare as well as the human mind, and it does so in a compelling and inspiring way. The film also received multiple Oscar nominations and snagged the one for the best music.

Enemy At the Gates (2001)

Many will agree that this 2001 film by French filmmaker Jean-Jacques Annaud is the best sniper-warfare film to ever be made, probably because of the tense and heart-stopping standoff between the protagonist and antagonist. Enemy at the Gates is about the rise of Zaitsev, an obscure Soviet trooper, into a feared and known sniper.

The Soviet forces take advantage of Zaitsev’s talents to strike at the morale of the Nazi leaders, thereby spreading panic and dread throughout the trenches of the Nazi army. Things get interesting when König, another ambitious marksman, is sent to Stalingrad to put a stop to Zaitsev’s horror by killing him. Even though the story is fiction, it draws many elements from the life of Vasily Zaitsev, a sniper who is celebrated as a heroic figure in Russia throughout the course of the war, showing that the Nazi invasion will always fail to break the country’s spirit.

In addition, the movie is widely received for showing the dismal nature of the Stalingrad conflict, and its depiction of the violent combat as well as the impact it has on the troops and citizens trapped in the crossfire.

1917 (2019)

1917 comes to fruition as Sam Mendes’ second war film following Jarhead, and seems to have been seems to have been shot in a solitary tracking shot. The focal characters are Schofield and Blake, two soldiers who have to enter hostile terrain and blood-soaked trenches to forward a very important warning. On the route, the duo runs into dangers like land mines, and enemy gunners, who manage to kill one of them.

Roger Deakins’ the genius behind The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, and Prisoners take the helm as DOP, rendering the film stunning, and making you believe that you’re there in the thick of it. In layman’s terms, 1917 is a film that will make you feel everything: awe, sadness, and gratitude for the brave men and women who served in the war.

The Lost Batallion (2001)

There are hardly many films set during World War 1, and The Lost Batallion certainly ranks among the best. Storywise, we follow Colonel Charles White and his men as they are trapped inside the Argonne Woods and surrounded by Nazi troops. These brave men have been holding their ground against never-stopping Nazi assaults for nights with a minuscule chance of being rescued.

The film is raw and realistic and with time you’ll see the troops’ physical and mental health deteriorate as they endure starvation, tiredness, and injury, but never lose their courage to fight to the last breath. The Lost Batallion will answer every question you may have had about the realities of life in the trenches of World War I & II. The film ensemble does a great job, but Rick Schroder steals the spotlight for displaying the colonel’s bravery and teamwork in the midst of insurmountable odds.

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket is an intense and multi-layered depiction of the Vietnam War that offers an accurate peek at military training and warfare. Once the recruits make it through boot camp, the conflict moves to Vietnam, where they are exposed to the brutal truth of war and its effects on civilians.

The film does its best job showing how war affects soldiers’ mental health, not only their bodies. Even though you’ll see soldiers with torn legs or bodies full of bullets, the real message is how violence and destruction break even the best of us, sometimes turning them on their own.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Set during World War II, Saving Private Ryan tracks a group of U.S. soldiers during World War II, led by Captain John Miller who are sent on a mission to find Private James Ryan, whose brothers have all died in battle. The film takes you through the streets and alleys of war-torn France and shows you both the dangers and camaraderie found on the battlefield.

What makes this film so unique is the raw, intense portrayal of war, especially the D-Day landing scene, where thousands of soldiers lost their lives in a matter of hours. Directed by Spielberg, it’s often called one of the greatest war movies ever because of its honest, powerful look at the human side of war. The film also prompted the establishment of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, to pay tribute to the brave men who lost their lives in the Normandy invasion.

Black Hawk Down (2001)

Black Hawk Down tells the intense story of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, where U.S. soldiers—Rangers and Delta Force—are sent to capture a Somali warlord but things go terribly wrong when two Black Hawk helicopters are shot down. This traps the soldiers in the middle of a chaotic, hostile city that is teeming with terrorists.

Black Hawk Down earned brownie points for its unfiltered look at urban warfare, and Ridley Scott’s genius makes this film an action gem.  If you’re into war films that don’t sugarcoat the violence or the heroism, this one’s a must-watch. Also, did you know that the military included this film in their training program given its spot-on portrayal of the war?

The Hurt Locker (2008)

The Hurt Locker is not only a great war film but also a pulse-pounding probe into the life of a bomb tech in Iraq. Following Sergeant William James, we get a front-row seat to his terrifying, high-stakes world, where every second could be his last as he defuses bombs in the brutal heat.

What really hits home is how the film shows the psychological and physical dangers of living in a war-torn country. Aside from entertaining you, this film shows you the chaos any war brings, and Kathryn Bigelow’s direction makes every moment feel so real. In addition, the film also won the Academy Award for the best picture.

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