Favorite World War II movies (1 Viewer)
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indiana81
Private 2
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I'm surprised that no one has mentioned "The Big Red One" yet. "In Harm's Way" with John Wayne and Kirk Douglas is pretty good too. "Run Silent Run Deep" seemed to be a good one from the bit I saw. Branching off to Vietnam, "We Were Soldiers" wasn't too shabby either.
Justin
Justin
binder001
Command Sergeant Major
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Isn't that movie the Train where as a station master he has to figure out how to make sure French art doesn't get sent to Germany and he tricks the Nazis into thinking the train is actually heading to Germany when it's not?
Yes, it is.
Lots of interesting movies, many of which reflect their times (like CASTLE KEEP or CATCH 22). Enough to keep us watching for years!
Gary
Yes, it is.
Lots of interesting movies, many of which reflect their times (like CASTLE KEEP or CATCH 22). Enough to keep us watching for years!
Gary
gk5717
2nd Lieutenant
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My top two are SPR & Band of Brothers, but as Jazzeum mentioned "Paths of Glory" is an all time favorite. No one ever seems to mention this movie.
It is a movie about French soldiers in WW1 and was so controversial in France that it was banned until the early seventies. It was made in 1957.
"A Midnight Clear" is also a favorite.
Gary
It is a movie about French soldiers in WW1 and was so controversial in France that it was banned until the early seventies. It was made in 1957.
"A Midnight Clear" is also a favorite.
Gary
eballenger
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I'm surprised no one mentioned "A Thin Red Line". (Unless I missed it) I found that movie to be extremely realistic and moving. My own opinion is that it is by far the best WWII movie that portrays: the War in the Pacific, even if John Travolta was in it.
wellington
First Sergeant
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Stalingrad and Das Boot...both in German with English sub-titles.......
WELLINGTON
WELLINGTON
CannonFodder1971
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Channel 4, the British TV station, have done pretty much a best 100 of everything. I'm sure there'll be a best 100 of best 100s next. The 100 Greatest War Films is pretty interesting though:
http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/microsites/W/greatest_warfilms/results/100-96.html
Interesting selection, including Rome Open City, Breaker Morant, Battle of Algiers and even a cartoon (When the Wind Blows). Quite a few anti-war films amongst the war ones but plenty of ideas for birthday present DvDs etc.
http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/microsites/W/greatest_warfilms/results/100-96.html
Interesting selection, including Rome Open City, Breaker Morant, Battle of Algiers and even a cartoon (When the Wind Blows). Quite a few anti-war films amongst the war ones but plenty of ideas for birthday present DvDs etc.
jazzeum
Four Star General
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Interesting that this list contains two of the best movies of all time (and not just war movies) in their top 25: Dr. Strangelove and Paths of Glory, both by Kubrick. I think the classic line in Strangelove is when the President tells the Soviet ambassador and the US general played by George C. Scott: "Gentlemen. You can't fight in here. This is the War Room."
King & Country
1st Lieutenant
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Andy’s Favourite Historical Movies
This list is actually several pages long but in the interests of brevity …
Historical Period
Napoleonic – “The Duellists” by Ridley Scott. Quite simply the most authentic Napoleonic era film ever made. And made on a shoestring budget. Beg, plead, buy or steal this flic - it’s the best.
“Master & Commander” Again, simply superb attention to detail and accuracy. Directed by Aussie Peter Weir. Cast and crew and setting outstanding.
Victorian – “Charge of The Light Brigade”
1967 David Hemmings, Trevor Howard epic … not perfect but pretty darned good and gorgeous to look at.
“ZULU” – Stanley Baker … Michael Caine … 120 Welshmen and several thousand screaming Zulus. Makes you proud to be British!
World War One
“Oh What A Lovely War” – WW1 in words and song. Quirky, different and very original in its approach.
“All Quiet On The Western Front” – The original Lew Ayres 1930’s version.
“For King & Country” – Dirk Bogarde and Tom Courtrey. Court Martial for Desertion in the trenches. And a great name for a toy soldier company!
“A Very Long Engagement” French language epic – beautiful to look at and again, very original in its story and style.
“Paths of Glory” – Kirk Douglas. Court Martial for Cowardice this time. Gripping!
“Black Adder Goes Forth” World War One Humour does not get much “blacker” than this … brilliant … very British.
“The Blue Max” lotsa great hairyplanes and a very sexy Ursula Undress.
World War Two
“Band of Brothers”. Simply the best … over 10 incredible hours of quality viewing. The attention to detail … military and historical accuracy … writing, acting and directing is second to none. Awe inspiring.
“Saving Pvt. Ryan” The first 25 minutes … the last 25 minutes have you ducking in your seat to avoid the blood, bullets and mayhem. The bits in between are pretty good too.
“The Dambusters” Very low-key, very un-hollywood dramatics and bravery. Imagine flying at 50 feet … over water … at night … and the Germans are shooting at you.
“Dunkirk” 1958 movie starring John Mills and a cast of thousands of retreating British troops. Again, done in typically understated British style.
“Ice Cold in Alex” 3 men, 1 nurse and an old Austin Ambulance escaping the Fall of Tobruk and heading across the desert to Alexandria.
“The Hill” Another side of War – Sean Connery (fellow Scot) as a busted sergeant in a British Army “Glasshouse” (military prison) in North Africa during WW2.
“A Bridge Too Far” Arnhem 1944, a bold and ambitious plan that went disastrously wrong.
“DAS BOOT” Life in a German tin can hundreds of feet below the waves. Good to see how the other side fought.
“DOWNFALL” Hitler’s Last Days – what a movie!
“Sands of Iwo Jima”. What more can be said … it’s the reason I joined the Marines. Royal Marines that is.
Korean War
“Yangtse Incident”. Commander Richard Todd leads British sloop HMS Amethyst down the Yangtse past the Chinese guns to Hong Kong.
“A Hill in Korea” A British Army Platoon fighting off the yellow hordes somewhere in Korea. Starring Stanley Baker and a very, very young actor called Michael Caine.
“Bridges of Toko-Ri” William Holden, Grace Kelly, lots of Navy Panthers and Corsairs, a couple of flat tops and Mickey Rooney. Can we ask for anything more?
VIETNAM
“Full Metal Jacket” IMO the all-time best VN flic R. Lee Ermey as the “Gunny” great first half boot camp. Great second half “Tet” offensive.
“Platoon” … “Apocalypse Now” … “Boys in Company C” … “Good Morning Vietnam” – all honourable mentions.
GULF WAR
“Bravo Two Zero” British SAS “Scud” Patrol that goes “tits-up”.
Living proof that in war if anything can go wrong it will go wrong!
Well there’s dozens of others I’ve forgotten or missed out but I think you get the big picture.
Best wishes and… happy viewing!
Andy C.
This list is actually several pages long but in the interests of brevity …
Historical Period
Napoleonic – “The Duellists” by Ridley Scott. Quite simply the most authentic Napoleonic era film ever made. And made on a shoestring budget. Beg, plead, buy or steal this flic - it’s the best.
“Master & Commander” Again, simply superb attention to detail and accuracy. Directed by Aussie Peter Weir. Cast and crew and setting outstanding.
Victorian – “Charge of The Light Brigade”
1967 David Hemmings, Trevor Howard epic … not perfect but pretty darned good and gorgeous to look at.
“ZULU” – Stanley Baker … Michael Caine … 120 Welshmen and several thousand screaming Zulus. Makes you proud to be British!
World War One
“Oh What A Lovely War” – WW1 in words and song. Quirky, different and very original in its approach.
“All Quiet On The Western Front” – The original Lew Ayres 1930’s version.
“For King & Country” – Dirk Bogarde and Tom Courtrey. Court Martial for Desertion in the trenches. And a great name for a toy soldier company!
“A Very Long Engagement” French language epic – beautiful to look at and again, very original in its story and style.
“Paths of Glory” – Kirk Douglas. Court Martial for Cowardice this time. Gripping!
“Black Adder Goes Forth” World War One Humour does not get much “blacker” than this … brilliant … very British.
“The Blue Max” lotsa great hairyplanes and a very sexy Ursula Undress.
World War Two
“Band of Brothers”. Simply the best … over 10 incredible hours of quality viewing. The attention to detail … military and historical accuracy … writing, acting and directing is second to none. Awe inspiring.
“Saving Pvt. Ryan” The first 25 minutes … the last 25 minutes have you ducking in your seat to avoid the blood, bullets and mayhem. The bits in between are pretty good too.
“The Dambusters” Very low-key, very un-hollywood dramatics and bravery. Imagine flying at 50 feet … over water … at night … and the Germans are shooting at you.
“Dunkirk” 1958 movie starring John Mills and a cast of thousands of retreating British troops. Again, done in typically understated British style.
“Ice Cold in Alex” 3 men, 1 nurse and an old Austin Ambulance escaping the Fall of Tobruk and heading across the desert to Alexandria.
“The Hill” Another side of War – Sean Connery (fellow Scot) as a busted sergeant in a British Army “Glasshouse” (military prison) in North Africa during WW2.
“A Bridge Too Far” Arnhem 1944, a bold and ambitious plan that went disastrously wrong.
“DAS BOOT” Life in a German tin can hundreds of feet below the waves. Good to see how the other side fought.
“DOWNFALL” Hitler’s Last Days – what a movie!
“Sands of Iwo Jima”. What more can be said … it’s the reason I joined the Marines. Royal Marines that is.
Korean War
“Yangtse Incident”. Commander Richard Todd leads British sloop HMS Amethyst down the Yangtse past the Chinese guns to Hong Kong.
“A Hill in Korea” A British Army Platoon fighting off the yellow hordes somewhere in Korea. Starring Stanley Baker and a very, very young actor called Michael Caine.
“Bridges of Toko-Ri” William Holden, Grace Kelly, lots of Navy Panthers and Corsairs, a couple of flat tops and Mickey Rooney. Can we ask for anything more?
VIETNAM
“Full Metal Jacket” IMO the all-time best VN flic R. Lee Ermey as the “Gunny” great first half boot camp. Great second half “Tet” offensive.
“Platoon” … “Apocalypse Now” … “Boys in Company C” … “Good Morning Vietnam” – all honourable mentions.
GULF WAR
“Bravo Two Zero” British SAS “Scud” Patrol that goes “tits-up”.
Living proof that in war if anything can go wrong it will go wrong!
Well there’s dozens of others I’ve forgotten or missed out but I think you get the big picture.
Best wishes and… happy viewing!
Andy C.
S
sceic2
Guest
"Napoleonic – “The Duellists” by Ridley Scott. Quite simply the most authentic Napoleonic era film ever made. And made on a shoestring budget. Beg, plead, buy or steal this flic - it’s the best." Andy
I forgot about this one. This is one great movie. This is one I will have to look for and view again. For all you fellow Napoleonic guys, this one's super. Michael
I forgot about this one. This is one great movie. This is one I will have to look for and view again. For all you fellow Napoleonic guys, this one's super. Michael
fishead19690
Command Sergeant Major
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The duelist was a great movie but I think waterloo was a better pick for best napoleonic movie.
Louis Badolato
Lieutenant General
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I loved the movie Zulu with Michael Caine. You are right, however, in commenting that the 24th Foot were not yet the South Wales Borderers at the time of Isandlawana. By the way, has anybody mentioned the Devil's Brigade?
Chuck Harris
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Andy
From one Combat Vet to another do you know how long your nose will grow for telling this one.
"Sands of Iwo Jima”. What more can be said … it’s the reason I joined the Marines. Royal Marines that is."
From one Combat Vet to another do you know how long your nose will grow for telling this one.
"Sands of Iwo Jima”. What more can be said … it’s the reason I joined the Marines. Royal Marines that is."
OzDigger
Colonel
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- Jan 7, 2006
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Well I actually hired out 'Sands of Iwo Jima' recently and it wasn't a bad movie at all, maybe K & C will bring out a flame thrower Sherman soon
Btw, I understand the new 'Flags of Our Fathers' movie will concentrate mainly on the guys' lives after the battle.
Btw, I understand the new 'Flags of Our Fathers' movie will concentrate mainly on the guys' lives after the battle.
Oz,
I read the book, Flags of our Fathers, some time ago, but, as I recall, much of the book concentrated on the lives of the "Flag Planting Survivors" after the war. Their lives after the war were very interesting. If you have not yet read the book, I strongly recommend it as very good reading.
Warmest regards,
Pat
I read the book, Flags of our Fathers, some time ago, but, as I recall, much of the book concentrated on the lives of the "Flag Planting Survivors" after the war. Their lives after the war were very interesting. If you have not yet read the book, I strongly recommend it as very good reading.
Warmest regards,
Pat
