A Collection of the Top War Movies

A Collection of the Top War Movies

War movies have always been a favourite of cinema-goers as they flock to the movies for the latest release. There have been many classics in this genre but here is a list of the top war movies of all time.

Platoon.

Directed and written by Oliver Stone, this is the first of 3 war movies by the director. It is set during the Vietnam War about a US army soldier and his experiences during the war. This movie is famous for its realistic portrayal of the hardship and horror of fighting in Vietnam

Full Metal Jacket

This 1987 war themed movie by director Stanley Kubrick is based on the Gustav Hasford novel The Short Timers. The movie title takes its name from the full metal jacket bullet utilized by the infantry. The film follows a two Marines through their training and actual warfare during Vietnam War.

Das Boot

Das Boot or the Boat is a German war movie directed by acclaim German director Wolgang Petersen. The movie is about the lives of the crew about the German U-boat, U96. It shows both the tedious hunt aboard a submarine and the excitement of going to war. This movie is based on the true story of Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock, a captain in the German army and commander of the U-96.

L’Armée des Ombres

The title is translated as Army of Shadows and it is a French Moie about the experiences of a French Resistance soldiers who fought against the Nazi in German occupied France. Army of Shadows follows the small group as they work with Allied forces and move quietly trying to evade German forces. While it does portray the group as heroes, it does not paint a romantic view of the French Resistance.

The Pianist.

This Roman Polanski directed movie is an adaptation from the biography of Jewish Polish musician Władysław Szpilman. It is a production which combines the best of British, German, French and Polish film companies and stars Adrien Brody in the leading role.

The Bridge on the River Kwai

This old classic is about the construction of the Burma Railway and the fictional Bridge on River Kwai. Besides being revered as one of the best war movies, the theme song The Longest Day is a favourite of many.

Lawrence of Arabia

This movie is widely considered as one of the top war movies of all time. It stars Peter O’Toole in the leading role and depicts the story of Lawrence in Arabia during World War 1. Its themes revolves around Lawrence’s personal identity, his divided allegiance between Britain and the Arabian desert tribes and his struggles with war violence,

Casablanca

Essentially a romantic movie, it is placed here because of the setting. Its background of World War 2 gives the movie the atmosphere of romance and desperation. With Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as its leading stars, the movie is a classic tale of love and virtue in a time of war. There classic line “Here’s looking at you kid” is etched in the annals of movie making history.