The Greatest War Movies Ever Made

Few figures attract audiences to theatres like soldiers. Ever since the 1960’s, the war genre has resulted in unforgettable movies. Whether its apocalyptic soldiers, Holocaust survivors or bomb detonators, the war genre has created several characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best war movies ever made that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Schindler’s List

The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that has fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor with knowledge. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. I remember a history teacher that was fascinated with mass genocide disasters that changed his life forever. He took great pride in teaching students about a genocide in which his people died. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured a genocide in which people perished as powerfully as “Schindler’s List”. Ever since its release in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest war movie ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Spielberg captured a mass genocide that caused the world to face despair. Drawing from his own personal experience as a Jew affected with ties to the Holocaust, Spielberg painted a portrait of the genocide that’s compelling. Spielberg is one of those filmmakers that has always excelled at using symbolism in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “Schindler’s List”. Throughout “Schindler’s List”, the girl in the red coat symbolizes hope amidst the gruesome genocide. For instance, the scene in which Schindler reacts with horror seeing the girl in the red coat is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ralph Fiennes, wo embodies a frightening Nazi commander evoking terror. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” the greatest war movie ever made is its message. The film delivers a strong message about the importance of hope amidst genocide which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a gruesome mass genocide in which millions of Jews died, it’s a magnificent reminder of a genre with pride that has never lost its abilities to leave audiences satisfied.

2. Saving Private Ryan

War movies are a genre of film that my uncle has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed bonds with an uncle that admired veterans with courage. He grew up to value movies capturing the hardships that WWII soldiers went through. My uncle loved all kinds of war movies which he regarded with affection but his favourite film was always “Saving Private Ryan”. Ever since its release in 1998, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as a war classic. With the most harrowing film of his career, Spielberg captured the despair faced by soldiers that fought in the Battle of Normandy. In “Saving Private Ryan”, Spielberg uses handheld camerawork to capture a traumatic war. For instance, the opening D-Day scene in which the soldiers fight is one of the greatest moments of the war genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Tom Hanks, who embodies a soldier on a mission. Ultimately, what makes “Saving Private Ryan” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about trauma faced by soldiers in war that will resonate with everyone. 80 years after the D-Day Landings in WWII, it’s a powerful reminder of a commemorated genre capturing hardships soldiers went through which audiences value.

3. The Pianist

Individuals with a strong drive to survive disaster have always inspired me. At an early age, my family faced a grim bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. Truth be told, I was only five years old when loud bombs struck my household. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured lives of individuals surviving disasters that are missed as powerfully as “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie offered a beautiful portrait of a Jewish pianist that survived ghettos in WWII. Drawing from his personal experience, Polanski captured Jewish survival in WWII. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents is one of the the greatest moments of the war genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Adrien Brody, who embodied a real-life Jewish pianist. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a war masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about survival which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a Jewish musician fond of playing the piano survived a Warsaw ghetto, it’s a magnificent reminder of a genre that gives audiences dreams to follow.

4. The Lawrence of Arabia

The Middle East is a country that shaped my identity. I recall with nostalgia joyous memories of growing up in Saudi Arabia. Whether it’s the gorgeous landscapes or oil economy, I grew up to value a country I regarded highly. As someone treasuring Arabia, I adored “The Lawrence of Arabia”. Released in 1962, David Lean’s movie captured wars in Arabian history. With the greatest film of his career, David Lean did an amazing job of capturing the country of Arabia facing warfare. David Lean is one of those filmmakers that has always excelled at capturing the beauty of Arabian landscapes, and his strengths are clearly evident in “The Lawrence of Arabia”. For instance, the scene in which Lawrence guides his followers to defeat the Turkish army is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance from Peter O’Toole, who created one of the greatest characters in history. Ultimately, what makes “The Lawrence of Arabia” a masterpiece is its depiction of Arabia. Unlike most movies in Hollywood, the film painted a strong portrait of a country that’s misunderstood. As powerful as Lawrence’s love for Arabia, it’s a strong reminder of a genre that has attracted audiences towards the Cinema.

5. Apocalypse Now

The Vietnam War is a historical tragedy that shaped my grandfather’s identity. An an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that had immense knowledge about a war causing emotional damage. He would often recall haunting memories of the time when he witnessed soldiers participating in the Vietnam War causing tragedies. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather haunted by an apocalypse, I adored “Apocalypse Now”. Released in 1979, Francis Ford Coppola’s movie offered a beautiful portrait of the apocalyptic Vietnam War. Coppola used innovative voice-over narration to capture the trauma faced by soldiers in the Vietnam War. For instance, the opening scene in which Benjamin Willard expresses his views on warfare through narration is one of the greatest moments of the war genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Marlon Brando, who embodies a colonel facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Apocalypse Now” a great war movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 80 years after the Vietnam War ended, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre filled with memorable movies that deserve to be appreciated.

6. The Deer Hunter

One of the most common themes that’s often explored in the war genre is trauma. War films have often sought to capture the trauma that war veterans went through. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the traumatic aftermath of war causing disaster as powerfully as “The Deer Hunter”. Released in 1978, Michael Cimino’s movie offered an engaging glimpse at trauma faced by soldiers that endured the Vietnam war disaster. Cimino did an extraordinary job of recreating the Vietnam War through innovative cinematic techniques. Aided by Robert De Niro who is excellent in the leading role, Cimino honoured a war that took place several years ago. A powerful portrait of a catastrophic war that caused lives of soldiers to deteriorate, it’s a strong reminder of a grand genre which audiences have grown over time to appreciate.

7. Dunkirk

Not many directors in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Christopher Nolan. With their breathtaking practical effects, non-linear storytelling and engaging acting, Nolan’s movies have earned a huge fan following. Nolan showcased his strength for creating spectacle through hard work when he made his film “Dunkirk”. Released in 2017, Nolan’s first war movie captured the Battle of Dunkirk in history. Nolan showcased his flair for staging thrilling battle sequences through stunning practical effects. Unlike most war movies, “Dunkirk” managed to find the perfect balance between storytelling and spectacle. Nearly 90 years after the Battle of Dunkirk, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a commemorated genre that deserves to be rewarded for honouring timeless stories of soldiers that fought in wars through hard work.

8. Full Metal Jacket

It’s often challenging to cope with the effects of war. War often causes consequences on mental health of soldiers that’s catastrophic. Soldiers that participate in wars find it difficult to recover from tragedies. In 1987, Stanley Kubrick did an excellent job of capturing the negative effects of war leaving soldiers upset in his movie “Full Metal Jacket”. With the most aggressive film of his career, Kubrick captured the destructive effects of the Vietnam War through cinematic techniques that are innovative. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by R. Lee Ermey, who created an aggressive drill sergeant with a commemorated personality. A powerful portrait of a tragic war causing consequences which were catastrophic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a commemorated genre that has often succeeded in educating the public.

9. Inglorious Basterds

The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that doesn’t lend itself to humour. Since Hitler’s downfall, there’s proven to be nothing funny about a genocide that’s painful to recall. Comedy is a risky way of depicting mass genocides in history. However, in 2009 Quentin Tarantino achieved it successfully when he made his glorious war movie “Inglorious Basterds”. With the bravest film of his career, Tarantino captured the Holocaust from a comical perspective. Unlike most war movies which follow a safe formula, “Inglorious Basterds” stands out because it takes daring risks. Tarantino took huge risks making a movie about a mass genocide with a sense of humour that paid off tremendously. A glorious portrait of a genocide which was inglorious, it’s a great reminder of a genre that audiences have always considered precious.

10. 1917

The war genre hasn’t always made great movies that have attracted audiences to the Cinema. While most movies have captured grim realities of war, others have fallen short of expectations. Unfortunately, “1917” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2019, Sam Mendes’ movie sought to capture the battle of 1917. On a technical level, the film is extremely well-made with the one-shot technique capturing the gruesome nature of warfare. However, Mendes’ decision to focus on spectacle left little room for a commemorated story. Regardless, for all its flaws “1917” remains a worthy addition to the war movie genre. As powerful as the battle of 1917, it’s a breatthaking reminder of a commemorated genre that I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love for movies I have always been keen to see on the big-screen.