Not many genres have ability to captivate audiences like World War II. Since the 1990’s, the war movie genre has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s pianist survivors, evil Nazi officers or brave child soldiers, the genre has produced many characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite war blockbusters that deserve to be celebrated.
1. Schindler’s List
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a smart professor that possessed knowledge. Several years ago, I was taught about genocides by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. I remember a history teacher that was fascinated with mass genocide disasters transforming his life forever. He took great pride teaching students about mass genocide in which his people died. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured genocides 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 used groundbreaking cinematic techniques to capture 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 causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ralph Fiennes, who embodies a frightening Nazi commander evoking terror. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” my favourite war movie of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a bold message about the importance of hope in genocide which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a sad mass genocide in which millions of Jews died, it’s a strong reminder of a bold genre with pride that has made great movies about wars which have always left audiences satisfied.
2. Saving Private Ryan
War movies are a genre of film my uncle has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed bonds with an uncle appreciating veterans with courage. My uncle loved all kinds of war movies he regarded with affection but his favourite film was always “Saving Private Ryan”. Released in 1998, Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning movie captured the Battle of Normandy. Spielberg has always had an aptitude for using handheld camerawork in his movies to build tension, and “Saving Private Ryan” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the opening D-Day scene in which the soldiers have a gruesome fight during the battle of Normandy causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Tom Hanks, who embodied a WWII soldier with bravery. Ultimately, what makes “Saving Private Ryan” a WWII masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about trauma experienced by soldiers in war that will resonate with everyone. Nearly 80 years after the frightening D-Day Landings in which soldiers experienced a painful price to pay, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre manufacturing movies which deserve to be celebrated today.
3. The Pianist
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced grim bombings in Saudi Arabia causing damage. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of facing a bombing in Saudi Arabia. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. I felt grateful for my family’s survival. As someone haunted by grim bombings my family barely missed, I appreciated “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie honoured a real-life Jewish pianist that miraculously survived disaster in WWII. Polanski has always excelled at using point-of-view shots in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “The Pianist”. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the WWII genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Adrien Brody, who embodies a real-life Jewish pianist that survived catastrophe. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about survival which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after Wladyslaw Szpilman survived frightening ghettos in WWII, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies about historical wars which audiences value.
4. Inglorious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino is a fantastic filmmaker that inspired my father years ago. Several years ago, my father was once a huge fan of Tarantino. I remember forming a strong bond with a father that loved the filmmaker. He would always speak fondly about a filmmaker whose timeless movies shaped his identity. In 2009, Tarantino showcased his strengths as a filmmaker when he made his glorious WWII film “Inglorious Basterds”. Tarantino effectively uses sharp comedy to capture a mass genocide tragedy. It isn’t easy to infuse humour into the serious subject of WWII but Tarantino succeeded tremendously. For instance, the opening scene in which Colonel Hans Landa investigates the home of a Jewish farmer causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. The film is anchored by a stunning performance by Christoph Waltz, who created a frightening Nazi commander. Ultimately, what makes “Inglorious Basterds” a great WWII movie is its bravery. Unlike most movies in the war genre, it offers rare comedy. Tarantino took a huge risk by tackling the subject of warfare with comedy, but it paid off tremendously. A glorious depiction of a frightening war that was inglorious, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced memorable movies about catastrophic wars in American history which audiences consider precious.
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 universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the history of the Vietnam War to appreciate it. 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. Atonement
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about wrongful imprisonment in war, it’s worth discussing Atonement. Since its publication in 2001, Ian McEwan’s book has become a literary classic. In 2007, Joe Wright honoured the book about wrongful imprisonment in his movie “Atonement”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Atonement” stand out is its depiction of doomed love. Wright uses captivating non-linear storytelling capturing tensions lovers torn apart by war are facing. Assisted by Keira Knightley who is extraordinary in the lead role, Wright created a beautiful adaptation of a book that’s legendary. A beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about wrongful imprisonment, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has made great entertainment about wars causing feelings of resentment.
7. Darkest Hour
Winston Churchill is a commemorated prime minister that guided Britain. During WWII, Churchill became a prime minister that citizens of Britain would value. In 2017, Joe Wright honoured the iconic political leader facing his darkest hour in his movie “Darkest Hour”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Darkest Hour” stand out is its makeup. Wright uses captivating makeup to recreate a president that guided his country in ways that are inspiring. Assisted by Gary Oldman who is extraordinary in the lead role, Wright honoured Winston Churchill’s legacy. Nearly 90 years after Winston Churchill became a prime minister changing history forever, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable films about the lives of larger-than-life historical figures which audiences treasure.
8. Dunkirk
Christopher Nolan is a legendary filmmaker that has built a lasting legacy. With their awe-inspiring special effects, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, Nolan’s movies have earned a huge following. In 2017, Nolan showcased his strengths as a filmmaker with hard work when he made his movie “Dunkirk”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Dunkirk” stand out is its commemorated sense of spectacle. Nolan uses immersive sound-design to capture a war that caused lives of commemorated soldiers to decline. Assisted by Kenneth Branagh who is amazing in the lead role, Nolan honoured a legendary war from a bygone era. Nearly 90 years following the Battle of Dunkirk, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has produced movies about the dangers of warfare through hard work.
9. Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer is a legendary historical figure that changed WWII forever. During WWII, Oppenheimer designed an atomic bomb assisting soldiers with great value. In 2023, Christopher Nolan honoured the legendary war figure in his movie “Oppenheimer”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Oppenheimer” stand out is its depiction of bombings. Nolan uses captivating non-linear storytelling to capture the life of a commemorated inventor that designed a groundbreaking bomb which was frightening. Assisted by Cillian Murphy who is extraordinary in the lead role, Nolan honoured Oppenheimer’s commemorated legacy. Nearly 90 years after Oppenheimer designed an atomic bomb that was catastrophic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a genre making iconic movies which have captivated the public.
10. 1917
Few war movies ever made have been as beloved as “1917”. Released in 2019, Sam Mendes’ Oscar-winning movie captured the battle of 1917 in World War I. Mendes used the immersive one-shot technique to capture a frightening war with consequences that are terrifying. Assisted by George MacKay who is amazing in the lead role, Mendes created an unforgettable war movie. Although I admired the movie, its depiction of war has aged poorly. The film’s focus on warfare spectacle leaves little room for storytelling that’s compelling. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. Nearly 90 years after the battle of 1917 that changed history, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making unforgettable movies about wars that caused tragedy which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.
The Film Buff 