My Favourite War Films

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 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 ghettos. I remember a history teacher that was fascinated with 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”. Following 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 capturing a mass genocide that caused the world to face despair. Drawing from 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 commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 90 years after a frightening mass genocide in which millions of Jews died, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre with pride that has manufactured unforgettable movies about wars which have always left audiences commonly 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 relationships with an uncle acknowledging war veterans with courage. He grew to value movies that captured 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 role from Tom Hanks, who embodies a soldier on a mission. Ultimately, what makes “Saving Private Ryan” a classic is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the D-Day Landings to appreciate it. The film delivers a bold 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 bold genre capturing excruciating hardships soldiers went through which audiences commonly 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 commonly follow.

4. Darkest Hour

Winston Churchill is a great historical figure that inspired my mother. At an early age, I bonded with a mother had knowledge about a historical figure with courage. Fascinated with WWII, she grew up to value a historic figure making her dreams come true. In 2017, Joe Wright honoured the iconic prime minister during his darkest hour in his movie “Darkest Hour”. Wright used captivating montages capturing a prime minister that sought to rescue England from wars that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Winston Churchill delivers a speech to encourage followers facing a dilemma during the WWII era is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Gary Oldman, who embodied a legendary British prime minister seeking recognition. Ultimately, what makes “Darkest Hour” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with WWII history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. 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 movies audiences treasure.

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 commemorated war movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the history of the Vietnam War to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma resonating with everyone. Nearly 80 years after the Vietnam War ended, it’s a reminder of a genre that has produced commemorated movies that deserve to be absolutely appreciated.

6. Atonement

Atonement is a legendary book about war that has built a lasting legacy. Since its publication in 2001, Ian McEwan’s commemorated book has become a literary classic. In 2007, Joe Wright honoured the commemorated 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 that doomed lovers torn apart by frightening 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 immense resentment.

7. The Brutalist

Stories of Jews are rarely told in historical movies. Hollywood has often ignored the plight of Jews that survived the Holocaust whose lives are misunderstood. In a genre where the stories of Jews are often dismissed, it’s worth praising “The Brutalist”. Released in 2024, Brady Corbet’s Oscar-winning movie depicted a Jewish architect surviving WWII. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Brutalist” stand out is its depiction of Jewish survivors. Corbet uses captivating non-linear storytelling capturing hardships that a Jewish architect in post WWII America is facing. Assisted by Adrien Brody who is extraordinary in the lead role, Corbet honoured Jews in history. A powerful portrait of Jews that survived WWII with issues, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured timeless movies earning rave tremendous reviews.

8. 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 undeniable work.

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 extremely 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 story. Regardless, for all its flaws “1917” remains a worthy addition to the war movie genre. Nearly 90 years after the Battle of 1917 in history, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making unforgettable movies about warfare tragedy which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.