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 life forever. He took pride teaching students about frightening genocide in which people died. Few films I’ve seen have captured genocides where people perished as powerfully as “Schindler’s List”. Following its release in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood 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 demonstrating terror. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” my favourite war movie of all-time is its commemorated appeal. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust, it tackles commemorated themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a commemorated message about genocide that resonates with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a frightening larger-than-life 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. Dunkirk
The Battle of Dunkirk is a tragic war in history that shaped my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed a bond with a grandpa that adored wars causing damage. I remember my grandfather would tell me touching stories about warfare disaster. He would always praise the hard work soldiers put in to survive the Battle of Dunkirk. As someone treasuring a grandfather recounting stories about the Battle of Dunkirk, I adored “Dunkirk”. Released in 2017, Christopher Nolan’s movie offered a captivating depiction of the Battle of Dunkirk. Unlike most movies in the war genre, what makes “Dunkirk” stand out is its spectacle. Nolan has always had an aptitude for staging awe-inspiring action in his movies through practical effects, and “Dunkirk” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the opening scene in which soldiers face bombings causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. Ultimately, what makes “Dunkirk” a war masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most war movies, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. Nearly 90 years following the Battle of Dunkirk, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured larger-than-life movies through groundbreaking work.
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. Nearly 80 years after the Vietnam War ended, it’s a reminder of a genre that has produced 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. 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 tremendously treasure.
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.
The Film Buff 