War and Anti-War Films
"War and Anti-War Films" often acknowledge the horror and heartbreak of war, letting the actual combat fighting or conflict (against nations or humankind) provide the primary plot or background for the action of the film. Typical elements in the action-oriented war plots include POW camp experiences and escapes, submarine warfare, espionage, personal heroism, "war is hell" brutalities, air dogfights, tough trench/infantry experiences, or male-bonding buddy adventures during wartime. Themes explored in war films include combat, survivor and escape stories, tales of gallant sacrifice and struggle, studies of the futility and inhumanity of battle, the effects of war on society, and intelligent and profound explorations of the moral and human issues.
Listed below are all the very best of this genre. Scroll yer heart out....
Bombshell: Series 1 (2005)
7.3/10
Director: Jim Loach
Starring: Zoe Lucker, Andrew McKay, Robert Beck, Emma Rydal
About a modern British army that's at war with itself - since the bombshell of Equal Opportunities dropped in its midst. To get recruits, the army now... Read more
Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace (2000)
6.3/10
Director: Eric Till
Starring: Robert Joy, Ulrich Noethen, Ulrich Tukur
What is a moral person to do in a time of savage immorality? That question tormented Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German clergyman of great distinction who... Read more
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
7.2/10
Director: Oliver Stone
Starring: Raymond J Barry, Tom Berenger, Tom Cruise, Willem Dafoe, Caroline Kava
The gut-wrenching true story of Ron Kovic, a Vietnam vet who was left paralyzed by a sniper's bullet in battle and returned home to eventually become... Read more
Break of Day (1976)
6.4/10
Director: Ken Hannam
Starring: Sara Kestelman, Andrew McFarlane, John Bell
Made during a 'Golden Age' of Australian cinema (the period saw films such as 'Picnic at Hanging Rock', 'The Devil's Playground' and 'The Getting of W... Read more
Breaker Morant (1980)
7.9/10
Director: Bruce Beresford
Starring: Bryan Brown, Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, Lewis Fitz-Gerald
The film that brought world acclaim for Edward Woodward, tells the true story of Lieutenant Harry 'Breaker' Morant in the Boer War in South Africa, 19... Read more
Breaker Morant (Blu-ray) (1980)
7.8/10
Director: Bruce Beresford
Starring: Bryan Brown, Edward Woodward, Jack Thompson, Lewis Fitz-Gerald
The film that brought world acclaim for Edward Woodward, tells the true story of Lieutenant Harry 'Breaker' Morant in the Boer War in South Africa, 19... Read more
British Intelligence (1940)
6/10
Director: Terry Morse
Starring: Boris Karloff, Margaret Lindsay, Bruce Lester, Leonard Mudie, Holmes Herbert, Au...
Made during the early part of the Second World War (when England was enduring constant air assaults and other threats), and set during the First World... Read more
Brotherhood of War (2004)
8.1/10
Director: Je-Gyu Kang
Starring: Dong-kun Jang, Bin Won, Eun-joo Lee
Korea's leading filmmaker, Kang Je-gyu, wrote and directed this epic-scale drama focussed on two brothers forced into the war that tore their nation a... Read more
Brothers (2004)
7.6/10
Director: Susanne Bier
Starring: Connie Nielsen, Ulrich Thomsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas
Michael's life is on track, he has a successful military career, a beautiful wife, Sarah (Connie Nielsen) and two loving daughters, but he's about to... Read more
Brothers (2009)
7.1/10
Director: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mare Winningham, Natalie Portman, Sam Shepard, Tobey Maguire, C...
Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) is embarking on his fourth tour of duty, leaving behind his beloved wife (Natalie Portman) and two daughters. When... Read more