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....
The Zone Of Interest (Blu-ray) (2024)
7.5/10
Director: Jonathan Glazer
Starring: Sandra Huller, Christian Friedel
In 1943, the commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife, Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house right next to the co... Read more
The Zookeeper's Wife (2017)
7/10
Director: Niki Caro
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Johan Heldenbergh, Michael McElhatton, Daniel Bruhl
The real-life story of one working wife and mother who became a hero to hundreds during World War II. In 1939 Poland, Antonina Zabinska and her husban... Read more
Their Finest (2016)
6.8/10
Director: Lone Scherfig
Starring: Richard E Grant, Bill Nighy, Rachael Stirling, Eddie Marsan, Gemma Arterton, Jac...
1940, London, the Blitz; with the countrys morale at stake, Catrin (Gemma Arterton), an untried screenwriter, and a makeshift cast and crew, work und... Read more
There Be Dragons (2011)
5.8/10
Director: Roland Joffe
Starring: Dougray Scott, Wes Bentley, Charlie Cox, Olga Kurylenko
An action adventure set during the turmoil of the Spanish Civil War, "There Be Dragons" traces the lives of two young men, childhood friends who becom... Read more
There Be Dragons/Blood & Country (Blu-ray) (2011)
5.8/10
Director: Roland Joffe
Starring: Dougray Scott, Wes Bentley, Charlie Cox, Olga Kurylenko
An action adventure set during the turmoil of the Spanish Civil War, "There Be Dragons" traces the lives of two young men, childhood friends who becom... Read more
They Died With Their Boots On (1941)
7.3/10
Director: Raoul Walsh
Starring: Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, Arthur Kennedy, Gene Lockhart, Anthony Quinn,...
Errol Flynn stars as the eccentric yet (in this version) heroic General George Armstrong Custer, beginning with his time at West Point and ending, nat... Read more
They Were Expendable (1945)
7.3/10
Director: John Ford
Starring: Robert Montgomery, John Wayne, Donna Reed
One of the finest of all World War II films, based on the true story of America's P.T. boat Squadron in the Philippines during the early days of war.... Read more
They Who Dare (1954)
5.7/10
Director: Lewis Milestone
Starring: Dirk Bogarde, Denholm Elliott, Akim Tamiroff, William Russell
Britain's Special Boat Squadron is stationed off the Aegean coast during World War II, only going ashore for hair-raising missions. Six Brits and fou... Read more
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944)
7.5/10
Director: Mervyn LeRoy
Starring: Robert Walker, Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson, Phyllis Thaxter
This exciting true-life adventure is about the first bombing attack on Tokyo during WW II. It follows Lt Col Jimmy Doolittle (Spencer Tracy) and his m... Read more
Three Came Home (1950)
7.4/10
Director: Jean Negulesco
Starring: Claudette Colbert, Sessue Hayakawa
Based on the autobiographical book by Agnes Newton Keith. Claudette Colbert stars as Agnes Newton Keith, who, along with her British husband, was arre... Read more