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 Colditz Story (1955)
7.1/10
Director: Guy Hamilton
Starring: John Mills, Eric Portman, Lionel Jeffries, Ian Carmichael, Richard Wattis
An exciting war thriller about a group of POWs held by the Nazis in a castle that's been turned into an 'escape-proof' prison. Read more
The Sea Chase (1955)
6.5/10
Director: John Farrow
Starring: John Wayne, Lana Turner, David Farrar, Tab Hunter
John Wayne is a German Hitler-loathing captain of a decrepit freighter with an unusual cargo who faces danger and romance during WWII. Lana Turner is... Read more
To Hell And Back (1955)
7.4/10
Director: Jesse Hibbs
Starring: Charles Drake, Audie Murphy, Marshall Thompson, David Janssen, Denver Pyle
The most decorated American soldier of World War II, Audie Murphy, stars as himself in this gritty, unflinching biography. Follow the exploits of a re... Read more
Hell and High Water (1954)
6.2/10
Director: Samuel Fuller
Starring: David Wayne, Gene Evans, Richard Widmark
A shadowy cabal hires a former sub commander (Richard Widmark) to investigate a reputed Communist scheme to trigger World War III. Widmark recruits a... Read more
Classic War: A Matter of Life and Death / The Purple Plain / The One That Got Away (1954)
Director: Michael Powell, Robert Parrish, Roy Ward Baker
Starring: David Niven, Gregory Peck, Hardy Kruger, Kim Hunter
Close the doors, dim the lights, take a seat and leave your troubles behind. The Classic Matinee Triple Bill is your exclusive gold pass to the Matine... Read more
Carrington V.C. (1954)
Director: Anthony Asquith
Starring: David Niven, Margaret Leighton, Noelle Middleton
David Niven stars in this gripping drama about a war hero who finds himself facing disgrace and ruin in a military courtroom. Major Carrington is a re... Read more
Twenty-Four Eyes (1954)
8.1/10
Director: Keisuke Kinoshita
Starring: Hideko Takamine
A beautifully made, sensitive drama about a teacher (Hideko Takamine) beginning her long career. As the years pass we follow not only her progress, b... 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
Battle Cry (1954)
6.6/10
Director: Raoul Walsh
Starring: Van Heflin, Aldo Ray, Mona Freeman, Nancy Olson
Based on the novel by Leon Uris, a group of servicemen through boot camp then on to New Zealand where even more training takes place (and a romance be... Read more
The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954)
6.8/10
Director: Mark Robson
Starring: William Holden, Grace Kelly, Fredric March, Mickey Rooney
A powerful, thoughtful drama based on the James Michener best-seller, focusing on the conflicts and exploits of lawyer William Holden after he is reca... Read more