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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....

From Here to Eternity ( Blu-ray ) (1953)

7.7/10
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, Ernest Borgnine, Frank Sinatra, Montgo...

The talented Fred Zinnemann ('A Man for All Seasons') perfectly captures the static isolation and boredom that envelops the military personnel in peac... Read more

Fear and Desire (1953)

5.6/10
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Frank Silvera, Paul Mazursky, Virginia Leith, Kenneth Harp, Stephen Coit

Virtually unseen since its theatrical premiere in 1953, "Fear and Desire" was the ambitious first feature film by legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick.... Read more

From Here to Eternity (1953)

7.7/10
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Starring: Donna Reed, Ernest Borgnine, Frank Sinatra, Montgomery Clift, Burt Lancaster, De...

The talented Fred Zinnemann ('A Man for All Seasons') perfectly captures the static isolation and boredom that envelops the military personnel in peac... Read more

Appointment In London (1953)

Director: Philip Leacock
Starring: Dirk Bogarde, Ian Hunter, Dinah Sheridan

The engrossing story of a British bomber squadron in W.W.II and a high-pressured officer (Dirk Bogarde) who insists on flying a dangerous mission in s... Read more

The Cruel Sea (1953)

7.7/10
Director: Charles Frend
Starring: Jack Hawkins, Stanley Baker, Donald Sinden, Denholm Elliott

One of the great war films, full of atmospheric detailing which captures the essence of the Battle of the Atlantic. Read more

The Desert Rats (1953)

6.8/10
Director: Robert Wise
Starring: Richard Burton, James Mason, Robert Newton

Richard Burton leads the hopelessly outnumbered, but stubbornly defiant, Australian 9th Division in their heroic stand against Rommel (James Mason) in... Read more

Malta Story (1953)

6.6/10
Director: Brian Desmond Hurst
Starring: Alec Guinness, Anthony Steel, Jack Hawkins, Muriel Pavlow

All the danger, excitement and triumph of World War II explodes on the screen in this riveting portrayal of the battle for Malta and the courageous pe... Read more

Stalag 17 ( Blu-ray ) (1952)

8/10
Director: Billy Wilder
Starring: Don Taylor, Otto Preminger, William Holden

This fine tale of a POW Camp is laced with director Billy Wilder's special brand of comedy and cynicism. William Holden (Academy Award for Best Actor)... Read more

The Gentle Gunman (1952)

6.3/10
Director: Basil Dearden
Starring: Dirk Bogarde, Elizabeth Sellars, John Mills, Robert Beatty

Set in the London Blitz during the early days of WWII. During an IRA terrorist offensive to plant bombs in the Underground as Londoners take shelter f... Read more

Angels One Five (1952)

6.5/10
Director: George More O'Ferrall
Starring: Jack Hawkins, Michael Denison, Dulcie Gray

The title refers to the cognomen bestowed upon a group of WWII British fighter pilots whose squadron leader, Tiger Small (Jack Hawkins), is taken out... Read more