The Best War Movie Battle Scenes Of All Time
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Great Movie Battle Scenes
This lens showcases video clips of some of the best movie battle scenes of all time.
Epic battle scenes are becoming more and more common in war movies due to modern special effects, but there are some notable battle scenes from older movies - particularly battle scenes which used thousands of extras.
I have not given these battle scenes a ranking, they just appear on the list as I thought of them. If there are any scenes that you think should be added, leave a comment at the end of the lens.
Zulu
The Battle of Rorke's Drift
In this battle, in the movie Zulu, the British get a mauling from the Zulus but a resilient defence sees them score a narrow victory.
You can learn more about the history of the battle of Rorke's drift and those involved in it here: Rorke's Drift 1879.
The Royal Regiment of Wales's website has lots of interesting associated information too.
Saving Private Ryan
D-Day Landings at Omaha Beach
In the opening minutes of Saving Private Ryan the American troops suffer heavy casualties but with overwhelming numbers they manage a comfortable win.
There is a huge amount of information about the Normandy landings on D-Day here; Normandy Landings and here; D-Day.
Star Wars, Episode IV
The Battle of Yavin/Death Star 1
In Star Wars, despite a massive superiority of firepower the rebels score a last minute victory courtessy of their secret weapon - "The Force".
For those wanting to read about the fictional history of this battle, try Wookiepedia.
The Messenger
The Battle of Orleans
With manic leadership from Joan of Arc the French charge to a bloody and brutal victory with massive casualties on both sides. This video montage from the movie contains many excerpts from the battle scenes.
Details on the siege of Orleans can be found here: The Siege of Orleans.
The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King
The Battle of Minas Tirith (The Battle of the Pelennor Fields)
Faced with a massive army of orcs, hillmen, oliphants, trolls and an assortment of other creatures the men of Gondor take a battering until help arrives to sweep away the enemy.
You can read a description of the book's version of the battle here: The Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Anyone familiar with the movie will see that it varies greatly from this.
The Movies on DVD
Suriyothai
The Battle of Ayuttaya
Despite a valiant defence the Thai protectors of Ayuttaya are thrashed by an elephant mounted invading Burmese army.
Wikipedia has an article on Queen Suriyothai.
Braveheart
The Battle of Sterling
Tricked into thinking they would score an easy victory the English are carved apart by the Scots in a very bloody battle.
The battle as depicted in the movie varies considerably with the real Battle of Sterling Bridge.
Master And Commander
Boarding a French warship
A much smaller English vessel disguises itself as a whaler and catches a well-armed French vessel by surprise resulting in an English victory. Huzzah!
For more information on the movie take a look at Wikipedia: Master & Commander; The Far Side of the World
Spartacus
The Third Servile War
Despite early promise by the slave army, the Romans' experience and numbers pay off for a decisive win.
Remember, this classic movie is based on true events; find out about the Third Servile War.
The Movies on DVD
Otoko-tachi no Yamato
The Sinking of the Yamato
The Japanese offer a spirited and typically frenzied defense but take a real thrashing by the Americans.
We Were Soldiers
The Battle of La Drang
An isolated American force defends well but is slowly losing the day until an all-or-nothing final attack gets them an heroic victory.
Flags of Our Fathers
The Battle of Iwo Jima
Huge bloodshed on both sides sees much of this battle at a stalemate but eventually the American invaders manage a narrow win.
Troy
The Battle at the Gates of Troy
An amazingly poorly thought out attack on a well-defended castle sees the inhabitants of Troy thrash the opposition for a convincing win.
The Movies on DVD
Last Of The Mohicans
Ambush
A small English army and settlers retreat from a besieged fortress only to get ambushed by native Americans out for revenge.
The redcoats and entourage take a thrashing.
The Battle of Britain
The Battle of Britain, WWII
Despite a determined and well-planned German attack, the British muster up one of the most determined defences of all time for a legendary win.
Historical information about the Battle of Britain can be found on the RAF's website: Battle of Britain.
The Empire Strikes Back
The Battle of Hoth
After a previous defeat the evil Empire comes back with all guns blazing to wipe the floor with the rebel army on Hoth.
Prince Caspian
Narnians Defeat The Telmarines
This battle scene proves that huge armies of well-trained soldiers are all very well but if you have a magical lion and angry trees on your side you are likely to win any fight.
The Lord of The Rings - The Two Towers
The Battle of Helms Deep
An overwhelming army of Uru-kai begin to walk over the human defenders until the cavalry show up and win a convincing victory.
Probably the best thing about this battle scene is the build up when thousands of gross-looking Uru-kai warriors baying at the gates of Helms deep before launching a terrifying attack in the rain and dark.
Due to video clips of the battle repeatedly being removed from You Tube this one is currently the best I can find; without original soundtrack.
The Movies on DVD
Tae Guk Gi - Brotherhood Of War
Urban Battle
The movie Tae Guk Gi (Brotherhood of War) was recommended to me in one of the comments on this lens.
The movie follows two brothers who initially both fight for the south in the Korean War and the things they do to survive. The story is told in a similar way to the movie Saving Private Ryan and the battle scenes, although not quite as epic, compare quite favourably to this more famous movie.
This video clip features one of the main battle scenes in which the South Korean forces prevail.
Ironclad
The movie Ironclad was released in cinemas in Spring 2011 and tells the story of the siege of Rochester castle in Kent, England, in the year 1215.
I watched this movie in the cinema, in April 2011, and came out shaking due to the level of violence in it. If this is what the siege of a medieval castle was like, I am very pleased that I never had to be in one; the battle scenes are grotesque, confusing, brutal and show the most hideous scenes of mutilation. If you like your battle scenes realistic, then this would seem pretty real to me; there is a real sense of desperate struggle in the combatants eyes and nothing of the choreographed sword high-fives that you see in many movies.
To some the battle scenes may be frustrating as they are filmed as if you were in the battle, so many events are seen out of only the corner of your eye or briefly - to me it added a sense of realism that was perhaps too much.
If you like movie battle scenes you should definitely check out this movie and form your own opinion. Please don't watch if violence upsets you - this is one of the most violent movies I have ever seen.
There are no battle scenes uploaded to the internet yet, but watch this trailer for a taster.
Some More Movie Battle Scenes
Here are a few battle scenes which have been suggested to me in the comments section of this lens. If you have any more to add, please leave a comment telling me which scene you think should be included.
The Pacific - HBO Mini Series
The Pacific
Amazon Price: $23.19 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
If you like realistic war movie battle scenes then this HBO mini series has some of the most authentic (I imagine) battle scenes I have ever watched. The battle scenes in this series are not glorified and are very similar in feel to those well-known and dramatic scenes in the movie "Saving Private Ryan". This is an excellent set of DVDs for those who enjoy war movie battle scenes.
Band Of Brothers
Band of Brothers
Amazon Price: $38.03 (as of 02/17/2012)![]()
This is a superb mini series based on true events, following Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division from their basic training, through D-Day to the end of the war.
For anyone who enjoys watching war movie battle scenes this series is essential viewing.
Some More War Movie Lenses
More Movies With Great Battle Scenes
These movies also feature some great battle scenes. You can add your own favourites to this section.
Tora! Tora! Tora! (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
"Tora! Tora! Tora!" is the Japanese sign more...1 point
The Thin Red Line
A powerful frontline cast - including Sean Penn, N more...1 point
Tae Guk Gi - The Brotherhood of War
In the powerful tradition of Saving Private Ryan a more...1 point
Lawrence of Arabia (Collector's Edition, 2 discs) - DVD
Newly restored - pristine audio & picture qual more...0 points
Midway (Collector's Edition)
Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 09/02/2 more...0 points
Gladiator (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Russel Crowe leads a Roman army then gladiators in more...0 points
My Other Movie Lenses
Your Comments on Movie Battle Scenes
Have I Got Them All?

Are these the best movie battle scenes of all time? Let me know what you think of these scenes and if there is another that you think is worthy of inclusion let me know.
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Greg Dorrance
Sep 12, 2011 @ 11:34 am | delete
- How do the fight on Little Round Top or Pickett's Charge from the movie Gettysburg NOT get on this list!?
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nickupton
Oct 3, 2011 @ 8:24 am | delete
- Because I haven't seen these movies, but I will certainly look out for them.
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Duane_Jackson
Jul 7, 2011 @ 5:27 pm | delete
- very enjoyable lens...
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bensen32
Jun 27, 2011 @ 11:29 pm | delete
- I had to vote for D-Day Saving Private Ryan, It's just so intense. I am featuring you on my-top-10-war-movies lens. Great lens have to admit never seen Otoko-tachi no Yamato but I wrote it down and will begin the search to see it.
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Chewparker
Jun 27, 2011 @ 8:01 pm | delete
- Brotherhood of War, my man, Brotherhood of War. I haven't once seen it on one of these lists but it desperately needs to be. It has my personal favourite battle scenes in it.
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About The Lens Author
by nickupton
I have watched many war movies over the years, mostly thanks to my grandfather's influence.
Here are some of the war movie battle scenes that I have...
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