Ten Great War Movies
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War Movies
My Grandfather fought in Europe in World War 2 and all things military stayed in his blood until he passed away. When I was young, my grandparents used to take care of me on Saturdays when my parents were working and I ended up watching loads of old war movies with my grandfather and listening to his stories about the war.
Thanks to my Grandfather, I also became a fan of war movies.
War movies are one of the most popular genres around with hundreds of titles having been produced since the 1920s. War movies can sometimes be dramas set in a time of war but usually focus on some aspect of the conflict itself such as prisoners of war, military training or, most popularly, naval, aerial or land battles.
This lens focuses on war movies featuring battle scenes.
The World at War
One of the best war documentaries ever made
The World at War (30th Anniversary Edition)
Amazon Price: $39.42 (as of 02/14/2012)
The World at War is probably the best documentary ever made about World War 2, featuring lots of real footage and interviews with veterans.
This was one of my Grandfather's favourites and I watched it many times with him; for anyone interested in this part of modern history it is a must see documentary.
How Do You Like Your War Movies?
1. Zulu
Anglo-Zulu War
The movie features some stirring battle scenes and does a great job of showing the scale of Zulu and British forces. An excellent movie that I have watched dozens of times and still enjoy.
Zulu DVD
Zulu
Amazon Price: $7.23 (as of 02/14/2012)
Zulu was Michael Caine's first starring role and the movie is a fabulous adaptation and dramatisation of a stirring true story. This film features stunning scenery, is action-packed, has hoards of zulus and lots of memorable characters and scenes; this is truly a great war movie, one that all movie-lovers should see.
Links For Fans of "Zulu"
A whole website devoted to the battle of Rorke's Drift.
Information about the movie and cast.
Wikipedia's informative entry about the movie.
An interesting account of the battle from British Battles.com.
The iconic movie in various formats on Amazon.com.
Lawrence Of Arabia DVD
Lawrence of Arabia (Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $9.28 (as of 02/14/2012)
Lawrence of Arabia is Peter O'Toole's career-defining role and the movie is based on the real-life adventures of T.E. Lawrence in uniting the Arab tribes against the Turks in World War 1. This movie ranks highly in the esteem of movie buffs and contains some very memorable scenes and some great performances by big name actors.
Links For Fans of "Lawrence of Arabia"
The movie in a variety of formats on Amazon.com.
All about T.E.Lawrence.
A very interesting account of the movie on Wikipedia.
Information on the cast and movie.
T.E.Lawrence's own description of the events at Tafas.
3. Bang Rajan
Siam-Burmese War
This movie is based on a true tale and it is a nice story of battle against adversity. The battle scenes use huge numbers of extras rather than computer enhancement, giving a chaotic and realistic touch to them.
Whilst not one of the most famous war movies on this list, it is the only movie that one is likely to see that features a buffalo-mounted cavalry charge.
Wikipedia has a potted history of the real events at Bang Rajan here: Bang Rajan.
Bang Rajan DVD
Bang Rajan
Amazon Price: $29.98 (as of 02/14/2012)
Bang Rajan is a famous Thai story of the underdog holding out against vastly superior forces, brought to life on DVD. This movie launched the careers of a number of Thai stars and also features a number of more established celebrities. Bang Rajan contains many beautiful scenes for movie connoisseurs and a spectacular buffalo charge; look at the horns on the beast on the DVD cover!
Links For Fans of "Bang Rajan"
Wikipedia's potted history of the real events of Bang Rajan.
The movie in a number of formats on Amazon.com.
Reviews of the version of the movie released in America.
4. The Longest Day
World War 2
The movie used many advisors who were actually involved in the scenes portrayed and in the original version French and German was spoken by the appropriate sides.
This is a war movie not to be missed by enthusiasts.
If you are interested in learning about the facts of D-Day, this website is a good place to start: D-Day June 6, 1944.
The Longest Day DVD
The Longest Day (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Amazon Price: $10.45 (as of 02/14/2012)
The Longest Day is a reasonably accurate dramatisation of the events of D Day, 6th June 1944 when the Allies invaded France, attacking the German occupiers. This representation of these dramatic events is enthralling and enhanced with many big name celebrities including John Wayne, Robert Mitchum and Sean Connery.
Links For Fans of "The Longest Day"
Information on the movie at the Internet Movie Database.
Lots of information about the movie on Wikipedia.
All about the tactical board game.
A catalogue of mistakes in the movie, The Longest Day.
Wikipedia's account of the landings.
Visit Normandy landing beaches, Normandy.
More information about the Normandy landings.
We Were Soldiers
We Were Soldiers-Dvd
Amazon Price: $15.50 (as of 02/14/2012)
We Were Soldiers is based on the true events of the battle of La Drang in Vietnam and contains some amazing battle scenes. Mel Gibson delivers a great performance as does the supporting cast, who include Sam Elliott and Madeleine Stowe, all of whom make it feel like the viewer is really there. The movie pulls no punches in showing the horror of war.
Links For Fans Of "We Were Soldiers"
Website of the book the movie is based on, including lots of information about the real events at La Drang.
Joe Galloway's award-winning account of a bloody Vietnam battle became a book and movie.
Information about the movie and cast on IMDB.
The Wikipedia entry on the movie.
Full account of the battle on Wikipedia.
War Movie Collections
For war movie enthusiasts these collections provide hours of viewing.
6. The Dambusters
This movie is one which depicts a specialist raid upon the industrial heartland of Germany and is highly memorable for the bombing runs at the end. These bombing runs apparently were highly influential in the scenes in Star Wars where Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star.
This excellent movie also has an iconic score and the Dambusters March is often sung by England football supporters at matches.
For fans who want to learn all about the real Dambuster squadron, this website has a wealth of information: Dambusters.org.uk.
The Dambusters on DVD
7. Black Hawk Down
US Somali Campaign
After successfully capturing 2 Somali warlords, 2 Black Hawk helicopters are shot down and the American troops are overrun my militamen before finally marching back to a |UN base.
This movie is based on true events and contains some very prolonged battle scenes which convey a chaotic and frightening atmosphere very convincingly.
The real battle of Mogadishu is detailed in the following article: Battle of Mogadishu.
Black Hawk Down on DVD
8. Waterloo
This is the battle in which Napoleon received his final defeat at the hands of a force commanded by The Duke of Wellington, a force which consisted of armies of English, Irish, Dutch and Prussian troops.
The movie contains lengthy battle scenes and shows how the battle swung in one direction and then the other before the arrival of a large Prussian force tipped it in Wellington's favour.
This scene shows the British heavy cavalry being routed by French lancers.
Those who wish to learn more about the real battle can take a look at this interesting web page: The Battle of Waterloo.
Waterloo DVD
![Waterloo [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51lPqVoOgyL._SL160_.jpg)
Waterloo [Region 2]
Amazon Price: $6.36 (as of 02/14/2012)
Christopher Plummer and Rod Steiger star in this extraordinarily detailed account of Napoleon's defeat by forces led by The Duke of Wellington at Waterloo in Belgium. This is an epic movie which war enthusiasts will love for its attention to detail.
Links For Fans Of "Waterloo"
The Wikipedia entry on this fantastic movie.
History of the battle.
The Complete Guide to History's Most Famous Land Battle.
BBC's informative guide to the battle.
9. Gallipoli
World War 1
Much of the film deals with the loss of innocence of the Australian soldiers but there are quite graphic depictions of the battle at Nek where Australian forces are massacred.
Gallipoli on DVD
10. Saving Private Ryan
World War 2
Whilst the story is interesting it is the battle scenes in this movie which really make it memorable. Saving Private Ryan begins with one of the most disturbing battle scenes ever filmed with the sound of bullets creating a terrifying atmosphere.
This is one movie I would suggest watching on as large a screen as possible with a surround sound system to fully appreciate the ferocity of the fighting.
The scene here is most of the opening D-Day landing scene.
Saving Private Ryan DVD
Saving Private Ryan (Single-Disc Special Limited Edition)
Amazon Price: $5.91 (as of 02/14/2012)
Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks combine to produce one of the most (seemingly) realistic war movies ever made. The battle scenes in Saving Private Ryan are quite shocking thanks to a combination of amazing footage and sound. An all star cast perform well in an interesting story but this movie is of most interest to fans because of the action scenes.
Which is the best movie?
Vote for the best war movie
Search For War Movies
Band of Brothers
A fantastic WW II miniseries
Band of Brothers
Amazon Price: $38.98 (as of 02/14/2012)
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 movies this series is essential viewing.
The Pacific
Another excellent WW II miniseries
The Pacific
Amazon Price: $28.98 (as of 02/14/2012)
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.
More War Movies
A few more great war movies
Other War Movie Lenses
My Other Movie Lenses
Talk About War Movies
Please leave a comment
Please leave a comment, here, on these war movies or any others that deserve a mention. Feel free to comment, also, on this lens.
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David Letham
Jan 24, 2012 @ 6:41 pm | delete
- Serving with the British Airborne Division I made a glider landing and helped to secure the first enemy installation to fall, six hours before the amphibian landings. I consider Saving Private Ryan the most ludicrous account of the Normandy Invasion I have ever watched.
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Anthony Dee
Jan 21, 2012 @ 6:18 pm | delete
- I lost all faith in Mel Gibson who directed WE WERE SOLDIERS. The movie shows only the first battle where Good old Americans win. He forgot to show the second half of the book where the Americans get their butts beaten by the newly educated North Vietnamese.
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Tolovaj
Jan 18, 2012 @ 12:34 pm | delete
- Nice selection, but I think the subject deserves even longer list. How about Top 100? Or several lenses for different eras or different approaches (more epic, more personal, more provocative...)? Just an idea:)
Thumbs up!
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Movie Enthusiast
Jan 10, 2012 @ 1:07 am | delete
- What about Full Metal Jacket? That's a classic
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Richard3331
Jan 5, 2012 @ 3:25 pm | delete
- This is a great Lens I am linking to it from my Lens Great Movies which is a personal Journey
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About The Lens Author
by nickupton
I enjoy relaxing with a movie and war movies have been a favourite of mine since I was a child watching them with my grandfather on Saturday mornings.... more »
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Inglourious Basterds
![Inglourious Basterds (3-Disc Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51nnhMK9p0L._SL160_.jpg)
Inglourious Basterds (3-Disc Collector's Edition) [Blu-ray]
Amazon Price: $82.99 (as of 02/14/2012)
This is a great FANTASY war movie set in World War 2, where Hilter and the Nazis get what they deserve. Includes an Oscar winning performance by Christoph Waltz as a Gestapo Colonel.
Movie Battle Scenes
World War I
The First World War - The Complete Series
Amazon Price: $116.95 (as of 02/14/2012)
A fantastic documentary describing the events of World War 1 on four DVDs.
