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List added by Grand Assault on 27 November 2008 02:17
World War II |
Views : 3158 Comments : 6
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 2029  7.7  8.5 Theatre of war: Western European Front
Combatants: Nazi Germany Vs. Allied Forces Point of view: Allied Rangers A rescue mission is ordered to retrieve the sole surviving brother of four who went to war from the same family. After surviving the Normandy beachhead assault at Omaha, Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) is tasked with the retrieval, whilst battling against Nazi patrols and dissent amongst his own ranks, as his men question the validity of the mission. Awe-inspiring scene: The opening assault on Omaha beach ranks as one of the most realistic depictions of the Normandy landings ever committed to celluloid. Horrific realism that equates to exemplary film-making. Grand Assault's rating:
 
381 7.7 8.4 Theatre of war: Eastern European Front
Combatants: Nazi Germany Vs. Soviet Union Point of view: Adolf Hitler's administrative staff With Nazi Germany on the brink of defeat, a ruthless opponent rampages through the capital city and closes in on Hitler and the remnants of his regime. Whilst some generals turn their back on the Fuhrer, others remain defiant and inexplicably loyal to him, as he degenerates into a husk of a man. Awe-inspiring scene: Watching in dismay as a young girl from the Hitler Youth tries in vain to defend Berlin from the combat hardened Soviet forces. Grand Assault's rating:
 
53 7.7 7.3 Theatre of war: Africa and Western European Fronts
Combatants: Nazi Germany Vs Allied Forces Point of view: Infantry of the American Army A film that follows the US First Infantry Division through stints in Northern Africa, Sicily and then later Normandy and Central Europe. The fruitlessness of War is a reoccurring theme, as five men survive the entire conflict from beginning to end. As the film progresses, the insanity of the second world war is played out in full, until it ultimately impacts negatively on the veteran soldiers. Awe-inspiring scene: Discovery and liberation of a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia and the profound psychological destruction this find has on Private Griff (Mark Hamill). Grand Assault's rating:
 
81 7.8 7.5 Theatre of war: Eastern European Front
Combatants: Nazi Germany Vs Soviet Forces Point of view: German Infantrymen. A tale following the retreating German forces after the unsuccessful attack on Stalingrad. While morale amongst the men is destroyed and faith in the Fuhrer and his Wehrmacht wavering, one reluctant general focuses his efforts on surviving. His popularity amongst the troops forges an uneasy relationship with the envious higher command, leading to an act of ultimate betrayal. Awe-inspiring scene: After leading his men through Soviet lines and back to the German front, Steiner's men are met with brutal force at the hands of their own comrades. The following moments devolve into total insanity. Grand Assault's rating:
44 7.2 7.2 Theatre of war: Western European and Italian Fronts
Combatants: Nazi Germany vs Allied/French forces Point of view: Indigenous soldiers drafted into the French army Arabic soldiers sign up to fight for the freedom of the French motherland - a country none of them have seen before, yet feel obliged and honoured to fight for. Despite the obvious sacrifice, the indigenous troops suffer abhorrent racism from within the ranks of the French army and are viewed as second-class citizens. Awe-inspiring scene: The finale - a 'four vs forty' scenario in which the troops have nothing left to fight for but their honour. The aftermath of their sacrifice, and the current political resentment highlighted in the closing credits will disgust you to the core. Grand Assault's rating:
 
454 7.1 7.4 Theatre of war: Eastern European Front
Combatants: Nazi Germany Vs. Soviet Union Point of view: Soviet Infantrymen In the ruins of Stalingrad, a Soviet propaganda hero is born in the shape of Vasily Zaytsev. After several morale-draining losses, Germany's own legendary sharpshooter is despatched to find and eradicate Zaytsev. A sniper battle ensues amidst the ruins of the strategically worthless city. Awe-inspiring scene: The Ill-equipped Soviet forces running at German lines, mostly without weapons, in a senseless slaughter. Retreat is punished with execution at the hands of their own men. Grand Assault's rating:
114 6.9 7.3 Theatre of war: Western European Front
Combatants: Nazi Germany Vs Allied Forces Point of view: Infantry of the American Army and British Empire. An all-star cast depicts the events of an audacious plan to bring about a rapid end to the war by securing three tactically vital bridges in The Netherlands. The details of the doomed Operation Market Garden are consigned to history now, this film adds an almost comical sheen onto events in the form of stereotypical British 'stiff upper lip' depictions. Awe-inspiring scene: The battered and broken Allied troops sitting in misery, before breaking into song with 'Abide with me' as German troops stroll in to take them prisoner. Grand Assault's rating:
46 7.2 7.5 Theatre of war: Eastern European Front
Combatants: Nazi Germany vs Soviet Union Point of view: Nazi Grenadiers A platoon of Nazi soldiers are drawn away from the relative comfort of the Italian frontier in order to participate in the Battle of Stalingrad. As the tide of war turns against them, the effect of constant battle without reprieve, and a degenerating chain of command have grave effects on the men. Criticised for pinning all blame on Nazi officers, insinuating that the rank-and-file soldiers of the Wehrmacht were ultimately innocent. Awe-inspiring scene: The finale of the film results in the complete destruction of the platoon, not necessarily at the hands of the enemy, but as a result of complete psychological torture and relentless weather. A brutal reminder of just how wasteful war can be. Grand Assault's rating:
 
524 7 7.5 Theatre of war: Pacific Arena
Combatants: American Forces Vs Empire of Japan Point of view: American Marines American forces are sent to take a picturesque Pacific island from Japanese antagonists. Film focuses on attitudes towards war from the men who are fighting it, as well as the impact it has on life back home. The film is ladened with epic slow motion combat, a heart-wrenching score and 'only in Hollywood' dialogue. It suffers as a result of overdoing the drama. Awe-inspiring scene: Frontal assault on a Japanese hill-top machine gun emplacement. Despite the enemy being deeply malnourished and barely willing to fight, casualties are still suffered on both sides in the ensuing bloodbath. Grand Assault's rating:
31 7.3 7 Theatre of war: Western European Front
Combatants: Allied Forces vs Nazi Germany Point of view: American Marines Survivors of a botched German massacre at Malmedy band together in an attempt to reconvene with Allied lines. With only one rifle and four bullets between them, their mission becomes more important after the discovery of a downed Allied pilot carrying top secret information that needs to be urgently delivered to the front. Awe-inspiring scene: None. Action is pretty thin on the ground. Grand Assault's rating:
 
372 6.4 7.2 Theatre of war: Pacific Arena
Combatants: American Forces Vs Empire of Japan Point of view: American Marines A film showing the praise lavished on three marines who were photographed raising an American flag on Iwo Jima. The guilt endured by the men is also depicted as they are exploited for media and propaganda needs by the American government while their comrades continue to fight without acclaim. Awe-inspiring scene: Initial assault on Iwo-Jima island which evolves into Normandy-esque proportions. Albeit on a much smaller scale. Grand Assault's rating:
83 6.7 7.5 Theatre of war: Western European Front
Combatants: Allied Forces vs Nazi Germany Point of view: American Marines A disgraced sergeant leads a platoon of opportunist comrades behind enemy lines in order to rob a bank. As well as the Nazi marauders defending the town, Kelly must also beat his own army to the town in order to successfully pull off the heist. Awe-inspiring scene: Less awe-inspiring, more enlightening and memorable, the final attack on the French town shows just how competent the war-weary motley crew actually are in a fire fight. Grand Assault's rating:
1119 5.5 5.4 Theatre of war: Pacific Arena
Combatants: American Forces Vs Empire of Japan Point of view: American pilots One of the most significant events in human history is seen through the eyes of two American pilots serving at the Pearl Harbour base. The covert assault is seen planned by Japanese officials, predicted yet ignored by American brass, then carried out by zealous Imperial pilots. In the midst of a World War, they still manage to wrench in a love story. Awe-inspiring scene: The attack on Pearl Harbour itself. From the scores of planes flying over Hawaii to the final resting place of the Arizona. No expense is spared. Grand Assault's rating:
 
203 5.8 6.4 Theatre of war: Atlantic Ocean
Combatants: American Navy vs Nazi Kriegsmarine Point of view: American Naval men A grossly misleading and infinitely insulting 'Americanisation' of British triumph. Americans capture the enigma machine aboard U-571, despite the fact that this piece of equipment was obtained by British sailors before America even joined the war. To further glorify 'America', Nazi U-boatmen are depicted as merciless killers who shoot survivors of a naval engagement. Awe-inspiring scene: The absurdity of a surfaced U-boat firing on a German Naval destroyer, before getting away unscathed and surviving an intense depth charge attack. Grand Assault's rating:
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Description
The Second World War, by far the greatest and most horrific of all wars. Back when wars were fought between two armies who had the ability to put up a fight and totally annihilate each other. Listed here are most of the WWII films that I have watched. I have focused on War films which display a great deal of front line combat, rather than films that are purely set during the World War II era. If I'm missing an obvious film, it's probably because I haven't seen it yet - suggestions are welcome as this is definitely one of my favourite genres. The films are rated from favourite to least.  Theatres of war: - Key offensives Western European Front: - Normandy Landings - Battle of the Bulge - Operation Market Garden - Battle of Britain Eastern European Front: - Siege of Leningrad - Battle of Stalingrad - Invasion of Poland - Capture of Berlin Pacific theatre: - Assault on Pearl Harbour - Battle of Midway - Invasion of Guadalcanal  Principal Antagonists: Axis Powers: - Nazi Germany - Empire of Japan - Kingdom of Italy Allied Powers: - United States - British Empire - China - Republic of Poland - Soviet Union  Key inventions of WWII: - Radar/Sonar - Aircraft Carrier - Jet Engines - Anti-aircraft artillery - Atomic Bomb  Death Toll Axis: - Military Dead: >8,000,000 - Civilian Dead: >4,000,000 Allied: - Military Dead: >14,000,000 - Civilian Dead: >36,000,000 Total Dead: >72,000,000 
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Das Boot
Dirty Dozen
Memphis Belle
Patton
Battleground
The Eagle Has Landed
Allows Easy inclusion of Battle of Britain, DamBusters, Memphis Belle, 633 Squadron, Flying Leathernecks, Over Here....can't think of anymore off the top of my head but there's almost a list there.
Have seen The Eagle has Landed but couldn't remember enough to write it up!