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Top World War II Movies & Mini-Series

Movie list created by Phil_Sump Avatar

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European Theatre - The Western Front

1939 - 1945

People who added this item 261 Average listal rating (128 ratings) 9.1 IMDB Rating 0
Closely follows the story of the men of Easy Company (US 101st Airbourne infantry) featuring the main events they went through during the war.

What hasn't already been said about this series, a must watch if you even have the slightest of interest in World War Two, outstanding series giving recognition to true heroes.

2nd Lt. George Rice: "Looks like you guys are going to be surrounded."

Maj. Winters: "We're paratroopers, Lieutenant. We're supposed to be surrounded."



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 6085 Average listal rating (4136 ratings) 7.8 IMDB Rating 8.6
A modern day classic and the standard any Hollywood war film must now strive for, also an excellent companion piece for Band of Brothers.

Corporal Upham: "Theirs is not to reason why, theirs is but to do or die."



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 1210 Average listal rating (719 ratings) 8.2 IMDB Rating 8.3
Das Boot (1981)
The bench mark for all Sub movies, destroys the insulting Hollywood film U-571 that attempted to copy it and re-write history.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 5895 Average listal rating (3732 ratings) 8.4 IMDB Rating 9
Set In Poland during World War II, Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis. A deeply harrowing and moving film that is fully deserving of all its critical praise, a must watch for everyone.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 884 Average listal rating (621 ratings) 7.3 IMDB Rating 7.8
Dunkirk (2017)
This is edge of your seat stuff folks, from start to finish the cinematography and score ensure you remain uneasy and you constantly fear for the lives of the men stranded on the beach. When the fleet of civilian boats finally came to aid the troops the hairs on the back of my neck shot up. A very memorable piece of cinema, one I won't forget too soon.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 1672 Average listal rating (1051 ratings) 7.9 IMDB Rating 8.2
Downfall (2004)
A very accurate German film about the downfall of Hitler and the Nazi's. Bruno Ganz's performance as Hitler is first class, one of the best WWII films for sure.





Generation War (2013) is a solid series worthy of a mention that is from the co-producers of Downfall, it is a three part series that follows the experiences of five friends through the war. Although at times some of the situations in which they end up in and meet are highly unlikely it is nonetheless a very well made and captivating watch.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 414 Average listal rating (268 ratings) 7.6 IMDB Rating 7.8
Film about the D-Day landings. A real classic, much like A Bridge Too Far it tells the story from various Allied perspectives, not just the Americans ;)

B/W



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 452 Average listal rating (302 ratings) 7.3 IMDB Rating 7.4
Unusually this film is about a failed Allied mission to take Arnhem bridge in the Netherlands (Opertation Market Garden). It's one of my favorites due to the great cast and direction. A classic and a good companion piece to The Longest Day.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 705 Average listal rating (455 ratings) 7.6 IMDB Rating 7.9
Patton (1970)
Docu-drama/biopic about the military career of George S. Patton, very informative and a well made movie.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 1269 Average listal rating (848 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 8.2
Classic story of Allied POW's escaping a German camp, the ultimate Sunday afternoon flick.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 169 Average listal rating (125 ratings) 6.9 IMDB Rating 7
Another British classic, a tribute to those in the RAF and other allied forces (e.g Canada) who battled the German Luftwaffe to prevent the German forces taking Great Britain, features some great dog fights.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 444 Average listal rating (286 ratings) 7.4 IMDB Rating 7.6
Despite the Helicopter (what were they thinking) this is really enjoyable WW2 spy movie, one of Clint's earlier works.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 338 Average listal rating (246 ratings) 7.4 IMDB Rating 7.6
Eastwood again and enjoyable again, like Inglorious it will give you a few laughs and the mission itself is also fiction.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 622 Average listal rating (427 ratings) 7.6 IMDB Rating 7.7
A US Army Major (Lee Marvin) is assigned a dozen convicted murderers to train and lead them into a mass assassination mission of German officers. Lee Marvin is excellent, vintage American WW2 film.



Phil_Sump's rating:



B/W


Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 87 Average listal rating (58 ratings) 7.6 IMDB Rating 7.4
Outstanding invention (the bouncing bomb), Great movie for the time. I believe a remake is on the way as well which is good news... I hope.

B/W





Another classic British WW2 film is 'The Cruel Sea' (1953). This movie follows a British Naval Officer as he deals with life at sea protecting Allied convoys and hunting German U-boats.

B/W



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 71 Average listal rating (49 ratings) 6.4 IMDB Rating 7
Early in the United States' involvement in World War II, an inexperienced U.S. Navy captain must lead an Allied convoy being stalked by Nazi U-boat wolfpacks.

This film has a refreshingly narrow focus allowing you to immerse yourself with the Captain and crew as they fight to get the convoy across the ocean to safety - the soundtrack and score are 10/10.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 754 Average listal rating (519 ratings) 7.1 IMDB Rating 7.5
A very brutal and realistic (apart from the Hollywood ending) take on the twilight days of WWII taken from the perspective of a bruised and battered tank crew with a new recruit amongst their ranks.
The battle scenes are top draw and Brad Pitt makes for a great tank commander, make sure you check it out, you may just have to suspend your belief for the last twenty minutes though.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 1422 Average listal rating (905 ratings) 6.6 IMDB Rating 7.1
Valkyrie (2008)
A great true story about the German Officers who made a stand against Hitler. A story that has been told before, but not to this scale, I really enjoyed this, I feel it's important that people realise not all German soldiers were Nazis, many were merely patriots and products of their generations education.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 31 Average listal rating (19 ratings) 7.7 IMDB Rating 7.3
The Captain (2017)
In the last moments of World War II, a young German soldier fighting for survival finds a Nazi captain's uniform. Impersonating an officer, the man quickly takes on the monstrous identity of the perpetrators he is trying to escape from.

A quite bizarre but brilliant film!

B/W





Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 100 Average listal rating (55 ratings) 6.9 IMDB Rating 7.2
Anthropoid (2016)
Czechoslovakian resistance movement
Structured around Operation Anthropoid which too place in Prague. This film explains the story of the two men assigned the mission of assassinating high ranking SS General Reinhard Heydrich. This film had more impact on me as I had recently been to Prague and seen the locations of the events depicted in the film. Well worth a watch.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 735 Average listal rating (479 ratings) 6.9 IMDB Rating 7.2
Defiance (2009)
Jewish resistance movement
Although advertised as "a true story", it has been criticised for not following the true story of the Bielski partisans accurately. I nonetheless really enjoyed it.




Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 610 Average listal rating (372 ratings) 7.5 IMDB Rating 7.7
Dutch resistance movement
Features Carice van Houton as an undercover agent, top class Dutch WW2 film, full of action and suspence.





An older film about the Dutch resistance that makes a great companion piece is 'Soldier of Orange' (1977)
www.listal.com/movie/soldier-of-orange-1977



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 153 Average listal rating (103 ratings) 7.1 IMDB Rating 7.3
Norwegian resistance movement
Little known movie about Max Manus and the actions of the Norwegian resistance movement in WW2, top draw.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 143 Average listal rating (73 ratings) 7.4 IMDB Rating 7.3
Danish resistance movement
Similar to Man of War in many respects, one of them being that it is also very good, follows the legendary resistance fighters code named Flame and Citron. Hidden gem.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 68 Average listal rating (39 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 8
The Bridge (1959)
A German film based on a true story of German teenagers defending a bridge in their home town in the final days of Nazi Germany. A great film for its time, with some well worked cinematography, not a great deal of action. Nevertheless it is not an action film, it is a hard hitting film showing the absurdities of war.

B/W





There has been a 2008 TV re-make of the film, though many reviews have been unfavourable.
Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 257 Average listal rating (147 ratings) 7.4 IMDB Rating 7.6
German resistance movement
Well told and acted, true story of a genuine hero of the German White Rose Resistance Movement - Sophie Scholl.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 1326 Average listal rating (879 ratings) 7.6 IMDB Rating 8
A simply brilliant biopic about the great Alan Turing who helped break the "unbreakable" German enigma machine, a fitting tribute to one of the great minds of the 20th century



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 276 Average listal rating (164 ratings) 7.6 IMDB Rating 7.1
Solid WW2 flick that details the experiences of several US soldiers from The Big Red One lead by the Sergeant who is played by Lee Marvin, also features Mark Hamill.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 96 Average listal rating (56 ratings) 7.7 IMDB Rating 7.4
Attack (1956)
A fantstic tale focussing around leadership, or more to the point... Lack of. The LT finds himself sold out by the Captain and swears revenge. Old but gold.

B/W



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 81 Average listal rating (47 ratings) 7.7 IMDB Rating 7.5
For a movie made in 1949 I was really impressed. It does a great job of bringing you along the journey with the platoon as they go through the Battle of the Bulge.

B/W



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 80 Average listal rating (49 ratings) 7.4 IMDB Rating 7.4
A German U-boat and a US Destroyer play cat and mouse, another excellent 1950's WWII movie.




Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 215 Average listal rating (143 ratings) 7.4 IMDB Rating 7.7
About a mutiny and power struggle aboard a navy ship serving during World War II, 1950's classic.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 101 Average listal rating (72 ratings) 7.4 IMDB Rating 7.1
A fast paced WWII classic featuring Allied soldiers (mainly British) attempting to escape an Italian POW camp with the Germans in hot pursuit. Gripping get away action film, well worth a watch.





Another WWII classic with a very similar theme is 'The Train' (1964) Based on non-fiction book Le front de l'art. A German Colonel has loaded a train with stolen French artwork that he wishes to take to Germany. However the French resistance aren't too happy about this and attempt to recapture the masterpieces.

B/W



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 157 Average listal rating (95 ratings) 7.4 IMDB Rating 7
Days of Glory (2006)
Follows a group of four Algerian (part of colonial France at the time) men who join the French First Army along with many other North Africans, to free France from Nazi oppression. However they find they also have to fight against discrimination from the French as well.

The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and deserves your attention.



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Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 6 Average listal rating (3 ratings) 7.3 IMDB Rating 7.7
Conspiracy (2009)
A harrowing account of the meeting hosted by Eichmann and chaired by Heidrich as they planned The Final Solution. Excellently put together with first class acting.



People who added this item 4089 Average listal rating (2471 ratings) 8.1 IMDB Rating 8.5
The Pianist (2002)
True story about a Jewish Pianist who survived the holocaust, first class.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 225 Average listal rating (133 ratings) 7.2 IMDB Rating 7.5
Son of Saul (2015)
Truly harrowing first person look at the holocaust, left me moved, watch it.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 3257 Average listal rating (2110 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 8.6
Historical drama with a comical feel, Life is Beautiful is different to many on this list but is a touching film about a family trying their best to cope in desperate times and during WWII and well worthy of a mention.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 1862 Average listal rating (1106 ratings) 7.5 IMDB Rating 7.8
Following along similar lines to Life is Beautiful, this movie follows a young German boy who makes an unlikely friend in the form of Jewish boy. However the camp his friend is in is also run by his father.

This is a very different take on the war from the eyes of children and for that alone is well worth a watch.




Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 5468 Average listal rating (3791 ratings) 8 IMDB Rating 8.3
***FANTASY***

Tarantino back to his best with this Jewish revenge fantasy story set in World War Two, I'm not normally the biggest fan of fictional stories set in WW2 (due to there being so many untold factual stories) but he pulls this off very well.



Phil_Sump's rating:
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European Theatre - The Eastern Front

1941 - 1945

People who added this item 769 Average listal rating (399 ratings) 8.3 IMDB Rating 8.4
A movie that focuses on the horrors of war and what it was like to be around during the German invasion of Russia, very hard hitting.



Phil_Sump's rating:
I believe this is the third movie adaptation of the war novel by Finnish author Väinö Linna and it is excellent. The battle scenes are among the most realistic I have seen and I really enjoyed the character depth that you can often find lacking in many war movies.

Worth noting that there are three distinct versions of this film:
Finnish version (180 minutes), international version (167 minutes) and miniseries version (271 minutes).




Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 127 Average listal rating (73 ratings) 7.6 IMDB Rating 7.7
Both set during the 'Winter War' which occured in 1939-1940 between Finland and the Soviet Union (it was essentially a campaign of WW2). 'The Winter War (Talvisota)' (1989) is a little known Finnish film that has a great scale and accuracy to it.





I brought The Winter War in a DVD set with another Finish World War Two film (set in the Continuation War which followed the Winter War) named 'Ambush' (Rukajärven Tie) (1999) also well worth seeing, Ambush I feel has a stronger narrative behind it with an officer seeking revenge for the death of his partner who was killed by the Soviets. The film however does not meet the scale and full on battle scenes of Talvisota.





Other Finish WWII Movies Include:

Tali-Ihantala 1944 (2007)
Beyond Enemy Lines (2004)
The Unknown Soldier (1985)
The Unknown Soldier (1955)

Ville has complied a good list of Finnish war movies you may also want to look at:
Finnish War Movies
Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 250 Average listal rating (152 ratings) 7.5 IMDB Rating 7.5
Follws German officer Hans von Witzland and his battalion through the horrible battle fo Stalingrad. Harrowing and far more accurate than most war films.





There is another film also named 'Stalingrad' released in 2013 made by the Russians (from the director of 9th Company - Fedor Bondarchuk) and is Russia's first IMAX film:
www.imdb.com/title/tt1966566/


Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 24 Average listal rating (19 ratings) 6.9 IMDB Rating 7
In 1944 Estonia, a fratricide war ensues when Estonians of the retreating German forces fight against Estonians conscripted into the advancing Soviet Red Army.

For a low budget they do a great job with the production quality and the acting was more than good enough to compliment an engaging story. A really nice surprise.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 335 Average listal rating (211 ratings) 7.7 IMDB Rating 7.5
Cross of Iron (1977)
Raw and gritty war film and a rarity in that it is told from the perspective of German soldiers on the Russian front during WW2.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 44 Average listal rating (25 ratings) 7.8 IMDB Rating 7.5
This impressive Russian film focuses on a true story of a group of Soviets who hold a last stand in Brest fortress (Belarus) against the invading German forces. Great battle scenes, what some might call a "true" war movie.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 1457 Average listal rating (965 ratings) 7.1 IMDB Rating 7.6
If you are looking for lots of good action in a WWII film then this is it. Based on a true story, a group of Soviet soldiers go behind enemy lines on a reconnaissance mission to gather information on the occupying German forces during Operation Bagration. Fairly unknown and in some ways an underrated film, a 7.3/10.



Phil_Sump's rating:
People who added this item 29 Average listal rating (8 ratings) 7.4 IMDB Rating 7
If you are looking for lots of good action in a WWII film then this is it. Based on a true story, a group of Soviet soldiers go behind enemy lines on a reconnaissance mission to gather information on the occupying German forces during Operation Bagration. Very unknown & underrated film, easily a 7.5/10.



Phil_Sump's rating:
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Kyle EllismjkalaskyUSC220Stepan_KantThe ReaderMUZERicky F




Most of these are your traditional 'War' films per say, some however lean more towards the period drama side, but all are based around the World War II era.

I have placed the films in a rough descending order of what I view as the best at the top of each theatre of war and in some places grouped similar films, such as those themed around the holocaust.

The flags denote the the countries that the films perspective is taken from. Please inform me if you feel a flag is missing or wrongly placed (I have used the flag used by the country at the time of the war).

I'm trying to keep the limit of around 50 - adding other worthy mentions on at the end.

The majority are traditional feature films, however it also features some outstanding TV mini-series that I felt couldn't be missed off. The list does not feature documentaries or comedies and I've left out romance based films like From Here to Eternity and Casablanca

I Have mainly used modern coloured films, but have included some black & white classics and these have been denoted with B & W.

I've seen quite a lot of WWII films, but not all of them,
so feel free to make any suggestions, I am prepared to add in films I haven't seen.

Well Received WWII Period/Romantic Dramas Not Included in the List:

-Casablanca


-From Here to Eternity


-Atonement


-The English Patient




Well Known Movies that Didn't Make the Cut:

-U-571 (Disapointingly attempts to re-write history, just watch Das Boot instead).




-Pearl Harbor (this isn't a list of the worlds most melodramatic & corny films, just watch Tora Tora Tora).







WWII Movie Watch List:

The Unknown Soldier (1955 & 1985)

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
My Best Enemy
Mosquito Squadron
The Last Bullet
Sisters of War
Operation: Daybreak
Battle of Neretva
Hope & Glory
Catch 22
Europa Europa
Lacombe Lucien
Hell in the Pacific
Murphy's War
In Tranzit
Black Sheep

The 317th Platoon (_French-Indochinese War_)

The Bomber (TV series)
Holocaust (TV series)
Colditz (TV series)

Grave of the Fireflies (Anime)

Black & White Classics:

In Harms Way
Ballad Of A Soldier
Rome Open City
In Which We Serve
Hell is for Heroes
The Young Lions
Stalingrad - Dogs Do You Want to Live Forever?

Ashes and Diamonds
Went the Day Well?
Overlord
Stalag 17
Carve Her Name with Pride
To Hell and Back
Run Silent, Run Deep
A Matter of Life and Death
The First of the Few (aka Spitfire)



Thanks for viewing

And remember...

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Movies (134 lists)
list by Stepan_Kant
Published 5 years, 7 months ago 10 comments



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