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European Theatre - The Western Front
1939 - 1945
261
9.1
0
Band of Brothers (2002)
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."
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:
6078
7.8
8.6
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
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."
Corporal Upham: "Theirs is not to reason why, theirs is but to do or die."
Phil_Sump's rating:
1205
8.2
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:
5889
8.4
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:
877
7.3
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:
1670
7.9
8.2
Downfall (2005)
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.
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:
413
7.6
7.8
The Longest Day (1962)
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
B/W
Phil_Sump's rating:
450
7.3
7.4
A Bridge Too Far (1977)
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:
702
7.6
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:
1263
8
8.2
The Great Escape (1963)
Classic story of Allied POW's escaping a German camp, the ultimate Sunday afternoon flick.
Phil_Sump's rating:
168
6.9
7
Battle of Britain (1969)
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:
441
7.4
7.6
Where Eagles Dare (1968)
Despite the Helicopter (what were they thinking) this is really enjoyable WW2 spy movie, one of Clint's earlier works.
Phil_Sump's rating:
332
7.3
7.6
Kelly's Heroes (1970)
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:
619
7.6
7.7
The Dirty Dozen (1967)
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:
87
7.6
7.4
The Dam Busters (1955)
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
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:
70
6.4
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.
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:
749
7.1
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.
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:
1420
6.6
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:
31
7.7
7.4
The Captain (2018)
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
A quite bizarre but brilliant film!
B/W
Phil_Sump's rating:
100
6.9
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.
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:
732
6.9
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.
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:
607
7.5
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
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:
153
7.1
7.3
Max Manus: Man of War (2008)
Norwegian resistance movement
Little known movie about Max Manus and the actions of the Norwegian resistance movement in WW2, top draw.
Little known movie about Max Manus and the actions of the Norwegian resistance movement in WW2, top draw.
Phil_Sump's rating:
142
7.4
7.3
Flammen & Citronen (2008)
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.
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:
68
8
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.
B/W
There has been a 2008 TV re-make of the film, though many reviews have been unfavourable.
Phil_Sump's rating:
257
7.4
7.6
German resistance movement
Well told and acted, true story of a genuine hero of the German White Rose Resistance Movement - Sophie Scholl.
Well told and acted, true story of a genuine hero of the German White Rose Resistance Movement - Sophie Scholl.
Phil_Sump's rating:
1323
7.6
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:
274
7.5
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:
95
7.7
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
B/W
Phil_Sump's rating:
81
7.7
7.5
Battleground (1949) (1950)
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
B/W
Phil_Sump's rating:
80
7.4
7.4
A German U-boat and a US Destroyer play cat and mouse, another excellent 1950's WWII movie.
Phil_Sump's rating:
214
7.4
7.7
The Caine Mutiny (1954)
About a mutiny and power struggle aboard a navy ship serving during World War II, 1950's classic.
Phil_Sump's rating:
100
7.4
7.1
Von Ryan's Express (1965)
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
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:
156
7.3
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.
|
The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and deserves your attention.
|
Phil_Sump's rating:
6
7.3
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.
4083
8.1
8.5
The Pianist (2002)
True story about a Jewish Pianist who survived the holocaust, first class.
Phil_Sump's rating:
223
7.1
7.5
Son of Saul (2015)
Truly harrowing first person look at the holocaust, left me moved, watch it.
Phil_Sump's rating:
3250
8
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:
1861
7.5
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.
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:
5455
8
8.3
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
***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.
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:
Add items to section
European Theatre - The Eastern Front
1941 - 1945
765
8.3
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:
65
7
7.7
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).
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:
127
7.6
7.7
The Winter War (1989)
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)
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:
249
7.4
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/
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:
23
7.1
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.
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:
333
7.7
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:
44
7.8
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:
1454
7.1
7.6
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
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:
29
7.4
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:
Load more items (82 more in this list)
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
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