Movies About The Cold War

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn
Rated PG

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is an iconic black comedy directed by Stanley Kubrick which satirizes the fear of a nuclear conflict during the Cold War. The story follows a maniacal U.S. Air Force General, Jack D. Ripper, who launches a nuclear attack against the Soviet Union, convincing the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff that the Soviets are trying to poison the U.S. water supply. The President then brings in former Nazi scientist, Dr. Strangelove, to help find a way to stop the attack. Through a series of miscommunications, misunderstandings and political wrangling, the characters attempt to avert global destruction. Though the film does not have a traditional "happy" ending, its dark humour and insightful commentary make it one of the most important and influential films of the twentieth century.

From Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, starring Ulrich Mühe, Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur
Rated R

The Lives of Others is a 2006 German drama film set in East Berlin in 1984, five years before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It follows the story of East German Secret Police Captain Gerd Wiesler, who is assigned to spy on renowned East Berlin playwright Georg Dreyman and his lover, the celebrated actress Christa-Maria Sieland. As Wiesler eavesdrops on their private lives, he gradually comes to sympathize with them and begins to question his government’s motives. Ultimately, Wiesler helps the couple escape from the oppressive Stasi state. The film is an exploration of morality and the power of artistic expression to challenge authority.

From Carol Reed, starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, Trevor Howard
Rated Approved

The Third Man is a post-war thriller film directed by Carol Reed and starring Joseph Cotten as Holly Martins, an American writer of pulp westerns, who arrives in Vienna to find his friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles) who has offered him a job. Martins discovers that Lime has recently died in a suspicious traffic accident and that his funeral is attended by mysterious foreign nationals. Martins is determined to unearth the truth behind Lime's death, and eventually discovers that Lime was a criminal involved in a black market racket. As Martins delves deeper and deeper into the city's underworld, he soon finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with those who may be responsible for Lime's death. In the end, Martins is forced to face the truth of Lime's death, and the consequences of his actions.

From Oliver Stone, starring Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau
Rated R

JFK is a 1991 American drama-mystery film directed by Oliver Stone. The film examines the events leading up to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and alleged cover-up through the eyes of former New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner). Garrison's investigation into the November 1963 assassination led him to believe that a conspiracy existed, and that members of the government were part of it. He then goes on a personal quest to uncover the truth and prove the existence of a conspiracy. The film features an ensemble cast including Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon, Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, Walter Matthau, and Tommy Lee Jones. JFK won two Academy Awards, for Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing. It also had seven other Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film was a box office success and is widely considered one of the best conspiracy films ever made.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, Fritz Weaver, Dan O'Herlihy
Rated Approved

Fail Safe is a 1964 Cold War thriller directed by Sidney Lumet. The film follows a U.S. nuclear bomber squadron that is accidentally sent to bomb Moscow, despite the President's orders to abort the mission. He struggles to find a way to de-escalate the situation and prevent nuclear war with the Soviets. With time running out, the President reluctantly agrees to a tense and dangerous deal with the Soviets that could have global implications. The film stars Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, Dan O'Herlihy, and Frank Overton.

From John Frankenheimer, starring Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbury
Rated PG-13

The Manchurian Candidate is a 1962 American political thriller directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Laurence Harvey and Frank Sinatra. Set during the Korean War, it follows the story of Sergeant Raymond Shaw, who is falsely accused of treason and brainwashed by a communist conspiracy. Shaw is programmed to assassinate a presidential candidate in order to ensure the election of a pro-communist vice president. This film follows Shaw as he slowly comes to terms with his new role in the conspiracy and attempts to stop it. The film is considered a classic and one of the greatest political thrillers of all time, and it won two Academy Awards for its screenplay and cinematography.

From Billy Wilder, starring James Cagney, Horst Buchholz, Pamela Tiffin, Arlene Francis
Rated Not Rated

One, Two, Three is a 1961 comedy film directed by Billy Wilder and starring James Cagney as C.R. MacNamara, a Coca-Cola executive in West Berlin. The film follows MacNamara's desperate attempts to keep his rebellious teenage daughter, Scarlett (Pamela Tiffin), from eloping with a Communist youth (Horst Buchholz). In the chaos that ensues, MacNamara must also fend off the romantic advances of a seductive East German spy (Liselotte Pulver) and deal with his boss, 'Big Daddy' (Arnold Moss), who is visiting from Atlanta. Full of slapstick humor and witty dialogue, One, Two, Three is a classic satire on the Cold War and an enduring example of Wilder's masterful wit and comic timing.

From John Frankenheimer, starring Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Fredric March, Ava Gardner
Rated Approved

Seven Days in May follows U.S. President Jordan Lyman (Fredric March) as he discovers a sinister plot to overthrow the government. The leader of the plot is General James Mattoon Scott (Burt Lancaster), an ambitious and power-hungry military leader who is determined to seize control of the government. With the help of his trusted aide Paul Girard (Kirk Douglas), President Lyman must quickly find a way to stop the conspiracy before it's too late. The film follows the President and his aides as they uncover the truth behind the plot and attempt to stop it before the seven days of the title elapse and the country is plunged into chaos.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda, Amy Ryan
Rated PG-13

Bridge of Spies is a 2015 American historical drama-thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Matt Charman and Ethan and Joel Coen. The film stars Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, and Alan Alda. The story follows James Donovan (Hanks), a Brooklyn lawyer who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible task to negotiate the release of Francis Gary Powers, a U-2 spy-plane pilot who was shot down over Russia. With the help of a Russian lawyer, Donovan must face off against a Soviet spy in an intense game of political brinkmanship. In the end, Donovan is able to negotiate the release of both Powers and the Soviet spy, and a bridge of trust is formed between the two countries. Bridge of Spies is a thrilling story of political brinkmanship and the strength of the human spirit.

From John McTiernan, starring Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill
Rated PG

The Hunt for Red October is a 1990 American spy-thriller film directed by John McTiernan, based on Tom Clancy's 1984 novel of the same name. The film stars Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, James Earl Jones, and Sam Neill. The plot follows Soviet submarine captain Marko Ramius (Connery) as he attempts to defect to the United States with his officers and the newest, incredibly advanced Soviet nuclear missile submarine Red October. In doing so, Ramius hopes to spark a revolution in the Soviet Union and make the world a safer place. U.S. CIA Analyst Jack Ryan (Baldwin) is the only one who realizes the true intentions of Ramius and is tasked with finding the Red October before the Soviets can destroy it. Meanwhile, the Soviets and Americans race against each other in a heart-stopping, nail-biting game of cat-and-mouse in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. In the end, Ryan and Ramius successfully outmaneuver both their opponents and the Red October escapes to freedom.

From Pawel Pawlikowski, starring Joanna Kulig, Tomasz Kot, Borys Szyc, Agata Kulesza
Rated R

Cold War is a 2018 Polish drama film directed by Pawel Pawlikowski. Set in post-war Poland, the film follows the tumultuous relationship of two people, Wiktor and Zula, as they are thrown together by fate, only to be separated by their political and social circumstances. The film follows Wiktor, a musician and composer, and Zula, a young singer, as they move from Poland to Berlin and Paris in an attempt to escape their troubles. Unfortunately, their passionate love affair is constantly hindered by their different backgrounds, their volatile relationship, and the oppressive constraints of their respective countries. At its core, Cold War is a story of love, loss, and resilience in the face of hardships, a tribute to the power of emotional connection and the struggle to maintain it in an ever-shifting landscape. It is a lyrical, visually stunning and emotionally powerful tale, anchored by strong performances and a unique soundtrack.

From Jay Roach, starring Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Louis C.K.
Rated R

From George Clooney, starring David Strathairn, George Clooney, Patricia Clarkson, Jeff Daniels
Rated PG

From Terence Young, starring Sean Connery, Robert Shaw, Lotte Lenya, Daniela Bianchi
Rated PG

From Roger Donaldson, starring Kevin Costner, Bruce Greenwood, Shawn Driscoll, Drake Cook
Rated PG-13

From Guy Ritchie, starring Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, starring Val Kilmer, Omar Sharif, Jeremy Kemp, Warren Clarke
Rated PG

From Christian Petzold, starring Nina Hoss, Ronald Zehrfeld, Rainer Bock, Christina Hecke
Rated PG-13

From Sidney J. Furie, starring Michael Caine, Nigel Green, Guy Doleman, Sue Lloyd
Rated Passed

From Roger Donaldson, starring Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young, Will Patton
Rated R

From John Badham, starring Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy, John Wood, Dabney Coleman
Rated PG

From Tomas Alfredson, starring Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, Mark Strong
Rated R

From Mike Nichols, starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams
Rated R

From Norman Jewison, starring Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint, Alan Arkin, Brian Keith
Rated Unrated

From Edward Zwick, starring Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg
Rated PG-13