Movies About World War 1

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready
Rated Approved

Paths of Glory is a 1957 anti-war film directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Kirk Douglas. Set during World War I, the film follows a French Army colonel (Douglas) who defends three of his men from a court martial after they refuse to carry out an impossible mission. The colonel is ultimately unsuccessful, and the three soldiers are executed. The film explores themes of military injustice, the harshness of war, and the absurdity of war as a whole. It remains a powerful anti-war statement, and is often cited as one of Kubrick's greatest works.

From David Lean, starring Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins
Rated Approved

Lawrence of Arabia is a sweeping epic directed by David Lean in 1962. The film follows the life of British Army Officer T.E. Lawrence (played by Peter O'Toole) who is sent to the Arabian Desert to help unify the Arab tribes in their fight against the Turks during World War I. Lawrence must face the harshness of the desert, the duplicity of those around him, and his own inner turmoil as he strives to lead the Arabs to victory. Along the way, he forges a bond of friendship and loyalty with some of the key figures in the region, including Sherif Ali (Omar Sharif) and Auda Abu Tayi (Anthony Quinn). The film is an incredible visual achievement and is considered to be one of the most influential classics in cinematic history.

From Sam Mendes, starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays, Colin Firth
Rated R

1917 is a 2019 British war film directed and produced by Sam Mendes. The film follows two young British soldiers, Schofield (George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), who are given a seemingly impossible mission. They must cross enemy territory and deliver a message to call off an attack that, if successful, would result in the deaths of their own comrades, including Blake's brother. With the help of a courageous and insightful guide, they embark on their journey across the treacherous landscape, facing danger at every turn. With a ticking clock and their lives at stake, the two must work together to make it to the front lines in time and save thousands of lives.

From Lewis Milestone, starring Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, John Wray, Arnold Lucy
Rated Passed

All Quiet on the Western Front is a 1930 American anti-war film starring Lew Ayres and directed by Lewis Milestone. The film follows a group of German schoolboys who are sent off to fight in World War I and the devastating effects the war has on their lives. The story focuses on Paul Baumer, a young soldier who experiences the horror and brutality of war first-hand. The film paints a bleak picture of the futility of war and the psychological toll it takes on the soldiers, with friends and enemies alike dying in the violence. Ultimately, Paul and his friends come to realize that war is a senseless waste of life and start to become disillusioned with the cause that they are fighting for. All Quiet on the Western Front remains one of the most acclaimed war films of all time, winning two Academy Awards and becoming a classic of the genre.

From David Lean, starring Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger
Rated PG-13

Doctor Zhivago is a 1965 romantic epic drama film directed by David Lean. The film stars Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, and Geraldine Chaplin. The film is based on the 1957 novel of the same name by Boris Pasternak. The film follows the story of Yuri Zhivago, a physician and poet (played by Sharif), who is caught in the midst of the Russian Revolution in the early 1900s. He finds himself torn between two women (Christie and Chaplin) while struggling to survive the turmoil and chaos of the revolution. As the political and social landscape of Russia changes, Yuri is forced to confront difficult choices as his life and his relationships evolve. Doctor Zhivago was critically acclaimed upon its release and went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of all time. It was nominated for ten Academy Awards, of which it won five. It is now considered a classic of world cinema.

From Dalton Trumbo, starring Timothy Bottoms, Kathy Fields, Marsha Hunt, Jason Robards
Rated R

Johnny Got His Gun is a 1971 American drama anti-war film written and directed by Dalton Trumbo, and starring Timothy Bottoms and Diane Varsi. The film follows Joe Bonham, a young American soldier who is severely wounded during World War I, and subsequently lies in a hospital bed in a vegetative state, unable to communicate. Through a series of flashbacks, the audience is shown how Joe was injured, and how his family and friends slowly realize the extent of his injuries. The film ultimately serves as a powerful condemnation of war, as Joe's story is used to illustrate the tragedy of war and its aftermath. Ultimately, Joe is able to use his remaining senses to communicate with the world and make a plea for peace.

From Mervyn LeRoy, starring Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor, Lucile Watson, Virginia Field
Rated Passed

Waterloo Bridge is a 1940 American drama romance film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor. Set during World War II in London, the film follows the story of two star-crossed lovers, Myra and Roy, who meet on Waterloo Bridge and fall in love amidst the chaos of war. Myra is a young ballet dancer who is forced to become a chorus girl to support herself, while Roy is a young officer on his way to the battlefield. Despite their instant connection, their love is threatened when Roy is reported missing in battle. Myra must confront the harsh realities of war as she desperately searches for him and hope for a reunion. The film follows their story as they struggle through the turmoil of war, and ultimately find their way back to each other.

From John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull
Rated PG

The African Queen is a 1951 American adventure drama film directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Set in 1912 in German East Africa during World War I, the story focuses on a tramp steamer captain and a missionary who are stuck together in a small boat and traverse the Ulanga River in order to attack a German warship. Throughout the course of their journey, the two travelers learn to respect and trust one another, despite their vastly different backgrounds. Along the way, they face various dangers and obstacles, including aggressive river rapids, dangerous wildlife, and the ever-present threat of German forces. In the end, their courage and perseverance pays off when they successfully complete their mission.

From Christian Carion, starring Diane Kruger, Benno Fürmann, Guillaume Canet, Natalie Dessay
Rated PG-13

Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) is a 2005 historical drama war film based on the Christmas truce of December 1914, depicted through the eyes of French, British, and German soldiers. On Christmas Eve, a group of French, British, and German soldiers cast aside their weapons and join together in a spirit of camaraderie to celebrate the holiday. The troops share stories, play games, and even sing carols together. Despite orders to maintain their positions, the commanders on both sides allow the men a brief respite from the hostilities of war. As the night passes and morning arrives, the men reluctantly return to the battlefield and to their positions, with a newfound understanding of each other and a shared hope for peace.

From Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Jodie Foster, Dominique Pinon
Rated R

A Very Long Engagement is a 2004 French romantic war drama film written and directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Audrey Tautou. The film tells the story of a young woman named Mathilde, who sets out to find out the truth about her fiancé, Manech, who was declared missing in action during World War I. Mathilde is determined to find out what really happened to Manech, and along the way she meets a variety of characters who help her in her quest. At the same time, Mathilde must face the possibility that Manech may not have survived the war. Through a series of flashbacks and dream sequences, the film weaves together a heartbreakingly beautiful story about love, loss, and the power of resilience.

From Edward Zwick, starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn, Julia Ormond
Rated R

Set in the early 1900s, Legends of the Fall follows the lives of the three Ludlow brothers, Alfred, Samuel, and Tristan, who live on a ranch in Montana with their father Colonel William Ludlow. After Alfred goes off to WWI and Samuel goes off to college, Tristan remains at the ranch and falls in love with Susannah, an old family friend. The film chronicles the brothers' struggles with love, loss, and war, with Alfred returning from war scarred and emotionally damaged, Samuel struggling with his feelings for Susannah, and Tristan caught up in a passionate but doomed love affair with the mysterious Native American woman, Isabel Two. Ultimately, the brothers must reconcile their differences and come to terms with the tragedies they have suffered.

From Peter Weir, starring Mel Gibson, Mark Lee, Bill Kerr, Harold Hopkins
Rated PG

From James Kent, starring Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Taron Egerton, Dominic West
Rated PG-13

From Steven Spielberg, starring Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Benedict Cumberbatch
Rated PG-13

From Russell Crowe, starring Russell Crowe, Olga Kurylenko, Jai Courtney, Isabel Lucas
Rated R

From Saul Dibb, starring Paul Bettany, Sam Claflin, Stephen Graham, Tom Sturridge
Rated R

From Tony Bill, starring James Franco, Jean Reno, Jennifer Decker, Scott Hazell
Rated PG-13

From Pat O'Connor, starring Jack O'Connell, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, George MacKay, Frances de la Tour
Rated Not Rated

From William Boyd, starring Paul Nicholls, Daniel Craig, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Danny Dyer
Rated Not Rated