Movies About WW2

From Steven Spielberg, starring Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Caroline Goodall
Rated R

Schindler's List is a 1993 drama film directed by Steven Spielberg that tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist and former Nazi party member who saved the lives of more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. The film stars Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes and Caroline Goodall, and features a powerful and moving story about the Holocaust. Schindler's List follows Schindler's journey of redemption as he risks his own life to protect those under his care, even as those around him become increasingly complicit in the Nazi regime's atrocities. In the end, Schindler's courage and compassion are rewarded when he is able to save hundreds of lives from certain death. The film was critically acclaimed and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns
Rated R

Set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II, “Saving Private Ryan” follows a group of US soldiers led by Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) on a mission to retrieve Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), whose three brothers have all been killed in action. Battling enemy forces along the way, the men must also confront their own inner demons as they face an enemy far outnumbering them in numbers. As the mission progresses, Miller's team discovers that the true purpose of their mission is to bring the remaining Ryan brother back home, alive. As Miller and his men fight for their lives, they come to the realization that this mission is about more than just a single man; it is about the brotherhood that exists between them and their country.

From Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains
Rated PG

Casablanca is a classic romantic drama set in World War II-era Morocco. It tells the story of Rick Blaine, a cynical American expatriate who runs a nightclub in the city. When he unexpectedly reunites with his old flame Ilsa Lund, he is forced to choose between his love for her and helping her husband, Victor Laszlo, escape the Nazis. The film also stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains and Paul Henreid, and is considered one of the greatest films of all time.

From Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Emilia Fox
Rated R

The Pianist is a biographical film based on the autobiography of the same name by Polish-Jewish musician and composer Władysław Szpilman. The film follows Szpilman’s harrowing journey during World War II as he is forced to flee the Warsaw Ghetto and survive as a fugitive in the ruins of the city. Along the way, he experiences the horror of the Holocaust, including being taken in by a German officer who recognizes his musical talent. Ultimately, Szpilman finds solace in his music, which becomes a symbol of hope and courage as he perseveres through the darkest of times.

From Isao Takahata, starring Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Akemi Yamaguchi, Yoshiko Shinohara
Rated Not Rated

Grave of the Fireflies is an animated drama film directed by Isao Takahata, released in 1988. It is based on the 1967 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka. Set during World War II in Japan, the story follows the lives of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, and their struggle to survive during the firebombing of Kobe by the American forces. Seita and Setsuko are left alone after the death of their mother due to the bombing and must fend for themselves against the cruel realities of war. With no one else to rely on, the two find solace in each other as they attempt to live life to the fullest. Through a combination of heartbreaking moments and moments of hope, Grave of the Fireflies follows Seita and Setsuko’s journey through a harrowing wartime experience and the grim aftermath.

From Wolfgang Petersen, starring Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann, Hubertus Bengsch
Rated R

The Boat is a 1981 German drama film directed by Wolfgang Petersen. It tells the story of Willi Herold, a German deserter during the final days of World War II. After evading capture by the Allies, he finds a damaged boat and takes it as his own, assuming the identity of its captain. With his newfound power, Herold begins to terrorize and torture the people he meets, eventually becoming a Nazi war criminal. The film follows his journey from a desperate deserter to a powerful villain, and his ultimate reckoning with justice.

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth, Mélanie Laurent
Rated R

Inglourious Basterds is a 2009 historical war film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It is set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, and tells the story of two plots to assassinate Nazi leaders. A team of Jewish-American soldiers known as the "Basterds" are recruited to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. A French-Jewish cinema owner named Shoshanna plots to burn down a movie theater filled with senior Nazi officials. In the end, both plots succeed, resulting in the deaths of many Nazi officers and their collaborators. The film stars Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Mélanie Laurent, and Eli Roth.

From Guillermo del Toro, starring Ivana Baquero, Ariadna Gil, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú
Rated R

Pan's Labyrinth is a fantasy drama set in Spain in 1944, five years after the Spanish civil war. It follows the story of Ofelia (Ivana Baquero), a young girl who is brought to the countryside to live with her mother and new stepfather, the authoritarian Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez). Ofelia soon discovers a mysterious labyrinth and meets a faun, who reveals to her that she is a princess from another world and sends her on a series of tasks in order to prove her royal heritage. With these tasks, Ofelia must face danger and magic, and decide between loyalty to her family and loyalty to the fantasy world. Along the way, Ofelia discovers the truth about her past and must find the courage to embrace her destiny.

From Oliver Hirschbiegel, starring Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane Köhler
Rated R

Downfall is a 2004 German-language historical drama directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel. Set during the last days of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich, the film follows the political and personal struggles of Hitler, his inner circle of Nazi leaders, and their attempts to stave off the destruction of Berlin from the advancing Red Army. The film is based on several eyewitness accounts from Hitler’s bunker, and examines the psychological toll of the war on those involved by exploring their personal human struggles as the Third Reich collapses. The film stars Bruno Ganz as Hitler and follows his descent into paranoia and insanity as he attempts to maintain control of the crumbling Nazi regime. The film culminates in Hitler’s suicide and the surrender of Berlin.

From Ernst Lubitsch, starring Carole Lombard, Jack Benny, Robert Stack, Felix Bressart
Rated Passed

To Be or Not to Be is a 1942 black comedy directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Jack Benny and Carole Lombard. Set in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II, the film follows the plight of a married couple, Joseph and Maria Tura (Benny and Lombard), who are both performers in a Polish theater company. When Maria’s former lover, the Polish actor Stanislav Sobinski (Robert Stack), joins the resistance movement, he is pursued by the Nazis. In order to help Stanislav, the Turas and their theater company devise a plan to disguise themselves as Nazis and help him escape. With a combination of wit, courage, and deception, the Turas and their troupe of actors manage to outwit the Nazis and help Stanislav to safety. In the end, they prove that they are not only talented actors, but also brave and resourceful individuals.

From David Lean, starring William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, Sessue Hayakawa
Rated PG

The Bridge on the River Kwai is a 1957 British war film directed by David Lean and based on the novel by Pierre Boulle. The film stars Alec Guinness, William Holden, Jack Hawkins, and Sessue Hayakawa, and follows the story of a British colonial officer (Guinness) who is tasked with overseeing the construction of a bridge for the Japanese troops during the Second World War. The construction of the bridge is met with resistance from the British officers and prisoners, who are determined to sabotage the project in order to slow down the Japanese advance. The film follows the struggle between the duty of the British officers and their loyalty to their country. In the end, the bridge is completed, but the British manage to destroy it as a part of their plan to thwart the Japanese. The film won seven Academy Awards and remains an iconic classic in cinema history.

From John Sturges, starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson
Rated Approved

The Great Escape is a classic 1963 film directed by John Sturges. The film is based on the true story of an audacious escape by Allied prisoners of war from a German POW camp during World War II. Led by a group of British and American officers, the prisoners plan and build an elaborate escape route out of the camp. With the help of a few brave and resourceful individuals, they manage to break out and make their way to freedom. Along the way, they must evade the relentless pursuit of the Gestapo, as well as the challenges of an unforgiving winter landscape. In the end, their courage and ingenuity prevail and they make a daring escape.

From William Wyler, starring Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Fredric March, Teresa Wright
Rated Approved

The Best Years of Our Lives is a 1946 American drama film about three World War II veterans returning home to small-town America to rebuild their lives after serving in the war. The film follows the trials of the veterans—Al Stephenson, Fred Derry, and Homer Parrish—as they attempt to adjust to civilian life and face the struggles of post-war America, including financial hardship, PTSD, discrimination, and difficulty transitioning back into their roles as husbands and fathers. The film stars Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo, and Harold Russell as the veterans, and features a script by Robert E. Sherwood and an acclaimed score by Hugo Friedhofer. Directed by William Wyler, The Best Years of Our Lives was a critical and commercial success, being the first (and to date, only) non-documentary film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

From Mel Gibson, starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer
Rated R

Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 World War II drama directed by Mel Gibson and starring Andrew Garfield. The film tells the true story of Desmond T. Doss, the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Doss, a devout Seventh-day Adventist Christian from Lynchburg, Virginia, was a conscientious objector who refused to carry a weapon or kill during World War II. He serves as a medic in the Battle of Okinawa and singlehandedly saves the lives of 75 fellow soldiers, despite facing enemy fire and putting himself in grave danger. Despite heavy opposition from his commanding officers, Doss is ultimately able to fulfill his duties with distinction and honor. The film received critical praise and 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. It won two Academy Awards, for Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing.

From Louis Malle, starring Gaspard Manesse, Raphael Fejtö, Francine Racette, Stanislas Carré de Malberg
Rated PG

Goodbye, Children is a French drama film directed by Louis Malle, released in 1987. Set in 1944 during the Nazi occupation of France, the film tells the story of a group of children attending a Catholic boarding school. As the war progresses and more Jews are rounded up and sent to concentration camps, the oppressive atmosphere of the school grows increasingly tense. When a Jewish student named Julien is rejected by the school, the headmaster, Father Jean, must confront his own anti-Semitism and moral cowardice. The children, meanwhile, struggle with their own fears and prejudices as they come to terms with the reality of the war. Ultimately, the film is an unflinching look at the devastating effects of prejudice and hatred, and the courage and morality required to confront them.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Stephen Young, Michael Strong
Rated GP

Patton is a 1970 American epic biographical war film about U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II. It stars George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Michael Bates, and Karl Michael Vogler. The film was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and written by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North. The film follows General Patton as he leads the U.S. Third Army in campaigns across North Africa, Sicily, and Europe, during World War II. Through the narrative, Patton's controversial, but highly successful, leadership style is explored and contrasted against the opinions of his superiors, who frequently question his methods. Patton was a huge critical and commercial success, earning seven Academy Award nominations, including for Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott. It was the first in a trilogy of films about World War II, followed by MacArthur (1977), and The Last Days of Patton (1986).

From Taika Waititi, starring Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson, Taika Waititi
Rated PG-13

Jojo Rabbit is a satirical dark comedy written and directed by Taika Waititi. Set in Nazi Germany during the last days of World War II, the film follows Jojo Betzler, a ten-year-old Hitler Youth member whose imaginary friend is an idiotic version of Adolf Hitler. After discovering a young Jewish girl, Elsa, hidden in his attic, Jojo must confront his blind nationalism and deal with the tumultuous changes to his world view. The film also stars Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, and Thomasin McKenzie as Elsa. Through its comedic and heartfelt story, Jojo Rabbit aims to show how even in the darkest of times, hope and love can still prevail.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryô Kase
Rated R

Letters from Iwo Jima is a 2006 war drama directed by Clint Eastwood, recounting the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of the Japanese soldiers. The film focuses on the experiences of four individuals: Saigo, a baker; Baron Nishi, an Olympic equestrian; Shimizu, a young soldier; and Lieutenant General Kuribayashi, the commander of the defense of Iwo Jima. As the battle progresses and the Japanese forces face the overwhelming odds of the US Army, the four men must grapple with the moral and emotional consequences of their actions, as well as their loyalty to their country. Through their letters, the soldiers reveal their innermost thoughts and motivations, providing a unique and powerful insight into the tragedy of war.

From Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Brenda Blethyn, Saoirse Ronan
Rated R

Atonement is a 2007 British period drama film directed by Joe Wright and based on the novel of the same name by Ian McEwan. The film follows the story of 13-year-old Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) and her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and their love affair with Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). When Briony mistakenly accuses Robbie of a crime, their lives are changed forever. The film follows the consequences of that decision as Briony grows up and attempts to make amends for her wrongs. The film culminates in the iconic beach scene where Briony and Cecilia's paths cross one last time. This film is a powerful exploration of the nature of truth, guilt, and forgiveness.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Fionn Whitehead, Barry Keoghan, Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy
Rated PG-13

Dunkirk is a 2017 action-thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan. It tells the story of the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk, France during World War II. The story follows the combined efforts of the British Army, the Royal Air Force, and the French and Belgian armies to rescue the 330,000 troops that were stranded on the beach. The film follows several different narrative perspectives, including a civilian boat sailing across the channel to save soldiers, a Royal Air Force pilot striving to protect the evacuating troops, and a group of soldiers desperately trying to survive on the beach. Ultimately, the Allied forces succeed in evacuating the majority of the troops, but not without suffering heavy casualties in the process. Through its stunning visuals and thrilling action sequences, Dunkirk celebrates the courage and determination of the Allied forces in the face of overwhelming odds.

From Robert Aldrich, starring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, John Cassavetes
Rated Approved

The Dirty Dozen is a 1967 American war film directed by Robert Aldrich and starring Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, and John Cassavetes. It tells the story of twelve convicted military prisoners who are given the chance to reduce their sentences by volunteering for a dangerous mission to infiltrate and destroy a Nazi compound. Despite their criminal pasts, the team band together to face their common enemy and complete the mission. With a mix of intense action and dark humor, The Dirty Dozen is an iconic war movie that remains a classic to this day.

From Terrence Malick, starring Jim Caviezel, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Kirk Acevedo
Rated R

The Thin Red Line is a 1998 American war drama film written and directed by Terrence Malick. It tells the story of a group of United States Army soldiers during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. The film follows the juxtaposed stories of several characters including Private Witt (Jim Caviezel), a soldier who has deserted his post and is living in the jungle, and Sergeant Welsh (Sean Penn), a battle-hardened veteran. Along with his fellow soldiers, Witt finds himself caught in the chaotic and brutal violence of war, and his beliefs and convictions are tested as he struggles to survive. The film also features actors Nick Nolte, John Cusack, Adrien Brody, and Woody Harrelson in supporting roles.