War and Anti-War Films
"War and Anti-War Films" often acknowledge the horror and heartbreak of war, letting the actual combat fighting or conflict (against nations or humankind) provide the primary plot or background for the action of the film. Typical elements in the action-oriented war plots include POW camp experiences and escapes, submarine warfare, espionage, personal heroism, "war is hell" brutalities, air dogfights, tough trench/infantry experiences, or male-bonding buddy adventures during wartime. Themes explored in war films include combat, survivor and escape stories, tales of gallant sacrifice and struggle, studies of the futility and inhumanity of battle, the effects of war on society, and intelligent and profound explorations of the moral and human issues.
Listed below are all the very best of this genre. Scroll yer heart out....
Le Silence De La Mer (1949)
7.7/10
Director: Jean-Pierre Melville
Starring: Howard Vernon, Nicole Stephane, Jean-Marie Robain
Aka 'The Silence of the Sea'. Jean-Pierre Melville's cinematic adaptation of French Resistance writer Vercors' acclaimed 1942 novel is one of the most... Read more
Leben fur Leben ( Life for Life ) (1991)
Director: Krzysztof Zanussi
In 1941, a young Silesian, Jan, manages to escape from Auschwitz. In retaliation, the camp commandant condemns 10 prisoners to the 'starvation bunker... Read more
Lee (2023)
6.9/10
Starring: Kate Winslet, Andy Samberg, Alexander Skarsgard, Marion Cotillard, Andrea Risebo...
The story of photographer Elizabeth `Lee' Miller, a fashion model who became an acclaimed war correspondent for Vogue magazine during World War II. Read more
Léon Morin, Priest (1961)
7.7/10
Director: Jean-Pierre Melville
Starring: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Emmanuele Riva
In World War II, the widow Barny sees the Italian soldiers arriving in occupied Saint Bernard while walking to her job. Barny lives with her daughter... Read more
Let George Do It! (1940)
Director: Marcel Varnel
Starring: George Formby, Phyllis Calvert, Garry Marsh, Romney Brent, Bernard Lee, Coral Br...
One of British comedian George Formby's most successful films, in this war-time musical he plays ukelele-ist George Hepplewhite who gets on a boat thi... Read more
Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)
7.9/10
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryo Kase, Shido Nakamura, Hiros...
Clint Eastwood's companion-piece to 'Flags of Our Fathers' recounts the same battle, only from the perspective of the Japanese. Iconic actor Ken Wata... Read more
Letters From Iwo Jima ( Blu-ray ) (2006)
7.9/10
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Ken Watanabe, Hiroshi Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryo Kase, Shi...
Clint Eastwood's companion-piece to 'Flags of Our Fathers' recounts the same battle, only from the perspective of the Japanese. Iconic actor Ken Watan... Read more
Libertarias (1996)
7.1/10
Director: Vicente Aranda
Starring: Miguel Bose, Ana Belen, Ariadna Gil
This big-budget Spanish drama pays tribute to the courageous women who sacrificed their lives during the Spanish Civil War in 1936. Maria's peaceful l... Read more
Life is a Miracle (2004)
7.6/10
Director: Emir Kusturica
Starring: Slavko Stimac, Vesna Trivalic, Vuk Kostic, Natasa Solak, Stribor Kusturica
In 1992, war is brewing in Bosnia, but the city fathers in the town of Golobuci are going ahead with their plans to build a railroad they hope will br... Read more
Life is Beautiful (1998)
8.6/10
Director: Roberto Benigni
Starring: Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi
Receiving Oscars for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor, Roberto Benigni's celebrated and popular film boldly blends a sentimental and humourou... Read more