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....
Secret Mission (1942)
5.4/10
Director: Harold French
Starring: Michael Wilding, James Mason, Hugh Williams
During World War II, four British intelligence men are sent to assess the strength of German defences in occupied France. They require forged papers,... Read more
See You Up There (Au revoir la-haut) (2017)
7.6/10
Director: Albert Dupontel
Starring: Albert Dupontel, Andre Marcon, Niels Arestrup, Emilie Dequenne, Nahuel Perez Bis...
November 1918. A few days before the Armistice, Édouard Péricourt saves Albert Maillard's life. These two men have nothing in common but the war. Lieu... Read more
Sergeant York (1941)
7.8/10
Director: Howard Hawks
Starring: Gary Cooper, George Tobias, Joan Leslie, Walter Brennan
Torn between religious pacifism and patriotism, Alvin York of Tennessee went on to become World War I's most acclaimed hero. As the simple backwoods f... Read more
Sgt Bilko: Volume 1 (1955)
5.7/10
Starring: Harvey Lembeck, Phil Silvers, Paul Ford, Maurice Gosfield, Billy Sands
Comedy legend Phil Silvers is Sgt. Ernie Bilko, the ultimate con man. He runs the motor pool at a small Kansas US Army Camp, nominally run by Colonel... Read more
Sharpe Vol. 1: Sharpe's Rifles / Sharpe's Eagle (1993)
Director: Tom Clegg
Starring: Sean Bean, Darragh O'Malley, Brian Cox, Assumpta Serna
'Sharpe's Rifles' - Portugal 1809, the Peninsular War in the age of Napoleon. A British sergeant (Sean Bean) in the 95th Rifles saves the life of Arth... Read more
Sharpe Vol. 2: Sharpe's Company / Sharpe's Enemy / Sharpe's Honour (1993)
Director: Tom Clegg
Starring: Sean Bean, Pete Postlethwaite, Elizabeth Hurley, Assumpta Serna, Hugh Fraser
'Sharpe's Company' - Spain 1812, Sharpe is relieved from Captaincy with the arrival of new officers. Among them is his old nemesis, Obadiah Hakeswill... Read more
Sharpe Vol. 3: Sharpe's Gold / Sharpe's Battle / Sharpe's Sword (1995)
Director: Tom Clegg
Starring: Sean Bean, Darragh O'Malley, James Purefoy, Emily Mortimer, Ian McNeice
'Sharpe's Gold' - Spain 1813, Major Richard Sharpe is assigned the task of trading guns for English deserters. He must pit his wits against El Casco.... Read more
Sharpe Vol. 4: Sharpe's Regiment / Sharpe's Siege / Sharpe's Mission (1996)
Director: Tom Clegg
Starring: Sean Bean, Abigail Cruttenden, Nicholas Farrell, Darragh O'Malley, Hugh Fraser,...
'Sharpe's Regiment' - England 1813, Sharpe and Harper uncover corruption and wrong-doing galore whilst investigating the recruit shortages in the Brit... Read more
Sharpe Vol. 7: Sharpe's Peril (2008)
Director: Tom Clegg
Starring: Sean Bean, Daragh O'Malley, Raza Jaffrey
Following on from "Sharpe's Challenge", Sean Bean returns as swashbuckling soldier Richard Sharpe in this action-packed drama based on the popular cha... Read more
Shaurya (2008)
7.4/10
Director: Samar Khan
Starring: Rahul Bose, Kay Kay Menon, Seema Biswas, Deepak Dobriyal, Javed Jaffrey
Captain Javed Khan has been charged with mutiny, treason and killing a fellow officer. Old friends Akash and Sid are assigned as defense and prosecuti... Read more