Movies are a great medium to showcase any momentous chapter of history or any fictional saga to tell the story. One such genre of movies is war movies. War movies are very popular among every section of society and people. War movies create an atmosphere of patriotism and pride in general. Not only that, the scale of production of these movies are magnanimous. But among so many war movies, which one to watch?
List of the best War movies of all times:
1. Apocalypse Now
This certainly can be titled as the best war movies of all time, with 2 Oscars in its kitty along with 8 nominations in Oscars .This piece of art has 4 Golden Globe Nominations and won 3 out of it. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola It starrs Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall and many more artists. It belongs to the genres of Drama, War and mystery.
The movie is set during the Vietnam war and how a U.S.Army captain Willard is sent on a mission which is not known to anyone. The mission to find Walter Krutz, whose army crossed the border in Cambodia and is plotting against the Viet Cong and NVA.
2. Saving Private Ryan
This masterpiece was directed by one of the most popular and talented directors Steven Spielberg in 1998. The movie stars actors like Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Vin Diesel, Edward Burns and many more.
It is an epic war movie based during World War II. During the Normandy infiltration Captain John Miller is given the task to find Private James Ryan, whose three brothers have been killed in the war.
The movie showcases the “sole-Survivor” policy of the military. That means when a family experiences the loss of its sons the lone remaining member will not serve the army. It won most of the prestigious awards like Oscars, Golden Globe, BAFTA, etc.
3. The Hurt Locker
One of the best war movies which was released in 2008 is directed by Kathryn Bigelow. It stars Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Evangeline Lilly and others.
The story revolves around special soldiers who disarm bombs. Suddenly James, the new sergeant, when takes over the team stuns the others with his behavior and how his moves lead to a chaotic situation in the city due to explosions.
The movie won lots of critical as well as commercial success. This movie bagged the best motion picture of the year at the Oscars along with 5 Oscar wins with a total of 9 nominations at the Oscars. It also got 7 nominations at the BAFTA and won 5 out of 7.
4. The Bridge On The River Kwai
It is a war movie released in 1957 and directed by David Lean. It is one of the best war movies of all time as it does not involve war but it also shows the struggle of human obsession and emotions. Setup in the theme of World War II, British POWs are forced to build a railway bridge across the river Kwai for their Japanese captors in occupied Burma, not knowing that the allied forces are planning a daring commando raid through the jungle to destroy it. The movie stars William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins, and others. Winner of 7 Oscars, 3 Golden Globes and 4 BAFTA awards, it’s a must watch.
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5. Schindler’s List
Another masterpiece directed by Steven Spielberg, this period war drama unfolds in World War II. The main character Oskar Schindler is a vain and greedy German business tycoon who becomes a humanitarian amid the barbaric German reign when he feels compelled to turn his factory into a refuge for jews. This movie is based on a true story of Oskar Schindler who saved 1100 Jews at the Auschwitz concentration camp. It is not a war movie, it is a movie which teaches us humanity lives in us, it’s only the circumstances which tests our character. The main cast includes Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley , Ralph Fiennes and others. This movie won many awards including 7 Oscars, 6 BAFTA awards and 3 Golden Globe awards.
6. Braveheart
One of the best war movies of all times list is incomplete without this Mel Gibson directed war drama which was released in 1995. It stars Mel Gibson, Catherine McCormack, James Robinson, Sean Lwlor and many more. This is the story of William Wallace who is a Scottish rebel and he rises up against the cruel English ruler Edward the Longsharks who wants to be the king of Scotland. How William Wallace fulfilled his quest to free Scotland is shown in this masterpiece of art.
7. The Thin Red Line
This war movie is considered as one of the classics directed by Terrence Malick released in 1998. It’s the second screen adaptation of the 1962 novel of The thin red lines by James Jones. The story revolves around a group of soldiers who faced an unlikely battle at the Guadalcanal. They fight against all odds in order to survive and as the war progresses they lose out on each other but still hoping to win the war. The movie stars Jim Caviezel, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte and many more actors.
To summarize a few movies as the best war movies of all times is a very tough task. Some of the movies, which are not mentioned include: The Great Escape, The Deer Hunter, Inglourious Basterds, Full Metal Jacket, Paths Of Glory and many more. Maybe 1951’s The Desert Fox: Story of Rommel also makes the cut!
So decide which one you want to see and enjoy and experience the magic of movies.