It's movie recommendation time again! We saw talented filmmakers making films like Dunkirk, The darkest hour and Hacksaw Ridge this year. So I assume that the spectre of war continues to lure filmmakers and audience alike. Like Dunkirk, most of the films in the list offer a unique, immersive experience and are very well researched(Many were based on books), most of them, while being good stories, also recreate the events very realistically. There are some well known titles but If you’re looking for those lesser-known, "Why didn't I hear about this earlier?" types, look no further :
The Longest day(1962) - Focuses on the invasion of Normandy(Which was famously depicted in Saving private Ryan later). This black and white epic is the granddaddy of all the big budget war films. You must watch it for the sheer ambition, massive nature of the production and the kind of spectacular visuals you would naturally expect out of a gigantic production like that.
A bridge too far(1977) - Like the Longest day, this needs to be praised for the massive nature of the production. (As a fun exercise, try counting the number of stars in the cast !), It recreates a complicated,logistically challenging and tragic military venture to capture an important bridge. Watch it for the breathtaking, extravagant scale and sweep. There are no CGI effects; most of what's onscreen is real, Like in The longest day, if you see four thousand people in the screen, you can be sure that they actually used 4,000 people to shoot it !
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War : Korean. One of the most intense and bloodiest war movies out there. The war scenes are unflinchingly visceral,gruesome,frenetic and harrowing. That said, at the core of it is an emotional story of brothers that will pull your heartstrings.
The Dam busters(1955) - This forgotten classic stands out because it chronicles the efforts of a middle-aged scientist whose work was crucial for an RAF mission to bomb the German dams. A fascinating real life story is made engrossing by the gradual buildup of tension and the likeable lead character.
Saving Private Ryan - This has become the gold standard against which all war films are measured. Chilling, horrific and unforgettable images of the opening sequence are matched by the cinematic virtuosity showcased in the staging of the long battle in the end. Be it the choreography of the battles, or the emotional appeal of the story or the meticulous period details, Spielberg gets it all right.
Ran(1985): Akira Kurosawa's take on King Lear set in the 16th century feudal Japan. It's not a war film but has some battle scenes that are visually arresting, colourful and
electrifying. The film is grand-scaled, bleak, evocative and magnificent. You should also read the stories about the making. For ex: They actually built a castle for the film and burned it down !
Twelve O’Clock High (1949) - This superlative drama was written by people who actually worked in the Air force. It is then no surprise that it is one of the first
Hollywood films to probe realistically the pressure and anxieties of occupying high-command positions. There is surprisingly little fighting and action for a war film. The depiction of emotional vulnerability of soldiers coupled with the theme of leadership under extraordinary circumstances makes it a superior film. The film has been used by the military in workshops.
Red Cliff(Released as part 1 and part 2): This Chinese historical war movie is a grand, sweeping spectacle. The tactics, strategies, counter-moves,formations and
things like that is what makes it special. It is flashy and massive. This was one of the primary inspirations for Bahubali.
Patton (1970) - This one is remembered for the bombastic and mesmerising performance of George C Scott as the flamboyant US general, George Patton (Scott famously refused to accept the Oscars and said that the Oscars were a "meat market" !) Francis Ford Coppola of Godfather fame wrote a brilliant script. The battle set pieces are set in authentic locations(They shot it in 18 countries!) and are expertly envisioned without any computer graphics.
The Front Line (2011): Set during the closing weeks of the Korean War, it follows a platoon of soldiers from the south as they try to take an important hill. It starts off as a mystery themed character piece and slowly turns into an intense, unrelenting survival story of brotherhood in the midst of a chaotic battle.
Enemy at the gates - This one is set around the siege of Stalingrad and it concentrates on intense stand-offs and cat and mouse games between two snipers. that remind us of nail-biters This quasi-factual film is an expertly crafted thrill ride.
Assembly (2007): A Chinese film showing the Chinese civil war. It starts with gritty and riveting battle sequences and goes one step further, shows what happens once the war is over. It changes gears and becomes a moving tale of honour, heroism, and sacrifice.
The big red one(1980) - Sam Fuller who was known as a tough talking,talented filmmaker, was actually there on the shores of Africa and Europe as a soldier. So he does not romanticise war and chooses to immerse viewers in the experiences of four young soldiers as they travel in this unsentimental, episodic tale. His version was 4 hours long and the studio had cut half of it for theatrical release which broke Fuller's heart. We now have a restored version that has 45 minutes of extra footage. This acclaimed version is the one that you should watch.
A Very Long Engagement (2004): Jean Pierre Jeunet is known for his dazzling visual style, whimsical,quirky characters and crazy colour palette. This film is no
exception. Though not a war film, it is the story of one girl's search for her missing fiancee that has the trench warfare of World War I as the backdrop.
9th Company: This provides a glimpse into the tragic Soviet occupation of Afghanistan through the eyes of a handful Russian soldiers. It is a bit like Full metal jacket blended with The Platoon set in the unforgiving landscapes of Afghanistan. A rousing combat film filled with action.
Paths of Glory(1957) - Legendary director Stanley Kubrick manages to create a devastating experience. Cold-blooded inhumanity of War and the kind of things done in the name of patriotism are depicted in such a blunt and scathingly brilliant manner that it was banned in France for 18 years.
Full metal jacket - Kubrick revisited the war genre with this. He wasn't particularly interested in following conventions, nor was he ever known to cater to an audience's expectations and you can see that here and in Paths of Glory. The film is split into two distinct halves. First half is spent in Boot Camp training which is strangely and extraordinarily compelling and humorous at the same time. 2nd half is spent in the battleground. All in all, the created an intriguingly intimate war film like no other.
Platoon - This provocative film by Oliver Stone, who himself was a soldier, captures the dehumanizing power of war effectively. Actors were made to undergo the rigorous training just like soldiers do and were made to lose sleep for authenticity! We get to see the relentless horror and the senseless savagery as the director takes us through the messy tour of duty in the jungles of Vietnam.
The Admiral - Roaring Currents (2014): This one broke all the box office records in Korea, if you watch it you will know why. This is a period film showing Naval battle. The sea battles are rousing and epic. The scale is huge and magnificent. Drink some water if you have to in advance, you will not blink or get up during the third act, the climactic battle goes on for 30-40 minutes, it is incredible and epic.
Honorable mentions:
Hell is for heroes(1962) - A decent low budget film by the famous director Don Siegel (He was Clint Eastwood's guru) about a group of soldiers trying to hold off a superior enemy.
Idi i smotri (Come and See) - The destruction of a Russian village seen through the eyes of a peasant boy. It is bizarre, disturbing, and haunting
Battle of Britain - This big budget film was directed by Guy Hamilton of James Bond series fame. Falls into the good but nothing exceptional category.
71 into the fire is a South Korean film about a bunch of students trying to defend a strategically important territory. Nothing extraordinary but there is drama,rivalry,tension and all that to keep you hooked.
Cross of Iron - Sam Peckinpah, known for making westerns that were brutal, unforgiving, and vicious was an ideal choice to direct a war movie and he delivers. Peckinpah used to drink heavily during the shoot and ended up exceeding the budget and waging a war with the producers(He made this one towards the end of his declining career). Film depicts the struggles and the power politics of a German unit advancing against the Soviet Union in the eastern front. Depiction of small unit warfare is excellent, the battle scenes are Confusing, chaotic, frightening . Technically brilliant and superbly photographed.
The Brest Fortress (2010): About desperate Russians trying to protect their place from the invading troops. A good one time watch.
Indigènes (Days of Glory): About the journey of Africans who join the French army and struggle with discrimination and racial stuff. Manages to show the world war from a completely different perspective.
Suggestions are welcome :)
The Longest day(1962) - Focuses on the invasion of Normandy(Which was famously depicted in Saving private Ryan later). This black and white epic is the granddaddy of all the big budget war films. You must watch it for the sheer ambition, massive nature of the production and the kind of spectacular visuals you would naturally expect out of a gigantic production like that.
A bridge too far(1977) - Like the Longest day, this needs to be praised for the massive nature of the production. (As a fun exercise, try counting the number of stars in the cast !), It recreates a complicated,logistically challenging and tragic military venture to capture an important bridge. Watch it for the breathtaking, extravagant scale and sweep. There are no CGI effects; most of what's onscreen is real, Like in The longest day, if you see four thousand people in the screen, you can be sure that they actually used 4,000 people to shoot it !
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War : Korean. One of the most intense and bloodiest war movies out there. The war scenes are unflinchingly visceral,gruesome,frenetic and harrowing. That said, at the core of it is an emotional story of brothers that will pull your heartstrings.
The Dam busters(1955) - This forgotten classic stands out because it chronicles the efforts of a middle-aged scientist whose work was crucial for an RAF mission to bomb the German dams. A fascinating real life story is made engrossing by the gradual buildup of tension and the likeable lead character.
Saving Private Ryan - This has become the gold standard against which all war films are measured. Chilling, horrific and unforgettable images of the opening sequence are matched by the cinematic virtuosity showcased in the staging of the long battle in the end. Be it the choreography of the battles, or the emotional appeal of the story or the meticulous period details, Spielberg gets it all right.
Ran(1985): Akira Kurosawa's take on King Lear set in the 16th century feudal Japan. It's not a war film but has some battle scenes that are visually arresting, colourful and
electrifying. The film is grand-scaled, bleak, evocative and magnificent. You should also read the stories about the making. For ex: They actually built a castle for the film and burned it down !
Twelve O’Clock High (1949) - This superlative drama was written by people who actually worked in the Air force. It is then no surprise that it is one of the first
Hollywood films to probe realistically the pressure and anxieties of occupying high-command positions. There is surprisingly little fighting and action for a war film. The depiction of emotional vulnerability of soldiers coupled with the theme of leadership under extraordinary circumstances makes it a superior film. The film has been used by the military in workshops.
Red Cliff(Released as part 1 and part 2): This Chinese historical war movie is a grand, sweeping spectacle. The tactics, strategies, counter-moves,formations and
things like that is what makes it special. It is flashy and massive. This was one of the primary inspirations for Bahubali.
Patton (1970) - This one is remembered for the bombastic and mesmerising performance of George C Scott as the flamboyant US general, George Patton (Scott famously refused to accept the Oscars and said that the Oscars were a "meat market" !) Francis Ford Coppola of Godfather fame wrote a brilliant script. The battle set pieces are set in authentic locations(They shot it in 18 countries!) and are expertly envisioned without any computer graphics.
The Front Line (2011): Set during the closing weeks of the Korean War, it follows a platoon of soldiers from the south as they try to take an important hill. It starts off as a mystery themed character piece and slowly turns into an intense, unrelenting survival story of brotherhood in the midst of a chaotic battle.
Enemy at the gates - This one is set around the siege of Stalingrad and it concentrates on intense stand-offs and cat and mouse games between two snipers. that remind us of nail-biters This quasi-factual film is an expertly crafted thrill ride.
Assembly (2007): A Chinese film showing the Chinese civil war. It starts with gritty and riveting battle sequences and goes one step further, shows what happens once the war is over. It changes gears and becomes a moving tale of honour, heroism, and sacrifice.
The big red one(1980) - Sam Fuller who was known as a tough talking,talented filmmaker, was actually there on the shores of Africa and Europe as a soldier. So he does not romanticise war and chooses to immerse viewers in the experiences of four young soldiers as they travel in this unsentimental, episodic tale. His version was 4 hours long and the studio had cut half of it for theatrical release which broke Fuller's heart. We now have a restored version that has 45 minutes of extra footage. This acclaimed version is the one that you should watch.
A Very Long Engagement (2004): Jean Pierre Jeunet is known for his dazzling visual style, whimsical,quirky characters and crazy colour palette. This film is no
exception. Though not a war film, it is the story of one girl's search for her missing fiancee that has the trench warfare of World War I as the backdrop.
9th Company: This provides a glimpse into the tragic Soviet occupation of Afghanistan through the eyes of a handful Russian soldiers. It is a bit like Full metal jacket blended with The Platoon set in the unforgiving landscapes of Afghanistan. A rousing combat film filled with action.
Paths of Glory(1957) - Legendary director Stanley Kubrick manages to create a devastating experience. Cold-blooded inhumanity of War and the kind of things done in the name of patriotism are depicted in such a blunt and scathingly brilliant manner that it was banned in France for 18 years.
Full metal jacket - Kubrick revisited the war genre with this. He wasn't particularly interested in following conventions, nor was he ever known to cater to an audience's expectations and you can see that here and in Paths of Glory. The film is split into two distinct halves. First half is spent in Boot Camp training which is strangely and extraordinarily compelling and humorous at the same time. 2nd half is spent in the battleground. All in all, the created an intriguingly intimate war film like no other.
Platoon - This provocative film by Oliver Stone, who himself was a soldier, captures the dehumanizing power of war effectively. Actors were made to undergo the rigorous training just like soldiers do and were made to lose sleep for authenticity! We get to see the relentless horror and the senseless savagery as the director takes us through the messy tour of duty in the jungles of Vietnam.
The Admiral - Roaring Currents (2014): This one broke all the box office records in Korea, if you watch it you will know why. This is a period film showing Naval battle. The sea battles are rousing and epic. The scale is huge and magnificent. Drink some water if you have to in advance, you will not blink or get up during the third act, the climactic battle goes on for 30-40 minutes, it is incredible and epic.
Honorable mentions:
Hell is for heroes(1962) - A decent low budget film by the famous director Don Siegel (He was Clint Eastwood's guru) about a group of soldiers trying to hold off a superior enemy.
Idi i smotri (Come and See) - The destruction of a Russian village seen through the eyes of a peasant boy. It is bizarre, disturbing, and haunting
Battle of Britain - This big budget film was directed by Guy Hamilton of James Bond series fame. Falls into the good but nothing exceptional category.
71 into the fire is a South Korean film about a bunch of students trying to defend a strategically important territory. Nothing extraordinary but there is drama,rivalry,tension and all that to keep you hooked.
Cross of Iron - Sam Peckinpah, known for making westerns that were brutal, unforgiving, and vicious was an ideal choice to direct a war movie and he delivers. Peckinpah used to drink heavily during the shoot and ended up exceeding the budget and waging a war with the producers(He made this one towards the end of his declining career). Film depicts the struggles and the power politics of a German unit advancing against the Soviet Union in the eastern front. Depiction of small unit warfare is excellent, the battle scenes are Confusing, chaotic, frightening . Technically brilliant and superbly photographed.
The Brest Fortress (2010): About desperate Russians trying to protect their place from the invading troops. A good one time watch.
Indigènes (Days of Glory): About the journey of Africans who join the French army and struggle with discrimination and racial stuff. Manages to show the world war from a completely different perspective.
Suggestions are welcome :)
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