Usually, movies shown nowadays are all about, love, laughter or horror. Are you one of those who are fed up with this continuous cycle, then feel free to check our top 10 greatest war movies of all time!
As we assure you that our list don’t suck at all, we’re giving you the greatest war movies of all time; but don’t expect that’ll be more of guns, soldiers and all. We’re giving you the opportunity to select war movies from different genres! You heard it right amigo, these greatest war movies of all time are of different faces of people involved in war. Let’s get the ball rolling!
1. Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
Judging from the title itself, Letters from Iwo Jima is a Japanese-themed movie revolving around the World War 2, using the Japanese perspective. While for some who retained pains of the war from WW2, this is the Japanese’s opportunity to show the world that Japanese weren’t at all ruthless as history books can imply. The plot, revolving around the experiences of the Japanese soldiers, gave justice to the past without being oversentimental. You may expect that the cinematography of this movie would be war-ridden, but using innovative techniques in film producing, this certainly deserves a spot in our top ten list of greatest war movies of all time.
Ken Watanabe playing General Tadamichi Kuribayashi.
2. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
This is not you war movie wherein a rescue mission is set to be accomplished. Steve Spielberg does it again with this masterpiece set up during the invasion of Normandy, World War 2 era. Spielberg and Tom Hanks were a powerful combination for the film itself. Depicting war combat has never been so realistic; it gives the impression of experiencing war itself by just watching. As one critic had mentioned, this movie epitomizes the paradox of all great filmmaking: It’s a thrillingly violent war drama about an unbearably painful subject.
Steven Spielberg cast Matt Damon as Ryan because he wanted an unknown actor with an All-American look.
3. Schindler’s List (1993)
Wait anime fans, this is not Death Note or you ordinary blacklist assassination film. This is a true story of a Nazi Industrialist, who goes by the name of Oskar Schindler, who saved thousands of innocent Jews from the concentration camps. Another classic from Spielberg, this oozes out the essence of the nightmare once hidden to the world. Using black and white cinematography, it creates the feeling that Schindler’s List is real. The movie serves as an open window to the terrifying and haunting atmosphere the concentration camps once were laced with.
In Poland during World War II, Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.
4. Braveheart (1995)
Deviating from World War 2 era and now divulging ourselves back to the Medieval era, Braveheart is the epic war film drama of William Wallace (Mel Gibson) a 13th century knight who demanded Scottish Independence. His wife was killed by an English magistrate apparently for a crime she did not commit. Most critics contested that the film’s too much of two elements; too gory and too long. Even though Mel Gibson was acclaimed not to be the right actor for the role, the script gave it away, thus leaving an imprint of spectacular entertainment for the long run.
Mel Gibson, long-time heartthrob of the silver screen, came into his own as a director with Braveheart
5. Inglorious Basterds (2009)
After watching these Basterds knock off Hitler, this is one thing most of the audience had in mind: UNREALISTIC. Spoiling you with what you may expect may be harsh, but if you’d watch this with a different point of view, you’ll find this downright entertaining. This is a fictional story of a seemingly impossible plot to assassinate the German Nazi leadership. Quentin Tarantino’s chef-d’oeuvre gained positive reviews and ratings from most critics; however, some critics noted that the fictional take on the Third Reich and the use of violence as the ultimate solution aren’t ideal.
"The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich
6. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Truly this movie is one of the greatest war movies of all time. Lawrence of Arabia or Thomas Edward Lawrence was a misfit in the British Army. This film did not only give justice to the happenings during the World War 1, but also to T.E Lawrence’s experiences during the war. Conflicts arise when Lawrence underwent trials in his personal conviction in war, identity, and being divided between loyalty and newfound comrades.
The Battle for the Arab World Courage, guilt, betrayal and triumph; the story of T.E. Lawrence has it all.
7. Troy (2004)
No, we did not include Troy because of Brad Pitt’s sexiness; this film is worth to be called as one of the greatest war movies of all time because of its realistic take on the Greek legend of Troy. This is your Achilles heel; the epic film that was based from Homer’s The Illiad, Wolfgang Petersen has brought to life a Greek masterpiece portrayed by the best actors of time. Be ready to see men clad in leather and swords slashing everywhere!
The movie was a hit; just like a Trojan virus.
8. Life is Beautiful (1997)
Flashback to World War 2, except our viewpoint spans to the concentration camps. Introducing Guido Orefice, a Jewish Italian who fell in love and married Dora, a non-Jewish Italian with a well-off upbringing; this was your ordinary fairy tale come true when they had their son, Giosuè. They were a happy family, until Nazis came into the scene. World War II takes place, but far from the battlefield and into the barracks of those inside the concentration camp. This classic, tragedy war film is enough to take viewers to a tour of what cruelty genocide brought to its victims; thus considering this film as one of the greatest war movies of all time.
A Jewish man has a wonderful romance with the help of his humour, but must use that same quality to protect his son in a Nazi death camp.
9. Avatar (2009)
It’s not all in the past; let’s go to the future! James Cameron’s Avatar won three Oscars for the great effects this masterpiece gave to the audience. Winning another 52 awards and garnering 71 nominations isn’t a joke for this movie. Meet Jake, a paraplegic dispatched to Pandora, a moon somewhere in the outer galaxy, to find a precious ore abundant in the area. As Pandora is no different in anti-living conditions for humans, the only way to survive is through a use of an Avatar, a copy of themselves as a native humanoid “Na’vi”. Conflicts arise when Jake is torn between his love for his new friends and the call of duty.
The movie is 40% live action and 60% photo-realistic CGI. A lot of motion capture technology was used for the CGI scenes.
10. 300 (2006)
After venturing into the Illiad with Achilles, prepare for glory as King Leonidas and his 300 men venture far and wide to defeat the Persians! This is war; pure, violent and barbaric. 300 represents our ancestral roots the way it is. That no matter what age we live in, there will always be a factor that will hinder us to be on top. King Leonidas once envisioned that Greeks will still rule all, but the Persian king Xerxes trampled his desires. 300 men fought for honor and what they believed in against the immortal-like army of thousands. Want to know who wins? Grab a copy now!
Some weapons used in the film are actually weapons from previous war epics like Alexander and Troy.
War movies aren’t just the same without violence, thrill, and a little bit of drama and romance. As we had lined up the greatest war movies of all time, it’s up for you to judge the essence of each story line that we served.
