Skip to main content
Close

Top Ten Best War Films

By Ally Sinyard · May 27, 2011

Most people seem to have a passion for at least one particular genre, if not many. But when it comes to war film aficionados, I’ve learned they tend to watch it all, not too dissimilar from horror junkies, yet war film fans have a ferocious fervency for what they deem the best war films of all time. You mention Apocalypse Now to some people, and within seconds, you’re bombarded with a blitzkrieg of quotes from Kurtz’s “The horror…” to Kilgore’s “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” And then there are the rest of us, who have seen a handful of war flicks here and there, liking some and not loving others. But lastly, there are people like me….

I’ll be honest. When I started my research for this list, I had only seen The Hurt Locker. (I know. I’m a horrible person.) Clearly, somehow war films never navigated their way into my childhood, adolescence, or even my film degree. Feel free to send me strongly worded letters to Warwick University; I’ll hand deliver them myself.

So considering I am by no means a pundit for war films, this list is probably a bit different from the standard affair. Not only have I considered “war films” to include films that take place on the battlefield but also movies that are set during a war, yet the combat itself is only the backdrop. A Holocaust or POW film, for example, has just as much of a right to sit at the “war films” table as a high-octane front-line fighting fest. 

I have no doubt that every film on this list has touched many people at some stage in their lives, but since I never grew up with these war movies, I had the advantage to be quite objective and unbiased. I’d be lying if I said it was easy to rank each film as most of them are so completely different from one another and what they bring to the table is so deliciously unique. So, I have ranked them in order of which film best fulfilled what it sought out to achieve. So here we go… Bombs away!

10. M*A*S*H (1970)

Ah, MASH. So funny and yet so horrendously inappropriate! The best kind. Thanks in large part to Robert Altman’s acclaimed direction and a tour de force of performances from the likes of Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Tom Skeritt, Sally Kellerman, Gary Gurghoff, and Robert Duvall, MASH became an instant hit and eventual cult classic. MASH is set during the Korean War and yet, having been released in 1970, the subtext is really about Vietnam. Due to being made and released at this time, MASH goes to great lengths to entertain. Given its rather low-brow humour and shenanigans at times, I was quite surprised to read that it won the Grand Prix at Cannes. But then again, maybe it just makes sense for this dark comedic war film. There has never really been another quality film before or after that has been as unique in the way it deals with war. The genius of MASH is in how it demonstrates the power of laughter in the face of misery and the insanity of war. Sometimes when all is lost, and you’re knee deep in the shit of death and destruction, all you can do is laugh. Sometimes, all a soldier has left to keep him alive is to find the humour within the horrors of war.   NEXT

9. Life is Beautiful (1997)

Life is Beautiful is an Italian film, starring Roberto Benigni (who also wrote and directed) that mixes heart-wrenching drama with comedy. It starts off as somewhat of a modern day fairy tale full of farce and romance. A young Jewish Italian, Guido Orefice (Benigni), arrives in the city of Arezzo, hoping to open a bookstore. He meets his “princess,” Dora (Nicoletta Braschi), and eventually they marry. However, the film takes a very different turn once we arrive in the second act. World War II has begun, and our hero is being ushered onto a train. He arrives, with his young son, Giosué(Giorgio Cantarini), at a concentration camp. But somehow, the comedy is kept alive as Guido is desperate for his son to not learn the truth of their lethal situation. It’s an incredibly touching film, where the aim is not to demonstrate the horror of the Holocaust, but instead the love a father has for his son. Many have questioned and even been angered by the use of comedy in this film, but other will agree that the humour adds a touch of humanity as “Benigni effectively creates a situation in which comedy is courage” (Elvis Mitchell – New York Times).   NEXT

8. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Even though it clocks in at nearly 3 hours long, The Bridge on the River Kwai is relatively easy to summarize: Thailand. WWII. British at a Japanese POW camp are ordered to build a bridge over the River Kwai. Alec Guinness acts as the British Col. Nicholson, arguably delivering one of the greatest performances of his career and creates one of the most memorable characters of British cinema. Whilst building this bridge, a commando mission is in progress to destroy the bridge. It is a conundrum. We don’t really know who to cheer for and this is clearly meant to challenge the idea of morality in war.  You may wonder how they can possibly solve this crisis, but the spectacular ending does not disappoint. As is often the case with films that dare to go over the 2 hour threshold (and there are so many on this list), some critics have argued that The Bridge on the River Kwai is too long. I refute this claim and suggest that it is wonderfully paced without any sign of slowing down, even when the characters do! The film is part comedy, part tragedy, part action, part adventure, and when it all comes together, clearly a war film masterpiece.   NEXT

7. The Pianist (2002)

Roman Polanski’s The Pianist tells the real life story of Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), a polish pianist, and how he survived the Holocaust. It’s a wonderful story featuring one of the most unique and unforgettable characters and performances in recent cinema. Szpilman isn’t your traditional film “hero;” he is just an ordinary person thrown into an extraordinary situation and the subsequent narrative is chilling. Hats off to Brody, who nabbed a best actor Academy Award for his portrayal as Szpilman. But despite the films achievements, I am amazed that some critics choose to undermine this film solely because of Polanski. When serious film reviews written by credible writers start with phrases like “Even though Roman Polanski is a paedophile…,” it’s obvious that some people simply can’t separate the man from the work. The Pianist revolves around the very sensitive issues of hate, prejudice, and genocide during the Holocaust, yet Polanski handles it with such dignity that one almost feels guilty finding the resultant film so breathtaking. No matter what you think about Polanski, this film is an absolute must see!   NEXT

6. Das Boot (1981)

With so many war films, and so many war films about World War II, and so many World War II films taking the Allies point of view, it’s refreshing to see the Great War from a different perspective. The result, in many ways, leaves us with the understanding that beneath almost every uniform, regardless of country or rank or sides, we’re pretty much all the same in the end. It’s no wonder that in many people’s opinion, Das Boot is one of the greatest and most influential German films of all time. Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times even called it the “most convincing war movie ever made,” or should it be said, anti-war. It’s not often that you find such a convincing mix of glory and futility, created by the combination of moments of pure exhilaration matched with moments of utter tedium. Yet to many Das Boot’s greatest achievement is its cinematography. Through Wolfgang Peterson’s exceptional direction, cinematographer Klaus Doldinger delivers a film so incredibly visceral and sweaty, that the viewer feels claustrophobic inside that tin can U-boat as well. And the ending is also an absolute belter! A tremendous achievement, not only in filmmaking, but in allowing viewers to see complexities of war and even empathize with the other side.   NEXT

5. Schindler’s List (1993)

Many people will tell you that Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List is one of their favourite films ever, let alone favourite war films. It’s the true story of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German businessman from Moravia, who saved the lives of over 1000 Jews by employing them in his factories, where they were able to avoid being sent to concentration camps as they became part of the “war effort.” One of the most commonly talked about aspects of this film is the way it is filmed in black and white, with occasional moments of colour, such as the little girl in the red coat. Moments like these help to summarize this film as a whole, and there have been different interpretations. Some say it is a demonstration of one’s memory and how, when trapped in tragic circumstances, one only remembers certain poignant moments or symbols of hope. Steven D Greydanus of “The Decent Films Guide” described it as bringing “the enormity of tragedy into excruciating focus.” But I say it’s just one hell of a fantastic movie, much more than just a film about a great man. It’s a work of art with endless layers, ideas and emotions to reflect the complexities of the human race. Clearly, one man can make a difference. And Oskar Schindler was one such man.   NEXT

4. The Deer Hunter (1978)

Roger Ebert hits the nail on the head when he describes The Deer Hunter as “one of the most emotionally shattering films ever made.” No doubt, you will cry buckets watching this,as you will most certainly be emotionally exhausted by the end. The performances are absolutely outstanding, particularly Christopher Walken, who quite rightly won the Oscar for his role as Nick. The Deer Hunter tells the story of three friends who are posted to Vietnam and how they deal with the horrors of war in different ways. As said by Producer Michael Keeley, it isn’t so much a film “about” Vietnam (though interestingly it was the first film involving Vietnam to reach a wide audience) as a look into how people respond to pressure. The film is famous for its scenes of the soldiers playing Russian Roulette, which was met with criticism as it was said to be hugely inaccurate and portrayed the Vietnamese very negatively. It certainly makes for fascinating viewing and provokes a lot of thought about the issues of the atrocities of war. It also delivers one or arguably two of the greatest scenes in war film history: think revolver to the head. Once again, critics slated it for its length of over three hours, but the film maintains its intensity and power throughout, despite the 21 minute wedding scene that helps to solidify the friendship in the first act.   NEXT

3. Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket is a film of two halves: first, we meet our protagonist, Private Joker (Matthew Modine), in a Marine Corps boot camp where the very aggressive and degrading Guny. Sgt. Hartman (R. Lee Ermey) treats each new maggot recruit to equal misery in his beloved Corps, with the tragically inept Pvt. Pyle (Vincent D’Onofrio) receiving the brunt of the abuse. After taking an oh-so-Kubrick sinister turn, we are then dropped into Vietnam where we rejoin Joker, now a Corporal and Combat Correspondent. Many have argued that the second half doesn’t quite live up the first, yet I would say that it’s a mistake to compare, simply because they are in many ways two very different films. It cannot be denied that the boot camp scenes are the best of their kind. Yet this first half could not possibly have remained in the second, as the second half demonstrates how different these two worlds are (training vs. combat), and you share this shock and unsettlement with the soldiers. So, yes, it does feel like you’re watched two different films in one, but it works… completely. Besides, it’s Kubrick, so who are we to argue.   NEXT

2. Platoon (1986)

Platoon, starring Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe, quite literally blew my mind, for want of a better phrase. In my opinion, this Academy Award winner for Best Picture it the best war film for accuracy and realism; it’s a “document written in blood” (Richard Corliss – Time Magazine.) And according to TSL’s Co-Founder/President’s own father, who spent two tours on the front lines as a platoon sergeant in Vietnam, “It’s 100% accurate. Everything. From the combat to racism and drugs to dissension between platoons and the lack of belief in the mission itself.” But then, none of this is surprising when writer/director Oliver Stone was a Vietnam veteran himself. He would know, because he was there… “In the fucking ‘Nam” as they say. Astoundingly, Platoon was made for just 6 million and is a wonderful example of an action war film that doesn’t force itself on to great technical demands. This is because the focus was not on spectacular gruesome battle scenes, but on a different kind of horror – the things that we carry inside, the evil that can be found in all of us.   NEXT

1. Apocalypse Now (1979)

For many, Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now is the absolute Holy Grail of war films. It has achieved legendary status, partly for its ridiculously complex production history, (watch Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse for the full story), but it’s got some of the best filmmaking you will ever see… ever! No other film demonstrates the insanity of war in such a unique and poetic way. It gets the most poetic reviews too! A “majestic explosion of pure cinema” and a “hallicinatory poem of fear” (Owen Gleiberman – EW.) And it’s all true. Apocalypse Now demands an entirely different kind of discourse, in a league and genre of its own. However, it’s almost impossible to compare this film to a war film that strives for gritty realism, such as Platoon, or the horrors of psychological affects, like The Deer Hunter, or the humanity within: Schindler’s List, The Pianist, Life Is Beautiful. No, Apocalypse Now stands at the top because it captures everything – the body, mind, and soul of war with so complete passion, imagination, and brilliance. It’s clearly the Sistine Chapel of War films: priceless.