Best World War II Films

gallipoli

 

Another vote here for A Bridge too far, I've watched it twice over the last two weeks. Awesome film.

 

all quiet on western front

 

I'd have to throw in a vote for "A Bridge Too Far" as well. As a kid growing up in the 70's this is the movie, more than any other, that really rooted my interest in military history and WWII specifically. Since then I've seen many other war movies that entertained or educated more than this one but, this one will always stand out to me.

 

I can't believe no has said the Sound of Music yet. Someone always brings up the Sound of Music in these polls. I'm forced to watch the film everyone so often by wife.

 

A vote for Downfall too. The best movie I have ever seen to this day.

 

This film is incredible and surprisingly accurate (except for the German tanks, or course). However, little flaws like that can be overlooed when you see how far the producers and actors went to get the stories as accurate as possible.

I think to a large extent they definitely succeeded, even though the harsh US critics degraded it and made it less successful in America.

 

Technically it doesn't count because Richard Jaeckle doesn't die; he does get a limp though.

 

My favorite is Enemy at the Gates.

It's definitely one of the best, and a scene in Call of Duty is based off of it

 

My favorite movie is Flags Of Our Fathers, i started crying in the end:mourn:

 

The pseudo intellectuals and movie elitists will obviously make that pick. Enemy at the Gates spoke to you emotionally. It had much better cinematography, costumes and the music score was amazing even though it was mainly James Horner rip offs. I felt like I watching a movie, not some home videos of their grandpa in WWII.

Too many movies on that list just didn't speak to you emotionally. Their camerawork is usually grainy, if not in black and white. In fact, I could barely sit through Stalingrad it was so painfully boring. Yes, it was historically accurate compared to Enemy at the Gates, but I've seen better reenactments on the history channel than that. The subtitles didn't go over with me as well. I don't even think I finished the movie.

There really needs to be a better definition for best WWII film. Inspiration? I'd say Enemy at the Gates. Historical accuracy? The Longest day, maybe?

 

Enemy at the Gates, much like the modern version of 'Pearl Harbor', was more focused on a love story then anything. AND you can't compare the way the movies (Enemy vs Longest Day) since they were produced something like 50 years apart. A 'Best Movie' transcends through time. I think a lot of the older movies are better - better acting, plots focused on actual event, etc. I love how Germans actually speak GERMAN in movies like 'The Longest Day', and Brits speak with a British accent, Americans with American. That is very rare today.

 

Enemy of the gates had some good (and well filmed parts) but it ruined the subject.

 

This movie has been discussed here for quite a bit now. Most can say that Enemy at the Gates is purely entertainment... The movie itself however; is historically inaccurate and many found the depiction of the Red Army portrayed in the movie to be insulting.

 

"Enemy At the Gates" ,very well.

 

Agreed-"The Longest Day" by a horse length. "Enemy at the Gates"? Great Hollywood but actual veterans of the Stalingrad battle walked out on this one.
JeffinMNUSA