Top 10 WWII Action Films Set in 1945

Description: This film, while covering the entire war, includes scenes set in 1945, exploring the lives of both American and German soldiers, highlighting the human aspects of the conflict.

Fact: Marlon Brando plays a sympathetic German officer, a role that was quite controversial at the time.

Description: Although primarily about D-Day, the film's narrative extends into the subsequent months, including the events of 1945, providing a comprehensive view of the Allied campaign in Europe.

Fact: The film boasts an all-star cast including John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Sean Connery, and was one of the first films to use real military equipment in its production.

Description: This film, while not entirely set in 1945, culminates in the pivotal Battle of the Bulge, which was fought in late 1944 and early 1945. It's a classic war movie that captures the intensity and scale of one of the last major German offensives of the war.

Fact: The film was shot in Spain, not Belgium, where the actual battle took place. It also features one of the largest tank battles ever filmed.

Description: Set in August 1944, the film's narrative extends into the early months of 1945, focusing on the French Resistance's efforts to prevent the Nazis from stealing art treasures.

Fact: The film uses real trains and real train tracks, adding authenticity to the action sequences.

Description: Set in March 1945, this film depicts the true story of the last bridge over the Rhine River that was still standing, and the desperate fight by both American and German forces to control it.

Fact: The film was shot in Czechoslovakia, and the bridge used in the movie was actually destroyed during filming for the climactic scene.

Description: While covering General Patton's entire WWII career, the film includes significant scenes from the 1945 European campaign, showcasing his leadership and the final push into Germany.

Fact: George C. Scott won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Patton, but famously refused to accept it.

Description: This film involves a fictional plot to kidnap Winston Churchill in 1943, but its climax and resolution take place in 1945, showcasing the war's endgame.

Fact: The film was shot in Ireland, which doubled for England, and features a young Michael Caine in one of his most memorable roles.

Description: While not exclusively set in 1945, this film captures the German retreat in the Eastern Front, with scenes that reflect the chaos and desperation of the war's final months.

Fact: Directed by Sam Peckinpah, the film features a rare portrayal of German soldiers as protagonists, offering a different perspective on the war.

Description: This Italian war film, later remade by Quentin Tarantino, involves a group of American soldiers behind enemy lines in 1945, engaging in guerrilla warfare.

Fact: The film was shot in Italy and Yugoslavia, and its title inspired Tarantino's homage, "Inglourious Basterds."

Description: This Italian film, also known as "The Last Battle," focuses on the final days of WWII, with a fictional story set against the backdrop of the real historical events of 1945.

Fact: The film was shot in Yugoslavia, which provided a realistic setting for the WWII backdrop.