Best WWII Movies to Watch

Description: David Lean's epic about British POWs forced to build a railway bridge for their Japanese captors, exploring themes of duty, honor, and the absurdity of war.

Fact: The film was shot in Sri Lanka, not Thailand, where the real bridge was located. Alec Guinness won an Oscar for his role as Colonel Nicholson.

Description: This biographical war film focuses on General George S. Patton, known for his controversial leadership style and his pivotal role in WWII. It's a study in military strategy and personal character.

Fact: George C. Scott, who played Patton, initially refused the Oscar for Best Actor, believing that actors should not compete against each other. The film's opening monologue is one of the most famous in cinema.

Description: Wolfgang Petersen's film about life aboard a German U-boat during the Battle of the Atlantic, offering a claustrophobic and intense look at submarine warfare.

Fact: The film was shot in a specially constructed set that could simulate the movement of a submarine, creating an authentic experience for the actors. It's based on the novel by Lothar-Günther Buchheim, who was a war correspondent on a U-boat.

Description: This film tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over 1,000 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. Its black-and-white cinematography adds to its somber tone.

Fact: The girl in the red coat is one of the few color elements in the film, symbolizing innocence amidst the horror. Also, the film was shot in Krakow, Poland, where many of the real events took place.

Description: Steven Spielberg's masterpiece captures the brutal reality of D-Day and the subsequent mission to save a paratrooper whose brothers have all died in combat. Its opening sequence alone is a visceral depiction of war's chaos.

Fact: The film used real amputees as extras to portray soldiers who had lost limbs. Also, the beach landing scene was shot in one continuous take to enhance realism.

Description: Terrence Malick's poetic exploration of the Guadalcanal campaign in the Pacific Theater, focusing on the inner lives of soldiers amidst the chaos of war.

Fact: The film features an ensemble cast, with many actors having only brief screen time. Also, Malick's script was significantly altered during filming, leading to a more introspective narrative.

Description: Roman Polanski's film follows Władysław Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist, as he survives the Warsaw Ghetto and the Holocaust. It's a deeply personal account of survival and the power of music.

Fact: Polanski, himself a Holocaust survivor, chose to focus on Szpilman's story due to its personal resonance. Adrien Brody lost significant weight for the role to portray the physical toll of starvation.

Description: Quentin Tarantino's alternate history where a group of Jewish-American soldiers plot to assassinate Nazi leaders. It's a blend of revenge, satire, and homage to classic war films.

Fact: The film's title is intentionally misspelled, reflecting Tarantino's playful approach to history. Also, the character of Hans Landa was originally written for Christoph Waltz, who won an Oscar for his performance.

Description: Clint Eastwood's companion piece to "Flags of Our Fathers," this film tells the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese perspective, focusing on the human side of the conflict.

Fact: The film was shot in Japanese with English subtitles, providing an authentic portrayal of the Japanese soldiers. It was also the first time Eastwood directed a film not primarily in English.

Description: Christopher Nolan's film tells the story of the Dunkirk evacuation from three perspectives: land, sea, and air, over a week, a day, and an hour respectively. Its non-linear storytelling and intense sound design make it a unique war film.

Fact: The film used real Spitfires and other WWII aircraft, and many scenes were shot on location at Dunkirk. Nolan also chose to minimize dialogue to focus on the visual and auditory experience of war.