The Ultimate Anti-War Films List
There is no definitive list of anti-war films, but this one includes some of the best. Irrespective of what side of the argument you support, these films are sure to make you think. From The Dozen to The Great Escape, these films highlight the human cost of war. And they're all so important that they're still on my must-see list. But how do you pick the best ones?
The Great Escape
It is hard to argue with the success of The Great Escape, an epic movie about the real-life escape of allied POWs from the German prison camp of Stalag Luft III. Starring Richard Attenborough and Steve McQueen, this film is a masterpiece of filmmaking about war and the human cost of fighting. While it may not be the most political film on the list, it is still a powerful example of how war and its victims should be treated.
This classic film chronicles the events of war, and shows the brutality of war and captivity in a way that can make viewers feel sympathetic towards imprisoned soldiers. The movie is directed by Guy Hamilton, who would go on to direct four James Bond films, including Spectre. Colditz tells the story of various prisoners' attempts to escape from the prison camp. This film presents prison-camp life as a game of cunning and wit.
Paths of Glory is another important anti-war film. Directed by Stanley Kurbrick, this film has a distinctly anti-war message and has become one of the most influential films of its genre. In addition to the Great Escape, it is also a classic post-war drama, set in France. And despite its title, it remains one of the most powerful war films of all time.
The Dozen
The Dirty Dozen is a 1967 British-American war film that depicts the story of a group of soldiers who were involved in the Allied victory over the Nazis. Based on the novel by E. M. Nathanson, the film was directed by Robert Aldrich and stars Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Jim Brown, and Charles Bronson. The film also features a cast of talented actors including John Cassavetes as Major Reisman, Lee Marvin as Major Reisman, Charles Bronson as General Worden, Jim Brown as Robert Jefferson, and Lee Marvin as Major Reisman. The Dirty Dozen was a popular film in its time and even inspired several TV movies in the 1980s.
The film's plot revolves around the story of the eponymous "Dozen." Each member of the Dozen was a Nazi, awaiting execution, but one of them, Franko, is saved by an American soldier. As the Dozen's mission is a suicide mission, the eponymous "Dozen" are only chosen if they are expendable. In the film, they antagonize everyone on the military base and fight alongside the regular soldiers.
All Quiet on the Western Front
As the first major non-silent anti-war film, All Quiet on the Western Front has a lot to be proud of. Based on a critically acclaimed novel by Erich Maria Remarque, this masterpiece depicts the transformations of a young German soldier during World War I, from his first realization of mortality to his final, ecstatic return to his life away from the trenches. Despite its controversial history, this movie has remained a cherished classic among film critics and audiences alike.
As an added bonus, the film's cinematography is gorgeous. Few scenes have gory scenes, so the director focuses on single body parts and overhead shots to convey death. Rather than using graphic violence, he makes the viewer feel the pain by showing the devastation on the Western Front. The film's portrayal of war is so powerful that it might even inspire an anti-war movement.
The film's anti-war message is as strong as its filmmaking. The classic war movie tells a story from both sides - the Germans and the English - and depicts the ugly aspects of war. It's the story of young men who pledge to fight for their country, only to return home emotionally scarred. Although the movie is dated and aimed at an audience of young men, it's still worth a watch.
Catch-22
While there are many anti-war films, few compare to Catch-22, which is about a war hero. The movie is highly satirical, with many scenes being shot in long single takes and with no fast editing or camera trickery. This film is arguably more savage in its satire than M*A*S*H, but both films highlight the blood and guts of war. Catch-22 is a black comedy in its early scenes, but becomes a grim reality by the end.
The movie begins with a series of loosely related vignettes, each one highlighting the film's anti-war message. One vignette shows a mess officer bartering parachutes with the locals. Another scene shows a young Bob Newhart as a character named Major who has never flown a plane. This story demonstrates the power of anti-war propaganda films to speak out against war.
While Catch-22 takes place during World War II, its tone is shaped by events in the 1950s and attitudes toward all wars. While Heller recognized that World War II was a popular era for war, his film was initially met with harsh criticism. However, it soon gained popularity during the Vietnam War, as the American public became more aware of the point of view Yossarian posits. Catch-22 was a major contribution to the anti-war movement and became an icon in that generation.
Das Boot
If you're looking for a great movie to watch on the topic of war, you should watch Das Boot. This seminal 1982 film marked the debut of German filmmaker Florian Henchel von Dommersmarck. The film centers around the story of Sibel, a Turkish girl living in Hamburg. She meets an alcoholic 40-year-old man named Cahit in a hospital, and the two embark on a marriage plot whose consequences they can't predict. The film is set aboard a German submarine, U-96, during the Battle of the Atlantic.
The film was a huge hit in Germany, where it was first broadcast as a 6-part TV series. The film's impact on public opinion was immense. It turned German living rooms into claustrophobic U-boats. The movie was so well-received that every German over the age of 18 watched it. This movie shook people's beliefs about war and the Nazi regime, and was the first film in decades to expose the horrors of war to the public.
Another film in the category of "anti-war films" is The Tree of Life, directed by Terrence Malick. It follows the story of a German man who refused to fight for the Nazis. It presents an interesting philosophical study on morality and becoming lost in your own country. Franz is doing the right thing by refusing to fight for the Nazis, but he sacrifices a simple life and dedicates himself to nature.
Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
The 1983 Japanese-British film Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence is a story about cultural exchange at its worst. Its central premise is the plight of a Japanese prisoner, and its filmmaking team is headed by Nagisa Oshima and Jeremy Thomas. David Bowie stars. The film is based on Sir Laurens van der Post's experiences as a Japanese prisoner of war.
The title tune of Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence is an old chestnut. The song first played by David Bowie at the film's premiere was one of the first songs to be played on Radio One after the death of Diana Spencer, and later became the minor hit Forbidden Colours. The song has since become a sonic shorthand for sophisticated Orientalism in our culture, and speaks to the mysterious allure of Japan for westerners.
Aside from its recurring theme of cultural exchange, the film also explores a variety of subjects. It discusses the madness of militarism and the crisis of chest-puffing masculinity, as well as how different cultures view manhood. The film's protagonists, two English soldiers who are forced to live under the same conditions as the Japanese, are portrayed as both virtuous and dangerous.
Black Hawk Down
Why is Black Hawk Down on the ultimate anti-war films list? The film tells the story of a battle that's largely forgotten, but is a pivotal event in American military history. Its release, immediately after the 9/11 attacks, makes it a coveted classic. While not a slick action movie, Black Hawk Down focuses on saving lives. It's similar to Saving Private Ryan in its depiction of the horrors of war and the human toll.
Another Oscar-nominated true story war film is Zero Dark Thirty, directed by Kathryn Bigelow. Like Black Hawk Down, Zero Dark Thirty features an impressive ensemble cast. And if you're looking for a classic war film with a great ensemble cast, why not give Saving Private Ryan a try? It features Chris Pratt and James Gandolfini in leading roles, making it one of the most powerful war movies of all time.
The film's crew was an international one. Almost a thousand people worked on the film. Across continents, the actors were recruited to work on the film. Atherton recruited Moroccan workers from all over the country, including the local Rabat/Sale area. Another big contingent of the film's crew came from the Great Britain, where most of the wardrobe, props, and special effects departments were filmed. Most of the actors, from Scotland, Wales, and Denmark, had no problem putting aside their egos to make Black Hawk Down a hit.
