Best World War II Films

My vote too goes for A Midnight Clear.

Set in 1944 France, an American Intelligence Squad locates a German Platoon wishing to surrender rather than die in Germany's final war offensive.
The two groups of men, isolated from the war at present, put aside their differences and spend Christmas together before the surrender plan turns bad and both sides are forced to fight the other.

1 Hour and 48 Minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOxiicwy1AA

 

I agree. Although I like (realistic) action, I find the psychological factor, just dealing with it even more impressing.
That's also why I don't want to place the pacific lower in rank than BoB. Overall I think that is also very well put on screen.
Only hero Basilone is a bad actor if you ask me.

I'm looking forward to the 8th Air Force series they're planning to shoot
And I hope that Unsere Mutter, Unsere Vater triggers other countries' movie/series makers to do the same
There is just still so much to be told. And there are still first hand stories available. But not for long anymore..

This is a nice miniseries too btw:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401019/?ref_=sr_1

 

You will like it. I think. Some of the characters are a little, oh I don't know, silly maybe. Like that singer and the way he sticks his tongue out when he shoots. I forget his name. But there is a lot of good in that movie. I think.

As far as the list goes, there a so many good WWII movies not listed. The Flying Leathernecks, The Pacific, Band of Brothers, (I suppose those two are considered mini series though), aaaaah, there's so many I can't even think of where to begin. I just watched one about The Raiders in the Pacific, named after the Commander, oh what's the name of it??? Carlson's Raiders?? something like that.

 

One of my new favorites is Osvobozhdenie (Liberation) - technically a series, but a massive Soviet production that covers the last years of the war in the east as well as the European war in General. Has some interesting side-scenes, so to speak away from the front, like the rescue of Mussolini and a scene behind the Partisan lines in Yugoslavia. All the other languages that are not Russian are dubbed over though, but thankfully it has plenty of subtitles.

 

A good list.
Casablanca - more of a spy thriller but one of my all time favorites in any genre. "Rick, I'm shocked, shocked to find that there is gambling going on here." And you all know the punch line. Notorious is notable among the films of this genre.


The Longest Day, Saving Private Ryan, When Trumpets Fade, Kings Go Forth, Stalag 17, The Great Escape, The Burma Harp

My favorites.

Mini Series - Band of Brothers

Have to mention: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_Dirty Michael Caine does a great job as Captain Douglas. Nigel Davenport as Captain Leech is also fantastic in this film.

Stray Dog from director Akira Kurosawa is an amazing look at post-war Japan. The assimilation of the IJA into Japanese civilian life was replete with many problems and this film portrays them well while outlining the many issues facing the Japanese. This makes their eventual rebuilding even more impressive, they had so far to go. Fortunately the Allies helped them along, more than considerably but nevertheless.

I would like to thank all the forum founders, administration and members for keeping this such a civilized place to share ideas and differing opinions. Unlike so many of the other forums with their cyber posturing and outright scandalous exhibitions of personal angst. A great round of applause for all who make this possible.

 

As for a list....

Saving Private Ryan
Patton
Idi I Smotri (Come and See)
Brestskaya Krepost (The Brest Fortress)
Osvobozhdenie (Liberation)
Band of Brothers
Der Untergang (The Downfall)
Stalingrad
The Longest Day
The Way Back
Letters From Iwo Jima
Talvisota (The Winter War)
Das Boot (The Boat)
Night and Fog
Schindler's List
The Pianist
A Bridge Too Far
Katyń
City of Life and Death

I have been wanting to see "Cross of Iron" for a while now but I haven't had the time... time for YouTube!!!

 

Two that spring to mind that most have never seen are from Australia..."Gallipoli" - I think a young Mel Gibson is in that one...and "The odd angry shot" - (Starring the king of Australian TV Graeme Kennedy) - A great Aussie Vietnam movie...take a look.

 

'Gallipoli' was quite superb - it was an early Peter Weir film and did indeed star a very young mel Gibson. IMPO it represented the atmosphere of the Gallipoli campaign very well, although it did over-do the anti-British theme slightly.

 

Having been to Gallipoli I should see that one... i've heard it's very good...

 

Is and always will be...A bridge too far.

 

"Wake Island"
"Battle Cry"
"Where Eagles Dare"

Conversely:

"Pearl Harbor"
"Thin Red Line"
"Guns of Navarone"
"Battle of the Bulge"
"The Big Red One"

Are all garbage.

 

......Brad is right.

 

Absolutely. A Bridge Too Far is the best WWII film, so we should probably just designate this thread for the #2 film. In which case, I'd pick Downfall.

Cross of Iron is on Netflix. I think it's overrated. Peckinpah actually ran out of money which is why it has the nonsensical ending.

 

I liked Letters from Iwo Jima
I like Guns of Navarone first time I saw it as well but I think I was in grade school at the time.

 

You are dead to me

 

As for battle movies I have several favorites

A Bridge Too Far (last of the great war movies)
Battle of Britain
Enemy at the Gates (I know it is fiction and english speaking Russians are grating but it is also a fresh look at Eastern Front)
Tora Tora Tora

 

Dunkirk and Yangtse incident are my face black and white war movies...Well both war in one not ww2