Sign in to your Collider account
Making any great war movie requires immense talent. Not only does it need remarkable storytelling, but also someone with the passion and respect for telling such compelling and captivating tales. Since the early days of cinema, many iconic war movies have become timeless thanks to the visionary filmmakers who directed them.
The best and most revered war movies have marvelous talent behind the camera. From iconic filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick (Paths of Glory) to modern-day geniuses like Sam Mendes (1917), many incredible filmmakers have set out to make some of the most spectacularly gripping war films imaginable. They used their skills to craft epic films that are staples of pop culture and continued to be praised well into the modern age. Here are impressive war films ranked by their incredible direction.
15 'Dunkirk' (2017)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Before blowing audiences away with his historical epic hit, Oppenheimer, Academy Award-winning director Christopher Nolan left his mark on the war genre by delivering Dunkirk. It's an eye-catching, powerfully told, gorgeously shot war drama depicting the hasty evacuation of more than four thousand British and French troops from Dunkirk, France, in the early days of WWII.
Told through many perspectives from men on the ground, air, and sea, Dunkirk is a one-of-a-kind war film filled with stunning visuals, gorgeous cinematography, and award-winning sound and editing. Choosing a more practical approach over CGI, there are a lot of moments in Nolan's film that were performed in front of a camera, featuring real explosions and people, including showing many era-appropriate ships and aircraft. Dunkirk is a prime example of Nolan's abilities as a visual storyteller.
Release Date July 21, 2017
Runtime 106 minutes
14 'The Thin Red Line' (1998)
Directed by Terrence Malick
Image via 20th Century Fox
Coming back from a 20-year hiatus after his last directed film, Days of Heaven, the uniquely talented Terrence Malick returns with a gripping WWII drama, The Thin Red Line. Starring a stacked cast of well-known actors, it shows the different perspectives of several US soldiers as they witness so much carnage while fighting the Japanese during the battle of Guadalcanal.
A heartbreaking, tragic look at the human cost of war, The Thin Red Line tells an intense and emotionally compelling anti-war drama that doesn't shy away nor glorify what combat must have truly felt like for those soldiers. Deciding to shoot on location in several tropical locations, including some in the Solomon Islands where the real battle took place, Malick depicts brutality with beauty, showing furious battle mixed in with gorgeous shots of trees and stunningly looking jungles. The Thin Red Line is a powerful and near-flawless war masterpiece that grips viewers from the start and never lets them go until long after the credits.
The Thin Red Line
Release Date December 23, 1998
Director Terrence Malick
Runtime 171 Minutes
13 'Zulu' (1964)
Directed by Cy Endfield
Zulu is a 1964 war epic directed by Cy Endfield, starring Stanley Baker and Academy Award winner Sir Michael Caine in one of his first major film roles. Set during the Anglo-Zulu War, it tells the remarkable true story of a highly outnumbered British infantry regiment as they defend their position against a formidable army of Zulu warriors.
Working closely with historians and technical advisors, director Cy Endfield strove for accurate depictions of the real-life Battle of Rorke's Drift, and the battle strategies of both sides of the conflict. Competently shot, visually flawless, and powerfully acted, Zulu is a thrilling, intense survival war film full of action and impressive performances.
12 'All Quiet on the Western Front' (1930)
Directed by Lewis Milestone
Image via Universal Pictures
Lewis Milestone's 1930 masterpiece All Quiet on the Western Front is one of the most essential war movies ever. A bleak and emotionally devastating depiction of World War One, it tells the story of a young German soldier whose goal of becoming a hero after volunteering to serve in the trenches vanishes once he experiences the true nature of warfare and its tragic outcomes.
All Quiet on the Western Front is a classic of the war genre, featuring a powerful message and compelling acting. Winning both Best Picture and Best Director for Lewis Milestone was a testament to how brilliantly shot and performed it was. Everything from the acting, directing, and cinematography is spectacular and impressive to watch. It's a necessary film for anyone who is a cinema fan, as it's a timeless and emotional film that hasn't lost its effectiveness over the decades.
Release Date August 24, 1930
Director Lewis Milestone
Cast Lew Ayres , Louis Wolheim , John Wray , Arnold Lucy , Ben Alexander , Scott Kolk , Owen Davis Jr. , Walter Rogers
Runtime 152 Minutes
11 'Schindler's List' (1993)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Image via Universal Pictures
In 1993, legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg directed one of his greatest achievements, Schindler's List, a heartbreaking and intense true account of one of the most devastating events in human history. It tells the story of a German industrialist, Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), who saved the lives of 1,200 of his Jewish workers from execution during The Holocaust.
Schindler's List is the most compelling Best Picture win of the 1990s. A visionary storyteller like Speilberg expertly crafted his film, even having it shot in black-and-white to establish the story's setting and depressing tone. It's an emotionally gripping and perfectly directed film that has become timeless in the years since its release.
Schindler's List
Release Date December 15, 1993
Runtime 195 Minutes
10 '1917' (2019)
Directed by Sam Mendes
Image via Entertainment One
Depicting the harrowing day-to-day lives of British troops during the First World War is not an easy task, considering how hectic and chaotic such fighting was for the average foot soldier. But director Sam Mendes delivers such a story with so much passion, respect, and authenticity to actual events. 1917 follows the brutal yet necessary account of two ordinary infantrymen as they risk life and death to go behind enemy lines and deliver orders that could potentially save the lives of countless soldiers before they make a futile assault.
Mendes, the grandson of an actual WWI Veteran, delivers a story that's personal, raw, and highly accurate about real-life events that plagued many soldiers during one of the most terrifying and costliest wars in human history. The story follows two men, Corporals Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield (George Mackay), as they journey through countless horrors in a near-impossible and physically challenging mission that exhausts them and the audience. Shot predominantly in glorious long takes, 1917 provides a brilliantly shot and expertly choreographed story that puts audiences into the boots of its characters and their frightening ordeals.
Release Date December 25, 2019
Runtime 119 minutes
9 'Patton' (1970)
Directed by Franklin Schaffner
Image via 20th Century Fox
A semi-WWII biographical account of one of the most controversial yet respected military commanders in United States history, Patton tells the story of Four-Star General George S. Patton, played by Academy Award winner George C. Scott. A nearly three-hour-long film, it follows Patton and his Third Army in incredible detail, from their harsh desert fighting in North Africa to their heroic actions during the Battle of the Bulge.
Directed by Franklin Schaffner, a film that won him his only Best Director Oscar, Patton is a War Epic of grand proportions. The sets are spectacular, the acting is flawless, and the plot is spot-on with the crucial elements from the General's real-life history. George C. Scott gives the performance of a lifetime as Patton, a role that cemented his acting legacy and continues to be a significant pop culture. Overall, the film is a glorious example of everything coming together to make a perfect war film. It's one of the best of the genre and continues to blow audiences away with its incredible story and iconic moments.
Release Date April 2, 1970
Director Franklin J. Schaffner
Runtime 172 Minutes
8 'Paths of Glory' (1957)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Image via United Artists
One of the most compelling films of his career, Stanley Kubrick's 1957 anti-war WW1 drama Paths of Glory depicts the futility of trench warfare and the darker side of humanity. The always incredible Kirk Douglas plays French Colonel Dax, a heroic, noble leader who stands against his incompetent superiors after they wrongfully accuse three innocent soldiers of cowardice after a disastrous assault charge.
This classic black-and-white war epic does not sugarcoat its intended purpose: war brings out the worst in people. It's a tragic tale that accurately portrays the ineffectiveness of trench fighting and the hopelessness of war, thanks to glory-seeking commanders who willingly sent countless men off to their deaths for their own selfish gains. Kubrick expertly expresses this, and his incredible storytelling and attention to detail bring to fruition this heartbreaking and emotional story that's brilliantly shot and powerfully acted.
Release Date December 25, 1957
Director Stanley Kubrick
Runtime 88 Minutes
7 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' (1957)
Directed by David Lean
Image via Columbia Pictures
World War II films profoundly affect audiences, drawing them in with their compelling and engaging stories, many of which have become timeless in cinema. One such classic is the remarkable Sir David Lean's Bridge on the River Kwai, a Best Picture-winning war drama set during the Japanese occupation of Burma. Starring Alec Guinness in his Oscar-winning performance as the POW British Colonel Nicholson, it follows his character as he blurs the line between protecting his fellow captured soldiers and cooperating with the enemy as they're forced to build a train bridge over the Kwai River.
Lean, who won his first of two Best Director Oscars for his efforts in the War genre, delivers a grand epic that's visually flawless and eye-catching. Shot on location in the harsh jungles of Sri Lanka, the production was grueling, treacherous, and uncomfortable for most of the crew, but it was necessary to accurately portray the harrowing living conditions of the story's characters. The acting and dialog are sharp and spot-on. Through Lean's cooperation with his actors, he tells an impressive tale that remains one of the most unforgettable war films ever made.
The Bridge On The River Kwai
Release Date October 11, 1957
Director David Lean
Runtime 161 minutes
6 'Platoon' (1986)
Directed by Oliver Stone
Image via Orion Pictures
To accurately portray the brutal reality of war from a soldier's perspective, it has to be helmed by those who've seen it firsthand. Directed by the great Oliver Stone, a decorated US Army war veteran, comes 1986's Platoon, a bleak, unromanized depiction of the years-long Vietnam War and its dehumanizing effects. It follows a young recruit, Pvt. Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen), as he struggles with his morality while serving in a platoon led by two hardened commanders with different ideologies about war.
Platoon was a major passion project for director Oliver Stone, who sought to create a highly realistic portrayal of the Vietnam War through some of his own experiences during his service. As such, he was strict in motivating his cast to walk, talk, and act as a team of US soldiers, even hiring the services of military-technical advisor Dale Dye (who plays Captain Harris in the movie) to train the actors to be as believable as possible. Shot on location in the Philippines with real effects and explosions, Stone's story offers a captivating and emotional tale with great acting and powerful visuals. Platoon would go on to win a slew of awards, including Best Picture and Stone's well-deserved Best Director Oscar.
Platoon
Release Date February 6, 1987
Director Oliver Stone
Runtime 120 Minutes
5 'The Deer Hunter' (1978)
Directed by Michael Cimino
Image via Universal Pictures
Director Michael Cimino set out to tell a story that brilliantly details war's effects on the human psyche. Released in 1978, The Deer Hunter is a three-hour-long Best-Picturing War epic following three men as each of their lives are ruined and changed by the countless horrors they experienced while fighting in Vietnam.
Shot entirely on site with no soundstage, Cimino set out to direct his bold and ambitious tale. Through The Deer Hunter's nightmarish production, he sought to bring out the best in his actors and succeeded in many ways. Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken gave some of the most riveting and heartwrenching performances of their careers, the latter of whom won a Best Supporting Academy Award for his efforts, which is a role praised today. The Deer Hunter is a powerful epic that could have easily failed in the hands of other directors. Still, Michael Cimino remained determined, delivering a classic war film that continues to be highly influential and significant to pop culture.
The Deer Hunter
Release Date December 8, 1978
Director Michael Cimino
Runtime 183 minutes
4 'Apocalypse Now' (1979)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Image via United Artists
One of the most challenging films ever made, Apocalypse Now is a large-scale, iconic Vietnam War epic directed by the one and only Francis Ford Coppola. Starring Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, and Marlon Brando, it follows the story of US Army Captain Willard as he and his patrol boat crew cruise the treacherous rivers of Vietnam to track down and eliminate a rouge Special Forces Colonel who's become a spiritual leader of a jungle tribe.
Originally scheduled to shoot for five months in the Philippines, the set of Apocalypse Now turned into a nightmarish year-long production process where everything that could have gone wrong had gone wrong. Despite constant setbacks, Coppola remained steadfast in finishing his picture, which, after years in the grueling editing process, was released to wild critical and box office acclaim. Apocalypse Now is a visually stunning war epic featuring some of the most iconic and breathtaking scenes in cinema history. Through incredibly hard work and dedication, Coppola created a story that continues to be a massive influence on the war genre and the most revered classic.
Release Date August 15, 1979
Director Francis Ford Coppola
Runtime 147 minutes
3 'Come and See' (1985)
Directed by Elem Klimov
Image via Sovexportfilm
One of the most terrifying and unflinching depictions of brutal warfare, Elem Klimov's Come and See, is a two-and-a half hour-long WWII drama full of heartbreak and tragedy. Following a naive young Belarusian soldier, Flyora Gayshun (Aleksey Kravchenko), the story goes through the perspective of this impressionable recruit as he witnesses firsthand the horrible atrocities committed by Nazis on the eastern front.
Come and See paints a frighteningly accurate depiction of one of the most devastating conflicts in human history. It's a hard film to watch, but it is necessary to understand the countless lives affected during this terrible time. Elem Klimov set out to tell a bold, unromanticized story that doesn't sugarcoat the harsh realities of large-scale conflict. He pushed for accuracy, even going as far as using live ammunition on set and authentic uniforms used during the war. Today, Come and See remains a staple of the anti-war genre and one of its most significant examples. Everything from its performances to directing continues to be an inspiration.
Come And See
Release Date October 17, 1985
Director Elem Klimov
Cast Aleksei Kravchenko , Olga Mironova , Liubomiras Laucevicius , Vladas Bagdonas , Jüri Lumiste
Runtime 142 Minutes
2 'Saving Private Ryan' (1998)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Image via DreamWorks Pictures/Paramount Pictures
Spielberg returns with his 1998 World War II masterpiece Saving Private Ryan, starring Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, and Matt Damon. With brutal accuracy and grizzly action, this intense war epic follows the Allied invasion of war-torn Europe during the chaotic first few days of the D-Day landings. When a missing US paratrooper loses all three of his brothers in combat, a small team of Army Rangers is tasked with going behind enemy lines to find and bring him home.
Spielberg won his second Best Director Academy Award for this movie, years after winning his first for another war drama, Schindler's List. Saving Private Ryan is one of the most remarkable achievements of the acclaimed director. It's a tightly shot, expertly acted, and monumentally spectacular film that grips the audience from start to finish. Straight from its intense opening D-Day landing scene, the story plops viewers right into the chaos of war alongside its incredible protagonists. Spielberg's attention to detail and respect for history is apparent throughout the film, and it shows how much care and thought was put into accurately portraying this iconic era. It truly deserves its title as a bonafide war classic.
Release Date July 24, 1998
Runtime 169 minutes
1 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962)
Directed by David Lean
Image via Columbia Pictures
Few war films have depicted warfare on a grander scale and with more impressive visuals than David Lean's undeniable masterpiece, Lawrence of Arabia. Truly deserving its Best Picture-winning title, this epic desert adventure biopic tells the incredible true story of accomplished British soldier, spy, and archaeologist T. E. Lawrence (Peter O'Toole) as he rallies Arab tribes in a fight against the Turkish empire during World War I.
Shot in glorious technicolor and filmed on location in gorgeous landscapes, Lawrence of Arabia is one of the most stunningly beautiful films ever made. Its style and visuals are unmatched and still look impressive today as they appeared on the big screen in 1962. Lean directed a timeless film that continues to look stellar and undeniably classic. He expertly brought Lawrence's epic tale to life, thanks also in large part to the remarkable late Peter O'Toole, whose iconic performance is legendary in cinema. Lawrence of Arabia is a flawless war masterpiece that looks incredibly eye-catching and spectacular. No doubt it's Lean's crowning achievement of his directing career.
Lawrence of Arabia
Release Date December 11, 1962
Director David Lean
Runtime 228 minutes
English (US) ·