People need to know about war and the atrocities committed in its name. Even though it’s a sad subject representing a desolate landscape filled with ashes and tears, learning about why and how it happened can prevent such tragic horrors. World War II was one of the most transformative events globally, which caused widespread destruction of people and property.
Many directors have made great movies about WW2, representing its horrors and remembering its victims throughout the last couple of decades. In this article, we will be looking at some films that highlight the horrors and sufferings of the war.
But before you get watching, remember that many popular streaming services restrict content access by region via geolocation. We recommend installing a reliable Mac VPN app or any other version for your devices, as some movies might not be available in your area. We advise you to install a VPN from a trustworthy and secure provider like VeePN. You can use a trusty VPN Mac, Windows or Linux software to unblock movies and TV shows of your choice.
Top Picks for WW2 movies
The world remembers World War II as the most destructive conflict in history. It left behind a devastating trail of destruction in its wake. Each side attacked the other with impunity – leaving cities battered and reduced to rubble. It caused over 50 million casualties worldwide, leaving many bruised and bloodied.
All our recommendations are World War 2 movies based on true stories that show a different perspective on the war and its horrors. Without further ado, let’s get watching.
The Great Escape (1963)
Director John Sturges took the inspiration for the movie based on a book of the same name written by Paul Brickhill in the 1950s. The movie’s plot revolves around a mass breakout from the Stalag Luft III. The film depicts the event in 1944 through fictitious caricatures of the actual escapees. The Nazis set up the prison camp in an area southeast of Berlin for the most dangerous prisoners of war as authorities had had enough of their escape antics. The Nazis expected setting up a fortified prison camp would curtail the escape attempts. But nothing goes according to their plan when Big X, played by Richard Attenborough, comes up with an audacious scheme to dig underground tunnels dubbed Tom, Dick, and Harry and help 200 convicts escape the jail in a single night. You guessed it; the 76 inmates fled in ordinary clothing after they completed the tunnels. However, the film’s conclusion reflects the grim fate of all fugitives, who got mistaken as spies due to their civilian garb once they were found.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Mel Gibson directed Hacksaw Ridge drawing inspiration from a 2004 documentary. It’s a historical war film that tells the story of a religious pacifist who refused to wield any weapon during the war. The film tells the story of a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, American combat medic Desmond Doss who declined to use a weapon during World War II because he was a pacifist.
Despite his religious beliefs and refusal to carry a weapon, Pfc. Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield) was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. At first, Doss was despised by his fellow troops because of his pacifist beliefs, but he eventually won them over by risking his life in the Battle of Okinawa without firing a shot to save the lives of 75 men.
Schindler’s List (1993)
In his 1986 film version of Thomas Keneally’s best-selling novel, Steven Spielberg depicts the narrative of Oscar Schindler, a ruthless Czech entrepreneur. Schindler’s primary motive is purely selfish; he wants to profit from the conflict. Despite this, after seeing the horrors perpetrated by SS commander Amon Göth (Ralph Fiennes), he must fight the government he has benefitted from to save the most significant number of lives possible. The movie is not for everyone as it vividly describes life in concentration camps and other ghettos and how Nazis showed no compassion for human life. Schindler’s List is one of the most revolutionary and influential films produced about the Holocaust. It shows us both the evil and the good sides of humanity.
The Dam Busters (1955)
The movie Dam buster is renowned as a worthy homage to the soldiers belonging to 617-squadron who perished in operation Chastise and Barnes Wallis. It tells how the RAF squadron attacked Germany with Barnes Wallis’s novel bomb.
Barnes Wallis (Michael Redgrave) faces an inner conflict as he perfects his invention, which threatens the lives of everyone living below the valley as his new bomb can easily crush the German dams and cause the inhabitants of the valley to drown. The film explores this conflict through Barnes Wallis’ own words and actions. Guy Gibson (Richard Todd), the squadron commander, prepares his troops for the dangerous mission. In terms of 1950s special effects, the attack on the Ruhr is astounding. This movie will enthrall even the most brutal hearts.
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
The movie’s premise is inspired by the 2001 book written by author William Craig. The film portrays the Siege of Stalingrad in detail, and the entire premise highlights the happenings of the war and its circumstances. The movie’s protagonist, Vasily Zaytsev, played by the renowned actor Jude law, is a heroic sniper from the soviet. It also features Danilov, a fictitious character, who uses Vasily’s achievements as an opportunity to raise the morale of the Soviet nation. Vasily engages in battle opposing the German Major Erwin König, played by Ed Harris. Designed as a game of chase, the battle was a trap to eliminate the sniper and collapse the morale among soldiers.
This movie revolves around Vasily Zaytsev, a senior sergeant and a competent sniper. Vasily Grossman also interviewed him during the battle, whose book Life and Fate portray the war’s events. Erwin König, on the other hand, has not been discovered in any records.
Wrap Up
We hope you enjoy watching our recommendation of the best ww2 movies and don’t forget to install a reliable vpn service before you get watching to access all your favorite films. Lastly, let us know how you feel about them in the comment section.