World War II has been depicted on screen in hundreds of films, from epic war films to heart-wrenching prisoner-of-war dramas and concentration camp tragedies. Some films depict the war in a non-traditional sense, but they convey the personal stories and perspectives of the directors with surprising poignancy. In this article, vogue.ua discusses 10 films about World War II that tell the story from different angles.
“Schindler's List”, 1993
A still from the film “Schindler's List”, 1993
Steven Spielberg's masterpiece “Schindler's List” is one of the most moving war films in the history of cinema. This film tells a very specific story of World War II. It avoids the battlefields, but instead tells the story of one man's fight to save Polish Jews from concentration camps. Liam Neeson plays Oskar Schindler, a factory owner who bribes Nazi leaders to keep his workers out of the death camps, saving over 1,100 lives.
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“The English Patient”, 1996
A still from the film “The English Patient”, 1996
Wartime is rarely depicted as atmospherically as in Anthony Minghella's drama. Adapted from the novel by Michael Ondaatje, this epic love story stars Ralph Fiennes as the unknown “English Patient,” a man burned beyond recognition as he tells his story to a young nurse. The film was met with critical acclaim from both audiences and critics, receiving 12 nominations at the 69th Academy Awards and winning nine of them.
“Saving Private Ryan”, 1998
Another war drama by Steven Spielberg. This truly epic film tells the story of Captain John Miller, who during the Normandy operation with a squad of eight people was supposed to go behind enemy lines in search of Private James Ryan. According to some reports, the film is based on real events that happened to the Niland brothers after the introduction of the last survivor policy in the US Army, which provided for the service of members of one family in different military units and, in particular, withdrawal from the front in the event of the death of other relatives.
A still from the movie “Saving Private Ryan”, 1998
The epicness of the film, in addition to spectacular special effects and scenery, is added by the preparation and post-production. All the leading actors necessarily underwent army training for several days. The large amount of physical exertion eliminated the need to use special makeup, since the actors already looked exhausted. During filming, Spielberg showed the footage to veterans of the Normandy landings in order to achieve the most accurate reproduction of the events. In many ways, it was their consultations that helped the film become very believable, even in detail. For example, a fish stunned by explosions thrown onto Omaha Beach is a tip from the landing participants.
“The Pianist”, 2002
A still from the film “The Pianist”, 2002
Based on the memoirs of Holocaust survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman, this film depicts the plight of Polish Jews when the Nazis invaded their country. Holocaust stories are always horrific, and The Pianist is one of those films that manages to capture and convey the atmosphere of these tragic events. Adrien Brody, who played Szpilman, has an incredibly believable, honest, and selfless look in his role. Confirmation of this is the Oscar for Best Actor.
“Inglourious Basterds”, 2009
A still from the movie “Inglourious Basterds”, 2009
With Inglourious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino took a dig at a pristine history and interpreted the events of World War II in a way no one else could, presenting his vision of how the war should have ended. The plot centers on a group of Jewish American soldiers tasked with assassinating Nazi leaders. Inglourious Basterds is a vivid depiction of Nazi-occupied France, which serves as the perfect canvas for Tarantino's graphic violence. Among other things, the film will be remembered for the outstanding performance of Austrian-German actor Christoph Waltz as a Nazi SS officer and the absolute originality of Brad Pitt's character, Lieutenant Aldo Rein.
“Rage”, 2014
A frame from the film “Rage”, 2014
This World War II drama follows a group of five tank crewmen on a dangerous mission to thwart a Nazi advance. David Ayer is a director obsessed with both extreme violence and brotherhood, and Fury is the most potent synthesis of the two passions. The film’s lead actors—Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña, Jon Bernthal, and Shia LaBeouf—effortlessly capture the overall story, while the violence in all its glory showcases the shock and awe of war. The gritty, brutal depiction of the battles (and the claustrophobic intensity of being inside a tank during them) made Fury a unique war film at the time of its release.
“Unconquered”, 2014
A frame from the film “Unconquered”, 2014
The film “Invincible” would not have happened without a hero who survived the trials that befell him during World War II. The center of her second directorial work, Angelina Jolie, made the story of Louis Zamperini – an Olympic champion who became a bomber commander during the war and suffered a disaster in the Pacific Ocean, was captured by the Japanese and miraculously survived. The motto of the film was the phrase “If you can endure – you will win” – true words for the whole world, which never lose their relevance.
“For reasons of conscience”, 2016
A still from the film “For reasons of conscience”, 2016
A biographical war drama directed by Mel Gibson, based on the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector. The film centers on the story of military medic Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist Christian who refused to bear or use weapons of any kind. Doss became the first “conscientious objector” to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his service during the Battle of Okinawa. A unique and moving story of courage and morality, it is certainly worth watching.
“Dunkirk”, 2017
A still from the film “Dunkirk”, 2017
One of Christopher Nolan's most spectacular films, Dunkirk is a work of uncompromising seriousness that moves at breakneck speed, raises complex questions, and sends shivers down your spine throughout the film. Nolan's retelling of the Dunkirk evacuation is a stunning film that immediately entered the pantheon of great war films upon its release.
“Jojo Rabbit”, 2019
A still from the movie “Jojo Rabbit”, 2019
One of the most extraordinary films on the list is Jojo Rabbit, a satirical story that shows wartime through the eyes of 10-year-old Johannes (aka Jojo). Johannes is a member of a Nazi youth paramilitary organization who discovers that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in the attic. Jojo questions his beliefs when he argues with an imaginary friend, a bizarre version of Adolf Hitler. The film is notable for its comedic stance on the politics of war, for which it has been criticized by many. However, it is noteworthy for the moral values that it brings to the fore.