Stories and films about wars are not always about deep-rooted patriotism - sometimes, they reveal the true nature of humanity during the darkest times.
War destroys nations as much as it builds them. Ranging from introspectively profound to vicious - every war film has something unique to depict about the modern geopolitical world and how it came into being. Here is a list of movies that are based on, at least partly, real history. You will not find any superheroes here, but the plots are unmissable.
1917 (2019)
This film takes a distinctive view of World War I, and the story follows two ill-fated soldiers entrusted with a seemingly impossible mission. 1917 is more about pacifism than it is about the glorification of WWI. The film is shot in a way to make it appear like one continuous take but will leave you completely breathless. The eerie silences of the film perfectly capture the terror of war, with contrasting moments of life-or-death haste.
Dunkirk (2017)
Dunkirk portrays one of the most agonizing events of World War II. A band of soldiers from France, Britain, and Belgium is fleeing from a battle after facing a crushing defeat to the Axis powers. They reach a beach at Dunkirk to get rescued when the German army barrages their helpless ranks. This film, with its evocative scoring and sound design, will immerse you straight into the brutal evacuation and action that the soldiers faced on the front lines.
Black Hawk Down (2001)
This Ridley Scott movie depicts a U.S. military raid that went catastrophically wrong when optimistic plans met with unexpected resistance. The movie accurately portrays the account of one of the soldiers who were under fire during that mission. Step by step, and hour by hour, the film reconstructs the chain of events.
Schindler's List (1993)
There is no more heartbreaking and gruelling cinematic depiction of the Holocaust than this film. Schindler's List was created in black and white (except for some symbolic and selective red colouring), and this tragic chapter in history is skillfully fortified by the artistry on display.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan deals with the complex ethics of war. The story is about a mother who loses three of her sons in a special combat mission planned to rescue the surviving Private Ryan in Normandy. But the mission risks the lives of the seven combatants sent to save Ryan.
These war films are deeply pacifist and dexterously bring out the ugly face of war.
