Many of the most powerfulwar moviesever made focused on World War II, although there are plenty of underrated releases that the average viewer likely hasn’t seen. While most people will be familiar with modern classics likeSaving Private Ryanor German-language triumphs such asDas Boot, this was just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to depictions of this historical conflict. With releases includinghistorically accurate dramas, hilarious comedies, and heartbreaking animated films, WWII cinema was vast and varied.
Although many ofthe best WWII movieshave become entrenched within the public consciousness, there are lots more releases that have been forgotten over the years and deserve appreciation from modern viewers. Even films fromall-time great directorslike Steven Spielberg and Alfred Hitchcock receive little recognition when compared to their most famous works.The Second World War was a dark period in history, and the unmatched legacy of that conflict has led to many WWII movies that deserve far more credit from mainstream audiences.
When imagining the film career of glam rock icon David Bowie, you may conjure images of Jareth the Goblin King fromLabyrinthor his hilarious cameo inZoolander, yet hidden among his filmography was a woefully underrated World War II movie. WithBowie as Major Jack Celliers, this thoughtful exploration of allied prisoners of war explored the human side of the conflict as soldiers formed a fraught connection with their Japanese captors.
While the title may hint at a festive feeling,Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrencewasn’t exactly a film for the holidays as it delved into complex issues of honor, duty, and captivity. Bowie gave one of his greatest film performances and highlighted his often underappreciated acting talents. As a poetic and complex take on often underrepresented aspects of World War II, if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommendMerry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.
The submarine war movie was a fascinating subgenre highlighting intense, high-stakes situations where soldiers at sea had nowhere to run. This was powerfully seen inThe Enemy Below, a war movie that condensed the complexities of World War II down to a conflict between one American commanding officer and a German adversary. Starring Robert Mitchum and Curd Jürgens,The Enemy Belowshowcased how conflict can quickly become personal.
With Mitchum as US destroyer commanding officer and Jürgens leading a German U-boat,The Enemy Belowdepicted a battle of the wits on the open seas. Through impressive special effects, director Dick Powell brought this thrilling story to life and made it one of the most underappreciated war movies of the 1950s. While a lackluster romantic subplot prevented this film from achieving true greatness, if you’re a World War II movie buff, thenThe Enemy Belowwas a must-watch release.
While director John Ford made some of the most acclaimed Western movies of all time with the Hollywood legend John Wayne, their World War IIThey Were Expendablewas not nearly as well known as their Wild West features. This was a crying shame, as this was a gritty and realistic look at the hardships of war that paid tribute to the unsung heroes of the Second World War. Released the same year the conflict ended,They Were Expendablewas inspired by the PT boat unit defending the Philippines against Japanese invasionduring the Battle of the Philippines.
AlthoughThey Were Expendablewas a fictionalized account of the exploits of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three, it was notable for its historical accuracy and attention to detail. While some war movie enthusiasts may focus on more contemporary releases, this was a powerful account of the Second World War made while it was still at the forefront of the public’s experience. This gaveThey Were Expendablean authentic feel, as it addressed current history rather than modern war movies' retroactive perspective.
One World War II movie that deserves far more attention isTora! Tora! Tora!, a highly ambitious release that offered a nuanced and insightful exploration of the attack on Pearl Harbor. With a focus on the events leading up to this major attack,Tora! Tora! Tora!addressed this historical event from the Japanese and American points of view. With three different directors, as well as uncredited work from Akira Kurosawa, this was an international co-production that allowed both sides of the conflict to tell their stories.
As a film favored by aviation enthusiasts,Tora! Tora! Tora!was known for its astounding attention to detail. WithPearl Harborbeing a decisive factor in the U.S.’s involvement in WWII, this was a far more layered and complex depiction of this topic than the later Michael Bay movie named after the attack. WhileTora! Tora! Tora!won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, it sadly has not endured in the public consciousness in the same way other, more well-known WWII movies have.
When discussing the greatest World War II movies, it’s often major cinematic releases that dominate the conversation, which ignores the litany of incredible made-for-TV productions out there. An incredible example of this wasWhen Trumpets Fade, an HBO TV movie that explored the seldom depicted Battle of the Hürtgen Forest. This 1944 battle between American and German forces on the Belgian-German border lasted 88 days and resulted in tens of thousands of casualties on both sides of the conflict.
When Trumpets Fadewas an uncompromising and bleak glimpse into the deadly nature of warand the moral compromises soldiers must make just to stay alive. With raw and claustrophobic battle scenes,When Trumpets Fadetook viewers right into the heart of the conflict and made for truly harrowing viewing. As a film released in the same year asSaving Private Ryan, the power of this movie was overshadowed by the overwhelming success of Spielberg’s movie.
While most World War II movies dealt with the brutality of battle,The Trainhighlighted a different side of warfare: cultural preservation. In times of great conflict, important works of art tend to go missing, and this was exactly the premise of John Frankenheimer’s underrated war movieThe Train. FeaturingFrench Resistance fighters trying to stop a Nazi-plundered train filled with priceless artworkfrom leaving France,The Traingave unique insight into the importance of protecting culture in the midst of conflict.
The Trainwas inspired by real events and featured an astounding leading performance from Burt Lancaster as Paul Labiche, who, despite initial resistance, realized the innate value of the paintings. With stunning black-and-white visuals and impressive technical effects,The Trainused genuine locomotives and did not rely on miniatures for its astounding train sequences. WhileThe Trainwas a critical and commercial success back in the 1960s, it’s a real shame it rarely gets the credit it deserves from contemporary viewers.
Most people won’t think about animated movies when considering the greatest World War II movies ever made; however, that would discountGrave of the Firefliesfrom the conversation. As a Studio Ghibli film from Japanese director Isao Takahata, this WWII movie was a far cry away from the fantastical nature of iconic releases likeSpirited AwayandHowl’s Moving Castle. Instead,Grave of the Fireflieswas rooted in harrowing realism, as it showcased the dire effects of World War II on the world’s most vulnerable citizens: children.
Telling the story of war-orphaned siblings trying to survive during the closing months of the Pacific War,Grave of the Firefliesdid not shy away from the darkest aspects of this brutal conflict. Featuring the death of its four-year-old protagonist surrounded by malnourished survivors,Grave of the Fireflieswas about as bleak as it can get. This innate darkness may be the reason thatGrave of the Firefliesisn’t as well known as other Studio Ghibli films, but that does not mean it was any less powerful.
While Alfred Hitchcock was responsible for some of the most iconic movies ever made, with over 50 films, it’s not surprising that some were better known than others. Among Hitchcock’s most underrated movies wasLifeboat, a World War II survival movie set entirely on a lifeboat launched from a freighter torpedoed and sunk by a Nazi U-boat. Featuring both Allied and German survivors, Lifeboat offered a unique perspective on the war and those caught in the middle of it.
WhileLifeboatwas criticized at the time for its sympathetic portrayal of a German U-boat captain, the empathy at the heart of its story was part of why it endured so well. With a creative premise,Lifeboatwas forerunning to Hitchcock’s later limited-setting movies likeRope,Dial M for Murder, andRear Window. With memorable characters whose internal bickering acts as an appropriate metaphor for war in general,Lifeboatwas a hidden gem in Hitchcock’s all-time great filmography.
While Steven Spielberg’s best-known movies, likeJaws,E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, andJurassic Park,have gained an almost unmatched position in popular culture, and his war movies, such asSchindler’s ListandSaving Private Ryan,stand as all-time great releases, his WWII comedy1941gets overlooked. This star-studded release featured iconic comedians like Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and John Candy and deserves to be much better known.
The reason that1941rarely gets mentioned is because it received poor reviews at the time of its release and was considered a poor follow-up toClose Encounters of the Third Kind. However, in the years since,1941has been reappraised by many and stood as one of Spielberg’s wildest and most out-of-character films. Asan anomaly in Spielberg’s filmography, those who haven’t seen it should go back and check out1941to see a different side of the famed director.
While film enthusiasts will be well aware ofElem Kilmov’s Soviet masterpieceCome and See, it’s still shockingly underrated among general viewers. As one of the most emotionally draining movies ever made, this intense depiction of the Nazi occupation of Byelorussia highlighted this dark historical period from the perspective of a teenager named Flyora. AsCome and Seeshowcased this young boy witnessing unspeakable acts being forced to reckon with the brutal inhumanity of conflict, it’s impossible not to be moved by the movie’s powerful anti-war message.
Watching as Flyora joined the resistance movement and progressed ever further into the depths of the worst aspects of mankind,Come and Seewas an emotional rollercoaster that will stick with you well after the credits have rolled. With a mix of surrealism and hyperreal imagery, the sheer cruelty on display was almost too much to take. While the existential nightmare ofCome and Seemay be too hard for sensitive viewers to bear, it was a prime example of whywarfareshould always be avoided at all costs.
