War filmscontinue to be one of the most popular genres in cinematic history, producing epic films that capture the very best and worst of humanity.Many films about war focus on the most significant conflicts, like World Wars I and II and the Vietnam War, butsome of the best war films of all timeshed a spotlight on some lesser-known wars that are just as impactful and compelling. These films show the harrowing atrocities committed around the globe and educate viewers on battles and wars they may know very little about.
Films such asThe Killing Fieldsshowcase the brutal realities of the Cambodian Civil War and genocide, offering an unflinching look into one of Asia’s most gruesome conflicts ina war film that is still as impressive today. Classics likeWaltz with Bashirexamine the Lebanon War that started in 1982 in a unique format, with a graphic style that does little to shield the barbaric and haunting actions suffered by so many.These films are just as important as any other about the major wars, broadening the audience’s perspectives and highlighting historical events that keep viewers hooked.
Three Kings
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Three Kings, directed by David O. Russell, is a war film set during the aftermath of the Gulf War. The story follows four American soldiers, played by George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze, who embark on a treasure hunt to steal Iraqi gold. As they venture into hostile territory, they are confronted with unexpected moral dilemmas and the harsh realities of war.
Written and directed by David O. Russell, known for producing stellar darkly comedic dramas,Three Kingsis a black comedy war film adapted from a story by screenwriter John Ridley. The film follows four American soldiers (George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze) who are on a mission to capture Kuwaiti gold, which is as perilous as it sounds, with the group getting dragged into personal matters and violent mayhem.The film takes place during Iraq’s 1991 uprisings against Saddam Husseinand the conclusion of the Gulf War, a conflict between Iraq and the U.S.-led 42-country coalition.
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Three Kingsis a captivating film about a war and conflict that hadn’t received much coverage to that point, being only eight years removed from the events itself. O. Russell masterfully directs the lead actors and the actionto create an intricate blend of many genres, including war, drama, comedy, and heist, which all stand on their own but are elevated by the matching contrasts of each. The film has a fantastic storyline with several distinct plotlines, brilliant performances, and stellar cinematography by Newton Thomas Sigel it creates an impeccable work about the aftermath of the Gulf War.
First They Killed My Father
First They Killed My Father is a historical drama directed by Angelina Jolie, based on Loung Ung’s memoir. The film follows a young girl’s struggle for survival and resilience amid the Khmer Rouge’s brutal regime in Cambodia. The narrative provides an intimate perspective on a significant historical event.
Based on Loung Ung’s eponymous memoir,First They Killed My Fatheris a Cambodian–American Khmer-language thriller directed by Angelina Jolie and co-written by Jolie and Ung. The biographical drama is set in 1975 and tells an intimate and horrific tale during the Cambodian Civil War about 5-year-old Loung,who is trained to be a child soldier after her siblings are forced into brutal labor camps. Taking place during the Khmer Rouge regime, it highlights some usually untold elements of war, and about a war, that is largely overlooked, from the perspective of someone so vulnerable.
The film is unflinching in every sense of the word, from its omnipresent camera work, long, extended shots of terrifying sequences, and its thorough examination of the consequences of war on those who are forced to participate.Though some viewers criticized the slower pace, this methodical approach really helps prolong and highlight the atrocities, not allowing them to hide behind quick cuts and dramatized action sequences that add a veil of valor. It’s a truly authentic look that deserves praise and accolades for its direction, writing, and amazing, younger cast.
Beasts of No Nation
Beasts of No Nation is a war drama that was released exclusively on Netflix in 2015. The film centers on a young boy named Agu, who is forced to become a child soldier in a Civil War in an unspecified African country. The film is based on the 2005 novel of the same name by Uzodinma Iweala.
Cary Joji Fukunaga’sBeasts of No Nationis an incredible war drama that had Fukunaga’s genius sprinkled throughout its creation, writing, directing, and even working as the film’s cinematographer.The film is based on Uzodinma Iweala’s 2005 novel of the same nameand follows a boy called Agu, who is recruited and used as a child soldier in the Sierra Leone Civil War. The film features an ensemble cast with talent up and down, such as Idris Elba, Abraham Attah, and Ama K. Abebrese.
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Unlike some of the major wars featuring countries like the United States, Russia, and Germany, conflicts in African countries can often be overlooked, both in terms of modern media and in the cinematic world.Films likeBeasts of No Nationshed much-needed light on these issues and the horrific warfare that goes on, with this film showing an unfiltered look at the rise of child soldiers and the devastation of a country in civil turmoil. The performances are spectacular, with a particular nod to Abraham Attah as Agu and Elba, who both ground the work in an already harrowing film.
Black Hawk Down
Black Hawk Down recounts the harrowing true story of a U.S. military mission gone awry in Somalia. Tasked with capturing a warlord, elite soldiers find themselves in a fierce battle against Somali militia forces.
Inone of the best war movies of the 2000s,Black Hawk Downis directed by the legendary Ridley Scott from a screenplay adapted from journalist Mark Bowden’s non-fiction book of the same name.The film follows the U.S. Military’s raid and mission in Mogadishu, where special forces are tasked with capturing a Somali warlord in a pivotal conflict during the Civil War in Somalia. After the attempt turns hostile and the subsequent crash landing of a Black Hawk helicopter, events go from bad to worse in a gritty look at a real-life scenario.
Black Hawk Downhas a 7.7/10 rating on IMDb based on 433,000+ ratings.
The film features the definition of an ensemble cast with a whole host of stars and future stars gracing the screen, such as Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, and Eric Bana, who all play their roles perfectly.Black Hawk Downhas been praised for its intense realism and authenticity in both the terrifying firefight sequences and in the technology and techniques of the squads portrayed, with impeccable attention to detail throughout the film. The film was no doubt deserving of its two Academy Awards for its technical brilliance in both editing and sound mixing, creating a truly immersive experience.
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
The Wind That Shakes the Barley, set in 1920s Ireland, follows young doctor Damien O’Donovan as he joins his brother Teddy in the Irish Republican Army after witnessing British Black and Tans' violence. The film explores the brothers' involvement in the Irish War of Independence and the resulting personal turmoil.
Ken Loach’sThe Wind That Shakes the Barleyis set during two periods of conflict for Ireland, including its War for Independence and then the subsequent Irish Civil War. It was written by Paul Laverty, a friend and collaborator of Loach, and it follows the story of two fictional brothers (Cillian Murphy and Pádraic Delaney) from Country Corkwho both enlist in the Irish Republican Army to fight against the UK’s rule over Ireland. The film goes past just wartime conflict and into family dynamics and relationships as the brothers who once fought together find themselves on different sides.
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The film gives a unique look at a rarely talked about war that had far-reaching complications that still continue to this day, in personal and political grievances that perhaps will never see resolution.The Wind That Shakes the Barleywas widely acclaimed,earning a Palme d’Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festivalin part for its fantastic direction as well as the amazing chemistry and portrayals from Murphy and Delaney. It is a passionate and intense film that is as much a brotherly drama as it is a war film, whose brutality and authenticity are summed by its harrowing conclusion.
Zulu
Zulu is a historical war film directed by Cy Endfield, featuring Stanley Baker and Michael Caine. Set in 1879, the film portrays the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, where a small British outpost defended against a massive Zulu force in South Africa. With its focus on the bravery and strategy involved, Zulu remains a notable depiction of colonial conflicts and military endurance.
Zuluis a British war film that depicts the relatively unknown Battle of Rorke’s Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War, a brutal conflict between British forces and the Zulus in 1879.The film stars Michael Caine - in the first significant role of his iconic career- alongside Stanley Baker as a small group of British soldiers defend against an onslaught by 4000 Zulu fighters. The film was acclaimed for its grand production and epic visuals, but it’s widely debated over whether it was a fair and balanced depiction of events or given a more fictionalized and favorable slant to the British account.
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Land and Freedom(1995)
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The Killing Fields(1984)
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In one of the best war movies from the 1960s,Zuluis a masterclass in expansive battle sequences and has incredible attention to historical details that many viewers would never even think to notice.The storytelling, performances, and cinematography provide an amazing look at a little-known conflictthat really captures the brutality of earlier wars with less technology and modernized communications. Caine’s performance as Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, an arrogant and dismissive leader, is exceptional and showcases his emerging talent for the world to see.
Land and Freedom
Land and Freedom follows David Carr, a British Communist, as he joins the POUM militia in the 1936 Spanish Civil War. The film explores his experiences fighting for the Republican side, encompassing a coalition of liberals, communists, and anarchists, and witnessing the political betrayals of the Spanish revolution.
Land and Freedomis another war drama directed by Ken Loach, who also directedThe Wind That Shakes the Barley, making a name for himself in these incredible war films about less-publicized conflicts with incredible emotional depth. The film follows an idealistic British communist party member (Ian Hart) who goes over tojoin the anti-fascist Republican militia during the Spanish Civil War against a nationalist takeover of the government. As the battle rages on and the brutality of combat sets in, the British man must grapple with physical and mental challenges and the undermining of his original ideologies.
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Like many of Loach’s works, the main background of the Spanish Civil War provides a backdrop for a more personal character study of a man who is experiencing the personal toll of warfare.The film was praised for its authenticity and emotional overarching storyline, with the director’s almost documentary-style camerawork leaving the viewers with no choice but to find themselves in the middle of the battle.Land And Freedomfocuses on the man’s internal struggles as well as the external dangers, proving a gritty and nuanced work that saw it nominated and winning several international accolades.
Waltz with Bashir
Waltz with Bashir is an animated documentary directed by Ari Folman. The film explores Folman’s search for lost memories of his experiences as a soldier in the 1982 Lebanon War. Combining animation with actual interviews, it delves into themes of memory, trauma, and the impact of war on the human psyche. The film was highly acclaimed for its unique storytelling technique and emotional depth.
Written and directed by Ari Folman,Waltz with Bashiris an animated war documentary that pieces together Folman’s memories and recollections of the 1982 Lebanon War -particularly with the horrific massacres of Sabra and Shatila. The film provides a haunting insight into the director’s mind as he interviews other veterans of the conflict and is able to use their own words to piece back his own fragmented past. The animations, rather than removing the edge from the conflict, actually highlight and elevate the tragic circumstances with truly harrowing visuals that stay with the viewer.
Waltz with Bashirwas scored by German-born British composer Max Richter, adding a tension and beauty to the sequences.
The film focuses on the journey of Folman and the journeys of other veterans in a dream-like animation style that mirrors the disjointed imagery that they share. Though the film won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, and was nominated for an Academy Award, throughout popular culture and media, it is stillone of the most underrated war films of all time.It is a truly gripping piece of investigative work that explores the deep trauma and guiltof those survivors who reflect on the personal and political issues that went into one of Lebanon’s most horrific periods.
The Battle of Algiers
The Battle of Algiers, directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, is a historical war film depicting the struggles of Algerian revolutionaries against French colonial rule in the 1950s. Focusing on urban guerrilla warfare, the film presents a gripping portrayal of both sides' tactics and the broader socio-political implications. With a documentary-style approach, it emphasizes the intense atmosphere and moral complexities involved in the liberation movement.
Gillo Pontecorvo’sThe Battle of Algiersis an epic war film that takes place during the Algerian War of Independence, with a particular focus on the National Liberation Front’s combat tactics against the French government during the war.The neorealist film expertly portrays the harsh realities and brutality involved in urban warfare, which sees both sides of the conflict descend deeper into more depraved and destructive tactics in order to gain the upper hand. The film was renowned for its realistic approach, shooting on location, with sequences, using many non-professional actors to add to the authenticity of the work.
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The Battle of Algiers is looked upon as a masterpiece of cinema, praised universally for its unflinching and unnerving look at a conflict that has been overshadowed and underreported.Nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film, its depiction of violence feels genuine but also necessary in a work that has started many debates about military tactics and their effects on civilians' everyday lives. The film has had an influence both in the cinematic landscape and in military back-rooms, with the depictions being used as examples for the future in one of the finest war films ever conceived.
The Killing Fields
The Killing Fields is a historical drama directed by Roland Joffé, centered on the harrowing experiences of journalist Sydney Schanberg and his Cambodian aide Dith Pran during the Khmer Rouge regime. Starring Sam Waterston, Haing S. Ngor, and John Malkovich, the film depicts their efforts to document the brutal conditions and struggle for survival amid the political turmoil in Cambodia.
In one of the best war films of the 1980sand just one of the best war movies,The Killing Fieldsis a biographical film directed by Roland Joffé. The film, likeFirst They Killed My Father, goes into the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia, as it follows New York Times journalist Sydney Schanberg and Cambodian journalist Dith Pran, played by Sam Waterston and Haing S. Ngor, respectively. It focuses on their relationship, as Pran survives the atrocities of forced labor and the war, and Schanberg grapples with her trauma and guilt for leaving her friend in the situation.
The film’s narrative is expertly crafted, showing both events interposed as Schanberg and Pran both deal with their situations in two exceptional performances, with Ngor winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.Like any war film that makes an impact, it provides an incredibly authentic portrayal of the horrors of the Cambodian genocide, bringing an international and political spotlight to the brutal Khmer Rouge regime.The Killing Fieldsis an absolutely flawlesswar filmthat goes in-depth about a lesser-known conflict and provides a hauntingly intimate look at one of the country’s - and the world’s - darkest moments.
