Listmania!
Favourite War Films
A Bridge Too Far (2 Disc Special Edition) [1977] [DVD]A Bridge Too Far (2 Disc Special Edition) [1977] [DVD]
Buy new: £4.68 / Used from: £3.99
The first war film I saw at the cinema. The gravitas of the cast make this an outstanding war film. The portrayal of the British military is as true then as it is now.
Saving Private Ryan [DVD] [1998]Saving Private Ryan [DVD] [1998]
Buy new: £4.78
The most amazing dramatization of the DDay landings. See this film and then go to Omaha Beach - it will reinforce the amazing challenge and sacrifice of the initial landings.
Band Of Brothers - Complete HBO Series commemorative gift set (6 Disc Box Set) [2001] [DVD]Band Of Brothers - Complete HBO Series commemorative gift set (6 Disc Box Set) [2001] [DVD]
Buy new: £15.88 / Used from: £12.97
Not technically a film, but an HBO series. However, a trully engrossing story on a par with 'Ryan'. In my opinion, one of the most intimate and personal WW2 productions made to date.
Brotherhood [DVD] [2004]Brotherhood [DVD] [2004]
Buy new: £2.98 / Used from: £0.98
A rare film about the Korean War. Sumptuous cinematography with every scene an oil painting. The 'Red Flag' in the final battle scenes stands out with amazing clarity amongst the grime.
Kagemusha [1980] [DVD]Kagemusha [1980] [DVD]
Buy new: £5.38 / Used from: £2.50
An amazing film by Akira Kurosawa. Beautifully put together on a grand scale. Huge battle scenes.
The Bridge On The River Kwai [DVD] [1957]The Bridge On The River Kwai [DVD] [1957]
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £1.35
Can't conceive a list of war films without this one. Total schoolboy classic for me.
Lawrence of Arabia - Two Disc Set [DVD] [1962]Lawrence of Arabia - Two Disc Set [DVD] [1962]
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £2.98
Masterpiece that draws you into the desert adventure. Some amazing cinematography and Peter O'Tool is simply brilliant.
Kingdom Of Heaven - Definitive Edition [DVD] [2005]Kingdom Of Heaven - Definitive Edition [DVD] [2005] by Orlando Bloom
Buy new: £8.27 / Used from: £5.45
Great battle scenes and a great modern edition for the Crusades. Jeremy Irons is very cool. Fine action film.
Letters from Iwo Jima (2 Disc Special Edition) [DVD] [2006]Letters from Iwo Jima (2 Disc Special Edition) [DVD] [2006]
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £3.95
A very fine film. Ken Watanabe as General Tadamichi Kuribayashi is superb and a great study in leadership.
The Longest Day [1962] [DVD]The Longest Day [1962] [DVD]
Buy new: £4.78 / Used from: £2.99
Simply great blockbuster of DDay. A stellar cast list that really takes you through 6th June 1944. Must have for any war film collection.
All Quiet On The Western Front [DVD] [1979]All Quiet On The Western Front [DVD] [1979]
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £1.97
Classic and an interesting perspective from the 'other side' in this 1979 version. Ernest Borgnine, Ian Holm and Patricia Neal give a great performance.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Single Disc Edition) [DVD] [2003]Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (Single Disc Edition) [DVD] [2003]
Buy new: £3.68 / Used from: £0.01
Loved this blockbusting 'boys own' epic. Definitely not the 'lesser of 2 weevils'.
Flags Of Our Fathers [DVD] [2006]Flags Of Our Fathers [DVD] [2006]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £1.74
The partner to Letters from Iwo Jima, but from the US perspective. A very good film from Clint Eastwood, but I thought 'Letters' was more moving.
The Last Samurai [DVD] [2003]The Last Samurai [DVD] [2003]
Buy new: £4.08 / Used from: £1.49
Not a great fan of Tom Cruise, but this story is well told and the honour and code of the Samurai is infectious. Once again Ken Watanabe is outstanding.
The Thin Red Line [1999] [DVD]The Thin Red Line [1999] [DVD]
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £1.39
Gritty, serious and powerful. Great cast list. Love him or hate him, Sean Penn is excellent.
Platoon [DVD] [1987]Platoon [DVD] [1987]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £1.90
Saw this at the cinema. I think this was the first war film that turned my stomach.
Ill Met By Moonlight [DVD] [1957]Ill Met By Moonlight [DVD] [1957]
Buy new: £2.98 / Used from: £2.47
Great chase through the Cretan landscape. Great British cast. Classic film for a raining winter's Sunday afternoon.
Waterloo [DVD] [1970]Waterloo [DVD] [1970]
Buy new: £5.98 / Used from: £9.39
This film introduced me to the Napoleonic Wars, which led to Bernard Cornwell. Classic and expensive 1970s film with massive battle scenes. Rod Steiger is an awesome Napoleon.
The Sea Wolves [DVD] [1981] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]The Sea Wolves [DVD] [1981] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
Buy used from: £28.99
Not a great film, but any film with Roger Moore and David Niven gets in my list.
Escape To Athena [DVD] [1974]Escape To Athena [DVD] [1974]
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £1.97
Not as good as Sea Wolves, but Roger and David again. Read the book for English Literature class, "Not quite the idea Geoff" - my English teacher commented.
Battle of Britain - Definitive Edition [1969] [DVD]Battle of Britain - Definitive Edition [1969] [DVD]
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £9.99
Got to be in my list. Per Adua Ad Astra. Great aerial combat scenes
In Which We Serve [DVD] [1942]In Which We Serve [DVD] [1942]
Buy new: £5.08
Noel Coward is so iconically English. More for the impact it had on the Home Front in n1942
Apocalypse Now [1979] [DVD]Apocalypse Now [1979] [DVD]
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Great film and portrays the grubbiness of the Vietnam War really well. Should probably be higher up my list.
Zulu [1964] [DVD]Zulu [1964] [DVD]
Buy new: £4.58 / Used from: £2.28
Such a great film. Michael Caine and Stanley Baker are awesome.
Gallipoli - Collectors Edition (1982) [DVD]Gallipoli - Collectors Edition (1982) [DVD]
Buy new: £4.97
Really enjoyed this film. Shows the campaign as a complete disaster.