We’ve all seen our fair share of war movies, but which ones were the most realistic? In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the top movies to watch about World War 2 since the actual events transpired. These films managed to capture the emotion and brutality of war in a way that no other movie has been able to replicate. So, if you’re looking for an immersive experience that will make you feel right in the thick of things, then check out some of these critically acclaimed films.
1. Platoon (1986)
Although there are many excellent movies about the Vietnam War, Platoon stands out as one of the most realistic. Vietnam soldiers frequently cite this “greatest war movie” as having one of the truest depictions of the conflict, mainly because of its Vietnam War veteran director, Oliver Stone.
Stone’s screenplay integrates his experience with the testimonies of other Marines in the conflict, unlike other well-known war films like Apocalypse Now. The end product was a portrayal of combat that will not soon be forgotten, with violent and moving performances by great actors. Even the mistakes it contains are difficult to find fault with, which speaks to its realism and caliber as one of the best war films.
2. Black Hawk Down (2002)
The Battle of Mogadishu is the subject of Ridley Scott’s film Black Hawk Down, which features an all-star ensemble with actors like Ewan McGregor, Josh Hartnett, and Tom Hardy. Three special forces units are followed throughout the narrative as they attempt to capture Mohamed Farrah Aidid. When things go wrong, an incident occurs that ends with the deaths of 1000 Somali people and 19 American soldiers.
Black Hawk Down has drawn criticism for having a somewhat one-sided portrayal of the fight, despite being frequently praised as one of the best war films for its realistic combat scenes. Although neither Malaysian nor Pakistani forces are depicted in the film, they assisted American soldiers. Additionally, it’s important to highlight that no Somalis were cast in the movie and that the portrayal of Somalis in the movie is false, according to Somali advocacy groups.
3. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
In terms of unusual representations of battle, Desmond Doss served in World War II without a weapon, and Hacksaw Ridge depicts his story largely accurately. Despite not having a gun, Doss saved many lives during The Battle of Okinawa at the expense of terrible wounds that unavoidably changed the remainder of his life.
Surprisingly, Hacksaw Ridge’s factual errors are found in the narratives after Desmond Doss left the military, not on the battlefield. Doss’ wife didn’t train as a nurse until after the war, and his uncle and father, not his mother and father, were involved in the family argument that inspired him never to carry a firearm. Despite numerous threats, Doss never really faced a court martial. Nevertheless, it makes for a fantastic story, hence its inclusion on the list.
4. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Saving Private Ryan might and probably should be at the top of the list when considering the best war films. It’s frightening to think that the Omaha landing sequence is one of the most historically realistic World Battle II war scenes ever portrayed on screen. Steven Spielberg focused his camera on more spontaneous moments rather than using a storyboard for the sequence is even more striking.
There are a few less true sections of the story; however, Steven Spielberg acknowledged that he sacrificed accuracy for dramatic effect in a few instances to convey the story’s emotion better. Saving Private Ryan may do better than any other film on our list of balancing fact and fiction.
5. Das Boot (1981)
German play Das Boot was inspired by the actions of a real German submarine, the U-96, and the same-named book. The film’s production used a mock-up duplicate of the actual ship to accurately depict the conflict between inaction and action that German submariners experienced during World War II.
Das Boot received positive reviews from both German and American audiences, despite the novel’s author criticizing the film for glorifying war (the book was intended to be anti-war). That’s probably due mainly to the thorough replication of the boat in this finest war film, which Steven Spielberg later hired to make Raiders of the Lost Ark.
6. Band of Brothers (2001)
Band of Brothers is a miniseries that has won numerous Emmy Awards and provides viewers with a more realistic perspective of World War 2. Beginning with their training at Camp Toccoa and continuing through the conflict, it tells the story of a World War II military company named Easy Company.
7. Apocalypse Now (1979)
Possibly the most well-known war film on the list, Francis Ford Coppola’s account of a Vietnam War soldier ordered to “kill with extreme severity” a rebellious officer. The plot takes a reasonably conventional beginning before gradually deteriorating into something far darker and unrecognizable as the movie progresses. Veterans have expressed some criticism, with many stating that the first third of the film provides a much more accurate representation of battle than the latter portions. However, the early material seems accurate, and this film is undoubtedly timeless.
Conclusion
War movies provide a realism that can be hard to find in other movie genres. The best war movies are the ones that make you feel like you are right there on the front lines. They give you a glimpse into the harsh realities of war and its effects on people. If you’re looking for a good war movie to watch, we recommend checking out these recommendations for some of the most realistic films since World War 2.
