Summary
World War I was one of the most significant conflicts the world has ever seen and has consistently acted as the basis for countless incrediblewar movies. As a global conflict that saw fighting occur throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Pacific, and parts of Asia, it’s no surprise that the First World War was a topic that filmmakers have returned to again and again. Taking place during an era of hand-to-hand combat and trench warfare, the immediacy of battles in World War I still holds the power to shock film viewers with their intensity.
Some of the greatest movies about World War I were produced shortly after the conflict ended and were seen by audiences with personal recollections and connections to the war itself. Later films used the conflict to address wider issues surrounding the very nature of war and presented an anti-war stance that highlighted the true brutality of bloodshed. With films by some of thegreatest directors who ever lived,the best movies about World War I represented some of the greatest cinematic accomplishments of all time.
Testament Of Youth
Cast
Testament of Youth is a historical drama directed by James Kent, based on Vera Brittain’s memoir of the same name. Set during World War I, the film stars Alicia Vikander as Brittain, who postpones her studies at Oxford University to serve as a nurse, experiencing firsthand the horrors of war. Kit Harington co-stars as Roland Leighton, her fiancé. The story explores themes of love, loss, and resilience.
One greatwar movie with a strong female leadwasTestament of Youth, which was a British war drama based on a memoir by Vera Brittain. As a nurse during the First World War,Testament of Youthrecounted Britaain’s (Alicia Vikander) experiences and journey toward pasismalongside a love story between herself and a soldier named Roland Leighton (Kit Harrington.) But make no mistake, alongside the romance, this drama highlighted the bloody and grim realities of war as the true horrors of conflict were brought to the forefront.
However,Testament of Youthalso pushed amessage about humanity’s ability to persevere through even the most difficult times. By telling the story of a war nurse,Testament of Youthportrayed the seldom-seen experiences of those on the frontlines who chose to heal rather than hurt and the horrific consequences of soldiers who found themselves in need of medical attention. A powerful and poignant pontification on and love,Testament of Youthwill leave audiences questioning the validity of warfare itself.
War Horse
Stephen Spielberg presents War Horse, a war drama set during World War I, and follows a Horse named Joey brought into the war to be used as a cavalry mount for the British Army. The film follows the journey of the horse being raised up through its traversal through the horrific battlegrounds of the tragic war.
As a war movie that spanned the entire First World War,War Horsewas a fascinating drama that explored how a horse named Joey touched the lives of various people throughout war-torn Europe. As a proudly sentimental and strikingly old-fashioned-style story,War Horsewas the type of movie that only a director like Steven Spielberg could have made, as it expertly adapted the original 1982 novel and subsequent stage versions of this tale. As an emotional drama that touched on Spielbergian themes of family, hope, and childhood wonder,War Horseworked exceedingly well.
Featuring some of the greatest shots that Speilberg has ever directed,War Horsewas an underappreciated gem in his vast filmography, which included other war-based classics likeSchindler’s ListandSaving Private Ryan. With an ensemble cast that helped bolster a grand and effective adventure,War Horsecaptured the essence of classic Hollywood filmmaking.War Horsewas a poignant and vulnerable look at World War I through the lived experience of an incredible horse.
Wings
Wings is a silent war film directed by William A. Wellman, notable for its technical achievements in aerial combat sequences. Released in 1927, the film stars Clara Bow, Charles “Buddy” Rogers, and Richard Arlen, focusing on the rivalry and camaraderie of two World War I fighter pilots. Renowned for its dynamic portrayal of airborne battles and its emotional depth, Wings won the first Academy Award for Best Picture.
As the first Best Picture winner at the Academy Awards,Wingswas always destined to be a historical film, but what’s more impressive was that it has maintained its power almost 100 years later. An action-packed, silent wartime romance,Wingstold the story of two young men in love with the same women who became fighter pilots during the First World War. As a conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918,Wingswas notable as a film produced for a generation that still vividly remembered the war, and many of its viewers likely even fought in it.
Wingsacted as a tribute to fighter pilots and was praised for its authentic portrayal of aviation, which has gone on to influence subsequent movies such asTop Gun. With anexceptional lead performance by Clara Bow as Mary Preston,Wingshad a stellar cast, excellent combat sequences, and, in many ways, was a truly groundbreaking film.Wingswas produced before the production code came into effect, and one of its most notable claims to fame was being among the first widely released films to show nudity (viaCollider.)
Johnny Got His Gun
During World War I, a patriotic young American is rendered blind, deaf, limbless, and mute by a horrific artillery shell attack. Trapped in what’s left of his body, he desperately looks for a way to end his life.
Johnny Got His Gunwas among the most harrowing anti-war movies ever produced, as, more so than any film before it, it showcased the shocking realities of life for those left maimed and helpless by the ravages of war. With a story that involved an American soldier left blind, deaf, and limbless due to a shell attack in World War I,it does not get any grimmer thanJohnny Got His Gun. Written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dalton Trumbo,Johnny Got His Gunwas based on Trumbo’s own 1938 novel.
Johnny Got His Gunwas produced after Trumbo had beenblacklisted by Hollywoodduring the red scare of McCarthyism throughout the 1950s. Having already faced the destruction of his own career, it seemed Trumbo was not afraid to show the world as he saw it and highlight the true depravity of war in this highly effective film.Johnny Got His Gunwas not for the faint of heart, but those who see it will witness an anti-war movie that truly succeeded in portraying the brutal realities of conflict.
Journey’s End
Set in a dugout in Aisne in 1918, it is the story of a group of British officers, led by mentally-disintegrating young Officer Stanhope, as they await their fate.
Journey’s Endwas a British war film based on the 1928 play by R. C. Sherriff that has been adapted for the screen numerous times. The first version came in 1930 and was a powerful depiction of British army officers encountering trench warfare during the First World War; however, this story was effectively updated by director Saul Dibb with resonating urgency in 2017. Set in a dugout in Aisne in 1918,Journey’s Endcaptured the tension and anxiety of soldiers preparing to face their uncertain fate.
With a talented cast,Journey’s Endnot only highlighted the brutality of war but also showcased the class distinctions and expectations faced by soldiers during this era. As a deeply psychological film filled with hand-to-hand combat and bloody carnage,Journey’s Endshowcased the disintegration of humanity amid the tortuous realities of war. Through tackling urgent themes such as this,Journey’s Endmade for disturbing, albeit highly important, viewing.
Sergeant York
Sergeant York is a biographical war film directed by Howard Hawks, starring Gary Cooper as Alvin C. York. Released in 1941, the movie chronicles the true story of a pacifist farmer who becomes one of World War I’s most decorated American soldiers. Through personal transformation and moral conflict, York’s journey from conscientious objector to hero underscores themes of duty and patriotism. The film also features Walter Brennan and Joan Leslie in supporting roles.
With an Oscar-winning performance by Gary Cooper and fantastic direction from filmmaking legend Howard Hawks,Sergeant Yorkwas a powerful World War Ibiopic based on Sergeant Alvin C. York. As one of the most decorated soldiers of the First World War, York was a true American hero who fought bravely in the Meuse–Argonne offensive, one of the bloodiest battles of the conflict. As the highest-grossing film of 1941 (viaThe Numbers), Sergeant York has maintained its incredible power after all these.
Released in the summer of 1941,Sergeant Yorkwas a powerful war movie that came out just months before the attack on Pearl Harbor and U.S. involvement in the Second World War. With a highly relevant story about a man who chose to fight for his country, many young men would have watchedSergeant Yorkwhile considering doing the same in the ongoing conflict at the time. With an involving story and heartfelt performances,Sergeant Yorkholds up to this day.
Gallipoli
Gallipoli is a war drama directed by Peter Weir, focusing on two Australian soldiers, Archy Hamilton and Frank Dunne, who enlist during World War I and are sent to fight in the Gallipoli campaign. Starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, the film explores themes of camaraderie and the tragic futility of war, highlighting the historical Battle of Gallipoli.
Gallipoliwas a moving and engaging film that addressed the rarely depicted Australians involved in the First World War. Directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee,Gallipoliwas about the Gallipoli campaign that took place in modern-day Turkey but also told a compelling story of friendship and connection. As one of the best-loved Australian films of all time,Gallipolideserved to reach a much larger audience worldwide, as its director went on to make classics likeDead Poet’s SocietyandThe Truman Show.
AlthoughGallipolihas received criticism for its alternation of the true historical story, it’s impossible to deny its effectiveness as a movie. Gibson gives an extraordinarily vulnerable early career performance as a young soldier taking part in one of the most horrific battles in the entire First World War.Gallipoliwas a slow-moving but highly effective film and a must-see for anyone interested in World War I cinema.
All Quiet on the Western Front
A German youth eagerly enters World War I, but his enthusiasm wanes as he gets a firsthand view of the horror.
For nearly 100 years,All Quiet on the Western Fronthas remained one of the greatest accounts of the First World War ever committed to screen. From the harrowing performance of Lew Ayres as the shell-shocked young soldier Paul Bäumer to the way it highlighted the brutal realities of bloodshed, this was a timeless film for the ages. Expertly capturing the anti-war ethos of Erich German author Maria Remarque’s original novel,All Quiet on the Western Front,had something truly urgent to say as it was released just as Hitler and the Nazi Party were taking hold.
As the first Best Picture winner based on a novel, it was appropriate that such an important story be told across different mediums to allow it to reach the largest possible audience. The relevance ofAll Quiet on the Western Front’sstory has not diminished in the years since, which can be seen through the acclaim that the 2022 remake received. A true classic of the war genre,All Quiet on the Western Frontwas among themost rewatchable war moviesever made, as it stood the test of time for nearly a century.
1917
Set against the backdrop of war-torn France during WWI, 1917 is directed by Sam Mendes and stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman as two young British soldiers tasked with delivering a dangerous message to stop an attack that could the lives of thousands of other soldiers at risk. The film uses long takes to make it appear that the entire narrative takes place over the course of two continuous shots. Mark Strong, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch also star.
The World War I drama1917presented a raw and unflinchingly graphic depiction of the conflictbut was also notable for its technical achievements, which made the film look like it had been shot as one long continuous take. This highly immersive experience made it feel like viewers were directly in the heart of battle as they followed two British lance corporals, William Schofield and Tom Blake, through the battlefield. As the young men sought to deliver an urgent message to call off a doomed attack,1917was a heart-racing war drama like the world had never previously seen.
With startling immediacy, director Sam Mendes captured the harrowing realities of trench warfare and powerfully showcased for audiences the struggles of day-to-day existence as a soldier on the frontlines. As an almost overwhelming film-viewing experience,1917highlighted cinema’s power to showcase warfare’s brutalities. While much of the conversation surrounding1917was dominated by its technical wonders, this would not have been nearly as effective without the powerful story of human resilience at the center of it all.
Paths of Glory
The futility and irony of the war in the trenches in WWI is shown as a unit commander in the French army must deal with the mutiny of his men and a glory-seeking general after part of his force falls back under fire in an impossible attack.
Among the greatest works ever produced by filmmaking visionary Stanley Kubrick,Paths of Glorywas the best film about World War I, as it tackled its subject with unflinching intensity. Starring Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax,Paths of Gloryfirst told a story of warfare before becoming a thrilling look at a man charged with cowardice in a court-martial. This was because Colonel Dax refused to send his men into a suicidal attack, and in the process,Paths of Gloryhighlights the despicable thought process of those in power who saw soldiers as simply pawns in their horrific war games.
The perceived anti-military stand ofPaths of Glorymade it a controversial release at the time, but this willingness to address miscarriages of justice and those who dictated war was also what made it a timeless classic. While Kubrick would go on to address the subject of war in later films likeDr. StrangloveandFull Metal Jacket,Paths of Glorywas one of his bleakest and most effective explorations of the subject. A powerful depiction of not just the hardships of war but also the bureaucracy behind it,Paths of Glorywas a truly great World War I movie.
