10 Films About World War II That Shed Light on Events from Different Angles

Some films portray this war not in a traditional sense, but with extraordinary poignancy, conveying personal stories and directors' perspectives on the events. In a Vogue Ukraine article, it shares 10 films about World War II that illuminate history from different angles.

"Schindler's List", 1993

Steven Spielberg's masterpiece "Schindler's List" is one of the most moving war films in cinematic history. This film tells a very specific story of World War II. It bypasses battlefields, instead depicting one man's struggle to save Polish Jews from concentration camps.

Павялічыць

Liam Neeson plays Oskar Schindler, a factory owner who bribes Nazi leaders not to send his workers to death camps, thereby saving over 1100 lives.

"The English Patient", 1996

Wartime is rarely portrayed with such atmosphere as in Anthony Minghella's drama. In this love epic, adapted from Michael Ondaatje's novel, Ralph Fiennes plays an unknown "English patient," a man burned beyond recognition, who recounts his story to a young nurse.

The film received positive reviews from both audiences and critics — it was nominated 12 times at the 69th Academy Awards ceremony and won nine awards.

"Saving Private Ryan", 1998

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Another war drama by Steven Spielberg. This truly epic film tells the story of Captain John Miller, who, during the Normandy operation, with a squad of eight men, had to go behind enemy lines to search for Private James Ryan.

According to some sources, the film is based on real events that happened to the Niland brothers after the introduction of the "Sole Survivor Policy" in the US Army, which stipulated that members of the same family serve in different military units and, in particular, be recalled from the front in the event of the death of other relatives.

The film's epic scale, in addition to spectacular special effects and sets, is enhanced by its preparation and post-production. All main actors were required to undergo army training for several days.

The extensive physical exertion eliminated the need for special makeup, as the actors already had an exhausted appearance.

During filming, Spielberg showed the shot footage to veterans of the Normandy landings to achieve the most accurate depiction of events. Their consultations largely helped the film become very plausible even in its details. For example, fish stunned by explosions and washed up on "Omaha" Beach was a suggestion from the landing participants.

"The Pianist", 2002

Based on the memoirs of Władysław Szpilman, a Holocaust survivor in Warsaw, this film depicts the plight of Polish Jews when the Nazis invaded their country.

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Holocaust stories are always horrific, and "The Pianist" is one of those films that managed to capture and convey the atmosphere of these tragic events. Adrien Brody, who played Szpilman, appears extraordinarily convincing, sincere, and dedicated in his role. The Academy Award for Best Actor is a testament to this.

"Inglourious Basterds", 2009

With "Inglourious Basterds," Quentin Tarantino dared to reinterpret an untouchable history, portraying the events of World War II in a way no one else could, presenting his vision of how the war should have ended. At the center of the plot is a group of Jewish-American soldiers tasked with killing Nazi leaders.

Павялічыць

"Inglourious Basterds" is a vivid depiction of Nazi-occupied France, serving as an ideal canvas for Tarantino's graphic violence. Among other things, the film will be remembered for the excellent performance of Austro-German actor Christoph Waltz as an SS Nazi officer and the absolute extraordinariness of Brad Pitt's character — Lieutenant Aldo Raine.

"Fury", 2014

This World War II drama tells the story of a group of five tank crewmen involved in a dangerous operation — a mission to disrupt a Nazi offensive. David Ayer is a director obsessed with both extreme violence and bonds of brotherhood, and his "Fury" represents the most powerful synthesis of these two passions.

The main actors — Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña, Jon Bernthal, and Shia LaBeouf — effortlessly recreate a shared history, while the violence, in all its vividness, demonstrates the shock and awe of war.

The grim and brutal depiction of battles (and the claustrophobic intensity of being inside a tank during them) made "Fury" an absolutely unique war film at the time of its release.

"Unbroken", 2014

The film "Unbroken" would not have happened without a hero who endured the trials he faced during World War II.

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Angelina Jolie centered her second directorial work on the story of Louis Zamperini — an Olympic champion who became a bomber commander during the war, crashed in the Pacific Ocean, was captured by the Japanese, and miraculously survived.

The film's motto became the phrase "If you endure, you will overcome" — true words for the whole world that never lose their relevance.

"Hacksaw Ridge", 2016

This biographical war drama, directed by Mel Gibson, is based on the 2004 documentary film The Conscientious Objector.

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At the center of the film's plot is the story of military medic Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, who refused to carry or use weapons of any kind. Doss became the first "conscientious objector" to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his service during the Battle of Okinawa.

A unique and moving story of courage and morality that undoubtedly deserves attention.

"Dunkirk", 2017

One of Christopher Nolan's most spectacular films — "Dunkirk" — is a work of uncompromising seriousness that unfolds very rapidly, raises complex questions, and causes goosebumps throughout the film.

Nolan's narrative about the evacuation from Dunkirk is an impressive film that immediately after its release entered the pantheon of great war films.

"Jojo Rabbit", 2019

Павялічыць

One of the most unusual films on the list is Taika Waititi's "Jojo Rabbit" — a satirical story that depicts wartime through the eyes of 10-year-old Johannes (aka Jojo).

Johannes is a member of the Hitler Youth who discovers that his mother (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl (Thomasin McKenzie) at home. Jojo questions his beliefs, arguing with his imaginary friend, a chimerical version of Adolf Hitler.

This film stands out for its comedic stance on the politics of war, for which it was criticized by many. However, it is worthy of attention for the moral values it brings to the forefront.

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