After its 100-year mark has passed, the First World War has been revisited with much more detail in the past years. The global extent, impact, and constant media attention of WII left the prior conflict on a second level of attention. After its conclusion, films regarding the war were all over the place, while WWI films became scarce, basically having one big film about it once a decade for the rest of the 20th century. As the conflict’s aspects have now been explored to a greater depth, The Great War is generally known as a terrible episode in human history where fear, trauma, and bloodshed were taken to a massive scale. As the new century rolled in, the European emperors gradually faded bringing upon the rest of humanity a horror like no other.
A lot of the films in this list condemn such happening, making a statement against war, some emphasizing the horror, others on the humanity through it, and some both. Others use the tragedy as a glimpse into the lives of those who are forever changed by it. Here’s a closer look at the best World War One films.
Updated on October 22nd, 2023, by Yosra Ben lagha:This article has been updated with new features and information to keep the discussion fresh and relevant.
15The African Queen
The African Queen
The great Humphrey Bogartgot his only Oscar for this wild and delightful John Huston adventure.The African Queenpairs Bogey with another titanic figure of classic Hollywood in Katharine Hepburn. The film is about an alcoholic boat captain and a determined missionary in German East Africa, and their plan to sink a German warship patrolling a river so that British troops can attack.
Even more than its powerhouse performances and cinematic magic from Bogart and Hepburn, the movie finds its strength in a sturdy idealism in the face of daunting times, choosing to believe in the best of people and their capability to grow.
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Flyboysis about the two very first Americans to participate in The Great War. Althoughthe movie’s historical accuracywas questioned, most of the facts were, in fact, correct. A group of American pilots volunteered to serve under French command against the German threat.
They formed a squadron known as the Lafayette Escadrille, which became known for its high achievements, like taking down 57 enemy aircraft and killing nine of its pilots. The movie celebrates the French/American alliance stressing the importance of having a shared cause. The American pilots, especially Blaine Rawlings, showed incredible air force skills and bravado which gave the usually horrific war atmosphere a slightly lighter tone and even made the movie slightly entertaining.
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13Sergeant York
Sergeant Yorkexplored the conflict at a man’s heart between duty and ideology. As one of the most famous soldiers in WWI, the life of Alvin York (seen through the Academy Award-winning performance of Gary Cooper) is explored from his humble roots in Tennessee, his conversion to Christianity, and subsequent war achievements.
Though now seen asa propaganda piece, the first half of the movie is beautiful at questioning what makes someone, even a religious man, ultimately choose to go kill in the name of the country.
The first-ever recipient of the Academy Award for Best Picture is as mesmerizing today as it was in 1927.Wingsis a groundbreaking achievement in cinematography; its seemingly impossible long-shots, aerial combat sequences, and excellent performances make it hold up to this day.
It may not hold a big political statement, but its magnificent cinematic achievements marked a before and after point in history and inspired countless other artists to find a way to talk about the war.
Rent on Vudu
11Life And Nothing But
A movie under the brilliant lens of the French director Bertrand Tavernier and which took home seven awards (among which is the César Award for Best Actor for Philippe Noiret) is hard to keep off this list. To say that the battles of the Great War were terrible and inhuman is an understatement, but the true terror starts when the bombs stop when it’s time to count the dead, untangle the piles of bodies, and put a name to a face.Life And Nothing Butis about the grim assignment given to Major Delaplane of counting the corpses on the battlefields and identifying them.
Soon after he meets Irene the searching becomes less dreary as he starts falling in love with her. Irene believes her husband is among the dead but Major Delaplane receives word that he is still alive, cutting his romance short. The movie might not include any scenes about the battle, but it does shed light on a very dark reality that the war imposed; it turns the camera toward the making of widows, orphans, and the heartbreak of loss that usually goes unnoticed amid the loud noise of shells.
10War Horse
Just when you think you’ve seen it all in war movies, the 2011 dramaWar Horsewill show you otherwise. Steven Spielberg gives his audience war from the unique, unexplored perspective of a horse. The movie tells the story of a compelling friendship between a countryside boy named Albert and his horse Joey. The two are sadly forced apart as Joey’s skills are needed in the British cavalry. Joey was called “A miraculous horse” by soldiers who found him running through “No Man’s Land”, restoring the hope of many for survival.
Meanwhile, Albert is not able to rest until he restores his beloved pet. He ventures into the battlefields of France to bring the horse back to its peaceful home. The movie’s simple and universal message is that war is certainly unjustified for human beings but more so for animals who will only reap deep injuries and an uncalled-for death. The uplifting and joyous ending where the two friends reunite under the sunset, makes up for all the gory, dark, and cold tone that most scenes incorporate.
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9The Trench
It was William Boyd’s pleasure, as it seems, to present to the audience a movie about the 48 hours before the Battle of the Somme, which was considered by many, Britain’s worst military defeat during the First World War.The Trenchis mainly set in the trenches, which is the hiding place for soldiers with a direct view of the enemy’s opposing camp, and leaving the trenches usually means being exposed to open fire.
Sgt. Telford Winter (Daniel Craig), the command in charge of the troops, being the tough realistic man of war that he is, finds it hard to emotionally and mentally connect with the young soldiers, especially, 17-year-old Billy Macfarlane, who cannot reconcile conflictual feelings of patriotism, homesickness, panic, restlessness, and hope in tomorrow. The movie draws the veil over the soldiers' unfiltered thoughts, sacrifices, and regrets in an attempt to counter the dehumanizing effect that the war had on them. In other words, the movie serves as a window into the private lives of the 125,000British soldiers who died inthe Battle of the Somme. Watching such a movie that digs deep and portrays the war as a slaughter of young men in the prime of life, is, without doubt, a tough experience but absolutely worth it for moviegoers who want to see it as it is.
8Paths Of Glory
The firstStanley Kubrick filmto really showcase his strengths as a filmmaker. His precise observation of war makes a high contrast between the courts and the trenches, from the high officers’ mansions to the cramped spaces soldiers must be in.
Highly smart use of visual imagery and sound design complement an excellent film that is both a courtroom drama and an ode against senseless slaughter.Paths Of Gloryfinds Kirk Douglasas an officer defending three of his soldiers in court-martial after their refusal to go on a suicide mission.
Related:Best World War II Movies Ever Made, Ranked
Sam Mendes’grandfather’s WWI memories fueled the technically amazing odyssey that is1917. The brilliant editing and cinematography bymastermind Roger Deakinsmake the film appear as two long continuous shots.
This serves to highlight the visual tension of the frontline and trenches present in the war. The plot follows two British soldiers charged with delivering an urgent message to call off an ill-fated offensive.
6A Farewell to Arms
A Farewell to Armsleaves some of the hard-edged nature of Hemingway’snovel in favor of an artistic exploration of love during wartime. A tragic romance between an American soldier and a British nurse is placed on top of its context.
Yes the war is raging, and yes there is tragedy, but the intention of the film is to put love on top of it.A Farewell to Armsis not denying the conflict, but stating that the power of human emotion for caring should overcome its potential for destruction.
