BEST OLD WAR MOVIES: CLASSICS OF CINEMA

Entertainment, Movies & Series

Few genres are capable of taking the emotions of both the spectators and their protagonists to such an extreme as war films! Allowing to balance in a single feature film the undeniable dramatic and crudeness of an armed conflict with its terrifying “spectacularity” -note the quotation marks🙄-, the “war” cinema has offered us gigantic works that, without the need to be vindicated, since they do it by themselves, are worth remembering!

The ranking of the best old war movies in history

All Quiet on the Western Front, 1930

Adapting Erich Maria Remarque’s novel of the same name, Lewis Milestone signed in 1930 one of the most bloody anti-war speeches that the seventh art has given us, and that continues to be equally valid and overwhelming ninety years after its premiere.

A true prodigy that squeezed every last drop of the means of the time to introduce us into the trenches of the First World War and force us to witness the horrors and senselessness of the conflict and its consequences firsthand.

Paths of Glory, 1957

Despite having released the previous year the extraordinary ‘Perfect Heist’, ‘Paths of Glory’ was the feature film that made Stanley Kubrick enter directly into the cinematic Olympus. Considered by many as the director’s best work, the film, starring an extraordinary Kirk Douglas, combines in just an hour and a half Kubrick’s technical and narrative mastery in an anti-war discourse that is not afraid to portray the senselessness of the high command of the First World War while bombarding us with shattering and indelible sequences.

The Bridge on the River Kwai, 1957

Before astonishing half the world with his ‘Lawrence of Arabia, David Lean reaped a whopping seven Oscars with ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai which has endured in the collective memory thanks, in part, to its mythical soundtrack.

But if there is something that makes it a jewel in war movies of all time, beyond its superb staging, it’s the way it focuses the story on its characters, written to perfection and played by a cast of real luxury, which stands out as a priceless William Holden and Alec Guinness.

The Guns of Navarone, 1961

‘The Guns of Navarone’ may be the most enjoyable for its balance of lightness, ability to entertain, and old-school spectacularity. Closer to classic adventure films than to the pure and simple war genre, the almost three hours that J. Lee Thompson’s film leaves us with set-pieces to remember with outstanding special effects and, above all, a cast that exudes charisma and transmits it to each of the frames that make up the story.

Lawrence of Arabia, 1962

Each of the scenes that shape David Lean’s masterpiece is a small diamond in the rough used to build one of the great cathedrals of the history of the seventh art.

Photographed by Freddie Young in glorious 65mm that turns the film’s gigantic production design into an exercise as beautiful as it’s hypnotic, starring an unrepeatable Peter O’Toole, and exceptionally narrated by Lean, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ shouldn’t be confined to any genre other than cinema in capital letters.

The Battle of Algiers (La battaglia di Algeri, 1966)

With ‘The Battle of Algiers’, the Italian Gillo Pontecorvo signed one of those feature films that transcend the term to earn the adjective “cinematic experience”.

Set during the struggle between the Algerian National Liberation Front and the French colonialist army, the film finds its greatest virtue in a style that embraces documentary language and, when combined with the fantastic soundtrack composed by Ennio Morricone, immerses the audience in a relentless struggle with overwhelming force.

The Dirty Dozen, 1967

‘Twelve from the Gallows’ wasn’t Robert Aldrich’s first approach to war movies set in World War II -there are ‘Attack!’ or ‘Ten Seconds from Hell’ to show us his impeccable hand for it-, but it was his greatest contribution to the genre. A real delight, epic, with a rounded script and, above all, with a cast that cuts the hiccups just by reading their names.

Patton (1970)

Once again we surf the fine line that separates genres to include Franklin J. Schaffner’s wonderful ‘Patton’ in our compilation.

Halfway between a biopic and the usual war film, the winner of seven Oscars focuses on the figure of the controversial American general George S. Patton, whose victory over Erwin Rommel changed the course of World War II, and who was played by George C. Scott in the most powerful acting exercise of his career.

😱 Are you more into the Horror genre? These are the best horror movies of all time.

Johnny Got His Gun, 1971

Written and directed by Dalton Trumbo, who adapted his novel for the big screen, we could classify ‘Johnny Got His Gun’ as the great anti-war film in history and as one of the most disheartening, depressing, and harsh exercises we will find in this list; which continues to stir consciences with the same perfection as it did almost five decades ago.

It may not be exemplary in terms of staging and form, but the moral debates it raises and the way it captures the ordeal of a war victim are worthy of all praise.

A Bridge Too Far, 1977

The three-hour-long ‘A Bridge Too Far’ and its dramatization of the famous operation Market Garden, executed during World War II, are fabulous in every one of their formal and narrative aspects; but if this Richard Attenborough gem triumphed in its time and continues to be so captivating it’s due to a stellar international cast that leaves any of those mentioned in this list in its infancy.

The Deer Hunter, 1978

Four years after debuting at the hand of Clint Eastwood with ‘A $500,000 haul’, double Oscar winner Michael Cimino marked a new turning point in cinema set in the Vietnam War with ‘The Hunter’. Three almost perfect hours that, besides not exhausting at any time, keep you glued to the screen with a lump in your throat at the display of beauty and horror with which the director narrates the introspective journey of his protagonists.

The Submarine (Das Boot)’ (‘Das Boot’, 1981)

There are many “submarine” films, but none like Wolfgang Petersen’s masterful ‘Das Boot’. An atypical underwater approach to World War II from the German point of view directed to the thousand wonders that, drawing gold from the bottled scenario in which it’s set, provides 150 minutes in which the public shares the same claustrophobia, the same tension, and the same uneasiness as its desolate protagonists, sent to almost certain death.

Ran, 1985

Momentarily moving away from “modern” warfare, we go back to feudal Japan by the hand of Akira Kurosawa in the magnificent ‘Ran’; a production in which the Japanese master freely adapted William Shakespeare’s ‘King Lear’ with a beauty as captivating as unusual, captured thanks to an outstanding art direction and cinematography. Dazzling in every aspect.

Threads, 1984

Despite being aimed directly at the television market, this BBC production has managed to find a place in this selection thanks to its suggestive power and its terrifying exploration of the effects that a nuclear bomb would have on a population like that of Sheffield.

In the key of a mockumentary, ‘Threads’ portrays the hypothetical situation with a crudeness in which there is no room for the slightest hint of sugar or hope, and leaves passages that are material for the worst nightmares imaginable.

Platoon, 1987

Oliver Stone’s first approach to the Vietnam War, whose trilogy set in the conflict would complete ‘Born on the Fourth of July’ and ‘Heaven and Earth’, rose on its own merits with the Oscars for best film and best direction.

Because ‘Platoon’, in addition to displaying the cynicism, rawness, and narrative expertise always present in the director’s work, gains points by diluting the experiences of Stone himself, who served in the war between 1967 and 1968; offering a first-hand view of the horror.

Full Metal Jacket, 1987

Maybe, among all the masterpieces that populate this list, ‘The Metal Jacket’ is our favorite film. With an overwhelming first half that portrays the harshness -and cruelty- of the training of the U.S. Marine Corps, and a second section in which the usual causality in film narrative gives way to a practically episodic structure, Stanley Kubrick signed a new anti-war plea, perfect in form and substance, set late in the infamous Vietnam War.

Schindler’s List, 1993

The lines that delimit the genre are often blurred and, in this case, we’re going to take the opportunity to claim this magnificent drama set in World War II.

Schindler’s List may not conform to the canons we have assimilated about war cinema, and it may be closer to historical drama, but very few feature films have captured the tragedy of the Holocaust with such sensitivity and mastery as Steven Spielberg’s monochrome classic.

RECENT POSTS

HOW TO GET OVER A BREAKUP: SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU

To learn how to overcome a romantic breakup, you must keep in mind that although it is a difficult task to achieve, the truth is that you can always move forward. Human resilience will help you overcome any adversity. The breakup of a couple is a painful experience, an overwhelming situation that affects you physically, […]

BAD COUPLE TATTOOS: HORRIBLE BUT FUNNY!

Obtaining a tattoo on the body is a desire that nearly everyone wishes to accomplish in their lifetime. Making mistakes is a natural part of life, yet certain individuals have unfortunately selected ill-advised tattoos that come with lasting consequences. These couples have selected mismatched tattoos that won’t simply fade away within a week. Take a […]

ORBITING DATING, WHAT IS IT?

Just when you thought you were getting the hang of what ghosting was, or even the whole stalking thing, along comes another new term: orbiting. It seems like navigating relationships has become even trickier since social media stepped into the scene. New terms and behaviors keep popping up, ones we never had to deal with […]

DOES MARIJUANA HELP WITH STRESS, REAL OR MYTH?

If there’s one thing that marijuana reigns supreme for, it’s because it has always had an incredibly close relationship with stress. The medicinal benefits of cannabis are the solution to everything that stress can generate in our bodies. This leads us precisely to want to delve into cannabis and stress in this post and take […]

SPANNABIS BARCELONA 2024: THE MOST SPECIAL NEWS!

Being in Barcelona for the International Cannabis Awards and Spannabis Fair Week is like visiting the Holy Grail of the marijuana world. Thousands of enthusiasts descended upon the glorious ancient city of Barcelona on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, both as tourists and smokers, eager to immerse themselves in the sights and the smokes. Unfortunately, the […]

GREENWASHING: WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT?

Every day, people are becoming increasingly aware of their role in society and the need to protect and care for the environment. It’s a conscious and radical shift that allows no delays or hesitations. This has led some companies, whose economic activities affect the environment and health, to significantly reduce their consumption levels and therefore […]

WHY IS MY PHONE GETTING HOT? HOW TO AVOID IT

All phones can experience occasional heat buildup, which becomes problematic when it reaches a level that causes discomfort or triggers unusual behavior. Fortunately, there are simple measures you can take to prevent your phone from overheating. Why does my phone heat up? Typically, phone overheating occurs due to factors such as excessive usage, a stressed […]

TAKE YOUR ADRENALINE TO THE MAXIMUM WITH POWERBOCKING

Powerbocking, also referred to as “power-rizing,” “blade running,” and “jump stilting,” is a sport where athletes utilize specialized leg attachments called jumping stilts. These jumping stilts are curved in form and equipped with springs, enabling users to achieve remarkable heights when jumping. They are known to enhance an athlete’s performance across various activities, with claims […]

UNDERWATER MUSEUM: ART UNDERWATER IN CANCUN

If you love exploring the underwater world, this museum is for you. The Underwater Museum of Art (Museo Subacuático de Arte – MUSA) in Cancun, Mexico, is the perfect destination for all enthusiasts of the underwater world. This incredible underwater museum features a wide variety of artistic installations and sculptures designed for you to enjoy […]

MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK: A PLACE YOU SHOULD KNOW

Mount Rainier became a national park because people with different views worked together. They wanted to save its beautiful scenery from being lost forever. Over six years, several businessmen, scientists, educators, mountaineers, and environmentalists united to advocate before Congress to protect Mount Rainier as a national park. Their hard work paid off when President McKinley […]

ROCKVILLE FESTIVAL 2024 LINEUP, ARTISTS, AND MORE

In the vibrant realm of music, Welcome to Rockville has arisen as a beacon for rock and metal enthusiasts. This festival, which had its humble beginnings in Jacksonville, has evolved dramatically, leaving an indelible mark on the music scene. In this editorial journey, we will delve into the history of Welcome to Rockville, from its […]

DEADPOOL 3: THE FAVORITE ANTI-HERO RETURNS

The buzz surrounding the film is undeniable, and with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman returning as one of the most beloved X-Men, Wolverine, many rumors suggest that Deadpool 3 has every chance of becoming the biggest event in the Spider-Man Multiverse. Especially since it will be the only confirmed Marvel Studios film for 2024! What […]

WHAT IS BLACKWORK TATTOO?

Blackwork tattooing is a style that relies exclusively on black ink, favored by many tattoo artists who prioritize its use over other colors. Currently, there’s a significant demand for this style, reflecting its popularity among both artists and clients! Executing blackwork tattoos poses a challenge due to its versatility, encompassing various techniques and design approaches. […]

OSCARS 2024: THE WINNERS OF THE 96TH EDITION

The Oscars might not be breaking any viewership records in recent years. The numbers are dropping, and the competition is getting tougher. Audiences are tuning into streaming platforms or exploring other forms of entertainment like video games, the new big thing in the leisure industry. The Oscars persist and will continue to be a spectacle […]

CANNABIS CAKE: SPACE CAKE RECIPE

Space cakes truly live up to their name. It’s like having your favorite cake but with a magical touch of herb! Almost every coffee shop in Amsterdam has some type of space cake on their menu, and more people are daring to try them to experience a discreet and delicious edible high. The good news […]