contributed by Melissa Lucas, senior staff writer
The Great War, as it was known at the time, was one of the largest and deadliest wars in history, which is probably why there is no shortage of movies based on World War 1. It was also one of the first wars to be heavily documented as events unfolded, both photo and film. After the end of the war, novelists found more than enough content to reference as they created compelling storylines, developed relatable characters, and depicted gruesome battles. This is likely the reason that the screenplays of so many of our top WW1 films were adapted from novels.
The first film to ever win an Academy Award for best picture was this famous World War 1 movie, which (silently) tells the story of a young couple in love – Mary and Jack. Jack is sent to France to fight in the Great War, and Mary follows as an ambulance driver. The film has been revered for it’s realistic and technically sophisticated combat scenes – perhaps because Paramount chose William Wellman, who had first-hand experience as a combat pilot – to direct it.
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All Quiet on the Western Front not only tops the best World War 1 movies list, but it’s possibly one of the greatest films ever made, in general. Often considered to be way ahead of its time, this adaptation of the anti-war novel written by Erich Maria Remarque depicts life through the eyes of young German soldiers encouraged to serve their country by taking up arms against the enemy in the Great War. The film unfolds as the men’s once clear, patriotic views are muddied by their experiences in the trenches.
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Gary Cooper and Helen Hayes are unforgettable in this film adaptation of the classic Hemmingway novel that tells the story of a tragic romance between American ambulance driver Frederic Henry, and English nurse Catherine Barkley. The film follows the lovers through the dramatic twists and turns of the War as their attempts to be together are thwarted from all sides. The dark ending of the film was met with mixed reviews, so it was revised – with 11 minutes cut from the original 89-minute run-time. Like many other WW1 films, A Farewell to Arms was nominated for several Academy Awards (and won two of them.) A copy of the original, 89-minute, version was located in 1999 and released on DVD.
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An anti-war WW1 film, Paths of Glory investigates what many believed to be the faults of the war and the men in charge of it. When several French troops refuse to go over the top and enter no man’s land, their peers are ordered to fire on them as a means of forcing them into the fight. But those men refuse orders as well, and what follows is a flawed trial which was used to make an example of these soldiers.
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Set in the Ottoman Empire, Lawrence of Arabia was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and tends to be revered as one of the greatest movies of all time, war genre notwithstanding. Peter O’Toole takes on the role of T.E. Lawrence, sent to assess, advise, and unite Arab forces in the fight against the German and Turks. Hailed for the depth of character developed on top of impressive visuals, Lawrence of Arabia is truly a classic WW1 film.
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This British WW1 film chronicles the story of Army Private Arthur Hamp, a volunteer soldier and the sole survivor of his original company who tries to make his way home to London in the middle of the war. He is captured as a deserter and a trial ensues. During the trial, his Captain unsuccessfully attempts to persuade the court that Hamp requires medical intervention for shell shock as opposed to discipline for deserting the Army.
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This film starring Mel Gibson seems to make its way onto every list of the best WW1 movies, and for good reason. The story is part coming of age tale and part war epic. The plot follows two young Australians who lose their innocence as they battle the enemy. As Frank Dunne and Archie Hamilton set off to war, they are almost looking forward to what they think will be their next great adventure. Once the reality of the situation sets in, the boys are forced to learn lessons they never expected.
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Directed by Steven Spielberg, War Horse follows a Thoroughbred named Joey for four years after being sold into the Army and tells the stories of WW1 in a unique fashion. Joey changes hands three times throughout the war, providing a view of the conflict from several perspectives: those of English, German, and French soldiers. This WW1 film depicts the desperation, love, loss, and determination experienced by these soldiers both on and off the battlefield.
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They Shall Not Grow Old is a poignant World War 1 film based on true stories. Using restored archival footage from the war, Peter Jackson created a stunning portrait of the men sent to fight. Interviews with British servicemen are played over the restored footage, resulting in a history lesson from the men who were on the front lines. The still photography and video footage both depict the brutality and gruesomeness of this war, but also serves as a reminder of the incredible spirits contained in the bodies of the men who served.
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One of the most recent movies about World War 1, 1917, follows two British soldiers on a deadly mission. Lance Corporal William Schofield and Lance Corporal Tom Blake are required to carry a message through the war zone. The message will call off a scheduled attack that would likely lead to the massacre of 1600 British troops. Schofield and Blake traverse no man’s land, abandoned German trenches, underground barracks, battered bridges, and more to carry out their mission. The film has been met with critical acclaim for poignantly capturing trench warfare.
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It’s difficult to pick the best movies about WW1. War movies aren’t hard to come by to begin with, but there are just so many World War I movies to choose from. So, we cheated a little bit (we couldn’t help it!) and created a Runners Up list. Here are a few that didn’t make the official cut but are still definitely worth a watch.
Perhaps one of the best war movies based on true stories is another WW1 film starring Gary Cooper. Once an immature young man with a penchant for starting fights and known for his lack of direction, Sergeant York is an expert marksman before entering the war. Although he initially considered himself a conscientious objector, he ultimately chooses to engage with the enemy, saving dozens of American lives in the process. From his days as a Tennessee farmer to fame as one of the most celebrated American servicemen of the War, the film pulls from the personal diaries kept by York throughout his lifetime.
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With a lack of the action WW1 movies are known for, this one is a little different. A British musical comedy from acclaimed director, David Attenborough, the film starts out upbeat and becomes a bit darker as the plot evolves. It focuses on the characters of a single family as they navigate the events both at home and on the front, during the Great War.
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Often overlooked when discussing movies about WWI, the Trench is an independent film starring Daniel Craig as a veteran soldier about to take part in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. Following Sergeant Winter as he and his platoon prepare to go over the top, the Trench illustrates the grim depression experienced by soldiers in the trenches on the Western Front.
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Another recent WW1 movie that is often overlooked. The Water Diviner is a harrowing tale of Australian Father, Joshua Conner (played by Russell Crowe) who makes his way to Turkey on a quest to retrieve the bodies of his three sons – all of whom lost their lives fighting the battle of Gallipoli. This film provides a different perspective of the war than many other WW1 films on our list – depicting the depth of loss, grief, and fear experienced by the loved ones of those in battle.
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Want to watch something other than WWI movies? Check out our Greatest War Movies by Era – A Military Connection Series for films set during the American Revolution, Civil War, and every other major American conflict.
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