2d ago

What's the best 2nd world war drama you've ever seen?

For me it's hard to pick the best. I love Saving Private Ryan, Band of brothers, Masters of the Air and Dunkirk.

If I had to pick it would be Saving Private Ryan cos I just love it, it has so many incredible scenes and such realistic characters.

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I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Hacksaw Ridge. The movie tells a true story based on Desmond Doss, an American conscientious objector who signed up for the army and became a medic. He won the Congressional Medal of Honor without firing a shot.

There was a movie I found a while ago called The Train made in the 60s. It's about (you guessed it!) a train. It has a full load of stolen French artwork headed for Nazi Germany to be sold.
Aside from the immense cultural value the money could also be used to fund a whole division's worth of equipment so the French Resistance is tasked with stopping it, ideally without blowing it up. They also have to mark the car roofs to keep allied strafing runs from destroying them.
I had never heard of it but it was surprisingly awesome. There is tense sabotage, full on practical effects air raids and train derailments, railroad repair shown with real equipment etc. Not the best ever imo but I enjoyed it
- ‘Le Train’ is a wonderful film. With Burt Lancaster and Jeanne Moreau. Set in ‘44 when the Germans were retreating. I’ve seen it a few times. Well worth a watch.

Surprised you didn't mention fury, I didn't think it was a masterpiece but definitely worth a watch

The Pacific is the most realistic by far. Band of Brothers is unrealistic propaganda, but fun

For some reason I read that as "what's the second best war drama you've ever seen?" and thought "huh, what an interesting question".
I need a coffee.
- That's a better question! I wish I'd asked it

Not second world war but the newer all quiet on the western front is definitely worth a watch if you like war movies

The Pacific was great. I think it was the follow up to Band of Brothers.
- I like the pacific a lot and I think if it wasn't compares to BoB it would have a far higher following. It's a great show, excellent acting and shows how awful it was. Personally I prefer Masters of the Air though.

I know only the first part is during WWII, but Godzilla Minus One is pretty good.
- I was going to say this (it’s a great movie), but grave of the fireflies is still better

A Bridge Too Far is still one of my favorite movies ever made.
- Such a good movie. It's got battle scenes, but really it's about operational maneuvers and logistics, which is rare, and they make it interesting.

The Pianist. Which I have a special memory of, since I also saw a play around the same time that I saw the movie. The play was mostly someone narrating or playing the piano with some acting scenes inbetween. Both were really touching and very well done.

For nostalgic reasons, The Longest Day is one of my favourite WW2 dramas of all time.
https://trakt.tv/movies/the-longest-day-1962

SPR is the king, but I’d put Thin Red Line above any of those others. I can see why some people might not vibe with it because of the pacing and themes, but I love it.
- I've never seen that. What about it works for you?
  
  I identify quite a bit with how the protagonist views things. And the movie is, like most great films, adept at making you feel something powerful. I can’t describe it any better without giving away plot points. Give it a watch, I think you’ll find a lot to like in the film even if it resonates differently.

Just to suggest something else, I will recommend: A midnight clear (1992)
I would advice you not to read the plot summary, because it's best if you don't know in advance.
- I'd never heard of that. Just watched the advert it looks great thanks

34 comments