Summary
War movieshave the power to educate and enthrall viewers with extraordinary depictions of battles and conflicts that can be rewatched repeatedly. The greatest war movies were packed with incredible characters, powerful thematic resonance, and a keen attention to detail that meant new things could be noticed upon each subsequent rewatch. The best war movies usually became even better when watched for a second, third, or even fourth time as the power of their narrative revealed further hidden depths to the story.
Incredibly acclaimed directors like Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick have been responsible for some of the greatest depictions of war ever seen on screen that maintained their resonance even after repeated viewings. War films that valued accuracy, powerful battle sequences, and impressive technical prowess also gave audiences a reason to rewatch films even after knowing how the story would end. Themost rewatchable war movies offered something new upon rewatching, and for this reason, they have stood the test of time and remained relevant.
Platoon
Cast
Chris Taylor, a neophyte recruit in Vietnam, finds himself caught in a battle of wills between two sergeants, one good and the other evil. A shrewd examination of the brutality of war and the duality of man in conflict.
Platoonwas aVietnam War movie praised by experts for its realismas it was directly inspired by director Oliver Stone’s experiences in that conflict during the late 1960s. Partly made in response to John Wayne’s filmThe Green Berets, which was widely considered pro-American propaganda,Platoonsought to showcase the true face of war. With incredible attention to realism,Platoonwas a hugely acclaimed and rewatchable film that connected with veterans and even won Best Picture.
All Quiet on the Western Front
A German youth eagerly enters World War I, but his enthusiasm wanes as he gets a firsthand view of the horror.
There’s a reason that audiences still speak about Lewis Milestone’sAll Quiet on the Western Frontnearly 100 years after it was first released. As a timeless depiction of the harrowing effects of war, this epic anti-war World War I story showcased the gruesome and morbid realities of conflict paired with an exceptional performance by Lew Ayres. While the 2022 adaptation of the original novel by Erich Maria Remarque was also intensely powerful,the 1930 version ofAll Quiet on the Western Frontwill always be the definitive depiction of this storythat will be rewatched for centuries to come.
Paths of Glory
After a failed attack on a German position, a general orders three soldiers, chosen at random, court-martialed for cowardice and their commanding officer must defend them.
ActorKirk Douglas’s greatest movie,Paths of Glory,was an astounding achievement that has remained incredibly effective in the decades since its release. Telling the powerful tale of a commanding French officer who must defend his soldiers against charges of cowardice after refusing to send them into a suicidal attack. The perceivedanti-military stance of the film madePaths of Gloryand director Stanley Kubrick controversialat the time, but it was also part of the reason it has maintained its rewatchable power for all these years.
Full Metal Jacket
Full Metal Jacket, directed by Stanley Kubrick, follows U.S. Marine recruits through rigorous boot camp training and onto the battlefields of Vietnam, highlighting the war’s impact on soldiers' psyches. Released in 1987, the film stars Matthew Modine, Vincent D’Onofrio, and R. Lee Ermey.
Stanley Kubrick’s Vietnam War movie,Full Metal Jacket,was incredibly effective. It essentially felt like two different films, one dealing with soldiers in training and the other with them actually in the conflict zone. This juxtaposition between two aspects of warfare took viewers on a journey from the speculative aspects of conflict to the heart of active war zones. With incredible thematic depth, memorable characters, and iconic imagery,Full Metal Jacketwas a powerful statement on warthat can be watched time and time again.
1917
Set against the backdrop of war-torn France during WWI, 1917 is directed by Sam Mendes and stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman as two young British soldiers tasked with delivering a dangerous message to stop an attack that could the lives of thousands of other soldiers at risk. The film uses long takes to make it appear that the entire narrative takes place over the course of two continuous shots. Mark Strong, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch also star.
Sam Mendes' World War I film1917was notable for its raw and unfiltered depiction of warfare but also for its technical achievements, as it was shot to look like one continuous take. This unique filmmaking technique made1917a highly immersive experience that made audiences feel like they literally following the soldiers through the conflict in real time. While1917could be rewatched for its emotional impact alone, viewers could also watch the movie on repeat just to be awed by its astounding technical spectacle.
While the harrowing effects of war may not have been the first thing that came to viewers' minds when they thought of the Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli, withGrave of the Fireflies, the studio produced one of the most heartbreaking World War II movies ever made. Featuring two siblings and war orphans in Kobe, Japan, in 1945,Grave of the Fireflieswas a devastating depiction of the conflict from a Japanese point of view. A graphic and emotional film about how the most vulnerable in society were affected by war,Grave of the Fireflieswas a classic of anti-war cinema.
As a depiction of the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England,Braveheartwas an epic historical war movie that captured the eternal spirit of rebellion and resistance.Braveheartfeatured one of thegreatest war movie battle speechesof all timeas Mel Gibson as William Wallace passionately shouted, “They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom.”Braveheartwas an iconic film that stood the test of time and was endlessly rewatchable for its powerful action, intense battle sequences, and memorable movie quotes.
8The Great Escape (1963)
Directed by John Sturges
With exceptional performances, memorable music, and an exciting narrative,The Great Escapewas one of the most rewatchable war movies ever made. Starring Steve McQueen as Captain Virgil Hilts, a man who, along with his fellow POWs, was determined to escape from the German POW camp Stalag Luft III during the Second World War,The Great Escapewas a gripping, slow-building story that has truly stood the test of time. Full of terror and tragedy but just as much togetherness and comradery between the prisoners,The Great Escapeencapsulated the full spectrum of the POWs' difficult experiences.
The Deer Hunter
The Deer Hunter is a 1978 war drama film by director Michael Cimino that centers on three men in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania during the Vietnam War. The film explores the effects of the war on small-town workers, with the trio of Russian-American friends bonding over one last hunting trip. Holding onto the hope of bringing home militaristic glory back to their friends and families, their reality quickly comes crashing down when they experience the war in Vietnam firsthand.
The Best Picture winnerThe Deer Hunterwas a profoundly effective film, made even more impressive by the talent of its cast, which included Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and Meryl Streep. As a harrowing portrayal of the Vietnam War and the traumatic effect it had on American veterans,The Deer Hunterwas difficult viewing that made incredible use of its over three-hour runtime. With so much thematic depth and psychological intrigue,The Deer Hunterwas a war movie with a lot to say, and its nuances revealed themselves even further upon rewatching.
Inglourious Basterds
Inglourious Basterds is a film set during World War II in Nazi-occupied France. It follows a group of Jewish-American soldiers, known as “The Basterds,” led by Lt. Aldo Raine, who engage in ruthless anti-Nazi efforts. Their actions intersect with a French-Jewish theater owner in a plot against the regime.
The alternative history filmInglourious Basterdswas a thrilling viewing experience the first time around, as audiences were left dumbfounded after the plan to assassinate Adolf Hilter was shockingly achieved. This was a satisfying twist from director Quentin Tarantino that can be even further appreciated upon rewatching, as without the element of surprise, audiences can fully enjoy what a funny, well-crafted, and effective movieInglourious Basterdswas. A true highlight of a fantastic filmography,Inglourious Basterdstoyed with the very idea of what a war movie could be.
