A lot has been said about World War II. The tragedy is immortalized in art, numerous memorials, the memory of the participants in the events and their relatives. The armed conflict affected not only and the Soviet Union, almost all countries of the continent played their role, the fire of the war touched Africa, Japan, as well as states that seemed to have nothing to do with the situation.
Cinema is a great way to convey your thoughts to the general public. When a director makes a film about World War II, he has an additional responsibility. Today the events of that time are interpreted by states in different ways And it's impossible to please everyone. The Western film industry, traditionally, assigns the main role in the victory over fascism to the capitalist bloc. Of course, one can and should argue with this position, but today we want to talk about something else.
Despite all the specifics of the ideas of the Western world, often local directors manage to make really high-quality films, which are well received even by the domestic audience. We invite you to familiarize yourself with our carefully prepared selection of the best foreign films about World War II. Here you can find masterpieces that have become classics and controversial paintings that amaze with their boldness and originality.
Schindler's list
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama
Year of issue: 1993
Today it is difficult to believe in this humanistic story, but it really took place. Steven Spielberg filming was very hard "Schindler's List", to which he went for about ten years. The director tried to convey the idea to his colleagues, Martin Scorsese и Roman Polanskibut got rejected. Steven had to tackle the emotional and intense tape on his own. The result exceeded all expectations, and the picture has already become a classic of cinema.
Oskar Schindler - ambitious businessman and member of the Nazi Party. He resides in an occupied Krakowto open a new production there. Oscar is delighted to discover that the Jewish ghetto is an endless source of labor. The inhabitants of the concentration camp are grateful to the manufacturer for one opportunity to be in human conditions. Everything changes when an SS officer Amon Geth orders to liquidate the ghetto and send the prisoners for destruction in Auschwitz. Schindler wants to keep his workers with a bribe and draws up a list, but subsequently spends all his savings on saving the Jews.
It is very interesting to watch how an inveterate adventurer, businessman and member of the NSDAP turns into selfless and sensitive humanist. The film is based on real events, Schindler provided work for Jews and managed to save more than a thousand people in this way. Oscar was far from being a saint, according to numerous testimonies in his biography there are also not very beautiful deeds, but we are all human and we are not perfect. Who saves one life saves the whole worldWe must keep this in mind even now.
[webnavoz_rating id=51591]Saving Private Ryan
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama
Year of issue: 1998
And here's another movie. Steven Spielberg on the subject of World War II. True, unlike "Schindler's List" there was some pathos here, not to mention the dubious authenticity of the events shown. However, the participation in the project of such actors as Tom Hanks, Vin Diesel и Matt Damon makes the new generation of viewers reconsider the picture.
James Ryan abandoned in the rear after the Allied landings in Normandy. His brothers died and in order not to shock the mother with the loss of all the children at once, the command orders find a guy and send him home. The operation is entrusted to the group of the captain Miller, which on its way will face a lot of obstacles. Many will die heroically, and the survivors will never forget these events and comrades.
It is not known for certain how much the picture corresponds to real events. Rumor has it that they tried to send the last sons in the family home in the event of the death of their brothers. The painting was awarded two Golden Globes for "Best Film" and "Best Director". It was originally planned to film "Saving Private Ryan" in black and white, but Spielberg later abandoned the idea.
[webnavoz_rating id=51593]Perl-Harbor
Directed by: Michael Bay
Genre: Drama
Year of issue: 2001
For the film adaptation of one of the most serious defeats of the United States during the Second World War, took Michael Bay. The picture was filmed based on real events and some characters even had their own prototypes, but the veterans criticized the tape for excessive distortion of historical facts. However, the viewer, who is not familiar with the specifics of hostilities, liked the film, which means that the director completed the main task.
The plot tells about the attack of Japanese troops on Perl-Harbor in 1941. The events take place against the backdrop of a love triangle in which childhood friends are bogged down. Wraith и Dannyand also a nurse Evelyn. The guys can not share the girl, because she favors both, but when Japanese bombs fall on the American base, old grievances have to be forgotten. After a shameful defeat, the command announces a retaliatory raid on Tokyo. Rafe and Danny sign up as volunteers, but only one of the friends is destined to return from the mission.
The stellar cast deserves attention: Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett и Kate Beckinsale they pull out the picture with their mere presence. Indeed, the raid on Pearl Harbor - black page in US history, so it is very difficult to shoot on this topic. The retaliatory raid of the Americans on Tokyo is a suicidal operation, in reality, only 1 plane out of 16 remained intact and landed in the USSR. However, the action was politically important and showed the Japanese their vulnerability.
[webnavoz_rating id=51595]Pianist
Directed by: Roman Polanski
Genre: Drama
Year of issue: 2002
Before us is an autobiographical drama about one of the most famous pianists of the Second World War, Vladislav Shpilman. Being a Polish Jew, he had practically no chance of surviving under the conditions of the German occupation of the country. The incredible luck and fame of the master helped him not only to avoid dangers, but also to live 88 years, zastav twenty-first century. Painting Romana Polanski took 3 Oscarsand "Golden palm branch"becoming one of the top films of the year.
Like his compatriots, Shpilman becomes a prisoner Warsaw ghettowhere life is marred by many discriminatory restrictions. Soon all the Jews are put on a train and sent for destruction to one of the concentration camps, Vladislav is rescued by an old acquaintance. The great pianist will have to hide in apartments, dilapidated buildings, he will see the Warsaw Uprising, and the German will be his main saviorwho was ashamed of the actions of his people.
The tape accurately reproduces real events, so there can hardly be any serious claims to it. The psychologism of the picture sets the bar high, Shpilman really wants to worry. The film reveals to us the tragedy of creative people who found themselves in absolutely monstrous conditions and turned out to be unadapted to this cruel time.
[webnavoz_rating id=51596]Bunker
Directed by: Oliver Hirschbiegel
Genre: Drama
Year of issue: 2004
Now we will talk about a rather controversial picture, which, due to historical memory, is quite difficult for us to accept. Nevertheless, "Bunker" was nominated for an Oscar and was warmly received by the public. Oliver Hirschbiegel told the viewer about the final days of the existence of the Nazi regime. Despite all their inhumanity, the top German leadership, who was in the Berlin bunker, experienced a wide range of emotions and clung to life with all their might.
Action takes place in April 1945 of the year. Adolf Gitler in the circle of close associates celebrates his next birthday. Meanwhile, the Soviet troops had already entered Berlin and fights take place on the streets of the city. The forces of the people's militia and the Hitler Youth are exhausted, the regular army is demoralized, the defense of the capital is carried out without the slightest hope of success. Hitler is in despair, all his plans went to waste, and Adolf himself has no choice but to commit suicide, because, given all the atrocities committed by him, it is useless to count on mercy.
The main complaint about the film is display of the human essence of the Fuhrer. However, let me disagree. Each criminal, regardless of their size, is a personality that is interesting to consider from different angles. We do not need to sympathize with Hitler's personal tragedy, but it is quite curious to see what he experienced in the last days of his life.
[webnavoz_rating id=51597]Operation Valkyrie
Director: Bryan Singer
Genre: thriller
Year of issue: 2008
As you know, not every German during the Second World War is a fascist and not every fascist is a German. To politics Hitler sometimes even his close associates were wary, so only a successful military campaign could restrain discontent up to a certain point. Bryan Singer made a film about one of the most famous attempts on the Fuhrer's life, which had every chance of ending the war long before 1945.
Colonel Stauffenberg understands that is in danger. The Eastern campaign is turning into a real disaster, but the country's leadership is in no hurry to recognize this and correct its actions. He is part of a circle of conspirators who want to eliminate Hitler, bring a new government to power and achieve a truce. According to the approved plan, after the death of the Fuhrer, should be launched Operation Valkyrie, which implies that the reserve army will gain control of the capital, and the activities of the SS will be paralyzed. However, a tragic chain of accidents puts the plotters' plans in jeopardy.
The film recreates real historical events with a high degree of accuracy. Probably many lives could have been saved if Hitler's assassination had taken place in 1944, but the plot failed. In feed "Operation Valkyrie" played Tom Cruise, which increased the audience's interest in it.
[webnavoz_rating id=47833]The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Directed by: Mark Herman
Genre: Drama
Year of issue: 2008
I would like to pay special attention to this deafening drama, where the Second World War is ed through the prism of children's perception. Of course the tape "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" received its portion of criticism for unreliability, but it's time to get used to it - it's simply impossible to make an ideal movie. Today it is difficult to create something stronger than "Schindler's list" or "Pianist"But Mark Herman pleased with the adaptation of the novel, which opens the war for us from a new side.
Bruno - son of the commandant of the concentration camp. Behind the barbed wire, the Nazis exterminate Jews every day, but the boy does not even know the purpose of this "farm". For eight-year-old Bruno, the current events seem like a strange, not fully understood game. He even makes a friend in striped pajamas - Shmuel, with which it communicates through the fence. Soon the Jewish boy's father disappears, and Bruno, sincerely wanting to help his comrade, going behind the barbed wire.
The ending is somewhat predictable, but that doesn't make it any less exciting. In this regard, there is only one conclusion. War is an unnatural phenomenon imposed on the common man by ambitious politicians who are hungry for power and money. The average man in the street gets nothing from participating in an armed conflict, but he can lose a lot.
[webnavoz_rating id=51599]My land
Directed by: Martin Zandvliet
Genre: Drama
Year of issue: 2015
Another picture where the emphasis is on the fate of children during the Second World War. Martin Zandvliet managed to create a tough and tragic film that keeps you in suspense from the first to the last minute. And although the picture is not very well known in wide circles, viewing it will be a good lesson for every viewer.
Denmark is getting rid of the German occupation, but peaceful life will not come soon - Jutland is stuffed with a huge number of mineskindly prepared by the Nazis for the Allied troops. The landing took place elsewhere, and the explosives remained unclaimed. At the disposal of the sergeant Rasmussen captured German teenagers arrive, who are supposed to be used to clear the mines of the peninsula. On this coast, the guys will learn what real war is. The price they will have to pay for the crimes of their people will be really high.
The tape was nominated for an Oscar as "Best Foreign Film", but did not receive an award. However, the picture is based on real events and has earned high marks from the audience. The director skillfully showed that in war, inhumanity is always inherent in both camps of the conflict. Even if you are the injured party, it is impossible to win by remaining white and fluffy.
[webnavoz_rating id=51600]Dunkirk
Director: Christopher Nolan
Genre: Drama
Year of issue: 2017
"Dunkirk" received in technical nominations 3 Oscars and became one of the most talked about films of its year. The piquancy of the picture is that it tells the viewer about the real events that took place during the Second World War. Britain still considers the evacuation of its soldiers from the French coast one of the most risky and successful operations.
The plot of the picture is divided into three lines, which are gradually connected together. These are the stories of people who became direct participants in the events, some managed to survive, others ed the extensive list of victims of World War II.
The British government involved many civilian ships in the evacuation, and also provided high-quality air cover. These factors made it possible save more than 300 thousand people, although initially politicians did not even close to counting on such a figure.
[webnavoz_rating id=47838]Rabbit Jojo
Director: Taika Waititi
Genre: drama, comedy
Year of issue: 2019
One of the most scandalous films of its year, the excitement around which was literally sucked out of the finger. Taika Waititi took the risk of flirting with the very serious theme of National Socialism and made an ironic comedy out of the tape. "Jojo Rabbit" despite the loud voices of couch critics, is an anti-war movie in which the image Adolf Hitler is used only as a prism reflecting the children's perception of events.
Little Johannes - a great patriot and nationalist. The boy does not really understand what the essence of the political system of Nazi is, but he knows for sure that Jews should not be loved. His mother sympathizes with the resistance and her lack of patriotism confuses him a little.
Soon, Johannes discovers a Jewish girl hidden by her mother in the wall of the house, and gradually realizes that it is not reasonable to judge a person by his nationality. Unfortunately, the plot is not complete without tragic moments, but how can it be different in a war?
Jojo Rabbit movie Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and was warmly received by the audience. The presence in the tape of such masters as Sam Rockwell и Scarlett Johansson perfectly complemented the overall picture. Cinema teaches us tolerance and that life is a gift to be enjoyed, danced and thanked God that we are alive.
[webnavoz_rating id=46025]We recommend to all fans of war films to watch our TOP 10 films about tanks and tankers.
