The 50 greatest war films of all time

Fall in for TONY's list of mighty military movies.

By David Fear, Joshua Rothkopf and Keith Uhlich Thu May 26 2011

War films: Black Book (2006)
War films: The Dirty Dozen (1967)
War films: Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)
War films: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
War films: Germany Year Zero (1948)
War films: Gallipoli (1981)
War films: The Deer Hunter (1978)
War films: All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
War films: Three Kings (1999)
War films: Paisan (1946)

War films: Black Book (2006)

Black Book (2006)

Pervy Dutch director Paul Verhoeven is better known for Basic Instinct and Showgirls, but war movies are his true métier. In this deliciously plotted WWII survival tale (a comeback of sorts for the Hollywood exile), a hotcha Jewish singer becomes a spy, a freedom fighter and a bed partner of Nazis. Talented Carice van Houten commits fully.—Joshua Rothkopf

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The Dirty Dozen (1967)

It's become one of the most beloved "dad movies" of all time—but maybe Father knows best. The murderous "dozen," conscripted for a suicide mission on the eve of D-Day, includes a shifty-eyed psychopath (John Cassavetes), a religious fanatic and woman-beater (Telly Savalas), and a slow-witted "General" (Donald Sutherland). They get the job done.—Joshua Rothkopf

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Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983)

Can it be that between The Man Who Fell to Earth and this quietly powerful film, David Bowie is the most underrated actor of his generation? The art-pop star effortlessly embodies the guilty conscience of a WWII British prisoner of war, striking up a complex friendship with camp sergeant Ryuichi Sakamoto (also the composer of the movie's gorgeous score).—Joshua Rothkopf

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The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Hark! Is that the "Colonel Bogey March" we hear? In David Lean's rousing WWII epic, American POW William Holden plots a daring escape from a remote Japanese prison, while captured British colonel Alec Guinness and camp commandant Sessue Hayakawa determinedly vie for power. The title bridge figures in one of the most suspenseful action sequences ever filmed.—Keith Uhlich

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Germany Year Zero (1948)

In the spirit of war photography itself, Roberto Rossellini focused on the ravaged aftermath of a city's destruction (here, actual locations in Berlin). Thus we have one of the purest records of the violence of World War II, an invaluable time capsule as well as a neorealist landmark.—Joshua Rothkopf

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Gallipoli (1981)

Peter Weir's tragic, superbly mounted tale of two professional sprinters who join the Australian army circa WWI sheds some light on the casualty-heavy Turkish campaign. Weir's facility with action scenes is fully evident, especially during the gut-wrenching climactic battle. The film also helped to put a young actor named Mel Gibson on the international stage.—Keith Uhlich

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The Deer Hunter (1978)

Based on its most notorious scenes—games of Russian roulette, one of them with vicious Vietcong captors—this actorcentric POW movie (featuring an unhinged Christopher Walken) earns its place on our list. The metaphor is a provocative one: Many saw holding a loaded gun to one's head as an obvious parallel to the United States' entrance into the war itself.—Joshua Rothkopf

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All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

A pacifistic masterpiece that showed the horrors of WWI trench warfare to a curious if unprepared audience, this epic (based on Erich Maria Remarque's popular novel) also positioned the genre of the combat film as a Hollywood mark of pride: It was one of the first movies to earn a Best Picture Oscar.—Joshua Rothkopf

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Three Kings (1999)

Production was reportedly hellish, with director David O. Russell and star George Clooney coming to physical blows. (Guys, it's a war movie.) But the ultimate payoff was rare: a combat film that achieved political profundity via off-the-wall comedy. Call it the lure of Saddam's gold.—Joshua Rothkopf

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Paisan (1946)

The masterful second film in Roberto Rossellini's WWII trilogy—in between 1945's Open City and 1948's Germany Year Zero—is built out of six vignettes set during the Allied invasion of Italy, exploring stories about street urchins and soldiers, prostitutes and priests. There's not a dud in the bunch, and the director's clear-eyed appraisal of the moral havoc wrought in his homeland is particularly astonishing considering how recently the fighting had ceased.—Keith Uhlich

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50–41
40–31
30–21
20–11
10–1

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Comments & ratings

(25 ratings)

This really has to be the worst list ive ever seen in my life..... Why on earth isnt saving private ryan on there, it surely should be in the top 10 if not at number 1!!!! I think full metal jacket which is third on your list is a great film but I dont think I could find anybody on this planet apart from the imbecile that created this list that would say that film is better than saving private ryan. Once again WORST LIST EVER!

james About 6 hours ago
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I find strange not to see a classic war film like "Glory" in this list. I guess is not as moving or important as Starship Troopers. LOL

Mimo About 2 days ago
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Wtf no saving private Ryan what a joke for a list

Kyle About 4 days ago
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It is easy to condemn “fascist impulses”, but it isn’t so easy to portray war as it is really is--a natural development of human behavior that has been with us since we displaced the Neaderthals. I find such critiques of war like “Troopers” to be simple regurgitations of beliefs that are ignorant of history. They also are hypocritical. Th director would not have been able to make such a film if not for the sacrifices men willing to fight and die so we may have the freedom to make films like “Starship Troopers”. While I do agree that glorifying war and its accoutrements is repugnant we also must be aware that our freedoms and rights were earned on the field of strife, not in the peaceful fields of Elysium. Give me nuanced depictions of war like “Letters from Iwo Jima” any day over pseudo-intellectual bilge like “Starship Troopers”.

ryan About 5 days ago
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The Longest Day, Breaker Morant, In Harm's Way, The Battle of Britain Red Badge of Courage. All better than Starship Troopers Also Enemy at the Gates,

Joe O'Donnell About 9 days ago
Rated as: 3/5
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I Think Saving Privet Ryan Should be in the top 10 if not #1

Dylan About 12 days ago
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I agree w/ several of the comments below. To put Starship Trooper even on this list over the Victors, They Came To Cordura, For Whom the Bells Toll, Sand Pebbles, 55 Days in Peking, Seven Samari, the Big Parade, Gettysburg, and probably at least 50 more.

Gunnar W About 12 days ago
Rated as: 2/5
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This list is bonkers. Hurt Locker and Star Ship Trooper in the Top 10 but no Lawrence of Arabia, Schindlers List, Bridge Too Far, We Were Soldiers, Full Matal Jacket, Letters from Iwo Jima, Downfall? Had the author been drinking or is this meant to be controversial? And I think Twelve O'cloch High Warrants a place in the top 10.

Jonathan Bywater Wed May 1
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Is Schindler's list not considered a war film? Along that same line, how bout The Counterfeiters?

Ronnie D. Mon Apr 29
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Most of the list was accurate but alot of listed "greatest movies" were not so great. Starship troopers? Seriously? Why happened to wind talkers, we were soldiers, the patriot, brave heart ?

Sean Army Veteran Sun Apr 28
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