10 Best World War II Movies, Ranked
Given its historical relevance and long-lasting impact, filmmakers have used the conflict as a setting for films ever since it ended. The following list will recognize the very best of these, ordering them by rank. These will include both works that showcase soldiers fighting, and ones that focus on the civilians whose lives were ruined and forever altered by the war.
10 SANDS OF IWO JIMA
9 TO HELL AND BACK
8 INGLORIOUS BASTERDS
7 SON OF SAUL
6 SAVING PRIVATE RYAN
5 THE PIANIST
4 SCHINDLER'S LIST
3 IVAN'S CHILDHOOD
Even though it is more than half a century old, the movie contains some incredibly graphic imagery, including stock footage from the war itself. It lacks the long shots and meditative tone of the director's later work, but it is still as good as the rest of his filmography, if not better.
2 GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES
1 COME AND SEE
Adding to the legitimacy is the screenplay, written by a veteran who fought with the Partisans as a teenager, and the fact it was filmed in chronological order. The lead actor was even fired upon with live ammunition in some scenes. This trip through hell should be required viewing for anyone fortunate enough to never have lived through a war.