What makes a movie deserving of being called “powerful?” Perhaps it has a profound, often deeply poignant emotional effect that’s impossible to shake off. Perhaps getting through its runtime is a downright harrowing experience. Perhaps it’s so tonally complex and thematically profound that the food for thought it offers makes it absolutely unforgettable. Whatever the case, few movie genres seem better suited to delivering powerful films than war.
This genre has been one of the most prolific and acclaimed in the industry since World War I, but though there have been hundreds of masterful war film masterpieces over the years, only a few are truly powerful. From quintessential classics like Paths of Glory to modern works that prove the genre is as healthy as ever, like Oppenheimer, these movies leave such a lasting emotional, intellectual, and spiritual impact that they remain ingrained in viewers’ memories for years after the credits roll.
10
‘Oppenheimer’ (2023)
Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy shaking hands outside in OppenheimerImage via Universal Pictures
Winner of a whopping seven Academy Awards and arguably the cusp of Christopher Nolan‘s work and style as an auteur, Oeppenheimer is one of the best epic films of the last 30 years, if not even more. Telling the story of the life and work of such a controversial historical figure was never going to be an easy task. Still, leave it to a filmmaker as talented as Nolan to craft something that fully delivers in every department anyone could have expected.
With a brilliant cast, some of the best music, editing, and cinematography of the decade so far, and a three-hour runtime so well-paced that it barely feels like two hours, Oppenheimer is arguably the biggest masterpiece of the war genre in the 21st century. Nolan never romanticizes Oppenheimer, nor does he paint him as a simplistic villain. Instead, through some incredible writing, a hard-hitting ending, and a deeply powerful Cillian Murphy performance, this becomes one of the definitive biopics of the modern era.
9
‘Casualties of War’ (1989)
Image via Columbia Pictures
One of the most criminally underrated war films of all time, Brian De Palma‘s Casualties of War stars an impeccable Michael J. Fox as a soldier who finds himself the outsider of his squad when the others kidnap a female villager. It’s not a perfect film, but its harrowing emotional effect is so stressful and agonizing that it’s easy to become fully immersed in the story and stop noticing the movie’s formal flaws.Casualties of War is a Vietnam War movie that’s definitely not for the faint of heart. More than just a war film, it’s a drama about the darkest and most gut-wrenching pits of human nature, made even more powerful by the fact that it’s based on a horrifying true story. It may not be easy to get through, but this ’80s De Palma classic is a must-see for fans of the genre.
8
‘Platoon’ (1986)
Elias (Willem Dafoe) raises his arms and falls to his knees as he is shot from behind in the jungle, in PlatoonImage via Orion Pictures
There aren’t many Vietnam War films better than Oliver Stone‘s Vietnam Trilogy, and from those three movies, the best is easily the Best Picture Oscar-winning Platoon. Anchored by an incredibly stacked cast and inspired by Stone’s experiences as an infantryman in the conflict, it tells the tale of a neophyte recruit caught in a battle of wills between two sergeants.The duality of man is a concept that the war genre loves to explore, but few films do it as effectively and powerfully as Platoon. Sad and devastating though it may be, it’s still one of the most rewatchable war movies ever, with a visceral story full of harrowing themes. A four-time Oscar winner, Platoon feels all too realistic, but that only amplifies its tremendous power.
7
‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)
Some might argue in favor of Guillermo del Toro‘s Pan’s Labyrinth being both one of the best war movies and one of the best fantasy movies of the 21st century, and it’s abundantly easy to see why. Hugely imaginative, dark, and profound, this Spanish-Mexican co-production is about a girl living in Francoist Spain whomust prove her royalty to a magical faun by surviving three gruesome tasks.Full of the kinds of themes that del Toro tends to be fascinated by, from the horrors of fascism to the nature of violence, Pan’s Labyrinth is an undeniably bleak and tragic fantasy drama. It’s also beautiful in all sorts of strange ways, however, with lots of tender moments and emotionally stirring story beats. It’s not your typical war movie by any stretch, which only makes it more enjoyable.
6
‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979)
Colonel Kurtz shrouded in darkness with golden light shining behind him as he stares at the cameraImage via United Artists
There are movies with productions that run as smoothly as they possibly can. Then, there are some who encounter hurdles along the way. Then, there’s Francis Ford Coppola‘s Apocalypse Now, a legendary Vietnam War film with a production history so infamously hellish that it’s almost as notorious as the movie itself. Thankfully, all that struggle didn’t go to waste. What Coppola and his team achieved was absolutely transcendental.
Indeed, Apocalypse Now is one of the best Vietnam War epics ever made, a harrowing boat ride through the rivers of Hell down to its very heart. It definitely isn’t the most easily digestible war movie masterpiece, nor is it at all concerned with any traditional notions of beauty, but its raw, almost surreal approach to the nature of war is so immensely powerful that it’s a tough film to rewatch.
5
‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962)
Image via Columbia Pictures
It may only be around four hours long, but Lawrence of Arabia‘s effect on the viewer lasts a lifetime. It’s the definitive war biopic, following T.E. Lawrence‘s campaign to unite the Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks. Lawrence was—and remains—a historical figure not without his controversies, and David Lean‘s film captures all of those layers and nuances perfectly.
A grand, thrilling, emotionally riveting portrait of one of WWI’s most notorious men.
Simply put, Lawrence of Arabia is one of the greatest war movie masterpieces, a grand, thrilling, emotionally riveting portrait of one of WWI’s most notorious men, brought to life by Peter O’Toole in what is one of the best performances of the 20th century. Its runtime allows its deeply powerful messages and iconic scenes to take their time to fully cook, and the result is an epic that’s not just exciting: It’s almost life-changing.
4
‘Paths of Glory’ (1957)
Kirk Douglas holding a gun while standing in a trench near the beginning of Paths of Glory (1957).Image via United Artists
Praised by many as the greatest filmmaker of all time, Stanley Kubrick explored several genres throughout his career, but one that he came back to on a few occasions was war. Of the director’s war movies, Paths of Glory is far and away the most poignant and powerful, and it might just be among the war movies that have aged the best.
It’s a slow burn for sure, but an incredibly thought-provoking and deeply emotional one. Boosted by a powerhouse lead performance by Kirk Douglas, this drama about a colonel defending three soldiers in a court-martial after they abandon a suicidal attack offers some really insightful commentary on war, honor, and human nature. Rarely is the war genre this humane and beautiful, and culminating with a true home run of an ending, Paths of Glory is so transcendental that calling it powerful feels like an understatement.
3
‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (1988)
Setsuko peacefully sleeping with her head on her brother Seita’s lap, while he looks down at her. Image via Toho
For decades, Studio Ghibli has been making some of the most powerful animated movies of all time, but few—if any—in their catalog pack more of an everlasting emotional punch than Grave of the Fireflies. Its well-earned reputation as one of the most depressing movies ever made hasn’t faded with the passage of time, and it never should. But Isao Takahata‘s masterpiece isn’t sad just for the sake of it: it’s one of the most effective anti-war movies ever made.
The way Grave of the Fireflies explores the dehumanizing effects of war and the effects of WWII on Japanese society through the eyes of children is immensely powerful, boosted by some of the most timeless and hauntingly beautiful animation of the ’80s. One of the best animated films of all time, Grave of the Fireflies is bound to make any viewer cry, but the tears are worth it.
2
‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)
Amon Goeth looking to the distance while soldiers carry Jewish prisoners in the background in Schindler’s List – 1993Image via Universal Pictures
Perhaps the greatest film that Steven Spielberg has ever made, Schindler’s List feels like the masterpiece that the director’s career had been building up to over the years. It may not fully dive into the more unpleasant aspects of the life of the somewhat controversial Oskar Schindler, but this biopic is nevertheless one of the most harrowing war movies ever made.
Thanks to Spielberg’s virtually flawless direction, some gorgeous black-and-white cinematography, and Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes delivering two of the best performances in the whole war genre, Schindler’s List is a drama that has aged like fine wine. And far from being a purely painful viewing experience, it’s imbued with so much unexpected beauty and hope that, despite all the suffering, it’s hard not to reach the credits with both teary eyes and a smile.
1
‘Come And See’ (1985)
Alexei Kravchenko in ‘Come and See’Image via Sovexportfilm
Some war films are so harrowing, so utterly soul-scarring, that they don’t need to fall into the horror genre to be truly and genuinely horrifying. Elem Klimov‘s Come and See is one such film. Following a young boy who joins the Soviet resistance movement against ruthless German forces after finding an old rifle, this Soviet masterpiece is perhaps the most traumatizing war movie ever made.But you don’t become the fourth-highest-rated movie on Letterboxd by just being traumatizing. Come and See is dark, but it’s also masterfully artful, thematically profound, and elevated by Aleksey Kravchenko delivering one of the best acting performances of the ’80s. The movie is an assault on the senses, that’s for sure, but those with the stomach for it will be treated to one of the most perfect and powerful anti-war movies ever made.
