War films, offering a potent blend of reality and dramatic storytelling, stand as a unique genre profoundly impacting viewers. However, the level of realism in these films sparks frequent debates among military experts, historians, and audiences alike. We've curated a list of 10 critically acclaimed and realistic war films, even earning approval from military experts. Explore the details below! 👇
IMDb: 7.2
The 2002 film We Were Soldiers, directed by Randall Wallace, revolves around the Vietnam War and is based on the 1992 book 'We Were Soldiers Once... and Young' by Lt. General Hal Moore and journalist Joseph L. Galloway. The film dramatizes the Battle of La Drang, and according to Moore and Galloway themselves, the accuracy of the movie is approximately 60-80% (via U.S. News). The History Matters site notes that We Were Soldiers closely ties its action to real events. Like many war films based on specific battles, We Were Soldiers has historical inaccuracies, but it has received praise, particularly from veterans and experts who were involved in the actual conflict, for its realism.
IMDb: 7.5
The 2013 war film Lone Survivor, directed by Peter Berg, is based on the 2007 non-fiction book of the same name by Marcus Luttrell and Patrick Robinson. Lone Survivor depicts Operation Red Wings, a failed mission by U.S. Navy SEALs against guerrilla forces during the 2001-2021 Afghanistan war. The film has received acclaim for its realistic military combat scenes and the reenactment of the deaths of real-life Navy SEALs. According to reports, Berg used actual autopsy reports to accurately portray details. Daily News mentions that the U.S. Navy provided access to event reports and even allowed retired and active-duty SEALs to be on set, assisting actors and providing live-fire training.
IMDb: 7.7
Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down is based on journalist Mark Bowden's 1999 non-fiction book 'Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War.' The film tells the story of a 1993 raid by U.S. soldiers in Mogadishu and the downing of a Black Hawk helicopter in enemy territory. Despite criticisms regarding historical accuracy, Black Hawk Down has been praised by military experts for its realism. According to a retired Delta Force operator, the film effectively reflects the intensity of action, and Steven J. Rubin, the author of 'Combat Films,' states that the military technical consulting by Colonel Tom Matthews contributes to the film's 'surprisingly realistic' depiction.
IMDb: 7.8
Christopher Nolan's 2017 film Dunkirk is a tense war film portraying the evacuation of Dunkirk during World War II by land, sea, and air. Dunkirk has been praised for its realistic representation of the historical evacuation. Accurate depictions include aerial battles between Royal Air Force planes and the Luftwaffe, and the attempt of a small boat to escape an air attack. However, it's crucial to remember that Dunkirk, despite its historical accuracy, features fictional characters and a fictionalized storyline.
IMDb: 7.8
Directed by Edward Zwick, Glory is based on two books: Lincoln Kirstein's 1973 'Lay This Laurel' and Peter Burchard's 1965 'One Gallant Rush.' Glory starts with the formation of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and portrays their heroic actions during the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. War History Online notes that the portrayal of the Fort Wagner attack in Glory is one of the most realistic depictions of American Civil War conflicts. The film also emphasizes realistic details of equipment used in the war. The depiction of the aftermath, where many men from the 54th Regiment die and are buried in unmarked graves, is presented with poignant realism.
IMDb: 8.1
Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson, is a biographical war drama based on the 2004 documentary 'The Conscientious Objector' by Terry Benedict. The film tells the true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who served as a medic during World War II without carrying or using weapons. After seven years from its release, WWII historian James Holland thoroughly examined Hacksaw Ridge and praised its accuracy and realism. Elements such as accurate portrayals of Japanese war tactics, depicted weapons, and the film's intense level of violence contribute to its internal and visceral experience.
IMDb: 8.1
Oliver Stone's Platoon draws from his own experiences in the war. Platoon follows a volunteer of the U.S. Army who serves in Vietnam, depicting the debates within the platoon concerning leadership and the ethics of war. The war scenes in Platoon, supervised by former Marine and military film technical advisor James Dever, received praise for their accuracy. This pivotal war film stands out for its portrayal of weapons and tactics used by characters. Platoon's depiction of violence against Vietnamese civilians, painful yet accurate, solidifies its place as one of the most intense and realistic war films in cinematic history.
IMDb: 8.3
Stanley Kubrick's 1987 film Full Metal Jacket is based on Gustav Hasford's 1979 novel 'The Short-Timers.' The movie follows a brigade of United States Marine Corps recruits through their basic training under the supervision of drill instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman and later during the Tet Offensive in Da Nang and Huế. The first part of Full Metal Jacket, covering the Marines' training, received praise for its accuracy from individuals with experience in veteran and U.S. military training camps. Notably, the film benefited significantly from Lee Ermey's experience as a drill instructor in the Vietnam War.
IMDb: 8.4
Das Boot, directed by Wolfgang Petersen, is a 1981 West German war film based on Lothar-Günther Buchheim's 1973 novel of the same name. The film adapts Buchheim's experiences aboard the German submarine U-96 during World War II. War History Online highlights Das Boot's accuracy, pointing out that the production created a process to simulate a submarine and deep explosive attacks. The rockets and bomber plane were real, while British ships were represented by models. Additionally, the actors in Das Boot underwent submarine training to learn how to navigate narrow spaces quickly.
IMDb: 8.6
Saving Private Ryan, directed by Steven Spielberg, is set during World War II. The film follows a group of soldiers assigned to retrieve Private James Ryan, whose three brothers died in the war. Many consider Saving Private Ryan one of the best war films ever made, particularly for its portrayal of the intensity and senselessness of conflict. The film received praise for the accuracy of its depiction of the Omaha Beach assault. Numerous WWII veterans have lauded the film, describing the opening scene as the most realistic portrayal of war. Some even found it challenging to finish watching the movie due to its vivid portrayal of memories (via Time). While Saving Private Ryan may not be entirely accurate in all aspects, veterans have generally commended it for its realism.