War and conflict have affected every corner of the globe in one way or another, so it’s only natural that filmmakers worldwide have made incredible movies depicting warfare from their perspective. While big-budget American war movies often dominate the conversation when it comes to this genre, it’s important not to forget all the astounding non-English-language war movies that have left their mark on cinema. From global conflicts to lesser-known national crises, war movies have the power to educate and inform viewers about historical conflicts.
Many of the best war movies ever made were foreign films that shone a light on different countries’ experiences of war. Some of these were all-time classics like Roberto Benigni’s Oscar-winning triumph Life is Beautiful, while others were not as well known but are equally deserving of attention and praise. The greatest war movies leave their mark on viewers long after the credits have rolled and infuse filmgoers with anti-war values that highlight the importance of peace.
You are watching: 10 Best Foreign War Movies Ever Made
10
The Lives Of Others (2006)
The Cold War (1947 – 1989)
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The Lives of Others
R
DramaThriller
The Lives of Others is a drama film that takes place in East Berlin during the 1980s, following the story of a Stasi agent named Gerd Wiesler, who is tasked with spying on a playwright and his actress girlfriend. As Wiesler becomes more deeply invested in the lives of his subjects, he begins to question the morality of his actions and the regime he serves.
Release Date
March 23, 2006
Runtime
137 Minutes
Main Genre
Drama
Cast
Martina Gedeck
, Ulrich Mühe
, Sebastian Koch
, Ulrich Tukur
, Thomas Thieme
Director
Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Writers
Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Budget
2000000.0
Studio(s)
Creado Film
, Wiedemann & Berg Film
, Arte
, BR
IMDb ID
tt0405094
TMDB User Rating
8
.027
Expand
Prior to the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, the residents of East Germany lived under harsh circumstances of near-constant surveillance. This overbearing monitoring by agents of the Stasi was depicted in Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s astounding German drama The Lives of Others. With Ulrich Mühe as Stasi Captain Gerd Wiesler in 1984, this secret police agent becomes increasingly absorbed in the lives of the couple that he was tasked with keeping track of.
While The Lives of Others was essentially a spy film set against the backdrop of war and conflict, what made it so effective was the humanity behind its story, as it showcased that even in a deeply oppressive society, sympathy for one’s fellow man cannot be totally obliterated. By peeling back the curtain of life behind the Wall, for both its oppressed and oppressors, The Lives of Others gave a glimpse into the importance of the end of the Cold War and what freedom meant to the millions of people who struggled in the Eastern Bloc.
9
The Battle of Algiers (1966)
The Algerian War (1954–1962)
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The Battle of Algiers
Not Rated
DramaWar
The Battle of Algiers, directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, is a historical war film depicting the struggles of Algerian revolutionaries against French colonial rule in the 1950s. Focusing on urban guerrilla warfare, the film presents a gripping portrayal of both sides’ tactics and the broader socio-political implications. With a documentary-style approach, it emphasizes the intense atmosphere and moral complexities involved in the liberation movement.
Release Date
September 20, 1967
Runtime
121 Minutes
Main Genre
War
Cast
Brahim Hadjadj
, Jean Martin
, Yacef Saadi
, Samia Kerbash
, Ugo Paletti
, Fouzia El Kader
, Mohamed Ben Kassen
, Franco Moruzzi
Director
Gillo Pontecorvo
Writers
Franco Solinas
, Gillo Pontecorvo
Expand
Director Gillo Pontecorvo pulled off an astounding achievement with the radical war movie The Battle of Algiers. As an intense docudrama, the film was shot on location with a cast of non-professional actors and had a notable influence on the war genre itself. Much of the cast had real experiences with the Algerian War and were veterans of the conflict. This unique approach added a sense of realism to the project as it blended fact and fiction to create an intense and moving experience.
The Battle of Algiers presented an important commentary on urban guerrilla warfare and stood as a defining release in Italian neorealist cinema. As a depiction of the intense battle to gain independence from the French, the black-and-white documentary-style editing added a sense of historical authenticity that made viewers feel like they were right in the heart of the conflict. As a trailblazing war movie that’s as powerful today as it was in 1966, The Battle of Algiers is a must-watch film for anyone hoping to understand this conflict.
8
Quo Vadis, Aida? (2020)
The Bosnian War (1992 – 1995)
From writer and director Jasmila Žbanić, Quo Vadis, Aida? was a harrowing dramatization of the circumstances surrounding the Srebrenica massacre during the Bosnian War. This horrific act of genocide saw more than 8,000 Bosnian men and boys killed in 1995 (via ICTY.) The dark reality of this horrendous moment in modern history was seen through Aida, a schoolteacher and translator for the United Nations who struggled to balance helping those she was close to and carrying out her professional duties as countless citizens pleaded for safety in the UN’s safe zone.
The powerful anti-war message of Quo Vadis, Aida? was captured through one woman’s challenging experience of the conflict, and Jasna Đuričić gave an incredible performance as Aida. As a story that will stick with viewers long after the credits have rolled, Quo Vadis, Aida? was nominated for Best International Feature at the Academy Awards but lost to the Danish film Another Round. As an important account of a conflict that’s rarely depicted on screen, Quo Vadis, Aida? stood as both an incredible historical document and a truly moving piece of cinema.
7
Downfall (2004)
World War II (1939 – 1945)
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See more : Paul Wall Ethnicity, What is Paul Wall’s Ethnicity?
Downfall
R
DramaHistoryWar
Downfall is a historical drama depicting the final days of Adolf Hitler in his Berlin bunker during April 1945. The film explores the collapse of the Third Reich as the Russian Army advances, showcasing the tension among Hitler’s inner circle as they face inevitable defeat. Released in 2004, it provides a detailed portrayal of Hitler’s last moments.
Release Date
September 16, 2004
Runtime
155 minutes
Cast
Alexandra Maria Lara
, Bruno Ganz
, Corinna Harfouch
, Ulrich Matthes
, Juliane Köhler
, Heino Ferch
, Christian Berkel
, Thomas Kretschmann
, Ulrich Noethen
, Birgit Minichmayr
, Rolf Kanies
, Justus von Dohnányi
, Michael Mendl
, André Hennicke
, Christian Redl
, Götz Otto
, Thomas Limpinsel
, Thomas Thieme
, Donevan Gunia
, Matthias Habich
, Alexander Held
, Devid Striesow
, Dieter Mann
, Bettina Redlich
, Heinrich Schmieder
Character(s)
Traudl Junge
, Adolf Hitler
, Magda Goebbels
, Joseph Goebbels
, Eva Braun
, Albert Speer
, Prof. Dr. Ernst-Günter Schenck
, SS-Gruppenführer Hermann Fegelein
, Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler
, Gerda Christian
, General der Infanterie Hans Krebs
, General der Infanterie Wilhelm Burgdorf
, General der Artillerie Helmuth Weidling
, SS-Brigadeführer Wilhelm Mohnke
, Generaloberst Alfred Jodl
, SS-Hauptsturmführer Otto Günsche
, Kammerdiener Heinz Linge
, Martin Bormann
, Peter Kranz
, Prof. Dr. Werner Haase
, Walter Hewel
, Feldwebel Tornow
, Feldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel
, Frl. Constanze Manziarly
, Rochus Misch
Director
Oliver Hirschbiegel
Producers
Bernd Eichinger
Expand
While there have been countless movies about World War II, few explored the infamous figure of Adolf Hitler with the same level of intensity as Downfall. This tense German-language film was set during the Battle of Berlin in World War II as the Nazis were on the verge of total defeat. By dramatizing the final days of Hitler, as he was confronted with his evil regime falling apart and the dark consequences of surrender, audiences got a bird’s-eye view of his decision to end his own life and that of his family rather than face persecution.
Downfall featured an astounding performance from Bruno Ganz as Hitler, and even though the film has been the subject of countless parody videos and memes, this does not take away from the power with which he captured this real-life figure. While many WWII movies deal with the loss of innocent life during the war, Downfall explored the suicides and deaths of the Nazi Party itself and, in the process, brought up the cognitive dissonance of those who commit heinous acts. Downfall was an important German film that reflected the country’s collective trauma back onto itself.
6
All Quiet On The Western Front (2022)
World War I (1914 – 1918)
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All Quiet on the Western Front
r
WarDramaHistory
Based on Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel, All Quiet on the Western Front is a World War I movie following Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer) as he quickly realizes that war isn’t about becoming a hero, but rather just surviving the terrifying experience. The film received critical praise upon release and even won four Academy Awards.
Release Date
September 29, 2022
Runtime
143 Minutes
Cast
Felix Kammerer
, Albrecht Schuch
, Daniel Brühl
Character(s)
Paul Bäumer
, Stanislas ‘Kat’ Katczinsky
, Himmelstoss
, Kantorek
, Franz Kemmerich
, Leer
, Peter
, Behn
, Albert Kropp
, Mueller
, Westhus
, Detering
, Tjaden
, Bertinck
, Paul’s Mother
, Herr Meyer
, 2nd Medic Orderly (uncredited)
, Anna Bäumer (uncredited)
, French Girl (uncredited)
, Assistant Cook (uncredited)
, Frau Kemmerick (uncredited)
, Young Soldier (uncredited)
, Joseph Hammacher (uncredited)
, Suzanne (uncredited)
Director
Edward Berger
Producers
Carl Laemmle Jr.
Writers
Edward Berger
Budget
$20 million
Studio(s)
Netflix
Distributor(s)
Netflix
Expand
Erich Maria Remarque’s intense anti-war novel All Quiet on the Western Front has been adapted for the screen several times, with the 1930 version commonly ranked among the greatest anti-war movies of all time. However, the German-language 2022 adaptation brought the harrowing reality of the conflict to life with a level of realism and visual power rarely seen on screen. Telling the story of the idealistic young soldier Paul Bäumer, All Quiet on the Western Front showcased how his initial hopes of heroism were thrashed, and he was forced to deal with the bleak reality of actual warfare.
As both a timely and timeless tale of conflict, this new version of All Quiet On The Western Front reflected both the historical record of WWI and current global conflicts such as the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. It’s both shocking and impactful to note that even though over a century has passed since the war this film depicted, All Quiet On The Western Front remains entirely relevant to modern times. With intense action scenes that help elevate its dramatic depth, director Edward Berger delivered a movie that managed to live up to and contribute to the original film.
5
Ivan’s Childhood (1962)
World War II (1939 – 1945)
The Soviet filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky was responsible for some of the greatest films ever made, as works like Solaris and Stalker stand as all-time classics. However, it was in Ivan’s Childhood that Tarkovsky first got to the heart of his anti-war message, as its story about an orphaned boy named Ivan, whose parents were killed during the Nazis’ occupation in WWII, made for impactful viewing. Ivan’s Childhood looked at the true cost of war and how it affected the children who were forced to confront it.
As Tarkovsky’s first feature film, the poignant themes of Ivan’s Childhood would carry forward into the rest of his work as the passion and poetry of his filmmaking bled into every scene. Through philosophical questioning on the nature of hardship, Ivan’s Childhood showcased the disillusionment of a child who should never have had to confront such weighty issues at such a young age. With horrors and hardship surrounding him at every turn, child actor Nikolai Burlyayev should be praised for his incredible performance as Ivan.
4
Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)
World War II (1939 – 1945)
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Grave of the Fireflies
Not Rated
AnimationDramaWar
Amidst the devastation of WWII, siblings Seita and Setsuko strive to survive in war-torn Japan after losing their mother. Facing starvation and cruelty, they cling to each other in a desperate bid for survival. As tragedy unfolds and hope dwindles, their poignant journey reveals the resilience of the human spirit amidst unimaginable suffering, culminating in a hauntingly beautiful reunion beyond the realms of earthly sorrow.
Release Date
April 16, 1988
Runtime
89 Mins
Main Genre
Animation
Cast
Tsutomu Tatsumi
, Ayano Shiraishi
, Akemi Yamaguchi
, Yoshiko Shinohara
Director
Isao Takahata
Writers
Akiyuki Nosaka
, Isao Takahata
Expand
Although Studio Ghibli has become known for fantastical animated adventures that whisk viewers away to new worlds, Grave of the Fireflies had the opposite effect as it forced viewers to confront the hardships of World War II. While Western audiences will be less used to seeing the Second World War from the Japanese perspective, this film by Isao Takahata highlighted how that conflict impacted society’s most vulnerable citizens, children. By capturing the heartbreaking intensity of the war for two orphaned siblings, Grave of the Fireflies made for intense but rewarding viewing.
Grave of the Fireflies did not hold back when it came to showcasing the hardships of life during the war, as its heartbreaking conclusion featured the death of its four-year-old protagonist, who starved surrounded by other malnourished survivors. With a level of realism rarely seen in animation, Studio Ghibli shed its child-friendly reputation to depict a war-torn tale of pain and survival. Grave of the Fireflies was a tense and challenging film that pushed audiences outside of their comfort zones and forced them to reflect on the young, innocent lives lost due to war.
3
Life Is Beautiful (1997)
World War II (1939 – 1945)
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Life Is Beautiful
PG-13
ComedyDramaRomance
Life Is Beautiful is a 1997 Italian film directed by and starring Roberto Benigni. Set during World War II, the film tells the story of a Jewish-Italian bookstore owner who utilizes his imagination and humor to shield his young son from the horrors of internment in a Nazi concentration camp. The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of optimism in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Release Date
December 20, 1997
Runtime
116 Mins
Main Genre
Comedy
Cast
Roberto Benigni
, Nicoletta Braschi
, Giorgio Cantarini
, Giustino Durano
, Sergio Bini Bustric
, Marisa Paredes
Director
Roberto Benigni
Writers
Vincenzo Cerami
, Roberto Benigni
Expand
Of the countless World War II movies out there, few have captured the resilience and humanity of those forced into concentration camps better than Life is Beautiful. As an Italian film from writer, director, and star Roberto Benigni, this Oscar-winning movie explores a kindhearted bookshop owner’s astounding attempts to shield his young son from the horrors of the Holocaust as they are seized and forced to live under unimaginable hardship. Yet, from this pain, Benigni finds a sense of humanity as he ensures his child does not have to face the dark realities they find themselves living under.
Life is Beautiful captured the unshakable tenacity of the human spirit and the parental urge to protect one’s child from pain. As a film that had the power to make viewers laugh and cry all at once, even Pope John Paul II was a fan of the film and ranked it among his top five movies of all time (via Boston Review.) Life is Beautiful was a deeply moving film that took the truly terrifying circumstances of the Holocaust and managed to deliver a timeless message about love and compassion in even the darkest days of mankind.
2
Das Boot (1981)
World War II (1939 – 1945)
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Das Boot
DramaWar
Das Boot is a 1982 German war film directed by Wolfgang Petersen. The narrative follows the harrowing journey of a German U-boat crew during World War II, capturing the relentless tension and claustrophobia of underwater combat. With Jürgen Prochnow starring as the U-boat’s commanding officer, the film offers a stark, immersive portrayal of the psychological and physical challenges faced by the crew under extreme conditions.
Release Date
September 17, 1981
Runtime
149 Minutes
Main Genre
Drama
Cast
Jurgen Prochnow
, Herbert Grönemeyer
, Klaus Wennemann
, Hubertus Bengsch
, Martin Semmelrogge
, Bernd Tauber
, Erwin Leder
, Martin May
Director
Wolfgang Petersen
Writers
Wolfgang Petersen
, Lothar G. Buchheim
Expand
Wolfgang Petersen delivered his magnum opus with the West German war film Das Boot, a stunning catalog of life aboard the German submarine U-96 during World War II. By capturing both the terror and mundanities of life at sea, Petersen delivered an epic cinematic experience unlike anything before it. As the crew set out on a hazardous patrol in the Battle of the Atlantic, the intensity and sheer panic of naval conflict were powerfully brought to the forefront.
Das Boot has earned its reputation as one of the greatest German films of all time, and its legacy continues in the popular television sequel of the same name. With incredible authenticity and impressive levels of realism, the anti-war message of the original novel by Lothar-Günther Buchheim was made all the more impactful due to the suspenseful action scenes throughout. Das Boot is a film that will have viewers on the edge of their seats throughout and is the submarine movie by which all others are judged.
1
Come And See (1985)
World War II (1939 – 1945)
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Come And See
NR
DramaWar
Come and See is a 1985 Soviet war drama directed by Elem Klimov. The film follows a young Belarusian boy named Flyora as he witnesses and experiences the horrors of World War II. Through his eyes, viewers are exposed to the brutal realities of war and its devastating impact on humanity. Renowned for its stark portrayal of violence and suffering, the film is considered a powerful anti-war statement.
Release Date
October 17, 1985
Runtime
142 Minutes
Main Genre
Drama
Cast
Aleksei Kravchenko
, Olga Mironova
, Liubomiras Laucevicius
, Vladas Bagdonas
, Jüri Lumiste
Director
Elem Klimov
Writers
Elem Klimov
, Ales Adamovich
Studio(s)
Belarusfilm
, Mosfilm
IMDb ID
tt0091251
TMDB User Rating
8
.253
Expand
Set amid the German occupation of Byelorussia during World War II, Come and See was a brutal anti-war movie by the Soviet filmmaker Elem Klimov. As one of the most emotionally intense movies ever produced, this uncompromising film depicted Nazi occupation from the perspective of a teenager named Flyora. Having witnessed truly unspeakable acts of brutal inhumanity, Come and See saw Flyora join the resistance movement and inch ever closer to the sinister depth of the worst aspects of mankind.
Come and See was the kind of war movie that audiences watch once and carry its power with them for the rest of their lives. With a mix of hyperreal and surrealist imagery, this film is rightfully regarded as a classic, although the sheer cruelty of its narrative meant it may be too much to take for sensitive viewers. By bringing the stark realities of war into sharp focus and depicting a teenager destroyed as he lives through an existential nightmare, Come and See made for difficult but important viewing.
Sources: ICTY, Boston Review
Source: https://www.phonggdkrongpac.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment