10 Great World War I & II Movies That Don’t Focus On The USA

War movies play host to a range of notable genre tropes, from clichéd army squads to weapons that apparently never run out of bullets. One of the genre’s more prevalent clichés are films placing an enormous emphasis on the USA’s involvement in winning both World Wars. The timely arrival of the American forces has been used to mark a turning point in the fortunes of Allied forces since the earliest days of cinema, contentiously overshadowing the heroics of the men and women who didn’t hail from the United States but fought and died in the conflicts nonetheless.

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This particular trope can be found in war films of every kind, from terrifying movies about nuclear war to tales of armed conflict that are based on true stories. Even the best war movies of all time aren’t immune to this particular cliché; the vast majority of the most celebrated World War I or II movies are focused on the USA’s participation. With that being said, the genre still plays home to a number of films that buck this trend, producing a first-rate war movie that doesn’t suffer in the slightest for switching the focus away from America.

10 1917 (2019)

Directed By Sam Mendes

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A remarkable feat of film making that appears to play out as one continuous shot, Sam Mendes’ 1917 bucks the trend of focusing on the USA with a story that solely chronicles the trials and tribulations of British forces. Depicting a desperate race against time to save a battalion from certain annihilation against the backdrop of the First World War, Mendes’ ambitious picture is the rare genre outing that features no American involvement.

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One of the best films concerning World War I, 1917 was released to near universal critical acclaim and an impressive degree of commercial success in 2019. Particular praise was directed towards the movie’s performances, cinematography, and immersive sense of realism, with George Mackay’s spell-binding lead bow as Lance Corporal Will Schofield also earning rave reviews from critics. The movie received ten Academy Award nominations, taking home three Oscars to add to 1917’s enviable list of accolades without an American in sight.

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6.7/10 1917 RDramaBiography

Set against the backdrop of war-torn France during WWI, 1917 is directed by Sam Mendes and stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman as two young British soldiers tasked with delivering a dangerous message to stop an attack that could the lives of thousands of other soldiers at risk. The film uses long takes to make it appear that the entire narrative takes place over the course of two continuous shots. Mark Strong, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch also star. 

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*Availability in US Director Sam Mendes Release Date December 25, 2019 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Cast Colin Firth , Teresa Mahoney , Andrew Scott , Dean-Charles Chapman , Gerran Howell , Richard Madden , Daniel Mays , Benedict Cumberbatch , Adrian Scarborough , Mark Strong , George MacKay Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Sam Mendes , Krysty Wilson-Cairns Runtime 119 minutes Expand

9 Enemy At The Gates (2001)

Directed By Jean-Jacques Annaud

2001’s Enemy at the Gates is an electrifying game of cat and mouse between a pair of elite snipers, set against the backdrop of the Battle of Stalingrad. The film stars Jude Law and Ed Harris as Soviet sharpshooter Vasily Zaitsev and Wehrmacht marksman Erwin König respectively, and focuses solely on the grueling conflict between the Soviet Union and Germany at the height of WWII.

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While the film received a mixed response from critics, Enemy at the Gates is still a first-rate fan favorite, producing a depiction of war that crackles with intensity from its very first sequence. Director Jean-Jacques Annuad pulls zero punches in bringing his vision of WWII to life, producing a hellish snapshot of the conflict that radiates authenticity in the most desolating manner imaginable. One of Jude Law’s better movies, Enemy at the Gates isn’t perfect, but it’s a thoroughly engaging ride nonetheless.

8 Stalingrad (1993)

Directed By Joseph Vilsmaier

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A devastating anti-war offering from director Joseph Vilsmaier, 1993’s Stalingrad is a German-Russian war movie depicting the harrowing experiences of a group of German soldiers during the Battle of Stalingrad. An unflinching look at the worst that WWII had to offer the average foot soldier, there isn’t a single American to be found throughout this desolating genre offering set entirely in Russia.

A heartbreaking deep dive into one of the conflict’s most horrific engagements that underlines the human cost of war in unrelenting fashion, Vilsmaier’s movie is an underrated classic and one of the best war movies to come out of the 1990s. A harrowing commentary on the futility of armed conflict and the intense physical and psychological toll that it exacts, Stalingrad is a superb movie that underlines the truth that there are no winners when it comes to war.

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7 Downfall (2004)

Directed By Oliver Hirschbiegel

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Downfall RDramaHistoryWar

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.

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*Availability in US Director Oliver Hirschbiegel Release Date September 16, 2004 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 Runtime 155 minutes Expand

The premise of Oliver Hirschbiegel’s Downfall is about as controversial as contentiously imaginable, with the film depicting the final days of Adolf Hitler during the Battle of Berlin in 1945. Set in the dictator’s bunker as the Red Army closes in around him, Hirschbiegel’s movie features German dialogue and zero direct American involvement across 155 minutes.

Whether Downfall should even have been made in the first place is an entirely valid question, but the overall quality of the Bruno Ganz-led film is not up for debate. Despite valid concerns that a film in this vein would humanize a monstrous individual like Hitler, Downfall received near universal acclaim, with particular praise directed towards the movie’s historically accurate sense of realism. The critics’ sentiments were echoed by audiences; Downfall’s Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter Audience score is actually higher than the Tomatometer Critics score, clocking in with impressive 94% and 90% approval ratings, respectively.

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6 Come And See (1985)

Directed By Elem Klimov

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Come And See NRDramaWar

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.

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*Availability in US Director Elem Klimov Release Date October 17, 1985 Studio(s) Belarusfilm , Mosfilm Cast Aleksei Kravchenko , Olga Mironova , Liubomiras Laucevicius , Vladas Bagdonas , Jüri Lumiste Writers Elem Klimov , Ales Adamovich Runtime 142 Minutes Main Genre Drama Expand

Contentiously the best anti-war film of all time, Elem Klimov’s Come and See is the quintessential example of a superb movie that most fans can only bear to sit through once. Depicting the Nazis’ occupation of Belarus through the eyes of an initially innocent young boy during WWII, Klimov’s acclaimed picture is renowned for its harrowing narrative, existential commentary and unflinching depiction of the horrors of war.

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Highest Rated War Films on IMDb	Rating
Schindler’s List (1993)	9.0
Saving Private Ryan (1998)	8.6
The Pianist (2002)	8.5
Apocalypse Now (1979)	8.4
Inglourious Basterds (2009)	8.4
Das Boot (1981)	8.4
Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Bomb (1964)	8.3
Come and See (1985)	8.3
Downfall (2004)	8.2
Full Metal Jacket (1987)	8.2

Unsurprisingly, given the film’s backdrop, the USA does not feature throughout Klimov’s devastating movie. However, this state of affairs does nothing to take away from Come and See’s desolating quality. Aleksei Kravchenko’s lead performance is often cited as one of the greatest child actor performances in the history of cinema, with the wider movie being lauded by many critics as one of the most well-made and impactful genre offerings of all time.

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5 Dunkirk (2017)

Directed By Christopher Nolan

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The first foray into the genre from celebrated filmmaker Christopher Nolan, 2017’s Dunkirk chronicles the 1940 evacuation of British and French forces from the titular location. Boasting one of the best war film ensemble casts in recent memory, the movie’s story is told from the perspective of British characters on land, at sea, and in the air. The star-studded WWII film features no American involvement in proceedings, with Dunkirk chronologically taking place before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor spurred the USA into joining the war effort.

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Smashing box office records for war films at the time of its release and earning a slew of award nominations, Dunkirk is lauded as one of Nolan’s finest outings, as well as one of the most technically impressive war movies in recent memory. An immersive spectacle brought to life with all the flair associated with the director’s signature blockbuster style and capped off by a killer score from Hans Zimmer, the 2017 picture stands as an unabated triumph for the genre, sans American involvement.

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7/10 Dunkirk PG-13HistoryDramaAction

This epic tale of World War II tells the story of soldiers from Belgium, Britain, Canada and France, who are surrounded by the German army, and the dangerous operation that evacuated and saved the lives of thousands.

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*Availability in US Director Christopher Nolan Release Date July 21, 2017 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Cast Kenneth Branagh , Aneurin Barnard , Mark Rylance , Tom Hardy , James D’Arcy , Jack Lowden , Cillian Murphy , Harry Styles , Fionn Whitehead , Barry Keoghan Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Christopher Nolan Runtime 106 minutes Expand

4 Gallipoli (1981)

Directed By Peter Weir

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Gallipoli PGDramaAdventureHistoryWar

Gallipoli is a war drama directed by Peter Weir, focusing on two Australian soldiers, Archy Hamilton and Frank Dunne, who enlist during World War I and are sent to fight in the Gallipoli campaign. Starring Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, the film explores themes of camaraderie and the tragic futility of war, highlighting the historical Battle of Gallipoli.

Director Peter Weir Release Date August 28, 1981 Cast Mel Gibson , Mark Lee , Bill Kerr , Harold Hopkins , Charles Lathalu Yunipingu , Heath Harris , Ron Graham , Gerda Nicolson Runtime 110 Minutes Writers David Williamson , Peter Weir , Ernest Raymond Main Genre Drama Expand

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A testament to the bravery of the countless Anzac forces that lost their lives in one of the First World War’s bloodiest campaigns, Peter Weir’s Gallipoli eschews focus on the USA to produce a superb war film told from the perspective of Australian troops. Featuring Mel Gibson in one of his earlier career roles, Weir’s film tells the story of two young Australian men who find themselves swiftly confronted with the horrific reality of armed conflict after enlisting in search of adventure and glory.

While Gallipoli has faced its fair share of criticism for the historical inaccuracies contained within the film, the 1981 war movie is a desolating anti-war outing of the highest order in terms of pure filmmaking. A hauntingly introspective commentary on the horrors of war that is regarded as one of the finest pieces of Australian cinema, Gallipoli is one of the best war films to come out of the 1980s.

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3 The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Directed By David Lean

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The Bridge On The River Kwai PGAdventureDramaHistoryWar

During World War II, British POWs are forced to build a railway bridge by their Japanese captors. Colonel Nicholson, the British commander, becomes obsessed with constructing the bridge as a symbol of British pride, while an Allied commando team plots to destroy it, leading to a tense and tragic confrontation.

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*Availability in US Director David Lean Release Date October 11, 1957 Cast William Holden , Alec Guinness , Jack Hawkins , Sessue Hayakawa , James Donald , Geoffrey Horne Runtime 161 minutes Writers Pierre Boulle , Carl Foreman , Michael Wilson Main Genre Adventure Expand

Based on Pierre Boulle’s novel of the same name, The Bridge on the River Kwai is widely regarded as one of the greatest films in the history of cinema, as well as one of the best British war films ever made. A production from Lawrence of Arabia director David Lean, the 1957 epic war movie sees British prisoners of war forced into building the film’s titular railway structure for their Japanese captors.

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While the film is not entirely devoid of an American presence thanks to William Holden’s Commander Shears, The Bridge on the River Kwai’s primary focus is undoubtedly the film’s core group of British POWs. In any case, the movie’s inherent quality is the headline here, and Lean’s picture has it in spades. Winning seven Academy Awards and receiving a tidal wave of critical acclaim upon release, The Bridge on the River Kwai has gone on to obtain classic status, regardless of genre.

2 Das Boot (1981)

Directed By Wolfgang Peterson

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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.

Director Wolfgang Petersen Release Date September 17, 1981 Cast Jurgen Prochnow , Herbert Grönemeyer , Klaus Wennemann , Hubertus Bengsch , Martin Semmelrogge , Bernd Tauber , Erwin Leder , Martin May Runtime 149 Minutes Writers Wolfgang Petersen , Lothar G. Buchheim Main Genre Drama Expand

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Contentiously the greatest submarine film in the history of cinema, Wolfgang Peterson’s Das Boot is one of the greatest war movies ever conceived. One of the most expensive films in the history of German cinema, the 1981 war film chronicles the perilous existence of a German U-Boat and her crew during WWII. Das Boot’s premise and characters negate the need for an American perspective or presence, a state of affairs that does not detract from the film’s masterful quality in the slightest.

A remarkable case study in claustrophobic film making and one of the most historically accurate films about WWII ever made, Peterson’s acclaimed picture was nominated for six Academy Awards, including the prestigious accolade of Best Director. While Das Boot failed to win any of the Oscars that it was nominated for, this did little to take away from the film’s reputation as one of the finest war movies of all time.

1 All Quiet On The Western Front (2022)

Directed By Edward Berger

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A worthy, albeit lesser, successor to the 1930 original film adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s novel of the same name, 2022’s All Quiet on the Western Front decidedly does not focus on the USA. Edward Berger’s film locks in on a group of initially idealistic young German army recruits as they are sent to the Western Front during the First World War, with the movie’s story told entirely from the perspective of German characters as the conflict enters its final stages.

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A harrowing commentary on the loss of youth’s innocence precipitated by armed conflict and the futile nature of war, All Quiet on the Western Front was a triumph for streaming giant Netflix. The movie earned largely glowing reviews from critics and earned a whopping nine Academy Award nominations for Berger’s triumphant remake. The movie would eventually take home four Oscars, although it was pipped to Best Picture by Everything Everywhere All at Once.

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7/10 All Quiet on the Western Front rWarDramaHistory

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.

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*Availability in US Director Edward Berger Release Date September 29, 2022 Studio(s) Netflix Cast Felix Kammerer , Albrecht Schuch , Daniel Brühl Distributor(s) Netflix Writers Edward Berger Runtime 143 Minutes Expand

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Category: Entertainment