Movies and Documentaries to Experience the World War II Era

The question has more than one answer. World War II was a complex global conflict with multiple fronts and various belligerents. To get a complete sense of the era, here are some films and documentaries that delve into the Western Front in Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as the Pacific Theater. This list focuses on US involvement after 1941, although I recommend exploring the British and Allied fronts for a more comprehensive view.

Western Front in Europe and the Mediterranean

Before 1941

Dunkirk (2017) — , this film focuses on the British retreat in France in 1940 and their evacuation at the eponymous seaport, turning the retreat into a strategic withdrawal. Battle of Britain (1969) — This film marks the high-water mark of Nazi Germany and the desperate fight by Royal Air Force Fighter Command to turn the tide. Sink the Bismarck (1960) — Follows the Battle of the Atlantic, which took place after the Battle of Britain, and highlights the naval encounters during WW2.

Air Campaign Over Europe

Appointment in London (1953) — A good depiction of the RAF’s night bombing campaign over Nazi-occupied Europe. Twelve O'Clock High (1949) — Good depiction of US Army Air Force daylight bombing campaign over Nazi-occupied Europe, with a focus on the challenges faced by bomber crews. The War Lover (1962) — Tells the bomber crew's viewpoint, offering a different perspective than the previous film. Fighter Squadron (1948) — Depicts the USAAF long-range escort fighters' aggressive and devil-may-care attitude during the war (my criticism: historical inaccuracy in the aircraft depicted).

Ground War in Mediterranean and Western Europe

Patton (1970) — A biography of the US Army general during his World War II campaigns, providing a good view of the "Big Picture" of the Theaters of Operations. The Desert Fox (1955) — Biography of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, Patton's German opponent, and includes his disillusionment and turning against Hitler's regime. The Big Red One (1980) — A semiautobiographical account of the 1st Infantry Division as seen through the eyes of four infantrymen and their sergeant. To Hell and Back (1955) — An adaptation of Audie Murphy's autobiography, the highest decorated US serviceman in US military history.

The Pacific Theater

Covering various aspects of the Pacific Theater, including ground and air campaigns, here are some key films:

Before the Bomb

Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) — The definitive film about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Intercuts segments filmed in English and Japanese, both directed and shot in their respective countries. MacArthur (1977) — A film biography of the US general commanding the Southwest Pacific Theater, including his return to the Philippines and occupation of Japan. Bataan (1943) — A grim depiction of the last stand of US and Philippine Commonwealth soldiers in the Philippines.

Post-Bomb

The Great Raid (2005) — Depicts the successful mission to rescue 500 US prisoners of war from a Japanese-held camp in 1945. Flags of Our Fathers (2006) — F.features the Battle of Iwo Jima, focusing on the US Marines who raised the flag on Mount Suribachi. Enola Gay: The Men, the Mission, and the Atomic Bomb (1980) — A more historically accurate depiction of the 509th Composite Group and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The Wild Blue Yonder (1951) — While the plot includes a love triangle, this film focuses on the B-29 Superfortress bombing campaign on the Japanese homeland.

Historically Accurate Films

The Longest Day (1962) — Definitive film about the Normandy invasion on D-Day in 1944. Valkyrie (2008) — About the attempted assassination plot against Hitler and the aftermath of Operation Overlord. A Bridge Too Far (1977) — Depicts the less-successful Allied invasion of Holland in 1944. Battleground (1949) — Provides a more accurate depiction of the Battle of the Bulge than the 1965 film of the same name. The Bridge at Remagen (1969) — Despite disappointment in some historical details, it still gets most of the basic facts right about the capture of the last Rhine bridge in 1945. Downfall (2004) — Depicts Hitler's last days in the underground bunker in Berlin, based on the personal recollections of his secretary.

While these films provide a good start, no list can fully capture the complexities of World War II history. These films offer a window into the experiences of the individuals who fought and lived through the war, and offer valuable perspectives for a deeper understanding.