War

  • Sam Wood – Command Decision (1948)

    1941-1950PoliticsSam WoodUSAWar

    Synopsis:
    General Dennis of the US Force in England in World War II finds that he must order his planes deeper and deeper into Germany to prevent the production of military jet planes that will turn the tide of battle to the Germans. He must fight congressmen, and his own chain of command to win the political battle before he can send his planes out. His problem is complicated by a very narrow window of good weather necessary to allow his effort to be successful. Adapted from a stage play, it attempts to look at the challenges of command in the political arena.Read More »

  • Rudolph Maté – The 300 Spartans (1962)

    1961-1970EpicRudolph MatéUSAWar

    A colorful action film about the Battle Of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. in which the Spartans defend themselves for a Persian invasion against overwhelming odds. King Leodinas (Richard Egan) rallies the locals to stop the attack of thousands of plundering Persian invaders led by evil King Xerxes (David Farrar). Sir Ralph Richardson as Themistocles of Athens leads the international cast this the spectacular cinematic conflict that has more emphasis on action rather than historical accuracy.
    — Dan PavlidesRead More »

  • Jerzy Hoffman – Potop AKA The Deluge (1974)

    1971-1980EpicJerzy HoffmanPolandWar

    Nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar in 1974, this follow-up to WITH FIRE AND SWORD is set in the 17th century during the Swedish invasion and occupation of Poland, known as The Deluge, which left the country in ruins.
    Based on a novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz, Deluge follows the romance between a violent soldier and the young woman who tries to tame him.Read More »

  • Václav Marhoul – Tobruk (2008) (HD)

    2001-2010Czech RepublicDramaVáclav MarhoulWar

    Nominated for eight Crystal Lions (the Czech Republic’s equivalent of the Oscars), and a substantial domestic hit, war film “Tobruk” reps a solid work of craftsmanship in every department. Story of a bunch of grunts who get shipped out during WWII to the North African frontline in Tobruk, Libya, doesn’t score many points for originality, but the pic tells its tale well, without sentimentality, and features vigorous, intense action sequences. In a healthier economic climate, writer-helmer Vaclav Marhoul’s sophomore feature might have flown the Czech flag in cinemas offshore, but these days its best shot is in ancillary pickups.Read More »

  • Heddy Honigmann – Crazy (2000)

    1991-2000DocumentaryHeddy HonigmannNetherlandsWar

    Deeply moving account of dutch war veterans from recent conflicts (the Congo, Bosnia/Herzogovina etc.) who are struggling to come to terms with their post-war lives. The crutch many of them use is music, specifically a single song, which either kept them going while they were on active duty or is a rooting experience for them as they recall the horrors of their war experiences. Read More »

  • Chan-wook Park – Gongdong gyeongbi guyeok JSA AKA J.S.A.: Joint Security Area (2000)

    1991-2000Chan-wook ParkSouth KoreaThrillerWar

    Synopsis:
    In the DMZ separating North and South Korea, two North Korean soldiers have been killed, supposedly by one South Korean soldier. But the 11 bullets found in the bodies, together with the 5 remaining rounds in the assassin’s magazine, amount to 16 cartridges for a gun that should normally hold 15. The investigating Swiss/Swedish team from the neutral countries overseeing the DMZ suspects that another, unknown party was involved – all of which points to some sort of cover up. The truth is much simpler and much more tragic.Read More »

  • José Luis Rugeles – Alias María (2015)

    2011-2020ColombiaDramaJosé Luis RugelesWar

    A vision of Colombia’s inhuman armed conflict, seen through the eyes of a young – and pregnant – girl soldier.

    Alias Maria (Spanish: Alias María) is a 2015 Colombian drama film directed by José Luis Rugeles Gracia. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. It received the Golden Goats Award for the Best Feature Movie for the Young People at the 2016 Ale Kino! Festival. It was also selected as the Colombian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 89th Academy Awards but was not nominated.Read More »

  • George Stevens – Gunga Din (1939)

    1931-1940AdventureGeorge StevensUSAWar

    Based loosely on the poem by Rudyard Kipling, this takes place in British India during the Thuggee uprising. Three fun loving sergeants are doing fine until one of them wants to get married and leave the service. The other two trick him into a final mission where they end up confronting the entire cult by themselves as the British Army is entering a trap. This is of the “War is fun” school of movie making. It has the flavour of watching Notre Dame play an inferior high school team.Read More »

  • Ryûhei Kitamura – Longinus AKA The Spear of Longinus (2004)

    2001-2010ActionJapanRyûhei KitamuraWar

    A war rages on, its end unknown, covering the world in despair. At a military field hospital, a group of soldiers bring in one of their own, wounded by a large, vicious, bite-like wound, along with a large box. The soldiers are visibly shaken. Suddenly, an enigmatic man appears. As he starts to tell them the legend of the Lance of Longinus, their night of unimaginable terror begins.Read More »

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