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Greatest War Films |
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James Clive Matthews is the author of two books of film criticism, a reviewer for the Times Literary Supplement and blog editor for the BBC's Pocket Films site. Here he picks five classic war films every home should have. Click here for Greatest War Films Overview.
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The Guns of Navarone not only combines many of the best aspects of the early years of Second World War movies, but it also inspired a new cinematic sub-genre – the misfit group of flawed heroes battling against the odds. As a staging post in cinematic history it's a worthy addition to any collection.
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The most stylish war film ever made is also the most unsettling, encapsulating within its meandering running time all the horror and madness and psychological impact of military conflict. Apocalypse Now has a power and depth that make it an essential addition to any DVD collection.
Despite having been made 40 years ago, by an Italian director, in French and in black and white, The Battle of Algiers remains the most compelling, even-handed and – most disturbingly – contemporary war movie ever made. If you like the reality of history delivered with real emotional impact, make space on your shelf for this.
Dr Strangelove was a real milestone in an era dominated by a policy with as apt an acronym as MAD - Mutually Assured Destruction. The film offers a broad parody of the sheer insanity of a global nuclear standoff; it looked at the greatest Cold War fear and laughed at it. And Peter Sellers fans get him in three roles.
The best satire is often played with such a straight face that it’s all too easy to mistake it for the thing it is lampooning – yet it’s still surprising that such a knowing slice of spoof-laden subversion as Starship Troopers has been so under-rated. If you like your sci-fi action to come with a gritty message, look no further.