War films have been a staple of cinema for decades, particularly those set during WWII. All Quiet on the Western Front is the latest to receive awards recognition, but many others aren’t quite as well-known. These include movies like Valkyrie that star A-list actors to smaller efforts.
WWII movies don’t always have to conform to genre tropes, which is why some of these movies have an underrated reputation. But it’s also what makes them so unique and worthy of attention. With so many entries in the war genre, it’s worth taking a deeper look at the generally overlooked ones.
10 The Zookeeper's Wife (2017)
The Zookeeper's Wife is based on the real-life actions of Antonina and Jan Zabinski, a couple who housed hundreds of people away from the Nazis in WWII. The film shows how they managed to evade suspicion by keeping the victims hidden in their zoo.
The Zookeeper's Wife didn’t receive much attention because of its focus on drama over warfare. But the film does an excellent job of conveying just how desperate people were at the time to escape with their lives. In addition, it sheds light on how WWII affected the population away from the battlefields.
9 The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
There’s a big gut-punch in The Boy with the Striped Pajamas’ ending, where an absolutely tragic end occurs for the main characters. The story is about a young boy whose father is in charge of a concentration camp; he accidentally encounters an imprisoned boy and becomes friends with him.
It’s directed in such a way that viewers see the horrible situation of the WWII captives from an innocent lens. The main character doesn’t understand what’s going on and tries to get his friend to the other side, causing himself to be mistaken for a prisoner. The boy's naïveté is what makes the film so interesting.
8 Carve Her Name With Pride (1958)
Carve Her Name with Pride is about a young widowed woman recruited to be a spy for the French during WWII. She agrees out of loyalty to her deceased husband before finding herself in deep trouble. The story is based on the true events of Violette Szabo and how she was executed.
Carve Her Name with Pride is unique for focusing on a female lead at a time when WWII films were primarily about men in the army. The spy premise gives it a tense atmosphere, while its status as a true story makes it all the more heartbreaking.
7 Valkyrie (2008)
Valkyrie has one of Tom Cruise’s best performances, with the actor portraying Colonel Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg. Stauffenberg concocts a plan to eliminate Hitler during Operation Valkyrie before freak coincidences cause it to be a disastrous failure.
Because of Cruise’s success in blockbuster films, Valkyrie isn’t mentioned as much as it should be. The film depicts just how close Stauffenberg and his men came to ending Hitler’s reign, which gives it a thrilling quality. Despite the obvious ending that the protagonist will fail, viewers will find themselves hoping against hope for a miracle – this shows just how gripping Valkyrie can be.
6 Enemy At The Gates (2001)
Enemy at the Gates is based on the Battle of Stalingrad, when Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union fought for control of the city. The main character is the real-life sniper Vasily Zaitsev, although many of the other events are fictionalized. Enemy at the Gates famously received much better reviews from audiences than from critics.
The film is action-packed with many brutalities that occur onscreen. There’s even a love story to balance the hard-hitting parts, giving it a well-rounded quality. Enemy at the Gates went under the radar because many other WWII stories were released then, but it has aged very well.
5 The Book Thief (2013)
The Book Thief is about a young girl who befriends a man her family is hiding during WWII. The two bond over their love of reading, motivating the main character to “borrow” as many as she can find. The progression of the terrible event causes them to be separated amid other tragedies.
At the time of its release, The Book Thief was dubbed Oscar Bait by many critics. But it turned out to be a box office success, and its dramatic elements are much appreciated today. Though there are many violent moments, the film does best during scenes involving the emotional connection between the characters.
4 The Dirty Dozen (1967)
The Dirty Dozen is about a team of crazed individuals tasked with taking down the Axis Powers’ forces during WWII. While films like Inglourious Basterds are renowned for edgy entertainment set during the time period, The Dirty Dozen did it first many decades earlier.
The movie isn’t comedic by any means but has a bravado about it that eschews genre tropes. The release of many sequels harmed The Dirty Dozen’s reputation, as it was denied a place as a classic. But the film is still worth a watch as a standalone feature that shows a distinct turn during WWII.
3 Black Book (2006)
Black Book is about a Dutch woman tasked with infiltrating the Gestapo during their occupation of the Netherlands in WWII. There are plenty of other dramatic elements concerning the main character’s life, as her decisions come back to haunt her much later as well.
Black Book is revered as one of the best Dutch films to be made, although it hasn’t received as much focus worldwide. The film stars Carice van Houten before she achieved fame through Game of Thrones – Black Book features a great performance from the actress that will receive a greater appreciation in retrospect.
2 Fury (2014)
Brad Pitt has played many unique roles in his career, including starring in several films set during WWII. Fury is a lot more serious than his other efforts, centering around a US tank crew still fighting when WWII is nearing its end. As expected, Fury has plenty of bloodshed to fulfill its premise.
Fury also successfully delivers layered characterizations for the entire cast, displaying unique traits in each man. Unfortunately, it was bogged down by comparisons with other war movies at the time, but it can now be experienced without such a burden. Fury has a genuine performance by Pitt that his fans will no doubt appreciate.
1 Downfall (2004)
Downfall shows the final days of Hitler’s life as the Battle of Berlin nears its end. It shows the events that lead up to his decision to take his life as his entire plan comes crumbling down. Unlike other underrated films, Downfall received both great reviews and a solid box office performance.
The lack of appreciation for Downfall comes from the various internet memes that spawned from it. Hitler’s breakdown has been endlessly parodied, which has taken away from Bruno Ganz’s otherwise incredible performance. Downfall lives up to its title of leaving no stone unturned where Hitler’s defeat is concerned.