Thewargenre of film has been around since the inception of the medium, dating back to theSilent Film Era. Over the years, the film industry has seen the depiction of war change from heroic narratives of soldiers protecting their country to the more realistic and graphic realities of the battlefield, which can cause irreparable mental and physical trauma to those involved. Recent films have received a great deal of praise for the firm realistic depictions of war.
With the newest war filmAll Quiet on the Western Frontwinning severalOscarsat the Academy Awards last March,going back to see which war movies received nominations is a fun way to compare the best with the best.The Academy Awards may not always know what they’re talking about, but several war films have received much deserved attention over the years. Here’s the top 10 best Oscar-nominated war movies, ranked.
10Inglourious Basterds
One of Quentin Tarantino’s most acclaimed films,Inglourious Basterdsfollows a group of Jewish soldiers led by Lt. Aldo Raine as they carry out violent acts of retribution against the Nazis while also crossing paths with theater owner Shosanna Dreyfus. The film shows a different side to war that often goes neglected in films that center around combat, instead revolving around the complex political games played during the Nazi occupation.Inglourious Basterdswas nominated for eight Academy Awards,including Best Picture.
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Set during WWI,1917tells the story of two British soldiers who must cross into enemy territory to deliver a message that could save the lives of over a thousand men. Based on true stories told by director Sam Mendes' real-life grandfather,1917was a critical and box-office success that was shot to appear like two long-shots, an extraordinary feat that earned the film the Oscar for Best Cinematography. The film was also nominated in the Best Picture and Best Director categories.
8Jojo Rabbit
Jojo Rabbittells the unique story of Hitler Youth Jojo, who discovers that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. Featuring an imaginary Adolf Hitler, this young nationalist is faced with his blind nationalism. The film took nearly a decade to reach production, but when it finally hit the screen, it was hit with immediate critical acclaim, with special praise for the comedic tones used throughout the film.Jojo Rabbitwas nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Starring Harry Styles, Fionn Whitehead and Cillian Murphy,Dunkirktells thestory of allied troopstrapped on the beaches of Dunkirk in 1940 as Germany advances into France. Using every naval and civilian vessel available, over 330,000 soldiers were successfully evacuated from Dunkirk. The film is action heavy with very little dialogue which makes the phenomenal storytelling that much more amazing.Dunkirkreceived eight nominations at the Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
6Life Is Beautiful
Unlike many of the other films on this list,Life Is Beautifuldoes not revolve around combat between soldiers, but follows the life of a Jewish-Italian waiter Guido and his son Giosue, who are taken to a concentration camp. Guido uses his imagination to keep his son’s spirits up so that he doesn’t lose all hope under such dark circumstances. The film was nominated for a total of seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.Life Is Beautifuldoes not get the attention it deserves as its unique story shows how optimism can affect your overall quality of life.
5Saving Private Ryan
Featuring Tom Hanks and Matt Damon at the forefront of this classic,Saving Private Ryantells the story of Captain John Miller, who takes his men behind enemy lines to find Private Ryan after all his brothers were killed in action. The film has been subject to extensive critical acclaim for its accurate portrayal of combat in WWII.Saving Private Ryanis considered one of the greatest films ever made and has earned several Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor and Best Director.
Related:The Best War Movies That Won Academy Awards, Ranked
4All Quiet on the Western Front
As one of the first international-language war films to ever be nominated for a total of 14 Academy Awards, including Best Picture,All Quiet on the Western Fronthas been considered one of the best modern war films ever made. Set during WWI,All Quiet on the Western Frontrevolves around idealistic Paul Bäumer and his classmates as they enlist in the army. Bäumer is met with some harsh awakenings as he heads to the battlefield for the first time.
3Hacksaw Ridge
Hacksaw Ridgetells the outstanding true story of Pfc. Desmond T. Doss who refused to bear arms during WWII on the grounds that it conflicted with his pacifistic religious beliefs. Despite this, Doss managed to save 75 men in the battle of Okinawa earning him the Congressional Medal of Honor.Hacksaw Ridgesaw immediate critical acclaim and was nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actorfor Andrew Garfield.
2Schindler’s List
Schindler’s Listtells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a Nazi businessman who spent a great deal of his wealth and influence employing Jews during WWII to save them from concentration camps. Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, and Ralph Fiennes,Schindler’s Listis considered one of the greatest films ever made. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the war movie shows the harsh realities faced by the Jewish community during the Holocaust, while also showing that there was some hope in all that dark. The film was nominated for a total of 12 Academy Awards and took home seven, including Best Picture.
1Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Nowbroke new ground in the genre of war films, showing the harsh mental realities to war. On a special mission to find and terminate Colonel Kurtz, Captain Willard not only loses his hope for humanity but begins to lose his sanity as well. Starring Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, and a very young Laurence Fishburne,Apocalypse Nowshined a whole new light on the Vietnam War, making clear to citizens the harsh mental and physical conditions that Veterans went through. The film was nominated for several Oscars, including Best Picture, which it sadly missed out on.
