10 Perfect War Movies That Are Brutal But Brilliant

It’s obvious that war movies are supposed to shock audiences. But, occasionally, films will offer audiences a glimpse of hope and patriotism in order to keep the overall message a bit lighter. While these movies are often popular, they don’t always resonate with the audience on a deep level.

On the flip side, more intense war movies may be more depressing, but they typically stay with audiences for a lifetime. These films often take an unflinching look at conflict and explore how it impacted civilians on every side. So, while these brutal war films may not uplift audiences, they give fans a better depiction of the harsh reality of war.

10

An Interpreter Risks His Life to Save Another Man

Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant

Set during the War in Afghanistan, Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant focuses on Green Beret Master Sergeant John Kinley, who narrowly avoided a Taliban ambush thanks to his interpreter, Ahmed Abdullah. Weeks later, Kinley is sent back home to California but learns that Abdullah’s family has been forced to move underground. So, Kinley makes the bold decision to head back to Afghanistan so that he can help the man who saved his life.

Like any other Guy Ritchie movie, The Covenant is packed full of action. But, due to its minimalist plot and character interactions, the audience is forced to learn more about the tender bond between John and Ahmed. While this film is not based on a true story, it works to expose the risks interpreters encounter just to keep troops safe.

9

A Group of Soldiers Tries to Honor Their Fallen Brother in Arms

Saving Private Ryan

Set in Normandy during the height of WWII, Captain John leads a mission to help locate Private James Francis Ryan so that they can return him home safely after the death of his three brothers. While Saving Private Ryan is blessed with a lot of star power, especially due to the likes of Matt Damon and Tom Hanks, the film packs an emotional punch. Although the film is littered with realistic, breathtaking scenes, it is also filled with death.

Decades later, Saving Private Ryan remains an integral war film. It does a fantastic job of highlighting the importance of this mission while also showing the dangers the men experienced while trying to make it happen. While it’s not the goriest film in the world, it’s a perfect option for those looking to see the true story of WWII.

8

Two Privates Recognize the Haunting Reality of the Vietnam War

Full Metal Jacket

At the beginning of Full Metal Jacket, two privates nicknamed Joker and Pyle struggle to cope with their cut-throat drill sergeant’s constant orders. However, when Joker actually makes it onto the battlefield in Da Nag, he quickly learns that the training was the easy part. A lot of audiences criticize Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket for its disjointed structure, but the stark contrast between the boot camp and the battlefield just highlights how tough it can be on young lads.

Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 award-winning flick doesn’t hesitate to showcase the mental side of combat, indicating that these young men are far too immature to cope with the stressors of war. Its profanity-filled script can be unsettling at times, but still works to give audiences realistic dialogue. Overall, Full Metal Jacket may seem like one of Kubrick’s less obscure movies, but it still offers a haunting depiction of the Vietnam War.

7

A Bomb Squad Exemplifies the Gut-Wrenching Stress of Their Job

The Hurt Locker

The Hurt Locker introduces the audience to a U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team during the second year of the Iraq War. While the team is expected to remain calm and collected at all times, a rebel attack rattles their confidence. As such, the entire film aims to highlight the important work of an underrated team whilst also showcasing the immensely nerve-wracking nature of their job.

Although some veterans have criticized this film for being slightly unrealistic, it still does a fantastic job of building tension. The Hurt Locker doesn’t just focus on defusing bombs, but also exposes how these devices are used to manipulate innocent civilians. Despite its few flaws, The Hurt Locker is a great tribute to a very different side of combat.

6

A Small Boy Learns That War Is Nothing to Be Proud of

Come and See

After finding a soldier’s rifle in the middle of a deserted field, a young boy named Flyora decides to join the Belarusian army. Within a few days, the lad realizes that the Nazis will stop at nothing to bring society to its knees, forcing him to see death on an unprecedented scale. But, after the Germans murdered his entire village, Flyora had no choice but to keep on fighting if he wanted to survive.

Those who have seen Elem Klimov’s Come and See will agree that it is more like a horror film than a conventional war film. The camera frequently uses dolly zoom shots so that audiences can ignore the lad’s traumatized expression. While some may argue that this film goes too far in its depiction of death, others will agree that this is an essential war movie for any budding pacifist.

Come And See

Release Date

October 17, 1985

Runtime

142 Minutes

5

A US Pilot Is Determined to Escape a Prisoner of War Camp

Rescue Dawn

Set during the Vietnam War, Rescue Dawn focuses on U.S. Navy Pilot Dieter Dengler. When his aircraft is shot down, he is quickly taken to a POW camp in Laos. Here, he meets a collection of other prisoners and works with them to devise an escape plan. However, one of the prisoners goes against Dengler’s plans and leaves him alone and with resources in the middle of the jungle.

Not only is Rescue Dawn based on a true story, but it also shows a completely different side to the Vietnam War. Instead of focusing too much on the prisoner camps, this film argues that Dengler’s actual prison is the jungle itself. Jam-packed with twists and turns, this movie prides itself on being the ultimate survival thriller.

Rescue Dawn

Release Date

September 9, 2006

Runtime

126 minutes

Director

Werner Herzog

Producers

Elie Samaha, Freddy Braidy, Harry Knapp, Jeff Geoffray, Jimmy de Brabant, Nick N. Raslan, Walter Josten, Elton Brand, Kami Naghdi, Michael Dounaev, Steve Marlton, Adam W. Rosen, Gerald Green

4

Six Men Defend a Diplomatic Compound From Terrorist Activity

13 Hours

Centered around the 2012 Benghazi attack, 13 Hours follows six private military contractors who are tasked with protecting an American diplomatic compound from a plethora of Libyan terrorist attacks. However, when a US ambassador is killed, the team must continue defending their post whilst also making sense of the destruction.

13 Hours may be one of Michael Bay’s most underrated action hits, but it still provides audiences with tons of tension. The most intense thing about this movie is that it doesn’t give audiences a chance to catch their breath. 13 Hours forces audiences to endure shock after shock, ensuring that this underestimated attack can finally be brought to life.

13 Hours

Release Date

January 14, 2016

Runtime

144 Minutes

Director

Michael Bay

Writers

Chuck Hogan, Mitchell Zuckoff

3

An American Soldier Tries to Do the Right Thing in the Midst of War

Casualties of War

During the Vietnam War, a young soldier named Private Eriksson must go against his peers in order to save an abused Vietnamese girl. After she is assaulted by a gang of American soldiers, Eriksson aims to take her to safety, but is forced to watch her suffer an even more horrific fate. Featuring the likes of Sean Penn and Michael J. Fox, Casualties of War proves that there are no good guys in war.

This film doesn’t skimp out on the detail, making it a tough watch for almost any fan. Yet, this story needs to be told, and the film does an excellent job of bringing the horrors of the incident on Hill 192 to life. While Fox will always be praised for being Marty McFly, his role as Private Eriksson shows a much more mature side to the actor.

2

A Group of French Soldiers Refuses to Enact a Suicide Mission

Paths of Glory

Set during WWI, Paths of Glory follows a group of French soldiers who refuse to endure a suicide mission. As expected, the men are shamed for their cowardice, but Colonel Dax refuses to let these soldiers be beaten. So, the Colonel defends the scapegoats in the court of law, going head-to-head with the French General Staff.

Paths of Glory was banned in West Germany until 1972, but it still gives an accurate depiction of the lack of justice seen on the battlefield. Kubrick’s immense war flick is not a happy story, but still touches audiences with its flawed human narrative. As such, this film shows that injustice occurs both on and off the battlefield.

Paths of Glory

Release Date

December 25, 1957

Runtime

88 Minutes

Director

Stanley Kubrick

Writers

Stanley Kubrick, Calder Willingham, Jim Thompson, Humphrey Cobb

1

A Group of Navy SEALs Is Targeted by Vicious Attackers

Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor follows four Navy SEALs as they are asked to locate Taliban leader, Ahmad Shah. Yet, the team is subjected to a targeted attack, putting their extraction mission in grave danger. Based on a true story, this film highlights the lives of these brave men and how they worked alongside Afghan villagers to form a code of honor called Pashtunwali.

Featuring the likes of Mark Wahlberg and Ben Foster, it comes as no surprise that Lone Survivor has a bit of Hollywood glamour. However, its star-studded cast does not distract from the high levels of anxiety that the film dishes out. The conclusion also offers a touching tribute to the fallen men, driving home the fact that all of these incredible scenes occurred in real life.

Lone Survivor

Release Date

December 25, 2013

Runtime

121 minutes

Director

Peter Berg

Writers

Peter Berg