10 War movies that are based on true events

“Oh, and I thought when I was there, God, what am I doing here?I’m a-tryin’ to kill somebody or die tryin’ But the thing that scared me most was when my enemy came close And I saw that his face looked just like mine”

The above lines are from Bob Dylan’s famous anti-war poem, John Brown, which mocked the rampant glorification of war and exposed its harsh, grotesque reality. People have been at war with each other for the longest time in history and for reasons apparently “greater than their lives.”

Soon, they realised that at the end of it all, they had gained nothing, only lost. Many films have drawn inspiration for their storyline from authentic war tales not to entertain the masses but to either educate them about the grim atrocities of a battlefield or to pay tribute to the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives in combat.

Prepare to have your minds blown for here are the names of 10 war movies that are taken from real-life incidents.

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1) Schindler's List (1993)

Schindler's List is no ordinary war movie. It is a 1993 masterpiece by Steven Spielberg that was based on Thomas Keneally’s historical novel, Schindler's Ark. It centred on the life story of an industrialist named Oskar Schindler, who, despite being German, stood up against the N*zis to protect thousands of Jews from the holocaust. Spielberg received lots of admiration and praise for his masterful storytelling and remarkable black-and-white cinematography that made the film even more impactful. The film bagged multiple awards, but most significantly, it won an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1994. Talented Hollywood actors like Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, and many others deliver striking performances in this movie. Schindler's List is known for powerfully depicting the horrific, inhumane persecution of Jewish people under the N*zi reign. Besides exposing the brutal truth about war, it also carries a note of optimism through themes like goodness amidst evil, hope in the darkest of times.

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2) Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Hacksaw Ridge (2016) serves as a war epic, brought to life through the direction of Mel Gibson. The film portrays Andrew Garfield in the role of the real-life Desmond Doss as he navigates his life through the appalling times of World War II. Following the near-fatal accident of killing his younger brother, Doss pledged to himself that he would reject weapons and violence forever. He later went on to become a combat medic and the first conscientious objector who earned a Medal of Honor for his services in the Battle of Okinawa. Through his bravery on the battlefield, Desmond Doss protected dozens of lives of his fellow soldiers. Hacksaw Ridge tells the exceptional true story of a man who maintained his faith throughout times of despair.

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3) Dunkirk (2017)

Dunkirk is a French port city that witnessed one of the greatest military evacuations known to history during the Second World War. Nolan's 2017 film of the same name revolves around this legendary event where troops of more than 338,000 Allied soldiers had to be rescued from the harbours and beaches of Dunkirk amidst relentless German firing. The whole incident was given multiple names like the Dunkirk evacuation and Operation Dynamo. The movie is an immersive portrayal of the horrors and terrors of war and has been praised for its excellent cinematography and haunting background score by Hans Zimmer. Dunkirk (2017) is not only one of Nolan's best creations but also one of the most iconic war films ever made in the history of cinema.

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4) Black Hawk Down (2001)

This 2001 film is an adaptation of the 1999 book by journalist Mark Bowden, titled Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War. The movie is a gripping tale of a U.S. military operation gone wrong in Somalia during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. When a crew of American soldiers flew to Somalia to capture the right-hand men of their war chief, Mohamed Farrah Aidid, things did not go quite as planned. What was meant to be a swift, well-analyzed, and carefully executed mission soon turned into a chaotic, gruesome 15-hour battle. Hundreds of Somali citizens, along with 18 U.S soldiers, lost their lives. Additionally, 2 Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by the Somali militants. Directed by Ridley Scott, Black Hawk Down (2001) has earned several awards for painting a realistic picture of modern warfare.

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5) Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Another war masterpiece by Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan (1998) is renowned for skillfully capturing the intense and chaotic picture of the D-Day landings in Normandy during the Second World War. It follows the fictional story of Captain John Miller, played by Tom Hanks, who is tasked with leading his squad on a dangerous mission to rescue Private James Francis Ryan, portrayed by Matt Damon, and bring him home. Ryan had already lost his three brothers in the war. The movie is inspired by true events, with a significant focus on the story of the Niland family, whose three sons were believed to be tragically killed in the battle, and the fourth was eventually rescued by the U.S. Army.

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6) The Imitation Game (2014)

The Imitation Game (2014) takes us through the journey of the mathematical prodigy named Alan Turing, who became widely recognized for changing history with his cryptographic genius during the Second World War. Directed by Morten Tyldum, perhaps we cannot call The Imitation Game a war film in the traditional sense. It has taken its inspiration from Andrew Hodges’ 1983 memoir, called, Alan Turing: The Enigma. Benedict Cumberbatch, and Turing delivers a sensational performance. He works day and night with a group of other astute cryptanalysts at Bletchley Park, all in an attempt to decipher Germany's Enigma Code. By accomplishing this, they will be saving the world and countless lives by altering the course of the war. The film honors Turing’s legacy and contributions during a time of great turmoil and distress.

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7) Patton (1970)

The 1970 film is a famous biopic on the U.S. General George S. Patton, which was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. He remains one of the most influential yet controversial figures in the history of World War II. Besides celebrating Patton's bravery and acumen on the battlefield, the movie delves into the psychological complexities of his character, that is, his shortcomings and his undying obsession with war. And it would not have been possible without George C. Scott's compelling performance as Patton. The opening scene in Patton (1970) remains an iconic moment in cinematic history, where Patton delivers an intense speech while standing proudly and indomitably before the flag of America. It bagged seven Oscars, including one for the Best Picture.

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8) The Great Escape (1963)

John Sturges’ 1963 film, The Great Escape, is a fictionalized retelling of how the British Commonwealth prisoners of war escaped the Stalag Luft III, a German POW camp, during the Second World War in 1944. Former prisoner Paul Brickhill wrote the eponymous book in 1950 that became the basis for the film's production. It is renowned for its gripping storyline and powerful performances, especially from a star-studded cast that included Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough. This classic war film left a lasting impression on popular culture for not only highlighting the struggles of war prisoners but also showcasing their teamwork and collective efforts at orchestrating what came to be known as “The Great Escape.”

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9) Unbroken (2014)

In 2014, Angelina Jolie directed the movie Unbroken, which presents the true story of the American Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini, who later turned into a World War II bombardier. The movie follows the unimaginable challenges Louis (Louie) faced when his plane crashed into the Pacific during the war. He was held captive and brutally tortured by the Japanese. After enduring 47 days in a raft, Zamperini finds himself being relocated across several POW camps. The film is based on Laura Hillenbrand’s well-known book, titled Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Jack O'Connell’s performance as Louis Zamperini in Unbroken (2014) exposed the harrowing trials of war and survival through his raw, gritty experiences and encounters in Japanese captivity.

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10) All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

The German anti-war film All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) offers an authentic glimpse of the horrifying aspects of war to the audience. The film developed its story from Erich Maria Remarque’s popular 1929 novel of the same name, about his own experience as a German veteran in the First World War. At the beginning of the film, we encounter the protagonist, Paul Bäumer, enthusiastic about serving in the Imperial German Army along with his friends. However, it is not long before he finds out that it is a nightmare to be a part of the war, where every passing day becomes a desperate struggle to stay alive. Director Edward Berger does not sugarcoat the grim truths about war in his film. Rather, he strongly exposes the extreme physical hardships and emotional turmoil the soldiers and their families have to go through as a consequence of it all. All Quiet on the Western Front won several awards, including four Oscars at the 95th Academy Awards.