10 Best Movies about World War I

Paths of Glory is a movie that is considered culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant to Americans in particular. Adapted from Humphrey Cobb's novel, the movie depicts the complicated impact of World War I on various characters, especially a French army commander.

During the war, General Mireau (George Macready) is manipulated into carrying out an attack on the German opposition with the promise of a promotion. Unfortunately, he fails and this leaves him embarrassed and blamed by his own soldiers.

He even arranges a fake trial where three soldiers are sentenced to death and unjustly executed. Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas), who is a civilian lawyer tries to defend the soldiers and expose the corruption within the military leadership.

The biographical adventure movie "Lawrence of Arabia" follows the extraordinary journey of Thomas Edward Lawrence, a British soldier, during the Arab army's war against Turkey from 1916 to 1918.

The movie, which received widespread acclaim and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director at the 35th Academy Awards in 1963, vividly describes Lawrence's experiences against the backdrop of an Arab country divided by tribal conflicts.

Running for 3 hours and 38 minutes, the movie is filled with various conflicts, both political and internal within Lawrence. Despite its length, "Lawrence of Arabia" offers a captivating depiction of Lawrence's important role in the Arabian Peninsula revolution. Want to find out more about this fascinating story? Watch and explore Lawrence's incredible journey for yourself!

1917 is one of the most gripping war films of 2019, which follows the journey of two British soldiers who are entrusted with an important message to prevent an upcoming attack. Its meticulously crafted story propelled 1917 to three Academy Awards out of ten nominations.

Set on April 6, 1917, in the middle of enemy territory, an infantry battalion prepares for a dangerous mission. However, alarming intelligence information indicates a potential disaster, so the headquarter sends two British soldiers, Will Schofield (George MacKay) and Tom Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), to deliver crucial information.

If the message isn't received in time, as many as 1,600 members will walk into a trap and be slaughtered. In order to reach the location where the battalion is assembled, they race against time and must cross extremely dangerous enemy territory.

"They Shall Not Grow Old" is a documentary movie directed and produced by Peter Jackson. What makes it unique is the use of original World War I footage from the Imperial War Museum archives, some of which is over 100 years old!

The movie depicts real-life events from World War I using innovative computer restoration and modern techniques. The movie is a tribute to the soldiers who fought with more accurate portrayal of the moments.

Peter Jackson's team also included audio from BBC and Imperial War Museum interviews with British soldiers. This makes the movie not just another historical narrative, but creates an immersive experience about the life of a soldier during the World War I.

Back in 1925, war films were quite different from what we see today. "The Big Parade," unlike modern war films filled with dialogue, was a silent film. It tells the story of James (John Gilbert), a wealthy yet jobless young man who enlists in the US Army during World War I.

The film takes the audience on a journey through James' experiences as he becomes deeply involved in the war. The story also explores James' relationships during his service. He builds friendships with men from working-class backgrounds and falls in love with a French girl named Melisande (Renée Adorée). However, their romance is fraught with challenges due to James' responsibilities as a soldier.

"The Big Parade" received acclaim for its authentic depiction of war and significantly influenced the way war films were made thereafter. Directed by King Vidor, this groundbreaking film was chosen for preservation in the US National Film Registry in 1992. It has also been honored with three awards at various international film festivals.

Johnny Got His Gun is a powerful film adaptation of Dalton Trumbo's renowned anti-war novel. This must-read book, especially for fans of war-themed films, inspired the critically acclaimed 1971 movie that bagged the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

The film focuses on Joe Bonham (Timothy Bottoms), an American soldier in World War I. Tragically, on the war's last day, Joe is severely injured by a bomb, resulting in the loss of his arms, legs, and face. Rescued and placed in a hospital, Joe's condition is heartbreakingly grim.

Beyond his physical injuries, Joe is left deaf, mute, and blind. Lying in a hospital bed, isolated in his condition, he eventually finds a way to communicate with a nurse using Morse code by moving his head.

Joe's deepest wish is to be displayed to the public, hoping to showcase the horrors and dangers of war. However, when this request is denied, he desperately asks for another way out, as he feels he can no longer live meaningfully. The film leaves viewers pondering the fate of Joe and the profound messages it conveys about war.

Back in 1941, the biographical film "Sergeant York" made waves as the highest-grossing movie of the year. It's based on the true story of Alvin C. York, an American soldier celebrated for his heroism in World War I.

Alvin York, originally a young farmer, reluctantly joined the military during the First World War. His initial hesitation stemmed from his religious beliefs, which were against killing. However, when pushed into action, he played a pivotal role in a crucial battle, leading to a significant victory and the German surrender. This feat turned him into a celebrated hero.

When approached to share his life story for the film, Alvin C. York was initially hesitant. He agreed to cooperate only after learning that the movie's profits would help fund the creation of an interdenominational Bible school.

"Sergeant York" didn't just top the box office; it also earned numerous awards and was added to the US National Film Registry in 2008 for its cultural significance. The film holds a special place in American cinema, ranking 57th on the list of the 100 most inspiring American films and 35th on the American Film Institute's list of the top 50 American cinema heroes.

This 1964 British war movie, directed by Joseph Losey and starring Dirk Bogarde and Tom Courtenay, is set during World War I. It tells the story of Private Arthur Hamp (Tom Courtenay), who faces charges of desertion. Desertion is when a soldier leaves their post without permission and doesn’t plan to come back.

In the film, Arthur is defended by Captain Hargreaves (Dirk Bogarde). Captain Hargreaves argues that Arthur is suffering from shell shock, a kind of PTSD that causes ongoing seizures due to war trauma.

Despite Captain Hargreaves' efforts to show that Arthur was in a state of shock, the court finds Hamp guilty. The military higher-ups order his execution. A firing squad is set up to carry out the sentence on Private Arthur, a man who might have been spared.

The film ends with a tragic turn. Arthur is executed. Afterward, Captain Hargreaves contacts Arthur’s family to tell them he died in the line of duty. The real reason behind Arthur's death remains a secret from his family, hidden to this day.

Steven Spielberg, known for his captivating films, did not disappoint with his 2011 war film "War Horse." Adapted from Michael Morpurgo's novel of the same name, the movie tells the remarkable journey of a horse named Joey.

Joey, a farm horse living in 1912, shares a special connection with a young boy named Albert (Jeremy Irvine). Their peaceful life on an English farm is disrupted when World War I begins. Joey is sold to the British Army, and the film traces his experiences during the war, passing through different hands and facing numerous challenges.

On the other side, Albert, who has now become a soldier, goes on a mission to find Joey. Against all odds, the two are eventually reunited after the war. Although Joey nearly gets sold at a big auction, fate intervenes, and he returns to Albert and his family. They resume their lives together on the farm, finding joy in each other's company once again.

"Private Peaceful," a war film from the UK, brings to life the story from Michael Morpurgo's novel with the same title. This film is notable for being the last work of actor Richard Griffiths, who passed away a year after its release.

The story revolves around two brothers, Charlie (Jack O'Connell) and Tommo (George MacKay), who both have feelings for the same girl, Molly (Alexandra Roach), during their teenage years. As they grapple with their emotions and the uncertainty of Molly's affections, the outbreak of war forces them to leave her behind and join the army.

In the midst of war, Charlie and Tommo endure gas attacks, shelling, encounters with German troops, and the tragic loss of their friends. However, their biggest challenge comes in the form of a court martial. The film leaves viewers wondering about the brothers' fate in the military and who ultimately wins Molly's heart.