Many of the greatest directors of all time have a favorite genre. Martin Scorsese loves crime thrillers, Ridley Scott loves period dramas, andSteven Spielbergloveswarmovies. His attachment to wartime stories should come as no surprise, considering that his father served in World War II. Spielbergrecallshow his dad regaled him with tales of his time in Burma fighting the Japanese. The old man’s friends were also veterans, so the war stories never ended.
So far, Spielberg has covered all the major global conflicts in his work. He has made a Civil War movie, a World War I movie, World War II movies, and a Cold War movie. Iraq and Afghanistan are the only territories for him to explore, and even though the right window to parachute into these regions might have passed, Spielberg could always surprise us. For now, we have seen enough to crown him one of the greatest war movie directors of all time. Still, his boot-n-firearm movies aren’t made equal.
7‘1941’ (1979)
1941coversthe panic that gripped Los Angeles shortly after the Pearl Harbor attacks. There’s no gritty war stuff. Instead, we see the residents descending into slapstick mayhem. The chaos gets worse whena Japanese submarine is sighted, coupled with reports that Hollywood might be the next major target.
Not a Good Comedy
Heavily panned by critics,1941was a major disappointment for Spielberg, especially because it ruined the great run he had built withJawsandClose Encounters of the Third Kind.The film fails by trying to be funny, something the filmmaker isn’t particularly good at. Spielberg alsovividly remembersJohn Wayne (who had declined a role), warning him not to make the movie. “Don’t joke about World War II,” the actor said, but the filmmaker didn’t listen, so failure followed.
6‘War Horse’ (2011)
War Horseexaminesthe connection between Albert Narracott (Jeremy Irvine), a young Englishman, and an Irish Hunter horse named Joey.Soon, Joey is sold to the British cavalry, going on to touch the lives of various soldiers and citizens across Europe during World War I. As all that is happening, Albert does his best to reunite with the horse.
Joey on the Move
The film looks and sounds good, elements that the Oscars recognized. However,War Horseis hardly one of Spielberg’s most entertaining works. More often than not, the narrative feels disjointed, mostly because Joey keeps finding himself at the hands of different owners, who we never get to know well. Even so, this remains one ofthe best films for animal lovers.
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5‘Empire of the Sun’ (1987)
Empire of the Sun
A young Christian Bale stars inEmpire of the Sunas Jim, an English boy who gets captured andseparated from his wealthy family when Japanese forces enter China during World War II.During his time in captivity, he bonds with Basie (John Malkovich), an American sailor.
The Impact of War
Spielberg’s smart, exquisitely directed war drama handles the politics with graceful restraint and manages to deliver most bits of his desired emotional impact. Malkovich is impressive, but the young Bale — with his haggard appearance and exhausted, innocent eyes — delivers an absorbing performance.Empire of the Sun’s plot is also flawless, something J. G. Ballard, the author of the book the movie is based on,was quick to appreciate.
4‘Bridge of Spies’ (2015)
Bridge of Spies
Bridge of Spiesenlightens us about some of the quid-pro-quo games that the US and the Soviet Union played with each other during the Cold War. The central character is James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks),a lawyer trying to negotiate the release of a CIA pilot whose plane was shot down by the Soviets. The KGB is willing to release him, but only if one of their spies is also freed.
Cold Negotiations
With the title referencing the iconic Glienicke Bridge where several prisoner exchanges are rumored to have taken place,Bridge of Spiesisequally a war film and psychological drama. Partly filmed on location at the exact bridge, you can practically feel the cold coming off the screen. Thescreenplay was written by the Coen brothers, though you can hardly notice it. Spielberg’s touch is everywhere.
3‘Lincoln’ (2012)
Lincoln’s title might have you believe it’s a boys-to-men kind of celebratory biopic. It’s not. The focus is on the Civil War, andLincoln’s efforts to ensure the “Emancipation Proclamation” (Presidential decree meant to abolish involuntary servitude) doesn’t get reversedby the Confederate states once they rejoin the union.
Bringing Civility to the Civil War
The film is mostly remembered for featuring one of Daniel Day-Lewis’ greatest performances, but Spielberg’s magic remains evident. The filmmaker shoots in an austere dark hue to reflect the grayness of America during the conflict. Additionally, the monochromatic palate permits poetic lyricism to thrive, as we see Lincoln weighing his choices. Overall, this story of a president is a microcosm of the collective progress America made at the time. Truly inspiring.
2‘Schindler’s List’ (1993)
Schindler’s List
There were a few good Nazi-affiliated Germans and Oskar Schindler (portrayed inSchindler’s Listby Liam Neeson) was one of them. Initially motivated by profit, he staffed his enamelware factories with Jewish workers to enjoy cheap labor, butupon realizing how much Jews were being persecuted, he chose to protect many of themby claiming they were working for him. Schindler would end up saving the lives of about 1200 Jews.
A Triumph in Artistry
Schindler’s Listfound Spielberg in top form. The gripping winner of seven Oscars, including Best Picture, dropped the same year asJurassic Park,and while the latter was pure popcorn flare, the former was artsy filmmaking at its best. Filmed in monochrome with occasional red symbolic images, the biographical film wowed everyone who watched it at the time and continues to do so today. Interestingly, Spielbergnever took a paycheck, arguing it was akin to blood money.
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1‘Saving Private Ryan’ (1998)
Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryantriggered renewed interest in World War II, and the conflict has remained an integral part of Hollywood storytelling ever since. In it, Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks)leads a mission to find Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon) and send him back homeafter it emerges that his three brothers have all died in combat.
Every Soldier Matters
Blending gritty practicality and dark human elements,Saving Private Ryanis a nervously paced powder keg of a film that offersthe most accurate reenactment of D-Day.So good is it thatvets and servicemen singled it out as one of the must-see WWII movies. Spielberg and the leads sure deserves most of the credit, but the blockbuster would be nothing without actors like Bryan Cranston, Vin Diesel, and Paul Giamatti, who all went on to become A-listers.
