War movies are a popular genre of cinema that depict the horrors, heroism, and humanity of armed conflicts. They can be thrilling, emotional, inspiring, or educational, depending on the perspective and message of the filmmakers. In this blog, I will recommend some of the best war movies to watch in UK, based on their historical accuracy, cinematic quality, and cultural relevance. These movies cover different wars, regions, and themes, but they all have one thing in common: they showcase the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers and civilians who lived through them.
Best War Movies to Watch in UK This Weekend
Dunkirk
- Director(s): Christopher Nolan
- Writer(s): Christopher Nolan
- Starring: Fionn Whitehead, Barry Keoghan, Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy
- Runtime: 106 minutes
- Release Year: 2017
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Dunkirk is one of the most recent and most acclaimed war movies ever made. It’s directed by Christopher Nolan, who is a genius when it comes to storytelling. The movie is about the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940, when hundreds of thousands of British and Allied soldiers were trapped by the Nazis on the beaches of France. The movie shows you three different perspectives: one on land, one on sea, and one in the air, as the soldiers try to survive and escape. The movie is so immersive and realistic, you’ll feel like you’re there with them. The movie also has a great cast, including Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh, Mark Rylance, and Harry Styles.
Zulu
- Director(s): Cy Endfield
- Writer(s): John Prebble, Cy Endfield
- Starring: Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Michael Caine
- Runtime: 138 minutes
- Release Year: 1964
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Zulu is a classic war movie from 1964, and it’s based on a true story. It’s about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift in 1879, when a small group of British soldiers defended a mission station against a huge attack by Zulu warriors in South Africa. The movie is so epic and impressive, you’ll be amazed by the battle scenes, the characters, and the music. The movie also deals with some important themes, like colonialism, racism, and courage. The movie stars Michael Caine, Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, and Ulla Jacobsson.
The Guns at Batasi
- Director(s): John Guillermin
- Writer(s): Robert Holles (screenplay), William Eastlake (novel)
- Starring: Richard Attenborough, Jack Hawkins, Flora Robson
- Runtime: 103 minutes
- Release Year: 1964
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
The Guns at Batasi is a hidden gem from 1964, and it’s set in an unnamed African country. It’s about a group of British soldiers who are stationed at a military barracks. The movie shows you what happens when a coup d’état occurs in the country, and the soldiers have to choose between following their orders or their conscience. The movie is a suspenseful and thrilling movie, with a strong political and moral message. The movie also has a brilliant performance by Richard Attenborough, who won a BAFTA for his role as the stubborn Sergeant Major.
1917
- Director(s): Sam Mendes
- Writer(s): Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
- Starring: Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay
- Runtime: 119 minutes
- Release Year: 2019
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
1917 is a stunning and immersive war movie from 2019, and it’s directed by Sam Mendes, who also directed Skyfall and American Beauty. The movie is about two young British soldiers, Schofield and Blake, who are given a dangerous mission to deliver a message to a nearby battalion, during the First World War. The message is to call off an attack that would result in a massacre, as the Germans have set up a trap. The movie is filmed in a way that makes it look like one continuous shot, which makes you feel like you’re on the journey with the soldiers.
A Bridge Too Far
- Director(s): Richard Attenborough
- Writer(s): William Goldman (screenplay), Cornelius Ryan (book)
- Starring: Sean Connery, Ryan O’Neal, Michael Caine
- Runtime: 175 minutes
- Release Year: 1977
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
A Bridge Too Far is a massive and star-studded war movie from 1977, and it’s based on a real operation. It’s about the Operation Market Garden in 1944, which was one of the biggest and most ambitious airborne operations in history. The movie shows you the failed attempt by the Allies to capture several bridges in the Netherlands, which would have allowed them to cross the Rhine and enter Germany. The movie is an epic and spectacular movie, with a lot of action, drama, and twists. The movie also has a huge cast, including Sean Connery, Anthony Hopkins, Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, and Laurence Olivier.
Kajaki
- Director(s): Paul Katis
- Writer(s): Tom Williams
- Starring: David Elliot, Mark Stanley
- Runtime: 108 minutes
- Release Year: 2014
- IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Kajaki is a new and gripping war movie from 2014, and it’s based on a true incident. It’s about the Kajaki Dam incident in 2006, when a group of British soldiers were trapped in a minefield near the Kajaki Dam in Afghanistan. The movie shows you the harrowing ordeal of the soldiers, who had to endure the pain, fear, and uncertainty of their situation, while waiting for help to arrive. The movie is a realistic and intense movie, using real locations, dialogue, and events. The movie also has a cast of mostly unknown actors, who give authentic and powerful performances.
Ice Cold in Alex
- Director(s): J. Lee Thompson
- Writer(s): Christopher Landon (screenplay), Jon Cleary (novel)
- Starring: John Mills, Sylvia Syms, Anthony Quayle
- Runtime: 130 minutes
- Release Year: 1958
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Ice Cold in Alex is a fun and adventurous war movie from 1958, and it’s set in 1942, during the North African Campaign of World War II. It’s about a group of British soldiers and nurses, who have to cross the desert in an ambulance, after their base is attacked by the Germans. The movie is a thrilling and exciting journey, as the group faces various obstacles, such as sandstorms, enemy patrols, and landmines. The movie also has a famous scene, where the group celebrates their survival by drinking a cold beer in Alexandria. The movie stars John Mills, Sylvia Syms, Anthony Quayle, and Harry Andrews.
Darkest Hour
- Director(s): Joe Wright
- Writer(s): Anthony McCarten
- Starring: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James
- Runtime: 125 minutes
- Release Year: 2017
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Darkest Hour is a recent and inspiring war movie from 2017, and it’s about the early days of Winston Churchill’s prime ministership in 1940, when he had to face the threat of Nazi Germany, the opposition of his own party, and the doubts of his own people. The movie shows you the charisma, courage, and wit of Churchill, who rallied the nation and the world against the evil of fascism. The movie also has a stunning performance by Gary Oldman, who won an Oscar for his role as Churchill.
Operation Mincemeat
- Director(s): John Madden
- Writer(s): Michelle Ashford
- Starring: Colin Firth, Mathew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald
- Runtime: 128 minutes
- Release Year: 2021
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Operation Mincemeat is a new and entertaining war movie from 2021, and it’s based on a true deception. It’s about the Operation Mincemeat in 1943, which was one of the most successful and ingenious deceptions of World War II. The movie shows you the plan by the British intelligence to plant false documents on a corpse, which was then dropped into the sea near Spain, to mislead the Germans about the Allied invasion of Sicily. The movie is a fascinating and amusing spy movie, with a touch of humor and romance. The movie stars Colin Firth, Kelly Macdonald, Matthew Macfadyen, and Penelope Wilton.
The Dam Busters
- Director(s): Michael Anderson
- Writer(s): R.C. Sherriff (screenplay), Paul Brickhill (book)
- Starring: Richard Todd, Michael Redgrave, Ursula Jeans
- Runtime: 124 minutes
- Release Year: 1955
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
The Dam Busters is a classic and influential war movie from 1955, and it’s based on a true raid. It’s about the Operation Chastise in 1943, which was a daring and innovative raid by the Royal Air Force, to destroy the dams in the Ruhr Valley, Germany. The movie shows you the development of the bouncing bombs, the training of the pilots, and the execution of the mission, which had a significant impact on the war. The movie is a classic of the war genre, featuring spectacular aerial footage, suspenseful scenes, and a memorable theme music. The movie stars Richard Todd, Michael Redgrave, Basil Sydney, and Ursula Jeans.
The Guns of Navarone
- Director(s): J. Lee Thompson
- Writer(s): Carl Foreman (screenplay), Alistair MacLean (novel)
- Starring: Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn
- Runtime: 158 minutes
- Release Year: 1961
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
The Guns of Navarone is a legendary and exciting war movie from 1961, and it’s based on a fictional story. It’s about a team of Allied commandos, who are sent to sabotage the massive German guns on the island of Navarone, which are preventing the rescue of thousands of British soldiers in Greece. The movie is an exciting and adventurous war movie, with a lot of action, drama, and twists. The movie also has a stellar cast, including Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quinn, Richard Harris, and Irene Papas.
Hope and Glory
- Director(s): John Boorman
- Writer(s): John Boorman
- Starring: Sebastian Rice-Edwards, Sarah Miles, David Hayman
- Runtime: 113 minutes
- Release Year: 1987
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Hope and Glory is a charming and nostalgic war movie from 1987, and it’s based on the director’s childhood. It’s about the Blitz of World War II, as seen through the eyes of a young boy in London. The movie shows you the war from a different perspective, as the boy finds it more exciting than frightening, as he witnesses the bombings, the fires, and the chaos. The movie is a comedy-drama, with a lot of humor, warmth, and emotion. The movie also has a wonderful performance by Sarah Miles, who plays the boy’s mother.
The Imitation Game
- Director(s): Morten Tyldum
- Writer(s): Graham Moore
- Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley
- Runtime: 113 minutes
- Release Year: 2014
- IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
The Imitation Game is a brilliant and moving war movie from 2014, and it’s based on the biography of Alan Turing, a British mathematician and cryptanalyst who helped crack the German Enigma code during World War II. The movie stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Turing, who faces both the challenges of his secret mission and the persecution of his homosexuality. The movie is a thrilling and inspiring biopic, with a stunning performance by Cumberbatch and a gripping score by Alexandre Desplat.
Lawrence Of Arabia
- Director(s): David Lean
- Writer(s): Robert Bolt, Michael Wilson (screenplay)
- Starring: Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn
- Runtime: 228 minutes
- Release Year: 1962
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Lawrence Of Arabia is a masterpiece and a legend of war movies from 1962, and it’s based on the life and writings of T.E. Lawrence, a British officer who became involved in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. The movie stars Peter O’Toole as Lawrence, who leads the Arab tribes to fight for their independence but also struggles with his own identity and loyalty. The movie is widely regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made, with its spectacular cinematography, action sequences, and music by Maurice Jarre.
Conclusion
So, these are some of the best war movies to watch in UK, and I hope when you watch them, you’ll agree with me. These movies will take you on a journey through different wars, regions, and themes and show you the best and the worst of humanity.
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