World War I drama 1917 is already generating plenty of social media talk. The Universal Pictures film which is set to hit theaters on Christmas Day was already screened for critics and they all showered it with praises. It currently has a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. 1917 has also appeared in year-end top ten lists of more than a dozen renowned critics. So brace yourself for a fascinating watch.
But what are some other World War I films that are equally good? There are hundreds of movies to choose from but we'll settle on ten films that have the best tomato scores Here are World War I movies that received universal acclaim for their acting, storylines and direction.
Testament Of Youth (2014) - 84%
Game of Thrones star Kit Harington shines in this film as British poet and soldier Roland Leighton. However, the real star is Alicia Sikander who plays English nurse and aid worker Vera Brittain. Most of the time, the experiences of war are told from a man's perspective. Luckily, Testament of Youth shows us what it is like to be a woman in a time of war.
The film is based on Vera's memoir of the same name and follows the nurse as she reminisces about her experiences as a young woman during World War I. It touches on love and the hardships that came about as a result of the war. It wasn't an easy time to be with the one you loved but there are people who made it work.
Beneath Hill 60 (2010) - 85%
There is something fascinating about war movies that aren't just about the battlefield. We love films that take us through the devious schemes and planning that precede the war. Beneath Hill 60 is one such movie. After its release, it was nominated for over 30 awards.
Beneath Hill 60 revolves around an Australian Tunneling Company as they create tunnels beneath German bunkers in order to stage an attack. The setting is 1916 and the visuals are pretty great. If you prefer the more recent war movies instead of the older ones, try it.
King And Country (1965) - 86%
The film adapted from the John Wilson play Hamp tells the story of World War I British soldier Tom Courtenay who suddenly decides to abandon the war. Definitely not a good idea and he learns that pretty soon. For his desertion, he is put on trial.
During the trial, the gloomy Tom explains that while he was out at war, he discovered that his wife was being unfaithful. Since he had also been the lone survivor in his unit, he saw no point in continuing. He thus explains that he didn't leave. He just "went for a little walk" with no intention of returning. Okay, Thomas.
A Farewell To Arms (1932) - 93%
This movie isn't just about guns and wounds of the flesh. It's about wounds of the heart too. We've all done crazy things for love but the characters in this film to the extra mile to make sure the sad state of the world doesn't ruin the love they have for each other.
A Farewell To Arms is about an ambulance driver known as Lt. Henry and a nurse called Catherine Barkley. The two fall in love in Italy during World War I but they face numerous obstacles in their romantic journeys. However, they remain resilient.
1917 (2019) - 94%
No, that's not a mathematical calculation up there. 1917 is a 2019 movie with a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. After helming the trainwreck that was Spectre, director Sam Mendes has clearly redeemed himself with this one.
The film tells the story of Schofield (George MacKay from Captain Fantastic) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman from Game Of Thrones). The two soldiers who are fighting for the British army in World War 1 are set on a mission to cross a territory filled with enemy combatants and deliver a message meant to stop a deadly attack on thousands of fellow British soldiers. With Blake's brother among the men in danger, he must do everything in his power to make sure the mission is a success.
Paths Of Glory (1957) - 95%
Paths Of Glory was the first of Stanley Kubrick's war masterpieces. Years later he went on to direct the classic war drama Full Metal Jacket. In as much as the latter was brilliant, critics loved the former even more.
In Paths Of Glory, a group of soldiers in the trenches of World War I stage a mutiny and refuse to attack the enemy. Their general calls them cowards and decides to make an example of them. However, their unit commander chooses to stand by them, and thus the power struggles begin.
La Grande Illusion (1938) - 97%
La Grande Illusion was the first-ever non-American film to receive a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards. The French film is based on the novel The Grand Illusion by British author Norman Angell.
In the movie, Captain de Boeldieu and his mechanic, Lieutenant Maréchal are shot down by a German fighter plane. The two are then sent to a German POW (Prisoner Of War) camp, where they learn that the prisoners are hatching a detailed plan to escape. The mega plan gets foiled but Captain de Boeldieu comes up with a bigger and better one. No, this movie is not a black and white Prison Break. It is very different and very good.
Lawrence Of Arabia (1962) - 98%
From afar, this doesn't look like a World War I movie but it is. Instead of just giving us the usual British versus Germans story, Lawrence Of Arabia goes with a clever take on the war. It's no surprise that it won a whopping seven Oscars out of ten nominations, including Best Director and Best Picture.
The film follows British lieutenant Thomas Edward Lawrence (Peter O'Toole) who was stationed in Cairo during World War I. Due to his intelligence and wit, he is handpicked for an assignment by an agent in the Arab bureau. Lawrence is sent to analyze the prospects of Prince Faisal, a British ally in his revolt against the Turks (who are mostly allied with the Germans). While he's with the prince, he tries to influence the proceedings of the war and eventually becomes directly involved in it.
The Spy In Black (1939) - 100%
Another great throwback takes us all the way to 1939. It appears that film directors were very thorough in those days. With the little that they had they managed to create masterpieces. Michael Powell didn't have the luxury of CGI when he directed this film but he still managed to create a thrilling war drama.
In The Spy In Black (Also known as U-Boat 29), a German World War I submarine is tasked with uncovering secret plans by the British intelligence. When he makes a stop at the Orkney Islands, he meets and falls in love with a schoolteacher who also happens to be an undercover German agent. The captain later discovers that the woman has been playing him and she's a double agent for the British.
All Quiet On The Western Front (1979)- 100%
A remake can either be better than the original or worse. This doesn't sit on one end of the seesaw. It stands equal to the original. Both this version and the original 1930 version have a score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Everything from the acting to the writing to the directing is flawless. However, we prefer the 1979 version due to advanced camera technology.
With Director Delbert Mann at the helm, All Quiet On The Western Front follows a young German soldier who goes to war, ready to fight his country, but becomes disillusioned by the horrors of the battlefield. He realizes that things are just not as he expected and this takes a huge toll on his mental state.