Steven Spielberg's four WWII films, ranked from worst to best

Steven Spielberg is one of the most prolific filmmakers of the second half of the 20th and 21st centuries. Behind incredible projects like Jaws and Jurassic Parkwhich forever changed the way people talk about blockbusters and theatrical releases, Spielberg was also deeply interested in stories about World War II. Spielberg's early education was influenced by the impact of World War II, like most Americans during those years. That's because he was born in 1946. It makes sense that this experience influenced his later projects, as many filmmakers try to bring much of their childhood to life on screen.

There are many excellent films that Spielberg produced but did not direct in various genres, but he directed almost every film project involving World War II. In recent years, he has continued to take on the role of television and film producer. Spielberg co-created the hit miniseries Band of Brothers with Tom Hanks, which was a huge critical and public success. Although Spielberg hasn't made a film about World War II in many years, the impact of these films has not diminished over time, as several are some of the best stories ever brought to life about the period.

4

1941 (1979)

Spielberg's first World War II film with a satirical tone

Consistently ranked as one of Spielberg's worst films 1941 It's the kind of film that most audiences don't associate with Spielberg. 1941 is satirical, using elements of slapstick comedy and featuring some of the best comedic actors of the time. Starring Dan Aykroyd, Ned Beatty and John Belushi as three of the story's main actors 1941 follows a large cast and isn't afraid to poke fun at the American people, even though that was the audience base it hoped to attract. The biggest problem with 1941 It's just that it doesn't go far enough.

The film pokes fun at the American panic after the attack on Pearl Harbor and speaks to other films about the home front in World War II. It makes sense that Spielberg made some mistakes when trying to tackle both the critique of wartime extremism and the themes of a screwball comedy. However, if the filmmaker had achieved this, it is likely that 1941 it would be much better remembered today. Without considering, It's an interesting study to see what the director's initial thoughts and feelings about World War II were like. on the screen. Plus, the action sequences are still as thrilling as Spielberg's best.

After the resounding success of films like Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind a few years earlier, it makes sense that Spielberg wanted to take a risk with a more eccentric project like 1941. However, 1941 It made a lot of money at the box office and wasn't even close to being a career killer for Spielberg, despite the negative reception. Today, 1941 is considered something of a cult classic and is an example of a side of Spielberg that he rarely shows in his work, suggesting a darker, more ironic style rarely seen in his work again.

3

Empire of the Sun (1987)

Christian Bale Leads This Coming-of-Age War Drama

A young Christian Bale stars Empire of the Sun alongside John Malkovich as Jim and Basie, two expatriates living in Shanghai when the Japanese invasion of China begins. Although he is just a child, the story revolves around Jim and his ingenuity, allowing him to survive the horrors of being separated from his parents, living in an internment camp, and watching his friends die around him. It's clear from the start that Bale is a unique talent, because, despite his youth, the actor already demonstrates a complex understanding of his character. He tackles the coming-of-age story with determination.

Each of Spielberg's works covers a different part of the world and is told from the perspective of unique characters trying to overcome impossible situations. However Empire of the Sun is far from being one of Spielberg's greatest successes, it was ahead of its time in analyzing one of the smallest and most intimate stories within the greater impact of such a devastating conflict. Although there are many films that address children's experience during war, Empire of the Sun It gives the story an adventurous feel, which confuses the tone from time to time.

However Empire of the Sun isn't afraid to be dark, it's easy to find some fault with Jim's and the narrative's determination to find silver linings wherever possible. Spielberg's reputation as a director who makes family-friendly films can sometimes get in the way of his attempts to tackle more complex subjects. However, this does not change the fact that Empire of the Sun It is a moving and moving story. Despite this, it's clear that Spielberg was looking at the narrative through a different lens than some of his darker additions to the WWII work, which pushed his characters to the limit.

2

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Tom Hanks and Spielberg began their long-standing partnership on this landmark film

Not just a movie about World War II, but a real war movie, Saving Private Ryan marks the first collaboration between Spielberg and Tom Hanks. The long and illustrious partnership began with a film that went down in history as one of the best of each of them. Also featuring Matt Damon, Vin Diesel and many other phenomenal actors Saving Private Ryan follows an epic journey that Hanks' John H. Miller goes on to find Damon's Private Ryan. Ryan or his body must be returned to his parents as a consolation for the family's loss during the war.

Set in France during the invasion of Normandy in 1944, Saving Private RyanThe film's action sequences are often described as being some of the most realistic and visceral representations of this bloody invasion. As the group tasked with finding Ryan scours France for any sign of the young man, they are faced with the cost and disillusionment of war and face the fact that they may be different from the people they once were. . It is an intense and difficult film that does not hesitate to show the audience disturbing conflicting facts.

Hanks' performance was praised by critics and audiences, as he takes a tragically devastating turn as Miller, a man who no longer recognizes himself. Morality and the righteous reasons behind war disappear as Miller and his company of men lose sight of what they are fighting for and witness people behaving in ways they have never seen before. However, because this is a Spielberg film, the film ends with a glimmer of hope and a chance at a life well lived for some of the characters, as long as they do what they can to ensure they deserve it.

1

Schindler's List (1993)

Spielberg's most moving and dramatic contribution to narratives about war

Spielberg called Schindler's List his best film, and it's not hard to see why the historical drama still hits so close to home for viewers today. Liam Neeson delivers a career-defining performance as Oskar Schindler, the factory owner who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jews during the Holocaust. Based on the true story book, Schindler's Arkthe film takes some dramatic liberties, but it's clear that Spielberg wanted to communicate the stakes and evil present in the story. This evil is brought to life by Ralph Fiennes as the despicable SS officer Amon Göth.

Winning the Oscar for Best Film, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, between others, Schindler's List was immediately named as one of the most impactful films of the year in 1993. Unlike his later works, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List it's less about action and the heat of battle than it is about small acts of bravery that lead to monumental change. Oskar is far from a perfect character, and Spielberg doesn't hesitate to demonstrate how he slowly evolved from an apathetic businessman into the kind of person worth remembering.

Ben Kingsley brings his typical quiet gravitas to his role as Itzhak Stern, the Jew with whom Schindler partners to protect as many people as possible. Spielberg was particularly praised for its iconic use of color in the film, and the story is shot in black and white, except for the red coat of a young woman that Schindler sees during the destruction of the Kraków Ghetto. One of the most popular and far-reaching films about the Holocaust, Schindler's List maintains its reputation as a vital piece of media that brings an important piece of history to the cultural forefront.