The 1960s proved to be an incredible time for cinema, with the decade producing some of the most acclaimed and widely celebrated films ever made, regardless of genre. From the seminal spaghetti tours to the West in the style of The good, the bad and the ugly and unnerving horrors like Psychopath to mind-bending sci-fi offerings like 2001: A Space OdysseyThe decade saw a number of iconic and culturally influential films that have stood the test of time to earn status as undisputed cinematic classics.
war films They were definitely not exempt from this status quo, a situation that is not surprising given the social climate of the 1960s. The decade saw the release of several highly successful and influential war films.many of which are widely considered to be some of the best war films of all time. Producing an immersive portrayal of armed conflict that thrills and shocks in equal measure, these films vary in terms of style and messages, but all share a common characteristic; They are all masterful war exits that remain in terms of quality and observation capacity to this day.
10
The Great Escape (1963)
Directed by John Sturges
One of the war genre’s most seminal offerings, 1963 The Great Escape portrays a heavily dramatized account of the mass escape of British prisoners of war from the German prison camp Stalag Luft III. Featuring one of the most impressive casts of all time, with names like Steve McQueen, James Garner and Richard Attenborough, John Sturges’ film is a timeless classic; a near-perfect war film production that gets better with each viewing.
Of The Great Escape rich tapestry of characters for the film’s explosive action sequences, there are few faults in this iconic action number. A name often brought up in discussions surrounding the best war films ever made, there are few offerings that can rival the McQueen-led film in terms of lasting success or cultural impact.
9
Dr Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Widely considered one of the greatest films ever conceived, regardless of genre, Stanley Kubrick’s film Dr Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is masterful war comedy of the highest order. The 1964 Black and White Film Chronicles the desperate attempts to avoid a nuclear war which follows after a distraught US general orders a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the Soviet Union.
Offering a satirical take on the Cold War and mutually assured destruction that never fails to entertain, Kubrick’s film is considered one of the most successful and influential films of all time. Earning an impressive four Oscar nominations, Doctor Strange is a legitimately timeless war comedy, a sharp satire of epic proportions that holds up in terms of quality and laughs to this day.
8
The Longest Day (1962)
Directed by Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton and Bernhard Wicki
An epic historical war drama produced on a scale unlike anything cinema has ever seen before, The longest day and an international production about the 1944 D-Day landings in Normandy. Utilizing multiple directors, the film also features a notable international cast, with Sean Connery, Robert Mitchum and John Wayne being just some of the prominent names associated with the 1962 film.
Receiving five Oscar nominations and positive reviews from critics The longest day is considered a seminal war film and one of the best black and white genre offerings out there. In addition to the film’s glowing critical response, The longest day it also proved to be a huge box office success, grossing an impressive return of over $50 million against a budget of $7.75 million.
7
Where Eagles Dare (1968)
Directed by Brian G. Hutton
A war thriller based on the works of legendary Scottish novelist Alistair MacLean, 1968 Where eagles dare It has achieved classic status over the years. Starring Hollywood blockbusters Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton in the lead roles, the film chronicles a dangerous Allied mission to rescue a captured American general from a German mountain fortress accessible only by cable car.
Where eagles dare is a first-rate war film, which notably benefits from a top-notch score by Ron Goodwin. Burton and Eastwood are excellent in the lead roles, while the film’s electric action sequences and intricate plot combine to produce a classic of the genre. Praised by many critics as one of the greatest war films ever conceived, Hutton’s film is a beloved mix of adventure and excitement that can be watched as much in 2024 as it was in 1968.
6
Battle of Britain (1969)
Directed by Guy Hamilton
A genre offering that spared no expense during production, Guy Hamilton’s Battle of Britain dramatizes the battle for air supremacy in the skies over Britain which was fought between the Luftwaffe and the RAF during the summer of 1940. Notorious for a series of spectacular flying sequences, the 1969 Hamilton film features a cast with the likes of Michael Caine, Laurence Olivier and Christopher Plummer, to name a few.
Quite remarkably, given the film’s subject matter, star-studded cast, and exorbitant production cost, Battle of Britain is not the most thrilling war film of the 1960s in terms of action. With that said, it’s still a polished war film, as well as a remarkable testament to the scale and attention to detail that was produced.
5
The Guns of Navarone (1961)
Directed by J. Lee Thompson
Based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Alistair MacLean The cannons of Navarone chronicles a dangerous mission to blow up a seemingly impregnable German fortress and the enormous titular weapons housed within it during World War II. Starring big names like Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quinn, J. Lee Thompson’s gripping film is as moving as the book on which the film is based.
A suspenseful race against time that partially inspired Star Wars, The cannons of Navarone is a World War II offering that eschews the grim realism associated with its contemporaries to emphasize adventure, aided by some lively action sequences and a series of charismatic bows from the film’s talented cast. Thompson’s film makes the most of the tense atmosphere of its narrative, producing a gripping war film that stands up to modern scrutiny.
4
The Train (1964)
Directed by John Frankenheimer
A showcase of Burt Lancaster’s dramatic flair and John Frankenheimer’s engaging directorial style, loosely inspired by real events, 1964 The train Follow Paul Labiche. A member of the French resistance during World War II, Labiche de Lancaster is tasked with derailing the Nazis’ plans to transport a series of stolen works of art to Germany by traina mission that sees him face off against Paul Scofield’s dastardly Colonel von Waldheim.
A riveting black and white war film that harnesses Lancaster’s star power and charisma to maximum effect. The train features a series of action sequences that were years ahead of their time in terms of scale and spectacle. Lancaster performed all of his own stunts during the film’s production, while several real train disasters and explosions were implemented to cultivate an unwavering air of realism.
3
The Night of the Generals (1967)
Directed by Anatole Litvak
Led by Peter O’Toole in the lead role, 1967 The Night of the Generals is a gripping murder mystery set against the backdrop of Germany at the end of World War II. The film narrates an investigation into the brutal murder of a prostitute in Warsaw, where it is revealed that the three suspects in the case are high-ranking German generals; two of whom are plotting to kill Adolf Hitler.
Quickly turning into an intricate web of deceit and subterfuge, The Night of the Generals is the rare example of a top-notch mystery film that is also an excellent war film. Cultivating a thrilling atmosphere of suspense and intrigue from start to finish, Anatole Litvak’s film harnesses a gripping narrative and an excellent cast to produce an underrated diamond in the rough for the broader genre.
2
The Dirty Dozen (1967)
Directed by Robert Aldrich
Narrating a suicide mission against the backdrop of the Second World War, perpetrated by twelve convictslater offerings in the vein of Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad I owe a debt of thanks to 1967 The Dirty Dozen. Robert Aldrich’s photo has served as the genesis for virtually every cinematic offering featuring an unlikely group of ragtag undesirables tasked with a seemingly impossible mission, a state of affairs that can be attributed to the excellent quality of filmmaking that can be found in The Dirty Dozen.
Sacrificing strict historical accuracy to produce a thrilling adventure set against the backdrop of a war film, the Lee Marvin-led hit derives from a series of explosive action sequences and a compelling cast of lovable scoundrels. A memorable ride that received four Oscar nominations, The dirty dozen remains one of the best war films ever made, let alone one of the best genre offerings released in the 1960s.
1
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Directed by David Lean
While it may not be strictly a war film in the traditional sense, Lawrence of Arabia presents enough elements of the genre to merit inclusion, considering David Lean’s film is a seminal piece of cinema. Starring Peter O’Toole as the eponymous character T. E. Lawrence, the 1962 film depicts Lawrence’s experiences during World War I and is widely considered one of the best films ever made.
An inspiring epic filled with beautiful visuals, Lawrence of Arabia Incredible performances and stunning cinematography combine for one of cinema’s most inimitable viewing experiences. O’Toole is excellent in the lead role, with the late actor’s rousing performance complemented by a series of strong bows from the film’s enviable supporting cast. A glorious score by Maurice Jarre serves as icing on the cake of one of cinema’s most beloved offerings.