The 10 best war films of the 1980s

The 1980s saw the release of some of the most celebrated and influential war films of all time. Following in the footsteps of acclaimed productions from the 1970s, such as Apocalypse now, Iron Crossand The Deer Hunterthe decade saw several standout entries, moving viewers with their authentic depictions of war, explorations of the intricate social impact of armed conflict, and evocative narratives.

While the bleak landscape of World War II serves as the backdrop for several of the decade’s most acclaimed genre films, many of the war films of the 1980s focus on the more recent Vietnam War. The heavy human cost of the conflict meant that many films of the 1980s chose to cultivate anti-war rhetoric, highlighting the devastating social ramifications of the war while at the same time paying tribute to the heroism and personal sacrifices of those involved in the fighting.

10

Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

Directed by Barry Levinson

Loosely based on the real-life story of Adrian Joseph Cronauer, the war comedy Good morning, Vietnam and a glorious mix of unbridled humor and philosophical reflections on the nature of war. Directed by the late, great Robin Williams in one of his most celebrated roles, Barry Levinson’s film was universally acclaimed by fans and critics alike, lending a much-needed air of levity to one of the darkest social periods in American history.

Good morning, VietnamWilliams’s success and lasting cultural impact are due in large part to Williams’ incredible lead performance, made even more impressive by the revelation that much of the actor’s radio broadcasts in the film were almost entirely improvised. Earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his performance as Cronauer, Williams’ infectious energy serves as the cornerstone for one of the decade’s most celebrated works, regardless of genre.

9

War Victims (1989)

Directed by Brian De Palma

While War Victims remains one of the best war films of the 1980s, it is decidedly not an easy film to watch. The 1989 title is a war film based on the notorious true story of the rape and murder of a young Vietnamese woman perpetrated by a squad of US Army soldiers; a horrific incident that sparked international protests. Driven by two powerful performances from lead duo Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn, as well as impeccable direction from Brian De Palma, War Victims and an unflinching depiction of the darkest aspects of the Vietnam War.

Penn particularly shines in his role as the revolting war criminal Sergeant Tony Meserve, the film’s main antagonist and foil to Fox’s naïve private Eriksson. The Oscar winner brings a haunting authenticity to his morally bereft charge, delivering De’s poignant commentary. Palm on the visceral actions of soldiers during war with the strength of their raw performance.

8

Gallipoli (1981)

Directed by Peter Weir

Set against the backdrop of one of the most devastating and costly military campaigns of the First World War, the 1981 film Gallipoli is a seminal piece of Australian cinema. Peter Weir’s film follows two idealistic young sprinters who enlist in the Australian military in search of glory and adventure, only to see their dreams of battlefield heroism quickly shattered by the brutal realities of wartime.

One of the best WWI films ever made, Gallipoli also opts for powerful anti-war rhetoric, aided by two raw performances from lead duo Mel Gibson and Mark Lee which perfectly capture the destruction of innocence caused by armed conflict. Although certain aspects of the film have been criticized for a lack of historical accuracy, Weir’s picture remains a poignant and moving tribute to the bravery of the countless Anzac soldiers who died in the conflict that rarely fails to provoke an emotional response.

7

Born on the 4th of July (1989)

Directed by Oliver Stone

Receiving eight Oscar nominations and featuring Tom Cruise in one of his most praised dramatic roles to date, 1989 Born on the Fourth of July is based on the remarkable life of Ron Kovic. A United States Marine Corps sergeant who was paralyzed from injuries sustained in the Vietnam War, Kovic’s subsequent disillusionment with the war led him to become a prominent anti-war activist who frequently clashed with his own government.

One of the best films by acclaimed director Oliver Stone, Born on the Fourth of July highlights the intense physical and psychological cost that armed conflicts impose on their participants, highlighted by Kovic’s substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder upon his return to civilian life. Placing a bleak emphasis on the consequences of war, Stone’s direction and Cruise’s visceral performance combine for a cinematic experience that inspires and devastates in equal measure.

6

Come and See (1985)

Directed by Elem Klimov

Contentious, one of the most harrowing war films ever made, Elem Klimov Come and see is the quintessential example of a near-perfect war film that most viewers only get to watch once. The director pulls no punches in bringing to life one of the most disturbing experiences in cinematic history, chronicling a series of wartime atrocities through the eyes of a young man who joins the Belarusian partisans after his family is murdered by the Nazis.

Aged 14 at the time of the film’s production Russian actor Aleksei Kravchenko is instrumental to the film’s success and lasting impact, delivering a haunting bow that remains as one of the most impressive children’s performances in cinema history. The film’s intensely powerful narrative, philosophical nuances, and graphic depiction of war crimes combine for a devastating story that remains imprinted on the viewer’s mind long after the credits roll.

5

The Big Red (1980)

Directed by Samuel Fuller

One of the most ambitious and impressive World War II films ever conceived, Samuel Fuller The Big Red remains one of the most underrated genre offerings out there. Chronicling the experiences of a US Army squad from the arid deserts of North Africa to their harrowing discoveries at the Falkenau concentration camp, Fuller’s image harbors legitimacy from the start; not surprising given the fact that the film is partially based on the director’s real-life experiences as a soldier during the war.

In addition to a series of explosive action sequences, the film’s sense of gritty realism is aided by a standout performance from fellow veteran Lee Marvin in the film’s lead role as the squad’s unnamed sergeant. A well-acted and expertly paced depiction of the average infantryman’s experience during the First World WarIFuller’s outing remains a hidden gem for the genre to this day, as well as one of the most underrated war films of the 1980s.

4

Empire of the Sun (1987)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Featuring 12-year-old Christian Bale in his first major role Empire of the Sun is one of quintessential cinematic coming-of-age storiesas well as one of the best war films of the decade. Steven Spielberg’s 1987 picture tells the story of a boy caught up in the Japanese invasion of China during World War II, capturing an evocative snapshot of the conflict through the innocent eyes of a child.

Empire of the Sun avoids the bloody carnage typically associated with World War II in favor of a chillingly introspective commentary about the loss of innocence precipitated by armed conflict. Aided by an incredible score from John Williams and another of the most impressive child roles in cinema history from the aforementioned Bale, Spielberg’s film never fails to tug at the heartstrings and remains one of his most criminally underappreciated offerings to date.

3

The Boot (1981)

Directed by Wolfgang Peterson

A gripping account told from the perspective of a German submarine crewWolfgang Peterson The boot is not only one of the best genre offerings of the 1980s, but one of the most celebrated and influential war films ever conceived. Receiving six Oscar nominations, Peterson’s 1981 claustrophobic epic captures the aura of World War II submarine warfare in a way that has never been successfully replicated. It is a war film full of realism, with the director’s attention to detail, producing one of the most immersive cinematic experiences of all time.

Complemented by a fully gripping narrative, nerve-wracking combat sequences, and a host of excellent performances from the cast, The boot It is an essential entry for any connoisseur of the genre. An utterly devastating conclusion to the proceedings serves as a poignant culmination to one of the most influential war films ever seen on the silver screen.

2

Platoon (1986)

Directed by Oliver Stone

Arguably Stone’s most striking image, and Without a doubt one of the greatest films about the Vietnam War ever made, It is difficult to overstate the lasting cultural impact of Platoon. Led by a trio of incredible performances from Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger, the 1986 war film received a glowing response from critics and won the Oscar for Best Picture.

A Vietnam veteran himself, Stone’s real-life experiences of war are expertly channeled into Platoon, underlined by grounded nature and realism of the war film’s battle sequences, in addition to the immersive cinematography it utilizes. The end result is a disturbing commentary on the futile nature of armed conflict that breathes authenticity and an epic battle between the concepts of morality and reality that is universally considered one of the most seminal offerings of the genre.

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

A nihilistic masterpiece by Stanley Kubrick, All-metal jacket is a bleak commentary on the Vietnam War which also stands out as one of the most acclaimed war films in cinema history. The film is divided into two distinct parts, beginning with the experiences of a platoon during boot camp and concluding with a deep dive into the experience of the average infantryman in the Vietnam War.

Kubrick’s direction and a host of award-worthy performances from the cast unflinchingly capture the moral ambiguity and air of futility that have become synonymous with the broader conflict. All-metal jacket It’s sometimes darkly funny, but it’s depressing enough to make viewers cry along with others. Kubrick’s endlessly rewatchable war film is as captivating as it is grueling, a showcase of the director’s inimitable filmmaking style that stands as the best war film of the decade.