War films have international appeal, regardless of nationality, language, or culture. War is a plague on humanity, and these films remind us of the misery and anguish that it causes. However, numerous war films are intended to demonstrate patriotism, express other political messages, or exhibit actual stories. Though their views on war differ, one thing that all war films have in common is their emotional appeal. Prime Video has an excellent assortment of military films that both move and entertain the audience.
Allies (2014)
Set in August 1944, the narrative of ‘Allies’ revolves around a strategy in which the British and American troops must work together to shorten the war. Because neither party enjoys being told what to do, the soldiers begin to revolt when a US captain is assigned to head a team of British soldiers. As a result, the entire plan goes awry and risks being labelled a failure. That is when British commando Sergeant Harry McBain and US Captain Gabriel Jackson resolve to put their differences aside and face the danger in order to achieve peace. You may listen to ‘Allies’ here.
Beneath Hill 60 (2010)
‘Beneath Hill 60’ follows Australian miner Oliver Woodward, who enlists in the army after being pressured by his girlfriend’s father. Woodward joins the military and ends up at Armentières, France, where he observes fellow soldiers being killed in front of his eyes. Despite the fact that such a horrible encounter shakes him to his core, Woodward becomes increasingly motivated to fight for his nation and even shows handy when it comes to bombs. As a result, he becomes involved in an operation to tunnel into the Messines Ridge and detonate explosives beneath a German bunker. Naturally, Woodward takes on his responsibilities with zeal, but with the Germans aware of the attack, it doesn’t take long for them to respond. You may view the film here.
City of Ghosts (2017)
‘City of Ghosts’ transports us to the mediaeval hell produced by ISIS in Raqqa, Syria, during the terrorist organization’s control. Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently is a docudrama that follows the Syrian media activist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. Some unknown citizen journalists formed the volunteer group. They put their lives and families at danger to document and report on their country’s ground-level devastation.
Members of the group document every atrocity done by zealots who used Raqqa as their de facto capital throughout the occupation. The group’s reports became the sole and unequivocal proof that the people of Raqqa never welcomed ISIS. The group was the sole dependable and reputable source of information for the international media in the midst of complete chaos and blackout. Matthew Heineman, the Oscar-nominated director of ‘City of Ghosts,’ is behind the camera. You may watch the film online here.
Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant (2023)
‘Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant,’ also known as ‘The Covenant,’ stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Dar Salim and is set in war-torn Afghanistan. It delves into the unusual friendship between US Special Forces Master Sergeant John Kinley (Gyllenhaal) and his interpreter Ahmed Abdullah (Salim), who carries Kinley on foot across the mountains and woods to an American base in the aftermath of an attack on their team that has left Kinley severely injured. Kinley discovers, after being returned to America, that Abdullah and his family were forced to hide underground. As a result, he decides to return, find them, and deliver them safely to America. Guy Ritchie’s ability to maintain the intensely personal aspect while constantly reminding us of the situation of war in the backdrop is commendable. The film can be viewed here.
Shershaah (2021)
Vishnuvardhan’s biopic ‘Shershaah’ stars Sidharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani, and Shiv Pandit. It depicts the life of Indian army commander Captain Vikram Batra, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honour, after his death. He won it for his courage during the Kargil War of 1999 in Kashmir between India and Pakistan, during which he was slain. His activities were critical in causing the Pakistani soldiers to retire and India to win the war. Sidharth Malhotra plays Vikram Batra as well as his twin brother Vishal Batra, while Kiara Advani plays Dimple Cheema, Vikram Batra’s sweetheart. You may watch the film online here.
The Tomorrow War (2021)
‘The Tomorrow War,’ starring Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, Betty Gilpin, and J. K. Simmons, depicts a war veteran drafted for a global conflict 30 years in the future against an adversary who is not human. With humanity’s survival at jeopardy, he joins an army in this apparently never-ending war, bearing the hopes of millions. The film, directed by Chris McKay, is an excellent take on military sci-fi that captures the high stakes of battle quite well. ‘The Tomorrow War’ is available for streaming here.
The Trench (1999)
‘The Trech’ is a disturbing war picture that effectively conveys the atmosphere of a trench on the eve of a big conflict. We see the situation through the eyes of Sgt. Telford Winter, who is astounded by the restless young troops who are too innocent to realise the danger they are placing themselves in. He also notes how some people compensate for their homesickness by patriotism, whereas others leave everything to chance in order to enjoy a calm evening with beer and poetry. There is also a sense of ennui in the company as they sit impotent, waiting for death and ruin. ‘The Trench’ is available for streaming here.
The Wall (2017)
Doug Liman’s ‘The Wall’ stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, John Cena, and Laith Nakli. Cena and Taylor-Johnson play a sniper and his spotter in the United States Army during the Iraq War. An Iraqi sniper shoots at the couple as they are ordered to keep an eye on a building site, after which they are to inspect it. The two must now figure out where the sniper is while avoiding detection. This transforms the entire story into a test of patience and sniper abilities. If you’re willing to wait, you may see the film here.
Things to Come (1936)
‘Things to Come’ is a black-and-white science-fiction war film written by H.G. Wells. The film takes place in 1940, against the backdrop of a fictitious world war that has shattered humanity. The conflict lasts decades, and the planet is divided into various terrible factions. In 1966, a devastating epidemic killed nearly all of the survivors of the conflict. Only a few people managed to escape the black death. Following the vast reconstruction of society, an organisation relocates the remaining human population to freshly constructed underground cities. Humanity begins to prosper once more, only to be met with another violent rebellion against development and technology. William Cameron Menzies directs ‘Things to Come,’ which stars Raymond Massey, Ralph Richardson, and Cedric Hardwicke. You may watch the film online here.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ directed by Joseph Kosinski, is a sequel to the 1986 film ‘Top Gun.’ It depicts the return of Pete Mitchell (Tom Cruise), a highly experienced naval aviator and a graduate of the renowned U.S. Navy-Fighter Weapons School TOPGUN. Currently a test pilot, his role is to prepare a group of young elite pilots for a perilous mission in which he aims to test and push them to their limits. What’s the catch? Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller) is one of the pilots, the son of Pete’s late best buddy Nick “Goose” Bradshaw, who died during a mission in ‘Top Gun.’ Pete must let go of the past in order to complete his mission. Can he pull it off? ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ is the ideal response to that query. Val Kilmer, Monica Barbaro, and Jennifer Connelly round out the cast. ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ can be viewed here.
