Every father worth his salt has at least a weakness for war films. The stereotypical father is probably obsessed with military history, and loving a great war movie is integral to understanding these battles and how they actually happened.
If you’re looking for great war movies, you’ll find plenty of them on Netflix. Choosing the right title for this Father’s Day can be a challenge though, which is why we’ve put together this list of the perfect titles to choose from as you settle in for this year’s festivities.
1917 (2019)
A war film made to look like one continuous shot, 1917 tells the story of two infantrymen who are given an extremely important mission: to deliver a message to the front lines and prevent an ambush. The film follows their journey through enemy territory to deliver the message.
In addition to being an extremely impressive technical feat (which it undeniably is), 1917 is also a surprisingly strong showcase for its lead actors, who form an endearing bond as they face the trials of war. World War I doesn’t get as much cinematic representation as its real-world sequel, but this film does an excellent job of representing its full epic scale and horrific violence.
You can look 1917 on Netflix.
All is calm on the Western Front (2022)
This adaptation of a centuries-old novel provides another excellent example of depicting the First World War. The film, in German, tells the story of a teenager who graduates during World War I and wants to serve his country during the war. But when he arrives on the front line, he realizes that the glory he sought does not correspond to the way war really works.
Instead, he saw a parade of horrors. Director Edward Berger manages to find a lot of beauty in the film’s horrific scenes of war and violence, which is part of the reason the film won so many Academy Awards.
You can look In the west, nothing is new on Netflix.
Born July 4 (1989)
Telling the true story of Ron Kovic, a New York teenager who joins the Marines during Vietnam because he considers it his civic duty, Born July 4 is the story of how one man went from being a soldier to becoming a passionate critic of the war.
The film also addresses the difficult reality that no one who has not experienced war themselves truly understands what they experienced. So he finds himself trying to criticize a war that the policymakers he’s fighting against don’t really understand. Tom Cruise is brilliant in the central role, if you’re looking for proof that he really is a great actor.
You can look Born July 4 on Netflix.
The Guns of Navarone (1961)
Telling the story of a small mission that was part of World War II, The cannons of Navarone follows an international squad tasked with destroying German guns on the Greek island of Navarone. However, as they move toward their ultimate goal, personal grievances come to light, jeopardizing their ultimate mission.
The cannons of Navarone features a great cast working at the top of their game, and it’s a classic war film that’s perfect for any father who loves Gregory Peck or appreciates classic Hollywood cinema.
You can look The cannons of Navarone on Netflix.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Based on the true story of a pacifist who nonetheless earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service in World War II, Hacksaw crest is the story of one man’s heroism even as he adheres to his own beliefs. Andrew Garfield (former Spider-Man, future Oscar nominee) plays Desmond Doss, a man who refuses to fight for religious reasons.
He is naturally ostracized for this refusal, but despite this ostracism, he manages to save 75 men during the Battle of Okinawa without taking a single weapon. Garfield’s remarkable central performance grounds the entire effort from start to finish.
You can look Hacksaw crest on Netflix.
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