My Ten Favorite WORLD WAR II Movies

Below are ten of my top favorite movies about World War II. You will not find excellent movies like Saving Private Ryan on this list. It is not about the best of World War II movies and miniseries. This is merely a list of my favorites:



1. Band of Brothers - This ten-part miniseries produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg is probably the best World War II production I have ever seen. This is one saga that will be hard to top.




2. The Longest Day - Darryl Zanuck produced this all-star extravaganza in 1962, about the Allied Normandy landings. Not even the sprawling production and cameo of stars could overwhelm this exciting tale filled with personal stories about the landing.




3. Kelly's Heroes - Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas and Don Rickles starred in this great comedy adventure about a bank heist by a U.S. Army platoon in World War II France.




4. Pearl Harbor - Upon learning that Michael Bay would directing this movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor and Doolittle's Raid, I did not think it would amount to much. But despite some hokey acting by the supporting cast and the occasional MTV-style camera work, I found this movie surprisingly entertaining and a favorite of mine.




5. Hope and Glory - I love this John Boorman comedy-drama about a British family struggling to survive the first two years of the war. This Oscar-nominated movie starred Sarah Miles.




6. A Bridge Too Far - Directed by Richard Attenborough, this 1977 movie told the story of the unsuccessful Operation Market Garden campaign in September 1944. Excellent movie with exceptional performances by Anthony Hopkins, Sean Connery, Ryan O'Neal and Gene Hackman.




7. Pearl - This 1978 miniseries told the story about a group of men and women - military and civilians - during the few days leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack, and the "Day of Infamy" itself. Features one of Angie Dickerson's best roles.




8. The Winds of War - Although slightly ponderous, this seven-part miniseries starred Robert Mitchum, Ali McGraw and Jan-Michael Vincent and told the story about a U.S. Navy family's experiences of World War II before America's entry before December 1941. Based on Herman Wouk's novel.




9. Operation Petticoat - Directed by Blake Edwards, this excellent 1959 comedy told the story about the crew of a Navy submarine during the month following the Pearl Harbor attack. Starred Cary Grant and Tony Curtis.




10.Flags of Our Father - I never thought I would appreciate this 2006 movie about the Battle of Iwo Jima and the propaganda campaign that surrounded three of the Marines that had lifted the flag atop Mount Suribachi. Directed by Clint Eastwood and starred Ryan Phillipe, Adam Beach and Jesse Bradford.