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Suggestions for TV series or films set during war

155 replies

SuggonaPost · 05/11/2023 13:43

DD (17) is really enjoying All the Light we Cannot See (yes not nearly as good as book etc) and it’s set her on a train of wanting to watch wartime dramas.

So not battle heavy war films, more dramas set during the war. And I say war, either WW1 or WW2.

I’ve thought of Schindlers List which may be a bit much - and am stuck. Suggestions appreciated.

She didn’t do History GCSE so is finding it an interesting learning too.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
OwlDoll · 05/11/2023 14:20

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

HappiDaze · 05/11/2023 14:24

OwlDoll · 05/11/2023 14:20

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Yes that's a good one

Cotswoldbee · 05/11/2023 14:25

Das Boot.
The full 4hr 53min 1981 movie.
A fantastic anti-war movie.
The film does not convey the feeling of squalor or fear that you get from reading the book but it has a jolly good try!
Don't go for the edited version and I have no idea what the current remake is like (probably too much CGI) so stick with the original and (I suspect) the best.
Terrific soundtrack as well.

Downfall.
Documents the final days of Hitler and the Third Reich.
Another hard hitting film but one that really shows how war affects people (both those in power and civilians).
Includes an interview with the real person who is the main character in the film

Note.
Both of these are German films and therefore subtitled but are none the worse for it plus it shows the German perspective.

Cross Of Iron.
Another one that shows the despair of the Germans (on the Eastern Front this time) as they are pushed back by the Russians.
Far more gritty than other war movies of the era (1970's) and largely forgotten which is a shame as it shows the personal feelings of the main characters.
James Coburn stars and this time it is in English.

JaneJeffer · 05/11/2023 14:27

The Sullivans

yikesanotherbooboo · 05/11/2023 14:31

Lots of good ideas! Not what you asked but The Radio 4 series Home Front is still available on BBC Sounds. It was well done. It follows a few families and their lives right through WW1 . Another BBC podcast that she might be interested in listening to on the walk to the bus stop , or whatever, is History's Secret Heroes . Narrated by Helena Bonham- Carter , each episode tells a story, many of which are WW1 or 2 based. If she listens to podcast ' The Rest is History ', the episode named Germany: The White Rose is also well worth a listen.

Cotswoldbee · 05/11/2023 14:32

Conspiracy (2001) - The Meeting At Wannsee.
Kenth Branagh.
Packed with stars, a dramatised account of a real meeting held by the Nazis to discuss the "final solution".
No action sequences but it shows the mindset of the Nazi leaders.

DelusionalBrilliance · 05/11/2023 14:36

Atonement is still one of my favourites, although you could put Vanessa Redgrave in anything and it would be a winner. Never the less, excellent plot with twists and turns along the way

HappiDaze · 05/11/2023 14:40

All quiet on the western front

1917

Dunkirk

shardash · 05/11/2023 14:43

Goodnight Sweetheart. TV sitcom series with Nicholas Lyndhurst who time travels back and forth between the present day and WW2.

SuggonaPost · 05/11/2023 14:48

WotsitsQuavers · 05/11/2023 14:10

Jeremy Deller's
"We are Here"

DD is busy with homework so I’ve watched this on my own just now.

Wow. I vaguely remember it at the time. Incredible work.

Thanks again to all for the suggestions!!

OP posts:
MargaretThursday · 05/11/2023 14:50

Ds has loved:
The Longest day
The Dambusters
The Great Escape
Dad's Army
War Horse
The Battle of the River Plate
The one about the Bismark (may just be called "The Bismark")
Reach for the Stars (Douglas Bader, I think that's the name. It's the name of the book anyway)
Carry on Sergeant
Biggles: The movie

Cotswoldbee · 05/11/2023 14:51

Operation Daybreak.
1975 film with a powerful soundtrack about the true assassination attempt on
Reinhard Heydrich in Prague in 1942.
Said to be the real second in command of the Third Reich, he was a ruthless man who would probably been Fuhrer if anything had happened to Hitler.
The film is not strictly historically accurate although it is no less a film for that and the outcome is the same, the job is done but at what cost! 😢
Another one that is packed to the roof with stars but I think if you are moved by it (and I can't see how you would fail to be) you need to read the book which details the full and true story.

alexdgr8 · 05/11/2023 14:52

the title of the douglas bader biopic is
reach for the sky,
as the book title by paul brickhill.
v good film, starring kenneth moore.

alexdgr8 · 05/11/2023 14:54

there are v many good programmes, films etc on
talking pictures tv, freeview channel 82.
for the more factual history, and mostly american, but also some british and world, try PBS, freeview channel 84.

CluelessPadme · 05/11/2023 14:56

The Great Escape
Heroes of Telemark
A Town Like Alice

Cotswoldbee · 05/11/2023 14:58

MargaretThursday · 05/11/2023 14:50

Ds has loved:
The Longest day
The Dambusters
The Great Escape
Dad's Army
War Horse
The Battle of the River Plate
The one about the Bismark (may just be called "The Bismark")
Reach for the Stars (Douglas Bader, I think that's the name. It's the name of the book anyway)
Carry on Sergeant
Biggles: The movie

It is "Sink The Bismarck".
Fictionalised account (aren't they all?) but looses nothing for that as the basic facts are correct and if you didn't add a personal touch it would just be a documentary.

The Douglas Bader film is "Reach For The Sky".

I thoroughly recommend "The World At War".
A TV documentary which was made when there were still lots of veterans around to interview.
Very long but it is worth watching as it covers practically all aspects of the war.

CluelessPadme · 05/11/2023 14:58

Oh and Blackadder Goes Forth which is brilliant

BMW6 · 05/11/2023 15:01

My Mum was 7 in 1932.

She always said the film Hope and Glory really captured the spirit at home (no battles at all, all set in London and environs).

(Plus my Mum's name is one that the Grandpa toasts in his annual pissed celebration of women he has loved)

BMW6 · 05/11/2023 15:03

Oh and "Housewife, 42" is excellent. Victoria Wood superb.

Defiantlynot41 · 05/11/2023 15:13

Not war specific but the BBC "Back in time for ..." series were all excellent www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04q4tyj

Tarantallegra · 05/11/2023 15:26

A Small Light on Disney + is one I really enjoyed, definitely felt the same kind of hope as in All the Light we Cannot See, not the main plot necessarily but all of the sub plots about the revolutionists. Would absolutely recommend

StarGuitar · 05/11/2023 15:26

A small light on Disney+

Cotswoldbee · 05/11/2023 15:28

BMW6 · 05/11/2023 15:01

My Mum was 7 in 1932.

She always said the film Hope and Glory really captured the spirit at home (no battles at all, all set in London and environs).

(Plus my Mum's name is one that the Grandpa toasts in his annual pissed celebration of women he has loved)

Yes, my M&D were similar in age and they said the same.
Another film that I have watch numerous times.

ToBeOrNotToBee · 05/11/2023 15:30

Bird song
Goodnight Mr Tom

alexdgr8 · 05/11/2023 15:30

it's
housewife, 49.
very good, based on the mass observation survey.

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