War film

A war film is a movie genre centered on the experience of warfare.

These films typically focus on naval, air, or land battles. Combat scenes are central to the narrative drama. Because battle scenes often determine the fate of the characters, they frequently serve as the film's climax.

Beyond action, these stories explore complex themes. They examine survival, escape, and the camaraderie shared between soldiers. They also investigate the futility of battle, the effects of war on society, and various moral issues.

There are many ways to categorize these films. Some are defined by their historical milieu, such as the Korean War or the Vietnam War. The most popular subjects are the Second World War and the American Civil War. Stories may be entirely fictional, historical dramas, or biographical accounts of real people. Subgenres also exist, including anti-war films, comedies, propaganda, and documentaries.

Some films focus on specific domains, such as the infantry, submarines, or prisoner of war camps.

Critics have debated how to define the genre. Director Sam Fuller stated that a war film's objective is to make the viewer feel war. John Belton identified four specific narrative elements in Hollywood productions. These include the suspension of civilian morality, the priority of collective goals over individual ones, rivalry within male groups, and the reintegration of veterans.

Other scholars suggest the genre is defined by combat that determines character fates. Some, like Jeanine Basinger, argue that the "combat film" is the only genuine type of war film. She noted that only five true combat films were made during the Second World War.

War films often share traits with the Western genre. Scholar Kathryn Kane noted that both use opposing concepts like war and peace or civilization and savagery. For instance, World War II films often frame the conflict as good versus evil. This mirrors how Westerns portray settlers against indigenous peoples.

Some critics also see similarities between war-movie escapades and Western action films. This connection highlights how both genres use conflict to drive their stories forward.

The history of war cinema began with the Spanish–American War in 1898.

Early films included "actualities," which were short documentary clips. They also featured reenactments of fighting, such as staged scenes of the Rough Riders. During the First World War, films covered military training and prisoners of war. The 1916 British film *The Battle of the Somme* used documentary and propaganda to show trench warfare. It was incredibly successful, reaching 20 million viewers in Britain.

Later, the 1927 film *Wings* became the first film to win an Oscar for Best Picture.

Specific wars have inspired massive cinematic works. The American Civil War, the costliest war in U.S. history, has been the subject of many films. The 1989 film *Glory* tells the story of Black volunteers in the Union Army.

In Finland, the 1968 film *Here, Beneath the North Star* depicts the Finnish Civil War from the perspective of the Red Guards.

Different nations also have unique traditions. China, Indonesia, Japan, and Russia all have their own war film traditions centered on their revolutionary wars.

Historians sometimes criticize how filmmakers handle factual accuracy. Military historian Antony Beevor has criticized films for playing "fast and loose" with the facts. He called the film *U-571* a deception because it inaccurately depicted a U.S. warship's role in the Battle of the Atlantic. He also criticized the film *Dunkirk* for its historical inaccuracies regarding beaches and air combat. However, he noted that some European filmmakers are more scrupulous. He praised the 2004 German film *Downfall* for its accurate depiction of Hitler's final days. He also called the 1965 French film *The 317th Platoon* one of the greatest war movies ever made.