Shubhabrata Dutta
War is a vast genre in movies that covers various sub-genres, including romance, spy, action, and thriller. However, what makes war movies so appealing is the backdrop of a war that shows humanity at its worst, while the plot addresses the good that still exists. Amidst all the tragedy we are subjected to, there lingers hope, which is what we cling to with all our might. And the more tightly we cling to it, the more influential the movie is. We can say that war movies are like life itself; we search for the positive among the negative. Hulu has a compelling collection of war movies that will change your perspective on life.
5. The Arctic Convoy (2023)
Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken’s Norwegian war drama ‘The Arctic Convoy’ is set in 1941 (World War II) and focuses on a convoy that is taking supplies to a Norwegian outpost to be delivered to the Allied Forces. However, it has to cross the enemy-infested waters, which means getting attacked by the German Air Force and Navy. Whether and how the 35 civilian merchant ships survive the onslaught has been depicted in a gripping manner, showing the conflict among the soldiers and their captains regarding the decision to continue moving forward despite it being clearly a suicide mission. Starring Tobias Santelmann, Adam Lundgren, Jon Ranes, Anders Baasmo, and Preben Hodneland, ‘The Arctic Convoy’ is a captivating film inspired by real events. You can watch it here.
4. 3 Days in Malay (2023)
Directed by Louis Mandylor, ‘3 Days in Malay’ is inspired by events during the Guadalcanal Campaign (World War II). It shows how a group of U.S. Marines stationed at a Malay airfield took on an onslaught by Japanese forces, leading to a 3-day battle. With reinforcements unapproved, the odds are overwhelming, and the Marines give it their all to protect the innocents at the base. Evocative and compelling, ‘3 Days in Malay’ stars Mandylor, Donald Cerrone, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Kelly Lynn Reiter, Peter Dobson, and Kelly B. Jones. You can watch the film here.
3. Lee (2023)
Ellen Kuras’ biographical war drama ‘Lee’ is based on the life of World War II journalist Lee Miller. She became a war correspondent for Vogue after having a career as a fashion model. The film shows the different battles and events during the war from her POV, as well as how she was treated as a woman in the middle of all the men, since the UK didn’t allow women to serve even near combat. From the Blitz to the Normandy landings to the Battle of Saint-Malo to Adolf Hitler’s Munich apartment, we get to see it all. Co-starring Alexander Skarsgård, Andy Samberg, and Marion Cotillard, ‘Lee’ is a visually striking drama elevated by Winslet’s powerful performance that earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. You can watch the film here.
2. Behind Enemy Lines (2001)
Directed by John Moore, ‘Behind Enemy Lines’ is set during the Bosnian War (1992-1995). It centers on US Fighter Navigator Chris Burnett, whose plane is brought down by Serbian soldiers while he is flying over a demilitarized zone with suspicious activity. Chris somehow establishes contact with his commanding officer, Leslie Reigart, who tells him to reach an extraction point. However, pressure from the top forces Reigart to change the extraction plan, meaning Chris will have to survive alone “behind enemy lines” longer than he expected. The question is, how long can he do that? Starring Owen Wilson as Chris Burnett and Gene Hackman as Leslie Reigart, ‘Behind Enemy Lines’ is considered a cult classic action flick due to its gripping depiction of the layered politics of war. The movie can be streamed here.
1. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Mel Gibson’s ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ tells the true story of American combat medic Desmond Doss and his bravery during the Battle of Okinawa in the Pacific Theater (World War II). Doss saved over 70 lives on the battlefield, having taken an oath not to take lives using a weapon but to save them. The film also shows his romance with a nurse, Dorothy Schutte. With a brutal depiction of war and Doss’s courage as he runs toward the battlefield to save wounded soldiers, ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ is as much an anti-war drama as it is a war film. It stars Andrew Garfield as Desmond Doss and Teresa Palmer as Dorothy Schutte, along with Sam Worthington, Hugo Weaving, and Vince Vaughn. The Oscar-winning drama can be streamed here.
Read More: Best War Movies on HBO Max
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