25 Powerful War Documentaries That Reveal History's Impact
25 titles
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America's World War I CentennialMovie · 2017 · 19mEurope was devastated by the war that began in 1914. The Allies ultimately prevailed over the Central Powers only when the United States joined the conflict in 1917. A century later, this film examines the reasons for America's late entry into the war and the significant role the U.S. Army played in achieving victory. - 2
Vietnam: American HolocaustMovie · 2008 · 87mVIETNAM: AMERICAN HOLOCAUST details a history of the Vietnam War, revealing a case of extensive mass killing orchestrated by leaders across both political parties. American soldiers and leaders, acting with varying degrees of awareness, were responsible for the deaths of nearly 5 million people through widespread use of incendiary bombs. The war continues to resonate in American consciousness, and this account examines key events like the White House's handling of the Gulf of Tonkin Incident, and questions whether President Kennedy's assassination was linked to escalating the conflict. Martin Sheen, known for his role in Apocalypse Now, narrates this documentary about the Vietnam War.IMDb 8.0TMDB 8.8 - 3Vietnam: The Quiet MutinyMovie · 1970 · 27mJohn Pilger's first of 58 documentaries examines the escalating divide between the US military's established leadership and the soldiers fighting the Vietnam War. Through candid interviews and powerful footage from the front lines, the film reveals how this growing rift fuels disillusionment and frustration among the troops. By 1970, this internal conflict becomes a key factor in the decision to withdraw US forces from Vietnam.IMDb 7.9TMDB 8.2
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National Geographic: Untold Stories of World War IIMovie · 1998 · 53mThis film highlights three key events in World War II, spanning the European and Pacific theaters. It details the Allied raids to disrupt Nazi Germany's heavy water production in Norway, including a final effort to prevent the enemy from using stockpiled resources. The film examines the role of Japanese midget submarines in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, exploring their successes and ultimate fate. Finally, it depicts the late-war attacks on U.S. warships in the Pacific by Japanese Kamikaze and Okha squadrons. The Kamikaze attacks were conducted using any available aircraft, while the Okha attacks involved specially designed flying bombs towed by slower, larger planes not designed for combat.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.0 - 5
The World at WarMovie · 1942 · 66mThis documentary explores the events that unfolded in the years before the Second World War.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 6
Reflections on the Vietnam WarMovie · 2017 · 55mThis program offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the epic series, featuring interviews with Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, as well as stories from PBS stations nationwide. Hosted by Tom Brokaw, it explores the creation of the acclaimed documentary.TMDB 9.3 - 7
Last Days in VietnamMovie · 2014 · 98m · War, DocumentaryAs the Vietnam War ends, the North Vietnamese Army advances on Saigon, causing widespread panic among the South Vietnamese population trying to flee. American soldiers and diplomats on the ground face a difficult choice: follow White House instructions to evacuate only American citizens, or do otherwise.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.3 - 8
WWII From SpaceMovie · 2012 · 88m · Documentary, History, WarWWII from Space presents World War II with a unique perspective. This HISTORY special uses satellite imagery to show the conflict from above, providing a global view of key events. It recreates historical moments and illustrates how events unfolded simultaneously, revealing their far-reaching consequences. The special also highlights how the nation, which ranked 19th in military strength in 1939, became the world's only atomic superpower by 1945.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.3 - 9
WWII in HD: The Air WarMovie · 2010 · 90mThis film chronicles the experiences of three airmen from the 8th Air Force and Stars & Stripes reporter Andy Rooney during the intense year before D-Day. They face the formidable German Luftwaffe in a series of devastating aerial battles.IMDb 8.0TMDB 8.6 - 10
Dear America: Letters Home from VietnamMovie · 1987 · 84mThis film uses letters written by American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines during the Vietnam War to their families and friends. These personal accounts are combined with archival footage and news reports from the time. The letters, from those who lived through the war – some of whom did not survive – offer a firsthand perspective on the conflict.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.1 - 11
The War You Don't SeeMovie · 2010 · 97m · DocumentaryThis documentary explores how news reporting about war has changed over time, from the early 1900s to today. It examines how new technologies and changing social views have shaped war coverage and how the media influences public opinion about armed conflict. Experts discuss important moments in wartime journalism, from World War I to modern footage captured by drones, offering a look at how we understand and process information about war in today's world.IMDb 8.3TMDB 7.8 - 12
Vietnam in HDMovie · 2011 · 250mVietnam in HD is a six-part series offering an unprecedented look at the Vietnam War, featuring thousands of hours of unfiltered footage – much of it captured by soldiers on the ground. The series details every major event of the conflict through the powerful, firsthand stories of 13 individuals whose lives were profoundly altered by their experiences in Vietnam.IMDb 8.3TMDB 7.0 - 13
The Fog of WarMovie · 2003 · 107m · Documentary, TV Movie, HistoryThe Fog of War uses archival footage, recordings of government meetings, and an interview with 85-year-old Robert McNamara to chronicle his life. It follows his journey from a promising young military officer during World War II, to president of Ford Motor Company, and finally to his role as U.S. Secretary of Defense under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, where he oversaw the Vietnam War.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.7 - 14
Churchill's First World WarMovie · 2013 · 90mThis drama-documentary recounts Winston Churchill's pivotal experiences during World War I, primarily through his personal letters to his wife Clementine, allowing him to narrate his own story. At 39, and at the height of his career as First Lord of the Admiralty in 1914, Churchill envisioned a return to Napoleonic-style triumph, but faced a devastating downfall following the disastrous Dardanelles campaign. The film charts his path to recovery, starting with his time in the Flanders trenches in 1916, and details his role in championing the tank and his largely overlooked contributions as Minister of Munitions in 1918. Interweaving dark political maneuvering, a passionate romance, and significant military exploits across land, sea, and air, the film illustrates how the First World War shaped the Churchill of 1940.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.5 - 15
Art of WarMovie · 2009 · 91mThis documentary explores the core principles of Sun Tzu's "Art of War," using historical examples from World War II, the Vietnam War, and the American Civil War to illustrate its concepts.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.0 - 16
My Father's VietnamMovie · 2015 · 79m"My Father's Vietnam" is a personal documentary exploring the lasting impact of the Vietnam War. Using newly discovered photographs and 8mm footage, the film tells the story of three soldiers, just one of whom survived. Through interviews with the filmmaker’s father, a Vietnam veteran, and the families of two men he served with who died in the war, the film reveals the enduring psychological toll of a conflict that ended over 40 years ago. It offers a powerful opportunity to connect with veterans and discuss their experiences of service and sacrifice.IMDb 6.6 - 17Yugoslavia: The Avoidable WarMovie · 1999 · 165mThis film offers a straightforward examination of Western involvement in the Balkans, exploring how that involvement contributed to the civil wars in Yugoslavia during the 1990s.IMDb 6.7
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BattlefieldsMovie · 2001Professor Richard Holmes, a British military historian, examines four key battles of World War II: Cassino, El Alamein, Arnhem (Operation Market Garden), and the RAF Bomber Command. Each episode offers an insightful overview of these distinct campaigns.IMDb 7.5TMDB 8.5 - 19
Guy Martin's World War 1 TankMovie · 2017 · 90mGuy Martin aims to construct a fully functional replica of a World War One tank. His goal is to pass his tank driving test and then drive the vehicle in the Lincoln Remembrance Day parade.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.5 - 20
Far from VietnamMovie · 1967 · 116mSeven filmmakers – Godard, Ivens, Klein, Lelouch, Marker, Resnais, and Varda – each offer their support for the North Vietnamese army during the Vietnam War, presented in seven distinct segments.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.0 - 21
Only the DeadMovie · 2015 · 78m · DocumentaryThis film follows journalist Michael Ware's seven-year experience reporting the Iraq War. We see the war through his eyes as he covers the complexities of this major conflict. The movie explores how the war affects both those who report on it and those living within it, revealing the human cost of war. It's a look at the difficult realities of the Iraq War and the impact on people.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.4 - 22
Brothers in WarMovie · 2014 · 89mBrothers in War details the intense combat experiences of the soldiers in Charlie Company, a group of American infantrymen who were among the final to be drafted, trained, and deployed to Vietnam as a cohesive unit.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.7 - 23
Women at War 1914-1918Movie · 2014 · 95mThis film follows the intertwined stories of remarkable women who found themselves drawn into World War I, sharing experiences of courage on the war's battlefields.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.8 - 24
The Fourth World WarMovie · 2003 · 78mFilmed on the front lines of conflicts in Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, Palestine, Korea, the Middle East, and New York, Afghanistan, and Iraq, "The Fourth World War" tells the story of ordinary people resisting annihilation in this global conflict. While news reports focus on the war from a military perspective, this film presents the human story of the conflict, capturing voices and images from those directly involved. Over two years of filming across five continents, "The Fourth World War" offers an unprecedented look at a seemingly endless conflict and the people who fight against it. A product of independent media and activist groups worldwide, and from the filmmakers of "This Is What Democracy Looks Like" and "Zapatista," this is a truly global film.IMDb 7.1TMDB 5.5 - 25
The War at HomeMovie · 1979 · 100mThis documentary examines the anti-war movement in the Madison, Wisconsin area during the Vietnam War era. Using archival footage alongside interviews with those who were involved, the film explores the events that unfolded on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.2
