Movies about war have become a way for audiences to reflect on the horrors of conflict and the sacrifices of veterans. Stories centered around naval warfare offer unique perspectives on battles that reshaped history. Many of these movies take inspiration from real events and fictionalize the stories and characters to make broader commentary on war itself. These movies use the backdrop of naval warfare to create larger social commentary or to focus on one character and their leadership.
Some movies, likeDunkirk, use an ensemble cast to recreate real-life naval battles that impacted history. Others, likeMister Rogers, are fictionalized versions of real wartime events that make broader commentaries on how sailors see themselves in the context of war. These movies look at the unique challenges that exist for those fighting war on the seas.The best movies about naval warfare balance character studies with a broader look at how humans react to the violence of war.
15’Greyhound' (2020)
Directed by Aaron Schneider
Greyhoundis based on the novelThe Good ShepherdbyC.S. Forester.Greyhoundis a fictionalized account of real eventsduring the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. Naval Commander Ernest Krause (Tom Hanks) captains the USS Keeling, a naval destroyer tasked with intercepting and fighting German U-boats and protecting a fleet of ships. The crew of the USS Keeling must use early radar equipment to track these U-boats and achieve their mission.
What makesGreyhoundso effective is its use of fictional characters and a fictional story tocapture the horrors of the Battle of the Atlantic. The movie also portrays the issues with such early radar technology, making it an effective commentary on the ingenuity that battles like this would have required. Tom Hanks’s performance as a leader, trying his best with the tools he is given and the difficult circumstances, is enough to make this movie magnetic.
14’Midway' (2019)
Directed by Roland Emerich
Midwayis a fictionalized version of the actual Battle of Midway. The story follows characters who deal with the fallout of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. When the decision is made to invade Midway Islands, the characters shown here are thrown into chaos. The movie follows the experiences of several veterans of the Battle of Midway, including Lieutenant Dick Best (Ed Skrein), and Lieutenant Commander Edwin Layton (Patrick Wilson), among others.
WhileMidwaylacks a compelling screenplay, it makes up for this with stunning visuals and an attempt at capturing how disorienting war is.Midwayalso highlights the skill and courage the actual men involved in these events had to demonstrate. The movie also effectively uses modern technology to recreate this particular World War II battle. This creates an immersive experience of one of the most well-known World War II battles.
13’Sink the Bismarck!' (1960)
Directed by Lewis Gilbert
Lewis Gilbert’sSink the Bismarck!is a movie based onC.S. Forester’s bookThe Last Nine Days of the Bismarck. The movie starsKenneth Moreas Captain Jonathan Shepard, a British naval officer tasked with hunting down a German battleship. The movie shows the British crew and their single-mindedness in completing their mission.Sink the Bismarck!highlights the drama of naval warfare and how closed quarters up the stakes.
Sink the Bismarck!is unique as a movie about naval warfare because it highlights so many details. The movie was one of many World War II movies from the 1960s that focused on various battles of World War II.Sink the Bismarck!set itself apart by also showcasing how fast naval warfare has always moved. Ultimately, the movie is about the decisions and judgment calls that have always been necessary to successfully execute naval missions.
Sink the Bismarck!
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12’Sailor of the King' (1953)
Directed by Roy Boulting
Sailor of the Kingis a 1953 British war movie based on another C.S. Forester book,Brown on Resolution. The story follows Canadian Signalman Andrew Brown (Jeffrey Hunter) who single-handedly holds off a German warship long enough for the Royal Navy to bring extra ships to battle it. Saville’s backstory is also explored, including his history of serving in World War I.Sailor of the Kingalso features two different endings.
What makesSailor of the Kingsuch a compelling movie about naval warfare is the fact that it focuses on the toll such warfare takes on individuals.The movie also shows how Canadians were invaluable contributors to the war effort.Sailor of the Kingshows how heroism was shown on an individual level during World War II, mainly in naval battles. The movie is another example of a story that shows how naval warfare provides a dramatic backdrop to show the perils of war.
Sailor of the King
Sailor of the Kingis not currently available for streaming in the US.
11’In Which We Serve' (1942)
Directed by Noël Coward and David Lean
In Which We Serveis a British classic that was directed and written byNoël Coward, who also starred in the movie. The story follows various British military personnel and civilians as they face the destruction of World War II. In particular,In Which We Servefeatures stories of those aboard a ship attacked by German forces. The movie is told through flashbacks, and the personal tragedies caused by war are given the spotlight.
In Which We Serveuses naval warfare as a springboard to tell a story about British patriotism. The story is structured in such a way that showcases the personal stakes that underline the maritime warfare of World War II. Each story that is introduced also showcases British unity in the face of attacks from all angles.In Which We Serveis a fascinating inside look at how the British perceived themselves and their military personnel, including those fighting naval battles.
In Which We Serve
10’Mister Roberts' (1955)
Directed by John Ford and Mervyn LeRoy
Mister Robertsis based on the 1946 novel of the same name, previously adapted into a play in 1948. The story follows the crew of a US Navy cargo ship in the final days of World War II. Cargo Chief and Executive Officer Lieutenant Doug Roberts (Henry Fonda) keeps the crew’s morale up in the face of boredom and a tyrannical captain, Lieutenant Commander Morton (James Cagney). While Roberts has a friendly relationship with crew members, they are mystified when he turns on them and gets closer to Morton.
What makes this story so compelling is that it showcases the very real struggle ofmilitary personnel who face identity crises in times of war.Mister Robertsis an honest reflection on the complicated feelings that people can feel in the middle of a war. Roberts is a fascinating character to follow as he processes the fact that he feels so far away from the most intense fighting.Mister Robertsis also significant in that it featuresthe iconic 1950s movie starWilliam Powellin his final film appearance.
Mister Roberts
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9’Dunkirk' (2017)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Dunkirkportrays the Dunkirk evacuation of World War II. The movie follows various groups of Allied soldiers as they are stranded on the beach and awaiting rescue. There is little dialogue throughout, which only makes the tension more palpable. The story shifts between the soldiers on the beach, the doomed ships, and those in power making decisions regarding the fate of those needing rescue.Dunkirkshowcases the crucial role that civilian fishermen and sailors played in making this evacuation a success.
Christopher Nolan’s vision shines throughin every moment of this movie. There is a sense of claustrophobia that is captured effectively by the fact that each character is shown with a sense of doom.Dunkirkalso captures the sobering reality that,in war, great victories so often come at terrible costs. The story is tremendously compelling as it showcases the absolute destruction naval warfare can cause and how it impacts those in the middle of the chaos.
8’Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World' (2003)
Directed by Peter Weir
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the Worldtakes place during the Napoleonic Wars and follows Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) of the HMS Surprise, who is ordered to intercept a privateer. Aubrey and his crew travel to the Galápagos Islands, where they fall into disarray as the privateer continues to elude them. This game of cat-and-mouse becomes a character study for Aubrey. This role is a kind of precursor toRussell Crowe’s role inLes Misérables, where he chases a certain Jean Valjean.
Showcasing excellent scenes of naval warfare,Master and Commanderis a period piece and a commentary on the chaos that characterized the Napoleonic Wars in particular. Watching the crew of the HMS Surprise devolve into superstition and mistrust highlights the fact thatthis story is very in tune with human nature.Master and Commander: The Far Side of the Worlddemonstratesthe unique claustrophobia that exists in a naval vesselthat is at the mercy of its captain.
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
7’The Admiral: Roaring Currents' (2014)
Directed by Kim Han-min
The Admiral: Roaring Currentsis a Korean epicthat chronicles the Battle of Myeongnyang, which took place around 1597. Specifically, the movie spotlights Admiral Yi Sun-sin (Choi Min-sik) and one of his greatest military accomplishments: leading a fleet of just 12 ships against 333 Japanese naval vessels. The story is a showcase of Yi’s leadership and how he was able to inspire those under his command to achieve this massive victory.
Any story of such a small group of people going up against and defeating an invading force will always be captivating.
The set pieces alone makeThe Admiral: Roaring Currentsenthrallingto watch. Any story of such a small group of people going up against and defeating an invading force will always be captivating. Additionally, Choi’s performance effectively humanizes a significant figure in military history in the midst of massive naval battles. In addition to being a character study of Yi, the movie features an ensemble that further adds depth to an already compelling narrative.
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6’The Bedford Incident' (1965)
Directed by James B. Harris
The Bedford Incidentfollows photojournalist Ben Munceford (Sidney Poitier) on assignment aboard a United States Navy destroyer. He documents the daily lives of the crew, as well as their mission once they are sent to stalk a Soviet submarine that they detect off the coast of Greenland. Munceford documents the day-to-day life of the crew as well, and brings to light the various political disagreements that exist within the group.
The Bedford Incidentis a Cold Warstory that captures the fear and paranoia that characterized this time in history. The movie demonstrates how necessary cohesion is on any naval vessel, and how catastrophic it can be when there is division in the crew.The Bedford Incidentalso highlights how politics is always part of naval warfare, evening during “cold” wars. Ultimately, the movie is a horrifying what-if scenario that is ripped right from the headlines of the time.
