WWII Movies in Our Catalogue

Can't make it to our event tonight?  (World War II in New Hampshire). Don't worry, we have some great films in our catalog for you to check out and watch (all summaries are from our catalog)

The Rape of Europa (dir. Richard Berge):


"Adolf Hitler spent years struggling to establish himself as an artist before his political ambitions rose to the surface and he brought the Nazi Party to power in Germany, and documentary filmmakers Richard Berge, Nicole Newnham, and Bonni Cohen offer a unique perspective on how Hitler's aesthetic viewpoint may have affected his nation's actions during World War II. The Rape of Europa examines the artistic tastes of Hitler and his leading advisors, and how they looted many of the great museums and private art collections of Europe during the course of World War II in order to stock museums built during the Third Reich (and benefit the collections of Germany's leaders). In addition, Axis forces actively participated in raids to destroy artwork and artifacts from nations and cultures Hitler regarded as "degenerate," serving as a curious parallel to "the Final Solution" that left six million dead. The film features rare newsreel footage and photographs documenting the Nazis' obsession with art; Joan Allen narrates."

More movies, documentaries, and series under the 'read more.'

---

Casablanca (dir. Michael Curtiz )

"One of the most beloved American films, this captivating wartime adventure of romance and intrigue from director Michael Curtiz defies standard categorization. Simply put, it is the story of Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a world-weary ex-freedom fighter who runs a nightclub in Casablanca during the early part of WWII. Despite pressure from the local authorities, notably the crafty Capt. Renault (Claude Rains), Rick's café has become a haven for refugees looking to purchase illicit letters of transit which will allow them to escape to America. One day, to Rick's great surprise, he is approached by the famed rebel Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) and his wife, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), Rick's true love who deserted him when the Nazis invaded Paris. She still wants Victor to escape to America, but now that she's renewed her love for Rick, she wants to stay behind in Casablanca. "You must do the thinking for both of us," she says to Rick. He does, and his plan brings the story to its satisfyingly logical, if not entirely happy, conclusion."

---

So Proudly We Hail (dir. Mark Sandrich).

"Academy Award winner Claudette Colbert, Paulette Goodard and Veronica Lake star in this passionate film about brave American Army nurses during World War II. Determined to serve her country in its darkest hours, Lt. Janet Davidson (Colbert) leads a group of spirited women through the struggles and challenges of military camp. From the bombing of Pearl Harbor to the time they are shipped home, these courageous women tirelessly treat the wounded despite constant reminders of dangers, romance and heartbreak. Based on true story, So Proudly We Hail is "still entertaining" (Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide) and continues to inspire audiences today with it's stunning portraits of American heroism." [Summary from Amazon.com].

Band of Brothers

"The story of Easy Company of the US Army Airbourne Paratrooper division and their mission in WWII France during Operation Overlord."

Flags of our Fathers (dir. Clint Eastwood):

"Clint Eastwood's adaptation of the non-fiction book Flags of Our Fathers concerns the lives of the men in the famous picture of soldiers raising the American flag over Iwo Jima during that historic WWII battle. Battle scenes are intercut with footage of three of the soldiers - played by Ryan Phillipe, Jesse Bradford, and Adam Beach -- who survived the battle going on a goodwill tour of the United States in order to sell war bonds. Many evening they are forced to reenact their famous pose, something each of them finds more and more difficult to do as they suffer from survivor's guilt. Eastwood frames the story by having one of the men's grown son (Tom McCarthy) interview his father's old comrades in order to find out more about what happened to his father. Eastwood followed this film with Letters from Iwo Jima, a second film about the battle of Iwo Jima, but told from the Japanese perspective. "

Letters from Iwo Jima (dir. Clint Eastwood):

"Nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima tells the untold story of the Japanese soldiers who defended their homeland against invading American forces during World War II. With little defense other than sheer will and the volcanic rock of Iwo Jima itself, the unprecedented tactics of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai) and his men transform what was predicted to be a swift defeat into nearly 40 days of heroic and resourceful combat. Their sacrifices, struggles, courage and compassion live on in the taut, gripping film Rolling Stone calls unique and unforgettable. It is the powerful companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers."

Foyle's War:

"English Detective Christopher Foyle solves crimes on the home front while he reluctantly sits out on World War II."