Listmania!
(Mostly) Classic World War II Movies that Missed the Cut
By an Amazon.com customer
Torpedo Run [VHS]Torpedo Run [VHS]
Buy used from: $12.66
7.40; Not available on DVD. Stars Glenn Ford (Jonathan Kent in SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE) as a US submarine commander doing his job by blowing up enemy ships. Trouble is, the enemy ships have American prisoners on board! Where is Superman when you need him to turn the world back?
Hell Is For HeroesHell Is For Heroes
Buy new: $8.49 / Used from: $4.09
7.37; Never heard of it? Neither had I until I started this project. Written by Robert Pirosh, a veteran who later created the realistic and gritty TV show COMBAT!, this stars Steve McQueen as a frequently promoted and demoted soldier assigned to a unit sent to hold part of the Siegfried Line any way they can. Also features comedian Bob Newhart is his first acting gig.
The Devil's BrigadeThe Devil's Brigade
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $4.47
7.32; Another William Holden film. He's an American officer tasked with forging elite Canadian soldiers and US Army misfits into a crack outfit feared by the enemy. Based on the exploits of a real unit: the First Special Service Force. Look for Richard Dawson (HOGAN'S HEROES) and Cliff Robertson (Uncle Ben in SPIDER-MAN).
No Man Is an IslandNo Man Is an Island
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $5.78
7.25; Based on a true story. Jeffrey Hunter stars as sailor George Tweed, the only American not captured or killed by the Japanese after the invasion of Guam. How does he survive alone? You'l have to watch the movie!
To Hell and BackTo Hell and Back
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $7.38
7.25; How many films can boast that the subject of the movie is also the star? Audie Murphy, the most decorated serviceman in US history, plays himself in this film based on his European Theatre exploits and his autobiography.
From Here to EternityFrom Here to Eternity
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.30
7.23; What is there to say? Eight Oscar wins (of 13 nominations), including the Big Four: Picture, Actor-Frank Sinatra, Actress-Donna Reed, Director-Fred Zinnemann; comeback role for Sinatra; uber-famous 'make out in the waves' scene; and, it all leads up to Pearl Harbor!
Flying LeathernecksFlying Leathernecks
Buy new: $11.49 / Used from: $4.49
7.23; Another John Wayne picture, this time out he's a Marine aviator leading his squadron into battle at Guadalcanal. Most of the Duke's WWII films were set in the Pacific; I guess it's because it was closer to the Old West! Also features Robert Ryan.
The TrainThe Train
Buy new: $14.98 / Used from: $7.06
7.22; Popularly regarded as the last great black and white movie, this stars Burt Lancaster as a French railroad official tasked with stopping a German general from hightailing it to the fatherland with priceless French art treasures. And the train crash? It's real!
The Young LionsThe Young Lions
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $5.11
7.20; Marlon Brando as a German soldier? Montgomery Clift as a Jewish-American soldier? Dean Martin as a wannabe draft dodger who ends up a soldier anyway? Based on Irwin Shaw's acclaimed novel.
The Bridge at RemagenThe Bridge at Remagen
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $3.39
7.15; The battle for the last remaining bridge over the Rhine takes a few turns. First the Allies want to destroy it and the Germans want to save it; then the Allies want to save it and the Germans want to destroy it. Along the way George Segal shows he can do more than chomp a cigar.
The Heroes of TelemarkThe Heroes of Telemark
Buy new: $19.99 / Used from: $74.83
7.15; Kirk Douglas leads Norwegian resistance fighters in an effort to keep the Nazi from obtaining hard water for their atomic research. Should have been better, especially the cinematography. How does one make a beautiful place like Norway look so-so?
A Bridge Too Far (Collector's Edition)A Bridge Too Far (Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $5.00
7.10; Epic (and I mean EPIC) film about Operation Market Garden, a bold plan to shorten the war in Europe. But, the German forces were not as spent as the Allies thought. Stars James Caan, Michael Caine, Sean Connery, Elliott Gould, Gene Hackman, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Robert Redford, Liv Ullmann, Maximilian Schell, and Ryan O'Neal.
King RatKing Rat
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $4.69
7.05; More cigar chomping from George Segal. This time he's a POW in Asia, wheeling and dealing to make life bearable. Much more a story of the human condition than a straight war movie.
The Sea ChaseThe Sea Chase
Buy new: $5.79 / Used from: $4.80
7.03; The Duke playing a German freighter captain trying to get his ship back home from Australia with the Royal Navy on his stern? Who would have thunk it? Oh well -- at least he gets to spend some time with Lana Turner.
In Harm's WayIn Harm's Way
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $3.11
7.02; Okay, this is more like it -- John Wayne as an American Navy captain given a second chance to prove himself, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Not his best WWII movie (THEY WERE EXPENDABLE), but not his worst, either (OPERATION PACIFIC).
Too Late the HeroToo Late the Hero
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $1.41
7.02; Stars Michael Caine and Cliff Robertson, and set on a Pacific island held by both Allies and Japanese. Would have scored higher if it didn't have all the anti-war sentiment. I think war is a terrible thing that should be avoided, but Vietnam War-era attitudes have no place in a WWII movie.
Away All BoatsAway All Boats
Buy used from: $31.59
7.00; Another stereotypical Jeff Chandler war movie; this time he's a Navy captain of an attack transport, who wants to command a 'real' warship. Look for an uncredited Clint Eastwood as a Marine Medic.
The Guns of Navarone (Collector's Edition)The Guns of Navarone (Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $22.49 / Used from: $14.93
6.90;
Destination TokyoDestination Tokyo
Buy new: $5.79 / Used from: $4.68
6.83;
Sands of Iwo JimaSands of Iwo Jima
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $3.70
6.83;
I Was a Male War BrideI Was a Male War Bride
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $6.74
6.75;
Casablanca (Two-Disc Special Edition)Casablanca (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Buy new: $20.99 / Used from: $6.52
6.58; You know this film -- just get it.
Thirty Seconds Over TokyoThirty Seconds Over Tokyo
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $10.01
6.32;
U-571 (Collector's Edition)U-571 (Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.86
6.32;
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (30th Anniversary Edition)Bedknobs and Broomsticks (30th Anniversary Edition)
Buy used from: $8.95
6.30; Just a note about why this is here. While it's a Disney musical, at the heart of the story is a witch trying to do her part in the British war effort. She even thwarts a German invasion!
Notorious (Import) (region free)Notorious (Import) (region free)
Buy used from: $7.39
6.25;
South Pacific (Collector's Edition)South Pacific (Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $16.49 / Used from: $15.92
6.23; No movie list is complete without a musical!
Mrs. MiniverMrs. Miniver
Buy new: $15.99 / Used from: $7.75
6.20;
The Fighting SeabeesThe Fighting Seabees
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $7.91
5.90;
A Soldier's StoryA Soldier's Story
Buy new: $8.49 / Used from: $4.65
5.87;
Sink the Bismarck!Sink the Bismarck!
Buy new: $10.49 / Used from: $5.40
5.85;
The Desert RatsThe Desert Rats
Buy used from: $6.99
5.82;
Go For Broke!Go For Broke!
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $3.76
5.80;
Memphis Belle (Snap Case)Memphis Belle (Snap Case)
Buy used from: $3.08
5.75;
The Best Years of Our Lives - Special EditionThe Best Years of Our Lives - Special Edition
Buy used from: $24.94
5.68;
Flying TigersFlying Tigers
Buy new: $6.99 / Used from: $2.63
5.60;
MacArthurMacArthur
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $2.50
5.15;
Force 10 From NavaroneForce 10 From Navarone
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $2.50
5.07;
Pearl Harbor (Two-Disc 60th Anniversary Commemorative Edition)Pearl Harbor (Two-Disc 60th Anniversary Commemorative Edition)
Buy new: $14.49 / Used from: $1.65
4.32;