New War Movies

Based on a novel by Jack Higgins, this WW-II thriller chronicles the daring rescue of a captured American officer who has vital information concerning the upcoming Normandy invasion. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Historical action and hysterical laughter combine as Shilla's King Kim Choon-chu seeks the assistance of the Tang Empire to defeat Koguryo and Baekche, his sworn enemies. In the 7th Century, internal warfare has fractured the Korean peninsula into three kingdoms. If King Kim Choon-chu can convince the Chinese to aid him in bringing down Baekche's strongest fortress, they will breach the mountain interior, and be ready to take on Koguryo. But Baekche General Kye Baek (Park Joong-hoon) isn't about to give up the Hwangsanbul without a fight, and by the time the battle gets underway the stage is set for a massive conflict. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Actor, playwright, and stage director Lane Nishikawa takes his first turn behind the camera with this war drama detailing the efforts of the Japanese-American 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team, an all-volunteer brigade, in ensuring a U.S. victory during World War II. Shortly after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, 5,000 Japanese-American soldiers were discharged from the military, and 120,000 men women and children were relocated to heavily guarded internment camps in the U.S. After petitioning the U.S. government for the right to serve, some 1,400 Hawaiian Territorial Guardsmen from Japanese families were allowed to serve in what would be known as the 100th Infantry Battalion. Later dubbed the "Purple Heart Battalion" for their bravery on the battlefield in North Africa and Italy, the soldiers went on to free three towns in Southern France before attempting to rescue the Texas' 36th Division from a perilous situation in France's Vosges Mountains. There on a towering plateau, 275 American soldiers were facing a hopeless situation. Surrounded on all sides by thousands of German soldiers, they had little hope for escape. A substantially larger Army unit had already failed at a rescue attempt, but the brave men of the 100th/442nd were determined to succeed. And despite heavy losses, they ultimately rescued 211 of the 275 stranded Texans. This is the story of the soldiers who didn't allow the racism of the time to taint their patriotism, and the experiences they endured on the road to becoming some of the most celebrated heroes of World War II. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Set during WW II, this film casts John Wayne as Duke Gifford, two-fisted submarine commander. Patricia Neal co-stars as Mary Stuart, Duke's former wife. Duke's hopes of staging a reconciliation are constantly interrupted by a series of life-threatening circumstances, capped by the rescue of a group of orphans from a Japanese-held island. Featured in the cast are old John Wayne cronies Ward Bond and Jack Pennick, as well as TV's future Jim Bowie, Scott Forbes. Operation Pacific might prove a fascinating companion feature to 1964's In Harm's Way, which reteamed John Wayne and Patricia Neal in another WW II Navy yarn. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Generous doses of newsreel footage highlight this British wartime drama. Tom (Brian Stirner) is a typical 18-year-old Briton who goes into military service early in 1944. The film follows the protagonist through the rigors of training and the shock of his first battle. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In 1943 North Africa, George Patton (George C. Scott) assumes command of (and instills some much-needed discipline in) the American forces. Engaged in battle against Germany's Field Marshal Rommel (Karl Michael Vogler), Patton drives back "The Desert Fox" by using the German's own tactics. Promoted to Lieutenant General, Patton is sent to Sicily, where he engages in a personal war of egos with British Field Marshal Montgomery (Michael Bates). Performing brilliantly in Italy, Patton seriously jeopardizes his future with a single slap. While touring an Army hospital, the General comes across a GI (Tim Considine) suffering from nervous fatigue. Incensed by what he considers a slacker, Patton smacks the poor soldier and orders him to get well in a hurry. This incident results in his losing his command-and, by extension, missing out on D-Day. In his final campaign, Patton leads the US 3rd Army through Europe. Unabashedly flamboyant, Patton remains a valuable resource, but ultimately proves too much of a "loose cannon" in comparison to the more level-headed tactics of his old friend Omar Bradley (Karl Malden). Patton won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott, an award that he refused. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Captain Douglas (Michael Caine) is the British army leader who is ordered to lead a band of mercenaries into the desert. Their mission is to knock out an enemy fuel reserve. The inexperienced captain contends with a veteran Colonel (Nigel Green) who is enamored with using old history books to fight modern battles. Cyril Leech (Nigel Davenport) is the experienced mercenary hired by Brigadier Blore (Harry Andrews) to help guide Douglas and his group through the dangerous plot. Leech and Douglas have differences of opinion on how to successfully carry out the mission. As if the trouble with the Nazi wasn't enough, Brigadier Blore sells them out by tipping off the enemy through a spy. Douglas and the few men he has left must survive the sweltering heat and the enemy gunfire in order to insure their survival. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

This WW II musical is set in Australia and chronicles the exploits of a nightclub singer and the young Marine who loves her. She works in a Quonset hut turned into a saloon and helps stage shows for battle-weary troops returning from the South Seas. After one performance she holds a small party in her apartment and there meets the Marine sergeant who has just sailed in from Guadalcanal. Although she is married and awaiting the return of her husband, who is also at war, he decides to pursue her. Later she learns that her husband has been killed. Soon after, the Marine confesses that he can no longer handle the violence and has gone AWOL. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

The thrilling true story of the Tuskegee Airmen buzzes to the big screen in this epic war adventure from executive producer George Lucas and first-time feature director Anthony Hemingway. In the fire and chaos of World War II, the U.S. military recruits a fearless group of African-American fighter pilots to help reclaim the skies over Europe. Discriminated against both as citizens and as soldiers, the Tuskegee Airmen take flight in planes distinguished by distinctive red tails, and fight to defeat the tyranny of the Axis powers. As a result of their bravery, the pilots emerge as true heroes, and prove that all men are truly created equal. Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Bryan Cranston star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog returns to direct his first feature since 2001's Invincible with this dramatic action film inspired by his own 1997 documentary Little Dieter Needs to Fly and detailing the escape efforts of a German-American pilot who was taken as a prisoner-of-war after being shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War. When U.S. fighter pilot Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) escaped death after being shot down over one of the most intense front lines in the Vietnam War, his troubles were only beginning. Subsequently taken captive by the enemy and forced to endure a harrowing stint in a Vietnamese prison camp, Dengler and his fellow captives stage a death-defying escape that would later inspire one of Germany's most accomplished directors to capture the remarkable tale on camera. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The year is 1945, and as World War II grinds to a bloody close, a young military man finds himself at the mercy of a caustic staff sergeant and a war-weary lieutenant after reporting for duty with a depleted mine platoon. Now, with each new bullet fired, the fatigued soldiers feel the soul-scarring toll that this brutal war has taken on them. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Jeffrey Hunter plays a young British sailor, the out-of-wedlock son of a high-ranking naval officer (Michael Rennie). Hunter's ship is torpedoed, leaving him stranded on a German-occupied island. Armed with only a rifle, Hunter is able to shoot at a German cruiser docked for repairs, and to slow down its departure. The British Navy then moves in and sinks the ship. Hunter is decorated for valor by the squadron commander--his own father. Though set during World War II, Sailor of the King was adapted from C. S. Forester's World War I novel Brown on Resolution (previously filmed in 1935, with John Mills in the lead). This 1953 20th Century-Fox production was released in Britain as Single Handed. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi