The 1960s was an era of war and upheaval, and 20 Best War Movies in Canada from the 60s shows they made a lot of good ones as a result. These movies touch on the personal and political sides of combat in ways that make for very compelling viewing.
In a world of superheroes and supernatural creatures, war movies can be a welcome respite from flights of fancy. They offer an opportunity to take cinematic time out, sit back, and experience the drama of real-life military conflict and its consequences.
It’s the intriguing themes and imagery of the stories themselves that draw audiences in. There are many particularly poignant and thought-provoking scenes within this genre.
In celebration of these classic cinematic offerings, we’ve put together 20 dramatic gems that pack a punch both on-screen and off. From the North African desert to Vietnam jungles, here are 20 Best War Movies from the 60s.
The Longest Day (1962)
Director: Andrew Marton, Gerd Oswald, Ken Annakin
Writers: Romain Gary, Cornelius Ryan.
Cast: Robert Ryan, John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Richard Burton.
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Enjoy one of the best war movies from the 60s, The Longest Day. This grand-scale movie covers the events of D-Day from both the Allied and German points of view. The movie follows multiple characters coving different aspects of D-Day.
You have generals commanding from above, soldiers in the thick of battle, and French citizens caught in the crossfire. This movie is an excellent way to learn about one of the most important days of World War II.
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The Great Escape (1963)
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Director: John Sturges
Writers: James Clavell, W.R. Burnett, Paul Brickhill
Cast: James Garner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Richard Attenborough.
IMDb Rating: 8.2 /10
When it comes to war movies, few can compare to The Great Escape. It tells the story of a group of Allied prisoners who takes bold steps to break free from their German captors.
Watch as Steve McQueen leads his friends on a daring mission out of prison, dodging bullets and battling the elements as they try in vain to get back home safely. The Great Escape is an exciting and suspenseful film that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Also some great War movies are also available on Hulu and you can watch Hulu in Canada with the help of a VPN.
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Where Eagles Dare (1968)
Director: Brian G. Hutton
Writers: Alistair MacLean
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Richard Burton, Patrick Wymark, Mary Ure.
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
Get the real feel of war with one of the best war movies from the 60s. This classic film stars Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood as Allied agents who plan a raid on a castle where an American brigadier is held by Nazis as a general prisoner.
This action-packed film is filled with suspense and excitement and will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. If you need a great film to watch, Where Eagles Dare is a must-see.
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The Dirty Dozen (1967)
Director: Robert Aldrich
Writers: Lukas Heller, E.M. Nathanson, Nunnally Johnson.
Cast: Ernest Borgnine, Lee Marvin, John Cassavetes, Charles Bronson.
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
If you demand an adrenaline rush, don’t miss this classic film! This one of the best war movies from the 60s tells a story about Major Stuart Halstead.
He was tasked with training and leading twelve convicted murderers into executing German officers, but his plans are thrown off when he meets resistance! It has thrilling action that will keep you on your toes and suspense. Don’t miss out – watch The dirty dozen today.
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Harm’s Way (1965)
Director: Otto Preminger
Writers: James Bassett, Wendell Mayes
Cast: Kirk Douglas, John Wayne, Tom Tryon, Patricia Neal.
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
For many people, the 1960s were a time when the country was divided over issues like civil rights and the Vietnam War. But the appeal of a good war movie remained constant through this all. And In Harm’s Way is one of the best war movies from the 60s.
The film tells the story of Naval officer Dane Hatch, who is demoted after Pearl Harbor. He later gets a second chance when he takes on the Japanese, ultimately leading to victory at the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
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Battle of Britain (1969)
Director: Guy Hamilton
Writers: Wilfred Greatorex, Derek Dempster, James Kennaway.
Cast: Trevor Howard, Michael Caine, Curd Jurgens, Harry Andrews
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
In 1940, The British Royal Air Force was pitted against the might of the Luftwaffe, and the outcome was uncertain. But in the end, the RAF triumphed, and the invasion of Britain was prevented.
The Battle of Britain expertly recreates the tension and drama of those fateful months in 1940, when the future of Britain hung in the balance. If you simply want to experience one of the greatest moments in British history, then The Battle of Britain is a must-watch.
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The Guns of Navarone (1961)
Director: J. Lee Thompson
Writers: Carl Foreman, Alistair MacLean
Cast: Gregory Peck, David Niven, Anthony Quayle, Anthony Quinn.
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Witness an epic war movie from the 1960s. The film tells the story of a group of Allied soldiers who are tasked with destroying a pair of German guns that are preventing the evacuation of British troops from a nearby island.
This mission is fraught with danger, and the soldiers must contend with the enemy guns and treacherous terrain, and harsh weather conditions. But despite the odds, they must succeed in saving the lives of their fellow soldiers.
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Zulu (1964)
Director: Cy Endfield
Writers: Cy Endfield, John Prebble.
Cast: Jack Hawkins, Stanley Baker, James Booth, Ulla Jacobsson.
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
You won’t want to miss an epic war movie from the 60s that tells the story of the British Army’s battle against the Zulu Nation in South Africa. The movie follows the British column that was wiped out at Isandlwana and the small outpost at Rorke’s Drift that they were defending.
The movie is incredibly realistic and harrowing, and it really gives you a sense of what it would have been like to be in the middle of that battle.
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Battle of the Bulge (1965)
Director: Ken Annakin
Writers: Milton Sperling, John Melson, Philip Yordan.
Cast: Robert Shaw, Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Robert Ryan.
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Sometimes, we see glimpses of true heroism and bravery in the midst of all the bloodshed and horror of wars. That’s what Battle of the Bulge, one of the best war movies from the 60s, is all about.
Find the story of Nazi Germany’s last-ditch effort to turn the tide of the war in the West, launching a massive counterattack against the Allied forces in December 1944. Battle of the Bulge is a tribute to the courage of all those who fought in that monumental conflict.
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The Bridge at Remagen (1969)
Director: John Guillermin
Writers: William Roberts, Roger O. Hirson, Richard Yates.
Cast: Robert Vaughn, George Segal, Bradford Dillman, Ben Gazzara.
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Take a thrilling ride with one of the best war movies from the 60s, The bridge at Remagen. The movie follows the story of the battle for the last bridgehead across the Rhine River during World War II’s last days. The story is told from German and American perspectives, making for a very informative and engaging experience.
If you’re craving a great war movie with some important historical moment, then The Bridge at Remagen is a must-watch.
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The Blue Max (1966)
Director: John Guillermin
Writers: Ben Barzman, Basilio Franchina, Jack Hunter
Cast: James Mason, George Peppard, Jeremy Kemp, Ursula Andress.
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Looking for an edge-of-your-seat war movie that will keep you entertained from beginning to end? Look no further than The Blue Max. This 1966 classic tells the story of a young German pilot who is determined to become the best of the best.
The movie is set in 1918 and follows the pilot’s journey as he tries to earn the medal offered for 20 kills. With amazing action sequences and breathtaking visuals, The Blue Max is a must-see for any war movie fan.
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Von Ryan’s Express (1965)
Director: Mark Robson
Writers: Wendell Mayes, Joseph Landon, David Westheimer
Cast: Isla Fisher, Andy Samberg, Ian McShane, Jorma Taccone.
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Many great war movies were released in the 1960s, but one that always stands out is Von Ryan’s Express. The story is set in April 1945, during the final days of World War II. Colonel Joseph L. Ryan is an American Air Force pilot who is shot down and imprisoned in a Nazi POW camp.
Ryan takes command of the prisoners and organizes a mass escape, commandeering a German train known as Von Ryan’s Express.
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The Alamo (1960)
Director: John Wayne
Writers: James Edward Grant
Cast: Richard Widmark, John Wayne, Frankie Avalon, Laurence Harvey
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Experience the heroism and bravery of the defenders of The Alamo with this classic war movie. It depicts the true story of the Battle of the Alamo, in which a small group of soldiers made a sacrificial stand against a much larger Mexican army.
This film is an exciting look at one of the most important battles in American history. The Alamo is a truly epic film, and it is well-deserving of its place among the best war movies from the 60s.
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The Sand Pebbles (1966)
Director: Robert Wise
Writers: Robert Anderson, Richard McKenna.
Cast: Richard Attenborough, Steve McQueen, Candice Bergen, Richard Crenna.
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
In 1926, a U.S. Naval engineer is sent on a rescue mission in war-torn China. The Sand Pebbles is an epic and harrowing tale of love, war, and betrayal. The plot lies around the crew of the USS San Pablo as they attempt to navigate the treacherous waters of the Yangtze River.
Despite all the obstacles, the crew manages to complete their mission and return home safely. With its exciting plot and talented cast, The Sand Pebbles will keep you entertained from start to finish.
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Sink the Bismarck! (1960)
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Writers: C.S. Forester, Edmund H. North
Cast: Dana Wynter, Kenneth More, Laurence Naismith, Carl Mohner.
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Step into the shoes of the brave sailors who battled Nazi Germany’s most powerful warship in this thrilling World War II movie. The movie stars Kenneth More as Captain Johnnie Moore, the leader of the hunt for the Bismarck, and Dana Wynter as Anne Davis, Moore’s love interest.
While Moore is a fictional character, Wynter’s role is based on real-life war heroine Dame Anne Marchant. Sink the Bismarck! is an exciting war movie that is definitely worth watching.
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PT 109 (1963)
Director: Leslie H. Martinson
Writers: Howard Sheehan, Vincent X. Flaherty, Richard L. Breen
Cast: Robert Culp, Cliff Robertson, James Gregory, Ty Hardin.
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
John F. Kennedy’s inauguration gift was more than a pretty decoration for his desk – it was a symbol of the president’s heroism. The story of PT 109 is an incredible tale of bravery and determination.
This one of the best war movies from the 60s is based on the true story of PT 109, a U.S. Navy patrol boat that was sunk by a Japanese warship during World War II. The crew of PT 109 was rescued by a U.S. Army Air Force helicopter.
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The Green Berets (1968)
Director: Ray Kellogg, John Wayne, Mervyn LeRoy
Writers: Robin Moore, James Lee Barrett.
Cast: David Janssen, John Wayne, Aldo Ray, Jim Hutton.
IMDb Rating: 5.6/10
When you need a classic war movie, few are as well-loved as The Green Berets. Starring John Wayne, the film follows a group of Special Forces soldiers as they undertake a dangerous mission in South Vietnam; build and control a camp trying to be taken by the enemy.
But, they are assigned with a second mission too; to kidnap a North Vietnamese General. The soldiers face immense challenges throughout the film but ultimately prevail, thanks to their skill and bravery.
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Midway (1976)
Director: Jack Smight
Writers: Donald S. Sanford
Cast: Henry Fonda, Charlton Heston, Glenn Ford, James Coburn
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
Marine Corps pilot Lt.Col. Jimmy Doolittle led a squadron of 16 B-25 bombers on a top-secret mission to bomb Tokyo in the early days of World War II. The raid was a resounding success, but all of the planes were lost and most of the crew members were either killed or captured.
The film “Midway” chronicles this remarkable mission, as well as the Battle of Midway six months later, which was one of the most decisive battles of the war.
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Tobruk (1967)
Director: Arthur Hiller
Writers: Leo Gordon
Cast: George Peppard, Rock Hudson, Guy Stockwell, Nigel Green.
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Of many great war movies that were released during the 1960s, one that often gets overlooked is Tobruk. The film tells the story of a Canadian POW who is rescued by a special British military unit made up of Germans. Together, they help lead an attack on a major Nazi fuel depot in Tobruk, Libya.
The film is notable for its realistic portrayal of war and its toll on those who fight it. The performances are also top-notch, with Rock Hudson giving one of his best performances.
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Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Director: David Lean
Writers: Michael Wilson, Robert Bolt
Cast: Alec Guinness, Peter O’Toole, Jack Hawkins, Anthony Quinn.
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Find one of the best war movies from the 60s is “Lawrence of Arabia.” The story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I to fight the Turks.
This is a classic example of the genre, with excellent acting, direction, and cinematography. The film’s scope is immense, and it features some of the most iconic images of the 20th century.
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Conclusion
War movies are often seen as a way to understand the experience of war, but the real challenge is to know where to start. There are so many war movies out there that it can be hard to know which ones are worth watching.
20 Best War Movies from the 60s is a curated list of some of the best war movies from the 1960s. This list includes classics like The Great Escape and Platoon and lesser-known gems like Battle of Britain. Whether it is about watching some of the best thriller movies in Canada or a thought-provoking drama, this list has something for everyone.