I struggled a bit with World War One films but now with World War Two, it seems I am spoilt for choice. There are so many brilliant stories about this time in history, I tried to vary the perspective.
Don't forget to check out what Wandering Through the Shelves picked, the blog that started Thursday Movie Picks.
Flame and Citron
Danish film based on real events, starring Denmark's finest, Thure Lindhardt and Mads Mikkelsen as resistance fighters, code named, Flammen and Citron, during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. An excellent story but also quite grim as you would expect for this time. Double crossing agents, attempted assasinations and the down fall. But at the end of the film, there is a note about the legacy of Bent Faurschou-Hviid (Flammen) and Jorgen Haagen Schmith (Citron) that brings hope.
A Matter of Life and Death
I had to include the marvelous piece of film that no doubt will be popular (I'm guessing). Beginning with the supposed death of Peter Carter, a British Royal Air Force pilot who, after speaking with June, an American radio operator based in England, jumps without a parachute from his plane. His 'guide' from Heaven misses him as he was lost in the fog. So the question is, should Peter be taken to Heaven or be allowed to live. Powell and Pressburger created a sprawling story that takes place in Heaven and Earth, with numerous people, to make one decision that could change two people's lives. Not to mention the beyond beautiful Heaven court 'room'. Watching it again, it made me think that it could have been made yestersay, in terms of story not production, although, the staircase scene is one of my favourites. The scene at the start of the film has influenced many a film, including Captain America.
The Aryan Couple
I discovered the trailer to this film years ago and waited for the film's release but it was another wait for nothing. That was back in 2004. It seemed that the film didn't get a DVD release in ages, but I tracked down a copy eventually. In Germany, Joseph Krauzenberg, a wealthy Jewish industrialist who agrees to hand over his wealth, homes and art collection to the Nazis in exchange for his family's crossing to Switzerland. Unknown to him, his two most trusted servants, a young married couple, Hans and Ingrid have been passing themselves off as Aryan when in fact they are Jewish and working for the resistance. When the Nazis arrive at Krauzenberg's home, the couple debate whether to kill the high ranking officers.
Had to mention... Memphis Belle
I have to make a special mention to Memphis Belle, mostly because I had planned for months on using it for this very theme but then forgot and started picking the others. I also think I used it before. I started watching this film about a crew of ten men on their 25th and final mission on their American Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber plane, by accident and soon became hooked. Based on true events and real soldiers, the film has a great cast and its a rare 'feel good' war film.
