7 of the worst World War 2 films ever made ranked and number one will shock you | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV
Cinemagoers and history buffs alike often enjoy watching the realities of war depicted on the big screen. The stories are often rich in action, drama and adventure while still displaying the conflict that ensued on the battlefield to capturing the emotion of the time. The movies and filmmakers ensure the traumas of World War II are not forgotten.
The best WWII dramas are often cited as combat films including Saving Private Ryan to harrowing movies including Schindler’s List. Unfortunately, not every portrayal of this period have captivated audiences, from historical inaccuracies to blockbuster duds. Express.co.uk has counted down the worst war films ranked by critics and scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
7. Red Tails (2012)
Directed by Anthony Hemingway
The high-flying aerial film was based on the true story about the Civil Aeronautics Authority who selected 13 black cadets to become part of an experimental programme at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama during World War Two. The programme aimed for the cadets to become fighter pilots for the Army. While historians have credited the film for capturing the racial discrimination the men faced and were highly respected bomber escorts, the film exaggerated the number of jet kills. In addition, the film used CGI which was unappealing to some audience reviewers with the narrative heavily focussed on action and romance.
Rating: Critics have given the film a score of 44% as one shared: “I have seen my share of war movies but this was one of the worst. To much historical flaws.”
(Image: YouTube)
1941 (1979)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
1941 is an American war comedy film which stars an ensemble cast including Dan Aykroyd, Ned Beatty, John Belushi, John Candy, Christopher Lee, Tim Matheson, Toshiro Mifune, Robert Stack, Nancy Allen, and Mickey Rourke in his film debut. The story involves a panic in the Los Angeles area after the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Off the back of Jaws, Spielberg was at the height of his acclaimed fame but decided to tackle World War II with comedy. Released in December 1979, it was met with savage reviews and although would go on to make $95million (£70 million) it is still considered a theatrical failure.
Rating: Reviewers have hit the comedy war film flop with a dismal 33% rating. One critic argued it was a “lot of noise for a little output” others claimed the movie is underrated.
(Image: Columbia/AllStar)
5. Windtalkers (2002)
Directed by John Woo
The movie that starred Nicholas Cage sheds a light on World War II’s unsung war heroes and had all the ingredients for success. Marine Joe Enders (Nicolas Cage) is assigned to protect Ben Yahzee (Adam Beach) a Navajo code talker, the Marines’ new secret weapon. Enders’ orders are to protect his code talker, but if Yahzee falls into enemy hands he must protect the code at all costs. The war film is set on the backdrop of the horrific Battle of Saipan.
However critics lambasted the movie which sidelined many of the supporting characters, some of who are barely shown at all with many suggesting it was full of cliches and tired tropes.
Rating: The film scored 33% on Rotten Tomatoes. A reviewer said: “Thought it was a pretty solid war film. Yes, it was cliched but held my interest if you follow war films. The suggestion that it was too violent, is ridiculous. Combine John Woo with WWII and thus is what you get.”
(Image: MGM)
4. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Directed by John Madden
Nicholas Cage makes the list for a second time with a tale about the enduring hope of love and the devastating brutality of war, set amid the Italian occupation of Greece during World War II. An officer falls in love with the daughter (played by Penolope Cruz) of the village doctor and he begins to question his reasons for fighting. The pair must later choose between each other or pledging allegiance to their respective countries.
Critics branded the film dull heavily centred on their romance but the two leads lack on-screen chemistry making the tale unbelievable.
Rating: It has scored an unimpressive score of 28% on Rotten Tomatoes as one critic claimed it’s “long, unoriginal and uninteresting”.
(Image: YouTube)
