This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
5 war movies to celebrate the 75th anniversary of when the Nazis surrendered to the Allied Powers.
Tweets About VE Day
‘I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, all of us just swept along on a tide of happiness and relief.’
The Queen was 19 years old on VE Day. More than thirty years later, she recorded her memories for a unique BBC Broadcast. #VEDay75 pic.twitter.com/jWf4bebj2e
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 8, 2020
75 years ago today, the last remnants of the Nazi regime surrendered to the Allied Powers, marking the end of WWII in Europe.
“Today, we celebrate the forces of freedom who defeated tyranny and emerged victorious in that monumental struggle.” #VEDay https://t.co/uOckciLUON
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 8, 2020
“The day we have been longing for has arrived at last.”
The Prince of Wales reads an extract from his grandfather King George VI’s diary which describes The King’s experience of #VEDay on 8th May 1945.#VEDay75 pic.twitter.com/Rx0bsrh0SI
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) May 8, 2020
5 War Movies
Darkest Hour (2017)
Gary Oldman gave the performance of a lifetime as Winston Churchill in this World War Two movie that focuses on not only his difficulties in gaining the support of Parliament to his decision to stand up against Hitler (versus surrender) as well as the incredible rescue of the soldiers at Dunkirk and Calais.
Rating: PG-13
Quote: (referring to Hitler) “You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth.”
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
Jude Law plays real-life Soviet sniper, Vasily Zaytsev, who was a hero of the Soviet Union during World War Two. Ed Harris plays German sniper school director, Major Erwin König, who was allegedly killed by Vasily during the Battle of Stalingrad. This movie is a cat and mouse story set against the backdrop of World War Two.
Rating: R for language, violence, and sexuality
Quote: “In this world, even a Soviet one, there will always be rich and poor. Rich in gifts, poor in gifts. Rich in love, poor in love.”
The Longest Day (1962)
Before Saving Private Ryan reared its head on the big screen, many would have said The Longest Day was the definitive D-Day movie and I would even wager it still is, 48 years later.
And how can you go wrong with such an A-list international ensemble cast featuring the likes of Sean Connery, Henry Fonda, Gert Fröbe, Peter Lawford, Kenneth More, John Wayne and more!?
Rating: PG-13
Quote: “Only two kinds of people are gonna stay on this beach: Those that are already dead and those that are gonna die. Get off your butts! You guys are the Fighting 29th!”
Mrs. Miniver (1942)
Greer Garson – my all-time favorite actress – earned an Oscar Award for her performance in this war-time drama as an English housewife who holds her family together during World War II.
Rating: Not Rated
Quote
The Relief of Belsen (2007)
Sadly I cannot find this movie for you to watch on either Amazon Prime Video or Netflix. The 2007 TV Movie is found on YouTube if you wish to watch online with Dutch subtitles.
Starring Iain Glen and Jemma Redgrave, this TV movie tells the true story of the British relief of Bergen-Belsen and their struggles against typhus and starvation, not to mention humanity.
Rating: PG-13
Quote: “We had been liberated from death, and the fear of death, but not from the fear of life.”
Related Post: 7 Must Watch Movies Celebrating Auschwitz 75th Anniversary
Sharing is Caring
Continue the Conversation
What are your favorite war movies?
I didnt know about VE day. Great movies to give a historical background of that era.
Your post is very interesting. These are great to know! Thanks for sharing!
Oh wow this is very cool. We will deffo be watching a few of these so thanks for the suggestions x
Wow thanks for sharing this, I definitely need to watch some of these!
I saw the two first one and they where really good. But Enemy at the Gate was amazing my favorite war movie for a long time. I’m going to give a try to the others, they also look pretty good. Thanks for those suggestions.
Thanks for sharing this list! I can’t wait to checkout some of the WW2 movies from your list.
Great selection of movies. I personally would like to check out The Relief of Belsen (2007)! It seems very interesting.
Thanks for sharing these movie recommendations. I will check these from Netflix or Foxtel.
I’ve never heard of this movies but It sounds this movies are great to watch. Celebrating the victories are always awesome.
Celebrating this momentous event by watching movies about war is a good idea.
Darkest Hour is an amazing movie, but I might be biaste as I adore Gary Oldman and think any move he is in is amazing.
I know its out of topic but I watched most of these movies and I will watch them again since you mentioned them here lol
Is it strange that I am not aware of any of these? Wow!
Excellent list of movies thank you for sharing and reminding us of such an impact part of history. I think we often get caught up in today, and our day to day lives and forget that we need to remember specific events in the past. I had never heard of Mrs. Miniver (1942) so I will trying to find this to watch.