Today (Thursday, May 8, 2025) is the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day from World War II. One way to mark the anniversary is by watching a movie set in the World War II era, as many countries have used the war as a storyline in cinema – it competes with other genres such as Westerns and, like Westerns, it offers many different storylines from extolling bravery and heroism to the opposite side of that coin.
Current estimates by the U.S. government report that there are approximately 66,000 U.S. veterans of WWII still alive today. After all, even the youngest soldier in WWII would be in his mid- to late-90s today! So, let’s remember their sacrifice by remembering them through the efforts in cinema. For the record, the total of U.S. military deaths in WWII was 405,399.
I have included links to films set in WWII, but are humorous in nature and one that is based on espionage at the time. I am in no way denigrating the seriousness of the war and sacrifice in life and casualties in the U.S. and allied countries with the humorous films. So, here are …
MY REVIEWS OF FILMS ABOUT WORLD WAR II:
Historic:
Overview of D-Day films | ‘Battle of the Bulge’ | ‘The Big Red One’
‘A Bridge Too Far’ | ‘Enemy at the Gates’ | ‘The Great Escape’
‘The Longest Day’ (1962) | ‘Midway’ | ‘The Monuments Men’ | ‘Tora! Tora! Tora!’
Drama | Humor
‘Beachhead’ | ‘The Caine Mutiny’ | ‘Cross of Iron’ | ‘The Eagle Has Landed’
‘Eye of the Needle’ | ‘Father Goose’ | ‘Fury’ | ‘The Guns of Navarone’
‘Kelly’s Heroes’ | ‘The Incredible Mr. Limpet’ | ‘Mister Roberts’ (1955)
‘Operation Petticoat’ | ‘T-34’ | ‘Tankers’ | ‘Where Eagles Dare’
In the spring of 1945, folks knew that the end was near for both remaining Axis powers of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan, but until the “official” end to hostilities, our soldiers, sailors and airmen would be at risk. Fascist Italy had signed an armistice in 1943 and become an ally. So, when Germany surrendered, a huge celebration took place on May 8, 1945 – Germany’s Adolf Hitler was dead; Italy’s Benito Mussolini was dead; the German army was defeated; and a new day had dawned for the region as the Soviet Union used its military to pillage and rape its way across Europe to invade and steal land that it would control for decades to come.
Of course, more combat for several months was necessary in the Pacific before Japan capitulated with total surrender to the allies, led by the United States.
As the events and landmark days of WWII continue to fade into history, so has the importance of the VE Day anniversary, which has been a holiday in many allied countries for nearly four generations.
So, on this VE Day of 2025, take time to remember the sacrifices made in defeating the Nazis through the lens of cinema.
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