In a recent poll conducted by Deltapoll for the War Movies Theatre podcast, Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk (2017) has been named the most popular World War II film in Britain. This cinematic masterpiece surpassed classics like The Great Escape (1963) and Saving Private Ryan (1998), cementing its place at the top of the rankings.
The poll, which was part of a broader discussion on the evolution of war films, also saw Dunkirk outpacing other iconic titles such as The Dam Busters (1955), Pearl Harbor (2001), and The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). This list of films, ranging from old-school epics to modern blockbusters, reflects the long-standing fascination with WWII and its portrayal in cinema.
Nolan’s Dunkirk brings the harrowing story of the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940 to life, where over 330,000 Allied soldiers were rescued from the beaches of northern France under constant enemy fire. The film, which stars Harry Styles, Cillian Murphy, and Barry Keoghan, has been praised for its intense realism, gripping suspense, and unique narrative structure.
Saving Private Ryan, directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1998, came in second in the poll. The film, which chronicles a group of soldiers sent to find and bring home a paratrooper during the Normandy Invasion, remains one of the most powerful depictions of the brutal realities of war.
The Great Escape, featuring a star-studded cast and telling the story of Allied POWs attempting to escape from a German camp, earned third place. Other notable films in the top ten include The Longest Day (1962), A Bridge Too Far (1977), and Schindler’s List (1993), which also made a strong showing.
Robert Hutton, co-host of the War Movies Theatre podcast, commented on the findings, noting how war movies have always captured the essence of heroism, moral dilemmas, and adventure. He pointed out that WWII has been a central theme for some of the most celebrated films, such as We Were Soldiers and Goodbye Mr. Chips, which not only focus on action but also portray dramatic and comedic aspects of human nature.
Interestingly, the poll results reflect a significant shift toward modern war films, as Dunkirk took the top spot, reflecting its success as one of the most influential war films of the past decade. However, a significant portion of the poll’s top ten still consists of classics from the golden age of war cinema in the 1950s and 1960s.
Commenting on the list, Hutton expressed a sense of nostalgia for the wartime heroes of old, lamenting that many of the performances from that era, such as those by John Mills, didn’t make the list. He also joked about the surprise inclusion of Pearl Harbor, calling it “a war crime,” reflecting the ongoing debate about its historical accuracy and representation of the Pearl Harbor attack.
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