9 Most Accurate Battle Scenes In War Movies

Audiences can’t always count on war films to accurately reproduce the events of real-life battles, but some movies in the genre are successfully able to pull this off due to thorough research done by filmmakers. It’s very easy for war movies to cross the line of filmmaking that leans towards glamorization, veering further away from the facts. After all, most action-packed movies are meant to entertain audiences. However, changing real-life narratives in this way leads to a misconception about historical battles and the acts of war in general.

Therefore, accurately depicting the events of real-life battles in war movies is an important responsibility of the filmmakers. A commonality shared among the filmmakers who understood this was pulling information from first-hand narratives and even bringing veterans on set to provide feedback. Additionally, many directors ensure the use of authentic weapons and machinery in their fight scenes, adding to the film’s overall accuracy.

9
Battle Of Britain

Battle of Britain (1969)

Following the events of the titular battle, Battle of Britain has been deemed as highly accurate. This included the Luftwaffe’s plan to attack London, but, as seen in Battle of Britain and real-life events, the Royal Air Force had a stronger impact, resulting in victory. Battle of Britain also emphasizes the key role radar systems by the RAF played in detecting and targeting enemy aircraft. Additionally, the accuracy of the sequence of events was shaped by those who participated in the battle acting as technical advisers for Battle of Britain.

8
The Second Battle Of Fort Wagner

Glory (1989)

Glory has a few inaccuracies when it comes to the fictional characters created for the film and the details about the real-life Colonel Robert Shaw. However, Glory does accurately retell events from the Civil War, particularly the climax of the film, the Second Battle of Fort Wagner involving the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. The battle began later in the evening, as accurately shown in Glory, and resulted in many lives lost, including Shaw. In the aftermath of the battle, Glory remains faithful to true events and shows Shaw buried in an unmarked mass grave.

7
The Battle Of Okinawa

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

During the Battle of Okinawa, Hacksaw Ridge shows a United States Army corporal saving approximately 75 injured men. The heroic actions of Desmond Doss might seem too good to be true, but many of what’s portrayed in Hacksaw Ridge accurately reflect Doss’ real-life actions. As seen in the film, Doss does not follow other soldiers and instead remains at the top of a cliff, attending to the injured. Additionally, details such as Doss’ refusal to carry a weapon and his makeshift rope used to lower wounded men off the cliff were taken into account and accurately shown in Hacksaw Ridge.

6
New Year’s Day Battle Of 1968

Platoon (1986)

As one of the few war movies made by veterans, Platoon depicts the events of the Vietnam War. Directed by Oliver Stone, Platoon counters prior depictions of the war as seen in other films and the final battle scene of Platoon is a slightly dramatized version of the New Year’s Day battle of 1968. Though the battle gets a Hollywood treatment and is not fully realistic, the sequenced events come from Stone’s first-hand experiences, as does much of Platoon. Stone would continue to make two more films about the Vietnam War, Born on the Fourth of July and Heaven & Earth.

5
Battle Of Ia Drang

We Were Soldiers (2002)

Similarly to Platoon, We Were Soldiers depicts part of the Vietnam War, particularly the Battle of Ia Drang. The sequence of events, disregarding any over-the-top explosives or action, is nearly identical to what occurred during the three-day-long battle. It’s only at the end of the battle that the actions of We Were Soldiers‘ characters drift away from the facts. The U.S. Army declared victory due to a bayonet charge when, in reality, such a tactic hadn’t been used by American soldiers since the Korean War (via History Matters).

4
Pearl Harbor

Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

Combining creative input from American director, Richard Fleischer, and Japanese directors, Toshio Masuda and Kinji Fukasaku, Tora! Tora! Tora! follows the events of the Pearl Harbor attack. Aside from inaccuracies about the ships and aircraft used in the film, the depiction of the attack is a relatively accurate reflection of real life. From setting up rising tensions beforehand, to the attack itself, Tora! Tora! Tora! effectively informs audiences of the history of Pearl Harbor. In fact, without grand displays of action, and prioritizing instead detailed facts, some critics found the movie to be dull.

3
Battle Of Dunkirk

Dunkirk (2017)

While Christopher Nolan took creative liberties with the creation of characters, the rest of Dunkirk, which details the events from the Dunkirk evacuation during World War II, is accurately reproduced. Taking similar measures to other directors of war films, Nolan turned to first-hand accounts of those involved. This resulted in a highly accurate depiction of real-life events, such as Royal Air Force pilots flying over the beach. Other events displayed in the film were overall accurate, but details were magnified for dramatic effect, such as civilian vessels coming to rescue soldiers, though realistically, many did not arrive at the same time.

2
Battle Of Kamdesh

The Outpost (2019)

Based on the non-fiction book, The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by Jake Tapper, The Outpost chronicles the Battle of Kamdesh that occurred during the war in Afghanistan. Much like Tapper’s thoroughly researched book, The Outpost was applauded by critics and veterans for its attention to detail and accuracy. Not only was The Outpost meticulous about the scenery and weaponry being accurate, but the facts of the battle itself were true to history.

These factual details include eight American soldiers being killed during the battle and both staff sergeants Clint Romesha and Ty Michael Carter being awarded the Medal of Honor after the battle. Part of why The Outpost accurately retells the Battle of Kamdesh is because many veterans were present on set, including visitations from Captain Stoney Portis and Captain Chris Cordova, who provided their recollections and feedback to director Rod Lurie (via The New York Times Magazine). Additionally, soldiers who served during the actual battle, including Carter, had supporting roles in the film.

1
Omaha Beach

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

The Omaha Beach scene in Saving Private Ryan is not only a highly accurate portrayal of real-life events, but it’s considered the most accurate part of the film. Critics, historians, and veterans have praised the accuracy and realism depicted in the intense, violent-filled scene. Not only does Saving Private Ryan‘s Omaha Beach scene stay true to history in its sequence of events, but the realistic action helps avoid glamorizing the battle. Harsh visuals are shown, adding to the emotional pull of the film and opening audiences up to an accurate portrayal of war.