These are the five best British war movies according to critics, and you can stream them at home. War movies that focus on Britain have been made since the 1940s and even before, and many of them have stood the test of time, still beloved by movie fans and history buffs to this day. Film site IMDb has compiled its list of the very best British war movies based on critics’ reviews, and the top five are available to stream via various means in the UK.
The best ones, critics say, are the oldest, with the top-rated British war movie on the list dating back to 1958. Some of them came out years before that, with one of them being initially released in 1942. While British war movies are still made to this day, and still prove to be big hits in Hollywood, the classics seem to remain the very best in the eyes of critics and many casual viewers. Here are the top five best British war movies and where you can stream them.
5. Sink the Bismark!
Sink the Bismark was released in 1960 and is widely available to stream on YouTube. It can also be rented via Amazon Prime. The hit film, which has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 86 per cent, charts the story of the Royal Navy as it navigates its mission to destroy Bismarck, Germany’s most powerful battleship.
4. The Way Ahead
The Way Ahead was released in 1944 and follows Lt. Jim Perry, who is ordered to train and unite a group of discontented British soldiers. As he tries to motivate them, the soldiers are sent to Africa, where many truths unfold. The Way Ahead is available to stream in the UK for free on Plex.
3. Went the Day Well?
Went the Day Well? was released in 1942 and tells the story of men in Bramley, an English village, who had escaped the captivity of German soldiers during the Second World War. It is available to stream with a Studio Canal Presents subscription on Amazon Prime Video.
2. Dunkirk
Not to be confused with the 2017 film starring Tom Hardy, Barry Keoghan, Cillian Murphy, Harry Styles and Kenneth Brannagh, this 1958 film follows a group of soldiers led by Corporal “Tubby” Bins who are stranded in France, and must make their way to the shores of Dunkirk in hopes of a rescue.
You can stream it in the UK on Amazon Prime Video with a Studio Canal Presents membership.
1. I Was Monty’s Double
I Was Monty’s Double was released in 1958 and takes place during WW2, telling the story of two British soldiers who plan to misguide the German troops. They meet an actor who disguises himself as their leader General Montgomery to draw the troops away from Normandy.
You can stream this film on Amazon Prime Video with a Studio Canal Presents membership.