Nation's favourite war film revealed – and it's not The Great Escape
Dunkirk has long been hailed as one of the most remarkable episodes of the Second World War. Now the film of the miraculous evacuation has been named the nation's favourite Second World War movie, beating The Great Escape.
The Oscar-winning Christopher Nolan movie Dunkirk, released in 2017, also came ahead of films such as Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List to top a poll for British movie-goers, which was commissioned ahead of VE Day celebrations.
The film, starring Cillian Murphy, Harry Styles and Barry Keoghan, depicts the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation of more than 330,000 Allied forces from the French coast besieged by the Nazis.
The list, compiled by Deltapoll for the War Movie Theatre podcast, which covers both old and new war films, comes after the nationwide commemorations celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe on May 8 1945.
Following Dunkirk in second place is the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan, which is directed by Steven Spielberg and follows the search for the titular character during the Normandy invasion.
This was followed by 1963's The Great Escape, which sees a group of Allied prisoners attempt to escape a Nazi camp, in third.
The Dam Busters, which depicts the true story of the RAF's Operation Chastise, finished fourth in the poll, while the 1969 film The Battle of Britain, which is a dramatisation of the battle between the RAF and the German Luftwaffe, came in fifth.
The rest of the top 10 was made up of The Longest Day, A Bridge Too Far, Pearl Harbour, Schindler's List and The Bridge On The River Kwai.
Journalist and author Robert Hutton, co-host of the War Movie Theatre podcast, said of the poll: 'It's not surprising that Dunkirk is top of the list, it's the most successful war movie of the last decade.
'But it's noteworthy that half the list is from the golden era of war movies in the 50s and 60s. Four of them were made within eight years of each other.'
He added: 'I'm a little sad that John Mills, who seemed to be permanently in uniform on Sunday afternoon TV in my childhood, doesn't get a film in this list.
'And I'd have liked to see at least one of the great Alistair MacLean commando movies, Where Eagles Dare or The Guns Of Navarone, in there. But mainly I'm appalled to see Pearl Harbour on the list, which ought to be a war crime.'
The podcast co-host, who is joined by fellow journalist Duncan Weldon for the show, explained: 'Cinema has always been looking for great stories, and war provides everything: heroism, moral conflict, adventure, romance.
'Even as the Second World War was being fought, it was inspiring some of the greatest films of the last century, such as In Which We Serve or Went The Day Well?, which deliver moments of human drama and comedy as well as action.
'Afterwards, it became a way for us to tell ourselves stories about what had happened, and then a generation later, with Saving Private Ryan, it became a way to commemorate.'
Nolan has also directed Oscar winners Oppenheimer, about the father of the nuclear bomb, starring Murphy in the titular role, Inception, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as the popular sci-fi movie Interstellar with Matthew McConaughey.
War Movie Theatre is a podcast hosted by Hutton and Weldon and is available from Acast and a number of other streaming platforms.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Operation Titanic: How the SAS and hundreds of fake paratroopers tricked the Nazis on D-Day
On the night of June 5, 1944, as tens of thousands of Allied troops prepared to storm the beaches of Normandy, a handful of British Special Air Service commandos were parachuting into Nazi-occupied France alongside hundreds of straw-stuffed burlap dummies. This was Operation Titanic, one of the more absurd operations of the war. Yet Titanic, along with other deceptions, tricked the German high command into believing the real invasion of 'Fortress Europe' was happening somewhere else or not at all. To pull it off, the British dropped hundreds of fake paratroopers nicknamed 'Rupert' across four locations far from the actual landing zones of the real airborne forces arriving later in the night. These dummies were rigged with pyrotechnics to simulate rifle fire and movement, and SAS teams on the ground used loudspeakers to play recordings of shouted commands and gunfire. The intent was to make the invasion appear much larger and spread across a wider area than it really was, and it was successful. In the dark chaos of the early morning, it was just convincing enough to send German forces scrambling. Fearing massive airdrops that threatened to encircle them, German commanders diverted troops and armor that might have otherwise reinforced Normandy's lightly armed coastal defenses and driven the Allies back across the English Channel. Fearing the 'Rupert' hordes, elements of the 12th SS Panzer Division, one of the more formidable units near the beaches, went on a ghost hunt to chase the phantom paratroopers instead of reinforcing the beaches. The deception bought precious time for American, British, and Canadian troops, and helped ensure the beachheads held. Operation Titanic wasn't a standalone trick; it was part of a massive, multi-layered deception effort called Operation Bodyguard, which also included fake radio traffic, double agents, and even the creation of a fictional army led by General George S. Patton. It was weird, risky, and not without casualties among the commandos sent to pull it off. But it worked. And it's a reminder that sometimes, the most effective weapon on the battlefield isn't a bomb. It's a lie. In this video, we break down why Operation Titanic was created in the first place, how it was pulled off, and what made it so successful. Navy SEAL Team 6 operator will be the military's new top enlisted leader Veterans receiving disability payments might have been underpaid, IG finds Guam barracks conditions are 'baffling,' Navy admiral says in email Navy fires admiral in charge of unmanned systems office after investigation The Pentagon wants troops to change duty stations less often
Gizmodo
14 hours ago
- Gizmodo
‘Star Wars: Starfighter' Adds ‘Frankenstein' Star Mia Goth
As much as we'd love to see a Star Wars movie that just stars Ryan Gosling, Star Wars: Starfighter was never going to be that. He needs co-stars, aliens, droids, and now the very first of those may have come into view. The InSneider reports, and io9 has confirmed, that Mia Goth, the actress best known for her roles in Pearl, X, and MaXXXine, who'll soon appear Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, has been cast in the film. No word on what the role is, but reporter Jeff Sneider writes it is the same one Anora-star and Oscar-winner Mikey Madison was circling before moving along. This story is developing…
Tom's Guide
18 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
'Predator: Killer of Killers' on Hulu brings back the thrill of the hunt — and it's the most fun I've had in ages
'Predator' has always had a special place in my movie-loving heart. There's just something truly great about the idea of the galaxy's ultimate hunter going against some of the strongest humans throughout time. So when I heard Hulu was releasing a new animated entry in the franchise called 'Predator: Killer of Killers' (directed by Dan Trachtenberg, no less), I was immediately all in. I'll admit, I had high hopes. 'Prey' was a phenomenal surprise that reminded everyone just how good a 'Predator' movie could be. And while 'Killer of Killers' doesn't quite knock it out of the top spot, it absolutely earns the silver medal. And yes, that includes placing it above the original. This thing rules. From the opening minutes, it delivers exactly what I want from a 'Predator' story: brutal combat, clever kills and characters who don't go down easy. What really surprised me, though, was just how fun it all is. For a franchise that often leans gritty, 'Killer of Killers' finds a sweet spot between savagery and style. If you're a longtime fan like me or just someone who loves a well-crafted action thrill ride, this latest installment is some of the most fun I've had with 'Predator,' and it's now streaming on Hulu. Here's why this one's worth the hunt. 'Predator: Killer of Killers' is a Hulu-exclusive animated anthology movie that features three standalone stories set in wildly different time periods, each centered around a deadly clash between a skilled human warrior and a relentless Predator. The first chapter takes place in Viking-era Scandinavia, where a hardened raider, accompanied by her young son, goes on a brutal quest for vengeance after her village is decimated. Her path leads her into the wilderness, where she encounters something far more dangerous than any clan rival. The second story unfolds in feudal Japan, where two estranged brothers — one a disciplined samurai, the other a stealthy ninja — are forced into a confrontation over the future of their clan. Their final showdown is interrupted by a new kind of enemy. The final tale jumps to the skies of World War II, where an Allied fighter pilot begins noticing strange disappearances during missions over Europe. A routine investigation turns into a desperate fight for survival when he realizes an invisible enemy is stalking him from above. 'Killer of Killers' stands out from the rest of the franchise in two big ways: It's beautifully animated, and it tells three separate stories that ultimately converge. Right from the start, it's clear this is a 'Predator' movie that dares to do something different, and it succeeds on every level. The stories told are impactful and actually quite clever, using personal conversations and animated facial expressions to make us care about the characters. Not to mention the voice acting, which makes every scene feel that much heavier. Out of all three stories, the feudal Japan segment absolutely stole the show for me. It's the quietest of the trio (almost entirely free of dialogue), but that silence speaks volumes. What unfolds is a visually stunning, tension-soaked battle between a disciplined samurai and his estranged ninja brother. It's rare that a 'Predator' story feels this elegant. Like 'Prey,' which gave us a Predator perfectly matched to the time of the Comanche warriors, 'Killer of Killers' does something similar. Each Predator is tailored to its setting, both in design and behavior. The one in Viking-era Scandinavia is a hulking, primal force. The Japan segment gives us a fast, silent hunter who moves like a ghost. And in the World War II chapter, the Predator is almost machine-like as it flies a spacecraft. It shows that the creators put real care into adapting the Predator design and behavior to fit the culture and era. The animation style in 'Predator: Killer of Killers' really caught my eye, and it makes sense considering it took inspiration from 'Arcane' and 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.' It's a bold choice that gives the movie its own unique vibe while still staying true to the gritty, savage spirit of the iconic franchise. Honestly, it's one of the reasons I had such a great time watching it. Most of all, 'Killer of Killers' knows exactly how to be a standout 'Predator' movie. There's plenty of carnage and brutal deaths, including a Predator that wears multiple spines as a cape (yes, really). So, if you're a fan of the franchise, be prepared for the gory action you expect. 'Killer of Killers' is a really fun ride, and I'm glad to see the franchise keeping up its good streak after 'Prey.' Here's hoping 'Predator: Badlands,' coming later this year, can keep the momentum going. If you're even remotely a fan of the 'Predator' franchise or just love stylish action with serious bite, 'Killer of Killers' is absolutely worth your time. It's bold, beautifully animated, and packed with moments that'll leave your jaw on the floor. Each segment brings something new to the table, and together they create one of the most memorable entries in the franchise. So do yourself a favor: Fire up Hulu, hit play and enjoy one of the coolest surprises of the year so far. For even more streaming recommendations, see what else is new on Hulu in June 2025. Stream "Predator: Killer of Killers" on Hulu now.
