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Unit XI: New Deal and World War II |
| www.studenthandouts.com > U.S. History > New Deal and World War II > Books and Films |
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| A Distant Shore (2007) | The Thin Red Line (1998) | Honor Deferred (2006) |
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World War II has been a subject of numerous films, many of which are valuable for American History students. Here are some of the best World War II movies that provide insights into the war and its impact.
Saving Private Ryan (1998): Directed by Steven Spielberg, this film depicts the D-Day landings and follows a group of soldiers as they search for a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action. Schindler's List (1993): Another Spielberg masterpiece, this movie is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. The Great Escape (1963): This classic film, starring Steve McQueen, is based on the true story of a mass escape by Allied prisoners from a German POW camp. Band of Brothers (2001): Although a miniseries, this adaptation of Stephen E. Ambrose's book offers an in-depth look at the experiences of an American paratrooper unit throughout World War II. The Longest Day (1962): This epic war film reenacts the D-Day landings and the Allied invasion of Normandy. Das Boot (1981): A German war film directed by Wolfgang Petersen, it provides a unique perspective on World War II from the viewpoint of a German U-boat crew. Patton (1970): A biographical film about General George S. Patton, this movie offers a look at the leadership and strategies of one of the most renowned American military commanders of World War II. A Bridge Too Far (1977): Based on Cornelius Ryan's book, this film portrays the failed Operation Market Garden, one of the largest Allied military operations in the war. Flags of Our Fathers (2006) and Letters from Iwo Jima (2006): These two films, directed by Clint Eastwood, offer a dual perspective on the Battle of Iwo Jima, one from the American side and the other from the Japanese side. The Pianist (2002): Directed by Roman Polanski, this film tells the story of a Polish-Jewish pianist's struggle for survival during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. These films vary in their focus, from specific battles and operations to broader stories of individuals and groups. They can provide American History students with a deep understanding of the complexities, sacrifices, and experiences of World War II. |
| www.studenthandouts.com > U.S. History > New Deal and World War II > Books and Films |
