Top Historical Films Set in 1914

Description: This classic adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's novel provides a stark, realistic look at the life of German soldiers on the Western Front. It's an anti-war film that still resonates today.

Fact: It was one of the first films to win the Academy Award for Best Picture and was banned in Germany due to its pacifist message.

Description: Based on Ernest Hemingway's novel, this film follows an American ambulance driver on the Italian front who falls in love with a British nurse. It's a classic tale of love amidst the chaos of war.

Fact: This was one of the first films to use Technicolor for certain scenes, although most of the film is in black and white.

Description: This German film delves into the life of Manfred von Richthofen, the legendary World War I flying ace known as the Red Baron. It's a mix of aerial combat, romance, and the personal struggles of a man caught in the machinery of war.

Fact: The film was shot in English to appeal to an international audience, and the aerial sequences were filmed using real aircraft.

Description: This Steven Spielberg epic captures the spirit of 1914 through the eyes of a horse named Joey, who is sold to the cavalry and sent to the front lines of World War I. It's a poignant tale of friendship, loyalty, and the horrors of war.

Fact: The film was based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo and the subsequent stage play. Over 140 horses were used in the filming, with Joey being played by several horses.

Description: Although not a feature film in the modern sense, this documentary captures the real events of the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles of World War I, providing an authentic historical record.

Fact: It was one of the first films to be shown in cinemas to the general public, and it had a profound impact on public perception of the war.

Description: This silent film, based on Vicente Blasco Ibáñez's novel, explores the impact of World War I on an Argentine family with German and French roots. It's a sweeping epic that captures the global scale of the conflict.

Fact: The film was a massive success, making Rudolph Valentino a star and introducing the tango to American audiences.

Description: Peter Weir's film focuses on the Gallipoli campaign, one of the most tragic events of World War I, through the eyes of two young Australian soldiers. It's a moving portrayal of friendship and the futility of war.

Fact: The film was instrumental in reviving interest in the Gallipoli campaign and helped shape the Anzac legend in Australia.

Description: This TV movie recounts the true story of the 77th Division, which was cut off and surrounded by German forces in the Argonne Forest in 1918. It's a gripping tale of survival and leadership.

Fact: The film was shot in Luxembourg, and many of the extras were actual soldiers from the Luxembourg army.

Description: This Australian film tells the story of the Australian Light Horse Brigade's charge at Beersheba in 1917, which was pivotal in the Middle Eastern campaign of World War I.

Fact: The film was shot on location in South Australia, and many of the horses used were descendants of the original Light Horse mounts.

Description: This pre-Code film focuses on the lives of British fighter pilots in France during World War I, highlighting the camaraderie and the strain of constant combat.

Fact: The film was remade in 1938 with Errol Flynn, but the original is noted for its gritty realism and the performances of its cast.