So far we’ve covered the Best War Films (Non WWII), the Best Westerns, Best Sports Movies and the Best Crime/Gangster Films. In the next few weeks I’ll be doing Best Sports Documentaries and Best Films of All Time-if you’ve got any suggestions then wing them my way via twitter: @danielmartinadv or e-mail: dan @ danmartiextreme.com.

This week we’re covering the massively contenteous subject of Best World War II Movies. With such a long and brutal war fought pretty much in every country on the planet then picking just five was always going to be tricky. I’ve tried to pick five that I could watch back to back and again and again. I’ve avoided the non military stories of which there are countless classics. So here’s my list.

Saving Private Ryan

Yes it’s a big Hollywood blockbuster but it’s a stand out movie of our generation. The beach invasion below changed what we expect from cinema.

Dambusters

I’m a sucker for true stories and this is a classic.

The Great Escape

This got more nods from more people then any other film. The soundtrack, the comraderie-it’s genius.

Das Boot

This film really highlights the dirty, grimy, horrible yet crucial world that was submarine warfare.

A Bridge Too Far

If you want a film to show true grit, pomp and pride then this is it.

Especially this part: The German ‘Surrender’

And this part: A cup of tea.

If Band of Brothers wasn’t a TV series then it would have made it in for sure.

Band of Brothers:

Other films considered were:

Escape to Victory, The Eagle Has Landed, Casablanca, Where Eagles Dare, Band of Brothers, Schindlers List, Saving Private Ryan, Das Boot, Thin Red Line, The Cruel Sea, The Sky’s The Limit, Devils on the Doorstep, Lust, Caution, Ip Man, Escape from Sobibor, The Silent Enemy, Stalingrad, the Great Escape, Empire of the Sun, Der Untergang/Downfall, Defiance, Life is Beautiful, Schindler’s List, Flags of our fathers/Letters from Iwo Jima, Days of Glory, Band of Brothers, Blackadder, Conspiracy, Bridge Too Far, The Eagle Has Landed, Ice Cold in Alex, Von Ryan’s Express, To Hell and Back, Saving Private Ryan, Cross of Iron, Grave of the Fire Flies, Patton, Where Eagles Dare, Wind Talkers, Dambusters, Enemy at the Gates, Kelly’s Heros and Tora Tora Tora.

I will be giving out punches in the face liberally to anyone who suggested the Sound of Music…