ten poignant films on the war of 14-18

November 11 is a public holiday. And we remember the Armistice ending the fighting of the First World War in 1918. The opportunity to immerse ourselves in this slice of history with films that explore the Great War.

Ddirectly after the war or even today, many films focus on the First World War. From Stanley Kubrick to Bertrand Tavernier, striking and heartbreaking images: the trenches, barbarism, the life of the poilus, the broken faces, the battle of the Marne… To remember 14-18, among the horrors of war, indictment for peace and duty of memory, we have selected ten films currently available on the platforms.

Serial novel: “Goodbye up there”, by Albert Dupontel

Two survivors of the 14-18 war, a small accountant and a seriously mutilated middle-class man organize a war memorial scam. Dupontel succeeds in this adaptation of Pierre Lemaitre, Goncourt 2013.

Welcome to Hell: “1917”, by Sam Mendes

Filmed as a long sequence shot, the astonishing odyssey of two soldiers of the Great War, by the director of Heavy rainparticularly inspired. And this is the plunge into a long, overwhelming chaos.

Plea for peace : “Johnny Got His Gun” by Dalton Trumbo

In 1918, Johnny jumped on a mine and became a trunk man. This American, or what remains of him after the war of 14-18, remembers. Special Jury Grand Prize at Cannes in 1972, a film that remains as powerful as ever.

The hidden face of war: “The Officers’ Chamber”, by François Dupeyron

This adaptation of Marc Dugain's book is based on a true story: that of one of these soldiers who returned from the Great War with a forever ravaged face and a broken face. And the reconquest of his humanity.

Absurd massacre: “Paths of Glory”, by Stanley Kubrick

1915. A castle where the generals live; muddy trenches where soldiers languish… A macabre symphony of the cynicism of the officers. A misunderstood and banned film upon its release in France.

Pamphlet : “Nothing New in the West”, by Lewis Milestone

Germany, August 1914. War has just been declared. A student and six of his friends answer the call with the enthusiasm of youth. The disillusionment will be severe and the ordeal by fire atrocious.

Raw wounds: “Captain Conan”, by Bertrand Tavernier

The dry horror of everyday war with lost soldiers doing the dirty work, without lyricism or heroic emphasis.

Humanist classic: “The Great Illusion”, by Jean Renoir

In this pacifist masterpiece, Jean Renoir recreated a microcosm where all social classes mix. Avoiding any Manichaeism, his film denounces the absurdity of war, while expressing a patriotic dimension.

Resistance children: “The war of the Lulus”, from Yann Samuell

As the Great War begins with a bang, four young and inseparable orphans find themselves trapped on the wrong side of the front line. And will resist with their weapons, freshness and candor. From 10 years old.

Aesthetic escalation: “A long engagement Sunday”, by Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Three years later The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulainthe director accurately recreates the hell of the trenches. But its chromos seduce more than they move.