Apologies for the poorly phrased question. Perhaps some background info is needed.
Basically, I have a project in which I have to look at History portrayed through Film: Fact Vs Fiction. In which I have to talk about both fact and fiction portrayed through film and the implications following them. I'll also be looking at the memory of World War 2, how we portray the events today and who becomes glorified and such.
With regards to the film, it has to be relevant to my two current films so that my project doesn't steer away from the same sort of theme. Both my chosen films look at the fall of Hitler and his last days but in different ways
Specifically I'm looking at World War 2 and the current films i have for example are:
Downfall (A documentary style film, largely my fact argument)
Inglorious Bastards (Completely Fictional)
I need one other film to study and would like to know why. Apologies if this is an inappropriate question.
'Theirs is the glory' a film brought out in 1946 about the British 1st airborne division and Polish 1st airborne brigade at Arnhem and Oosterbeck. It was largely produced, written and acted by the veterans of that battle, and was filmed in the ruins on location prior to reconstruction. Consequently, it has been noted for its historical accuracy and atmosphere.
Best of all, you can compare and contrast its depiction with 'a Bridge too Far,' which I would argue has a slightly more dramatic, entertainment orientated aim. You will also be able to find a fair amount of material to aid you in this, as several short chapters and articles are available which already contrast these two films. both films are available on youtube, at the following links
'Theirs is the Glory' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCgxoaSi1f0
'A Bridge too Far' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3PLaZsFmtk
Das Boot. Be sure to watch the German language version, the English dub is a poor showing.
Tora! Tora! Tora! Blockbuster 25 million dollar film that fairly accurately portrays historical events. Might make a good comparison between your two other films as it's purpose is to entertain and inform.
To broaden your perspective on the war I would recommend "Come and See" by Klimov. (Belarussian, English subtitles). It skirts around the politics and the battles and dumps you into the perspective of the average villager on the eastern front. Understanding a war should go deeper than just politicians, generals, battle plans and weapon technology. Wars collapse societies and societies in collapse are where the real "war stories" happen.
Allied POWs: The Great Escape, Colditz
Allied Air War over the Europe Memphis Belle
Resistance in occupied Belgium/France Secret Army
Holocaust: The Winds of War & War and Remembrance, Holocaust, Schindler's list, Anne Frank - The Whole Story, Conspiracy, Escape from Sobibor
Occupation of the Channel Islands: Island at War
Eastern front: The Cross of Iron, Enemy at the Gates, Stalingrad
Operation Valkyrie: Valkyrie
Special operations: The Guns of Navarone, The Dam Busters, Where eagles dare
hi! fyi, you'll find more recommendations in the FAQ (link on sidebar):
Is downfall the english title of Der untergang? Cause I was going to say der untergang.
Just an update before I shoot off for the night, the film suggestions have been fantastic, thank you so much!
I am probably going to gather around 3 new movies in addition to the 2 I have already selected because of new sections I could probably address in my project.
I'm probably going to focus a bit more on Hitler's portrayal through film whilst trying to keep it broad enough to address appropriate topics.
If anyone has anymore movies to suggest that would be fantastic!
Unfortunately i can't really speak to its historical accuracy, but you should take a look at Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter (Generation war). It's a three part German miniseries that follows the different paths of a group of friends from 1941 to the end of the war (i guess the final episode would be most relevant to you). Two of them join the military, on the eastern front, one becomes a nurse (also on the eastern front), another a singer, and one of them is Jewish.
[The Fall of Berlin](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fall_of_Berlin_(film%29) is good for looking at this from a Soviet perspective. It's also an excellent example of the cult of personality that developed around Stalin.
Both parts are available to watch with (dodgily translated) English subtitles on YouTube here and here.
Whatever you choose, have fun with your project! It sounds really interesting.
The Longest Day and Battle of Britain are film depictions of D-Day and The Battle of Britain respectively. They both try for a certain level of accuracy, but with still carry some of the myth making from soon after the end of the war.
If you're interested in an older film, or one that deals with a different theater of war, Bridge over the River Kwai is a classic.
If it has to have Hitler in it, try his character page on imdb.
Otherwise, I would pick The Dirty Dozen as a "middle ground", for that film is quite realistic (at least for its time) and depicts a commando raid. (or whole other combinations, like Das Boot, U-571 and Below, or Stalingrad (1993), Enemy at the Gates and Stalingrad (2013))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSaLIBfeS_E The Story of GI Joe, 1945. So tied to the ongoing war that the journalist the main character was based on was killed whilst the film was being wrapped up, and many of the extras were off-duty soldiers that went back to fight and die after shooting their scenes.
A great film with some great performances (e.g. Robert Mitchum), and a really intimate, often charming, and very non-fussy look at a group of GIs and a journalist fighting through Africa and Italy. To me, it's utterly unmissable and severely underrated and underseen.