Ten Films to Teach World War II in the Social Studies Classroom
Enrich Your Curriculum with These World War II Movies
1. Hiroshima Maiden - This 1988 made for TV movie is 60 minutes in length and suitable for grades 4-8. This movie is about a young girl who was burned during the bombing of Hiroshima. She, along with 24 other girls, was brought to the United States to receive plastic surgery. This is her story as she lives with an American family who was also touched by the war. The themes of the movie include courage and responsibility.
2. Midway - This 1976 drama is 132 minutes in length and is suitable for grades 5 and up. This is a battle movie telling the story of the Japanese attack on Midway Island following their attack on Pearl Harbor, and the United States' defense of the island. This World War II film shows how the U.S. prevailed in the battle with much difficulty and a little luck. The themes of the film include courage in war and trustfulness.
3. The Tuskegee Airmen - This 1995 drama is 110 minutes in length and is suitable for grades 5 and up. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of highly trained black fighter pilots who fought during World War II. Prior to this time, the armed forces believed that black men were not capable of being trained to fly complex fighting planes. This film tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen including Eleanor Roosevelt's support and encouragement in the training of black pilots. Themes of the film include respect and responsibility.
4. Eleanor Roosevelt - This 1995 PBS documentary is 150 minutes in length and is suitable for grades 5 and up. More than just a World War II film, this documentary chronicles most of Eleanor Roosevelt's life. It is an excellent addition to World War II study showing a continuity to the events of history surrounding the war period as well as Eleanor Roosevelt's influence on the United States throughout the war years. The documentary includes actual film footage of Roosevelt. Themes of the film include leadership and caring.
5. Tora! Tora! Tora! - This 1970 drama is 144 minutes in length and is suitable for grades 5 and up. This movie shows the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor from the American point of view and the Japanese point of view. Parts of the movie are in Japanese with English subtitles. Themes in the movie include courage in war and trustworthiness.
6. The Longest Day - This 1962 drama is 179 minutes in length and is suitable for grades 5 and up. This movie is a fairly historically accurate retelling of the events of D-Day from a variety of different points of view. Unlike many recent World War II films, this film keeps the graphic visuals of war violence to a minimum making it more suitable for younger students. The themes of this film include courage in war and trustworthiness.
7. Twelve O'Clock High - This 1949 drama is 132 minutes and is suitable for grades 5 and up. A new commander is assigned to a U.S. bomber unit in World War II Europe. This film follows him as he works to create a strong team. The film is notable both for the fact that it was filmed not too long after the war occurred, and it shows a model of leadership under stress that can be applied to other organizations and situations. The themes of this film include leadership and responsibility.
8. Memphis Belle - This 1990 drama is 107 minutes in length and is suitable for grades 7 and up. The Memphis Belle is a B-17 bomber flying daylight bombing missions in World War II Europe during a time when casualties were heavy. This is the story of her crew. The film provides a realistic portrayal of what it would be like to be flying a B-17 during World War II. The themes of this film include leadership and responsibility.
9. Fat Man and Little Boy - This 1989 drama is 120 minutes in length and is suitable for grades 8 and up. This film tells the story of the Manhattan Project, when the United States developed the atomic bomb. It explores the interaction between and differing viewpoints of those in the government and the military as well as the scientists involved in the project. This is an excellent film to lead into a discussion of the various moral dilemmas surrounding the development of the bomb. Themes of this movie include teamwork and responsibility.
10. A Midnight Clear - This 1992 drama is 107 minutes in length and is suitable for grades 8 and up. This film takes place during the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. It takes an anti-war stance emphasizing the soldiers' attempts to work through moral dilemmas and find humane solutions to the problems of war. It does contain some graphic violence, but the violence is used to develop the plot. The themes of this film include coming of age and caring.
Published by Jacqueline Parks
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5 Comments
Post a Comment"Great Escape", "Saving Private Ryan","Das Boot","Schiendler's List" all should be on list
(continued from previous comment) By the way, "Sergeant York" (1941), set in l917-18, is about the famed World War I sharpshooter Alvin York. For a fascinating scientific development in World War II, try "Dam Busters" (1955), suitable for grades 7 and up.
Not a bad list, Jacqueline, but there's room for improvement. "Tuskeegee Airmen" is excellent because it shows African-Americans participating in the war at a high level--so achievement against heavy odds is another theme there. "Midway" and "The Longest Day" are pretty good, though somewhat stylized. For the Battle of the Bulge, you can do a lot better than "A Midnight Clear." For high school students, try "Battleground" (1949), which gives a very realistic appraisal of the siege at Bastogne. With few exceptions, the WWII films made during and shortly after the war are superior to those made more recently. Many fine actors of the 1940s and '50s actually served in combat (e.g., Clark Gable was a sergeant aerial gunner, and Jimmy Stewart was a brigadier general bomber pilot). In more recent films, you tend to get a lot of revisionist nonsense. Because of the enormity of the scope of the war, no one film or book can cover it all, so you need to employ a variety of sources. By the way, "S
What about "Saving Private Ryan" and "Iwa Jima"
I don't think this movie is about WWII but it is a good one..Sergeant York. It is very hard to find in stores...but I could probably find it on e-bay...These were great suggestions...thanks.