Yes, it’s not just for some inestimable hobbits (or rather, for ones giving a speech to said inestimable hobbits). The Great War aka The War to End All Wars (Except Not) aka The War That Produced Some Reactions Including Art That is Painfully Still Relevant started 111 years ago today.
Is there a connection between World War One and Tolkien, you ask? Yes, there is. Just ask the Legends of Tomorrow.
Anyway, what with the cascading alliances and reactions, historians may quibble on July 28th being the exact start date, but for background on the start of the war, take in a Crash Course on the subject:
Now, you could load up on history explainers on YouTube, but let’s say you want to take in a full feature film? Which one? World War I historian Alexander Watson is here to help you out with not one, but two videos:
It covers:
- Wonder Woman (2017)
- The Lost City of Z (2016)
- All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
- The Red Baron (2008)
- Sajjan Singh Rangroot (2018)
- Gallipoli: End of the Road (2013)
- Journey’s End (2017) – Professor Watson’s favorite film at the time for what it shows.
I bet several of you didn’t realize we had that many recent films set during World War I. But wait, there’s more!
This video covers:
- War Horse (2011)
- Paths of Glory (1957) – you really should consider checking this one out.
- 1917 (2019)
- Blizzard of Souls (2019)
- Admiral (2008)
Now, there’s certainly room for another video in the future, where I hope he covers the TV movie The Lost Battalion or some of the older films like Sergeant York. And why not go down the Australian “We’re having thoughts about being part of this here British Empire…” rabbit hole with Gallipoli, 1915, and the more upbeat The Lighthorsemen?
Feel free to mention other WWI films, good or otherwise, in the comments.