All Quiet On The Western Front (1930)
An amazing achievement for its time, and one of the greatest anti-war films ever made.
Apollo 13 (1995)
A more recent film, starring Tom Hanks, but one which serves as an introduction to the early space program for students who didn't grow up with it.
Avalon (1990)
Barry Levinson's film about the lives of Jewish immigrants in Baltimore is alternately funny and heartbreaking.
Battleship Potemkin (1925)
Sergei Eisenstein's powerful silent tale of the Russian Revolution.
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
This great story of WW II veterans returning home to small-town America stars Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Fredric March, and Teresa Wright.
Birth Of A Nation (1915)
D.W. Griffith's silent epic is of great historical significance, especially in terms of its place in movie history, despite valid criticisms of its depiction of African-Americans.
The Bridge On The River Kwai (1957)
One of the greatest WWII movies and one of Sir Alec Guiness' strongest performances.
Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)
John Ford directed this historical epic starring Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert as newlyweds homesteading in New York during the American revolution.
The Grand Illusion (1937)
A powerful WW I film by Frenchman Jean Renoir.
Hope and Glory (1987)
A more recent film, but one that is certainly in the style of the classic era, flawlessly telling the story of WWII in England through the eyes of a small boy.
How The West Was Won (1962)
Seeing this epic Western on a small-screen TV, even in letterbox format, is not the same experience as the original Cinerama. The excitement is hard to sustain, but the history lesson is pretty good.
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
Set in Germany three years after the primary trials of German leaders, this Stanley Kramer film features an all-star cast and reveals much about the Nazi mentality.
Little Big Man (1970)
The history of the West through the eyes of one man. Dances With Wolves was good, but this was better.
The Longest Day (1962)
One of the great WW II movies of all time tells the story of the Normandy invasion. The cast of thousands includes almost every great male star from Europe and America.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
You can learn a lot about democracy -- or at least how democracy is supposed to work -- from watching this Capra flick. One of Jimmy Stewart's greatest performances.
Mrs. Miniver (1942)
This outstanding drama of life in England during the early days of World War II was nominated for 12 Oscars and won six, including Best Picture.
A Night To Remember (1958)
The sinking of the Titanic, told in a straightforward manner, without Leo D. and nude portraiture.
Northwest Passage (1940)
Spencer Tracy stars in this tale of Rogers' Rangers and the exploration of the northwestern United States.
Paths of Glory (1957)
Stanley Kubrick's powerful anti-war film tells the story of a bloody and futile French attack during WWI.
Z (1969)
Powerful classic Cold-War political film by Costa-Gavras, based on a true story.
Zulu (1964) and Zulu Dawn (1979)
The original movie, narrated by Richard Burton, tells the true story of a small contingent of British (mostly Welsh) soldiers who fought against Zulu warriors. Michael Caine's first film. The prequel is almost as good, and has a similar feel.
