From the dawn of cinema, tales of war have gripped the imagination of viewers. As a result, the most well-known battles in history have been portrayed on screen again and again. Yet countless other episodes remain untouched, offering rich material for future storytellers. Here are five dramatic clashes that could inspire the next great Hollywood epic.
Battle of Belleau Wood
It’s very common for films to be made about World War II. Movies about the Vietnam War were also quite common during the 1980s. There are not, however, many movies about the First World War. The Battle of Belleau Wood was fought in France in 1918, and saw the Germans take on French, American and British soldiers. It is also considered the battle where the US Marine Corps truly came into its own. As such, it would make for a great film.
All great movies have a likable hero, and Marine Dan Daly makes for a great one. Daly, a legendary member of the US military, is treated as almost a mythical figure within the Marine Corps. It was during the Battle of Belleau Wood that he uttered the famous line, “Come on, you sons of *******, do you want to live forever,” while leading a charge.
As well, the Allied victory was the first major engagement the US Army fought during WWI. Despite their attempts to gain ground during the spring offensive, the tired German soldiers were no match for the Americans, who continued to eagerly showcase their skills after entering the conflict in 1917.
This one should be green-lit immediately.
The Winter War
In the late 1930s, Joseph Stalin was fixated on expanding his territorial reach. With a massive army and thousands of tanks at his disposal, he saw Finland as an appealing target. Underdog tales always captivate audiences, and this real-life David versus Goliath story is no exception.
Russia invaded Finland in late 1939, a decision that proved ill-advised. Although Russians were accustomed to cold climates, the Finns had an intimate knowledge of their local terrain, which they skillfully exploited. Ski troops maneuvered through the rugged landscape to conduct guerrilla attacks, easily spotting Soviet forces against the stark white snow.
Equally remarkable was Finland’s dominance in the air. Despite having a small Air Force, the Finns maintained high standards for selecting their pilots. During the conflict, Finnish pilots achieved a significantly higher number of Soviet aircraft shot down compared to their own losses.
The snowy Finnish landscape in winter would also provide a breathtakingly cinematic backdrop for this story.
Battle of Carrhae
Sometimes the best movies are the ones where the villain gets what they deserve – and Roman General Marcus Licinius Crassus is one heck of a good villain. Born into wealth in Rome in 115 BC, he eventually became the richest man in the Empire. Crassus also developed a friendship with Pompey the Great and Julius Caesar. He soon was given the governorship of Syria, which only promised to make him richer.
None of this was enough for Crassus. He decided to attempt to conquer Parthia for both riches and glory. The battle went horribly for him. During the next day’s peace meeting, he was killed by the Parthians with molten gold poured into his mouth to symbolize his greed.
His death was the inspiration for a similar scene that occurred in season one of the HBO show Game of Thrones.
Battle of Yorktown
Despite the clear importance to the history of the country, there have been very few movies made about the Revolutionary War. Thanks to the wild success of the Broadway musical Hamilton, however, now would be as good a time as any to shine a light on the time period. A great place to start would be with a movie about the Battle of Yorktown.
The Americans won the battle, thanks to a collaboration between George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. After three weeks of fighting, the movie would certainly have a happy ending. The Battle of Yorktown ended with the surrender of the British forces, leading to the Treaty of Paris and American independence.
Battle of Longewala
The Battle of Longewala was depicted in the 1997 Bollywood classic Border, yet its remarkable story is worthy of global recognition. More than just a gripping tale of a small force holding out against massive odds, the battle is marked by moments of surprising humor—an element seldom tied to combat—which gives it a unique place among historic confrontations.
During the battle, around 2,000 Pakistani soldiers and 45 tanks pushed forward against a mere 120 Indian troops. The defenders had almost no heavy support, relying chiefly on a single recoilless rifle to pierce enemy armor. Fortune tilted in their favor when the Pakistani tanks became mired in soft ground, exposing them to precise fire.
The situation worsened for the attackers when they confused barbed wire with a minefield, halting their advance for two hours while waiting for clearance gear. That costly delay gave the Indians the breathing room they needed. By the time reinforcements arrived, Indian aircraft were already striking from above. Pounded from the skies and losing momentum on the ground, the Pakistani forces were forced to retreat, their offensive collapsing in defeat and embarrassment.