10 Greatest Epic War Movies of the Last 100 Years, Ranked by Scale and Impact

Scott’s Crusades Epic

Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven depicts the Crusades on a grand scale, though the account says it does not aim for historical accuracy. Orlando Bloom plays Balian of Ebelin, a blacksmith who becomes a defender of the Kingdom of Jerusalem during a three-day siege.

The story spans a wide geographic and historical scope, but Scott frames it as mythology and entertainment, with a modern political perspective. The theatrical version was heavily edited and poorly received by critics and audiences; the director’s cut was much more acclaimed.

Gance’s Innovative Napoleon

Abel Gance’s silent film Napoléon follows the early life and military rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Its visual and editing techniques stood apart from the more static films of its era, and Gance developed an early widescreen method called Polyvision specifically for the production.

The technique was lost for years before the film received a proper restoration. Different edits have varied widely in length, from just under two hours to more than nine. Though some performances and dramatic elements may feel crude by modern standards, the film’s technical achievements remain central to its impact.

Woo Returns With Red Cliff

Warlord Cao Cao, played by Zhang Fengyi, declares war on southern lords in the emperor’s name. The story follows strategist Zhuge Liang, played by Takeshi Kaneshiro, and general Zhou Yu, played by Tony Leung, while emphasizing spectacle and human drama inspired by Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

What Makes War Epics Distinct

War films take many forms, including tense thrillers and intimate dramas about the emotional cost of conflict. Epics stand apart through expansive storytelling and large-scale depictions of combat.

The films discussed here show different ways to convey that scale: Scott’s historical spectacle, Gance’s cinematic experimentation and Woo’s battle-focused drama. The article describes war epics as an important part of film history for at least a century.