War dramas like Oppenheimer to watch over the weekend

Schenelle Dsouza

Christopher Nolan’s much-awaited Oppenheimer is finally here. Now we know the clash between Barbie and Oppenheimer has fans divided, but whether you decide to watch Greta Gerwig’s Barbie before or after Oppenheimer, the latter must be on your watchlist for the weekend. And while you wait in anticipation for one of the greatest movies regaling the story of the father of the atomic bomb, here are some historic war and sci-fi dramas to watch in the meantime.

Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour tells the story of the UK’s former Prime Minister Winston Churchill and follows the events surrounding his appointment as Prime Minister during World War II. The movie takes place over a span of four weeks in the early days of the war. At a time when other leaders and decision-makers considered playing it safe by striking a deal with Hitler and the Nazi Party, Churchill held his ground and decided to fight the opposition. Darkest Hour is among the best biopics of all time, not only because it stars the gifted Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill, but also because it replicates real events without overly gratifying them.

Watch online on Prime Video

Hiroshima: Out Of The Ashes

Watching Hiroshima makes complete sense if you’re planning to watch Oppenheimer this weekend. Like Oppenheimer, Hiroshima showcases the events surrounding the nuclear explosion in Hiroshima, Japan during World War II, while throwing light on the devastating aftermath of the explosion, the impact on human life and the destruction of an entire city. The movie features an ensemble cast including Max von Sydow as German priest Father Siemes, Stan Egi as Japanese physician Dr Hara, and Judd Nelson as American soldier Pete Dunham. The movie does well to draw attention to the international presence in the city at the time of the bombing while depicting the unforgettable tragedy in a realistic way

Watch online on YouTube 

Munich – The Edge of War

Another historical war drama, Munich: The Edge Of War depicts the events leading up to the Munich Agreement of 1938. It focuses on the political manoeuvrings and negotiations among world leaders in the attempt to prevent a war with Nazi Germany. Like Oppenheimer, this movie explores the tensions and high-stakes decisions that shaped the course of history. With a cast of George MacKay, Jannis Niewöhner, Jessica Brown Findlay, Liv Lisa Fries and August Diehl, Munich: The Edge Of War offers a captivating portrayal of a pivotal moment in international relations and highlights the complexities of diplomacy and war.

Watch online on Netflix 

Radioactive

Not exactly a war drama, Radioactive like Oppenheimer, is a story about an intelligent woman and her discoveries. Radioactive follows the life and events of Marie Curie, an intelligent physicist who is constantly undermined in her field. Following the death of her husband Pierre, Marie Curie dedicated her life to Science and in the process stumbled upon two natural elements: polonium and radium which happen to be two of the most dangerous ingredients. Unaware of its potential dangers, Curie promoted the usage of radium without knowing its radioactivity was poisoning its users. The film is quite a parallel to what fans can expect from Oppenheimer; a misunderstood scientific discovery directly causing the deaths of countless individuals. Rosamund Pike takes on the role of Marie Curie in this historic sci-fi drama.

Watch online on Prime Video

Schindler’s List

One of the greatest movies of all time, Schindler’s List directed by Steven Spielberg follows the life of a real-life German hero named Oskar Schindler who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. The film depicts the atrocities of the Nazi regime, Schindler’s gradual transformation, and his efforts to protect those under his care. The movie explores significant events of World War II and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in extraordinary circumstances. Starring Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler, the film is a powerful and emotionally gripping narrative that highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for compassion and heroism in the face of immense adversity.

The Imitation Game

Also set during World War II, The Imitation Game is a British drama featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as puzzle-genius Alan Turing. During WWII, the Nazis implemented a communication device called the Enigma, which protected commercial, diplomatic, and military communication. The device was nearly impossible to decipher, but the British intelligence agency found and recruited a genius mathematician named Alan Turing to decipher the code. Cumberbatch’s portrayal of a homosexual mathematician is beautiful yet tragic following the character’s struggle with the pressures of genius and his inner fight against a homophobic England in 1939.

Watch online on Prime Video

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