Echoes Of War: A Collection Of Powerful Films From The 1920s

Noura Haddad
Noura HaddadDecember 2, 2025
The 1920s was a transformative period for cinema, with the introduction of new technologies and techniques that allowed filmmakers to tell more complex and engaging stories. One genre that benefited greatly from these advancements was the war film, which used the medium to convey the horrors and humanity of conflict in a way that resonated with audiences.

From the trenches of World War I to the Russian Revolution, the films of this era captured the tumultuous spirit of the times, often incorporating innovative cinematography and direction to bring the battlefield to life. Many of these movies have stood the test of time, remaining powerful and thought-provoking even today.

The films selected for this collection represent some of the best examples of war cinema from the 1920s, offering a range of perspectives and experiences that reflect the diversity and complexity of the genre. Whether focusing on the personal stories of individual soldiers or the broader historical context of the conflicts they fought in, these movies demonstrate a commitment to authenticity and emotional resonance that continues to move and inspire viewers.

By exploring the themes and motifs present in these films, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context in which they were made, as well as the enduring power of cinema to capture the human experience. With their mix of action, drama, and social commentary, these classic war films remain essential viewing for anyone interested in the history of cinema or the impact of war on society.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
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The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

#1

Set in the years before and during World War I, this epic tale tells the story of a rich Argentine family, one of its two descending branches being half of French heritage, the other being half German. Following the death of the family patriarch, the man's two daughters and their families resettle to France and Germany, respectively. In time the Great War breaks out, putting members of the family on opposing sides.

1921156 min
WarRomanceDrama
6.6
55 votes
Battleship Potemkin
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Battleship Potemkin

#2

A dramatized account of a great Russian naval mutiny and a resultant public demonstration, showing support, which brought on a police massacre.

192575 min
DramaHistoryWar
7.6
1244 votes
The Big Parade
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The Big Parade

#3

The story of an idle rich boy who joins the US Army's Rainbow Division and is sent to France to fight in World War I, becomes friends with two working class men, experiences the horrors of trench warfare, and finds love with a French girl.

1925151 min
RomanceWarDrama
7.5
121 votes
Napoleon
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Napoleon

#4

A biopic of Napoleon Bonaparte, tracing the Corsican's career from his schooldays (where a snowball fight is staged like a military campaign) to his flight from Corsica, through the French Revolution (where a real storm is intercut with a political storm) and the Terror, culminating in his triumphant invasion of Italy in 1797.

1927428 min
DramaHistoryWar
7.8
206 votes
Wings
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Wings

#5

Two young men, one rich, one middle class, both in love with the same woman, become US Air Corps fighter pilots and, eventually, heroic flying aces during World War I. Devoted best friends, their mutual love of the girl eventually threatens their bond. Meanwhile, a hometown girl who's the lovestruck lifelong next door neighbor of one of them pines away.

1927144 min
DramaActionWar
7.2
305 votes
Storm Over Asia
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Storm Over Asia

#6

In 1918 a young and simple Mongol herdsman and trapper is cheated out of a valuable fox fur by a European capitalist fur trader. Ostracized from the trading post, he escapes to the hills after brawling with the trader who cheated him. In 1920 he becomes a Soviet partisan, and helps the partisans fight for the Soviets against the occupying British army. However he is captured by the British when they try to requisition cattle from the herdsmen at the same time as the commandant meets with a reincarnated Grand Lama. After the trapper is shot, the army discovers an amulet that suggests he is a direct descendant of Genghis Khan. They find him still alive, so the army restores his health and plans to use him as the head of a puppet regime. The trapper is thus thrust into prominence as he is placed in charge of the puppet government. By the end, however, the "puppet" turns against his masters in an outburst of fury.

1928127 min
DramaWarHistory
6.5
62 votes
The Last Command
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The Last Command

#7

A former Imperial Russian general and cousin of the Czar ends up in Hollywood as an extra in a movie directed by a former revolutionary.

192888 min
DramaHistoryWar
7.3
86 votes
Arsenal
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Arsenal

#8

A soldier returns to Kyiv after surviving a train crash and encounters clashes between nationalists and collectivists. The story of the suppression of the Bolshevik uprising at the Arsenal factory in Kyiv by the Central Council troops.

192993 min
DramaWar
6.7
58 votes

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