Let’s not kid ourselves: WWII spy flicks represent the very essence of suspense, intrigue, and moral ambiguity that keeps the history of the past so fascinatingly captivating. The whole story becomes wrapped in the world of spies in their trench coats, their passwords and codes, double agents who are still picking which side their loyalty is, and just everything else that the genre can bring. However, not all of these types of films are as great as they seem; some are amongst the best, and a few should have been kept in the safe. Here is a list of WWII spy films, ranging from the most forgettable to the most watchable ones.
10. A Call to Spy (2020)
This pretty much narrates the story of Virginia Hall, the American spy with a wooden leg, who secretly helped the Allies during WWII. It was a film that aimed high in concept but was mediocre execution-wise. The tension hits you only once or twice, and the villain is so stereotypical that you can’t help but think of him as cardboard. It’s a nice historical reconstruction, but if you want real suspense, this is not the right place.
9. The Catcher Was a Spy (2018)
Paul Rudd assumed the role of Moe Berg, the baseball player turned OSS spook. The guy is likable but seems a bit too relaxed to be believable in the espionage high-wire world. The movie is rather a slow, episodic historical biopic, acting more like a midday theater flick than a spy thriller that could keep you engrossed and watching it very attentively.
8. Allied (2016)
Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard are the spies collecting the most dangerous weapon mankind has ever known: love and passion amid all the lies and secrets. There is a lot of love and Casablanca-like glamour in this production during the first act, but the story just gives the sinking aftermath. Marion’s character experiences a sudden change of tone, and the main plot twist does not really provide the suspense that is expected. Trendy, but not imperative.
7. Operation Mincemeat (2022)
This film, though based on a real British deception, is more about the art of lying in wartime than the actual deception. For better or worse, its 2022 adaptation adds romance and character growth where the original 1956 version had none, thus taking away from the main operation. Still, it’s an okay watch for those who like to ponder over secret service plots.
6. Charlotte Gray (2001)
Spy secretly in the middle of enemy lines, destroying by sabotage, and at the same time, taking care of Jewish children, is a very promising plot. Besides that, Michael Gambon is great, and the filming is beautiful, but as the film gets off with its not-so-spy-action storyline, it simply loses its way until the end. Despite its beauty, the film makes a forgettable impression.
5. Shining Through (1992)
Actor Melanie Griffith as a spy who gives up her job and turns into a secretary, and Michael Douglas plays her supervisor, which only sounds like the beginning of an interesting tale, but as the story unfolds, the plot and the actors’ relationship go in the wrong direction. Alongside its shine, the movie is weighed down by its flaws and by Liam Neeson’s supporting role.
4. Triple Cross (1966)
Christopher Plummer portrays Eddie Chapman, a real double agent who was brilliant at surviving. One of the main features of this film is that it is a very story-driven film, yet it fails to provide the reasons behind why Chapman was so unique in a way. It is a nice treat, especially for Bond lovers, but kind of forgettable.
3. Operation Crossbow (1965)
The film dramatizes the UK’s mission to bomb the German V1 and V2 rockets. Procedural suspense is at its peak in the first half. But the subplots of that part slow down the pacing. The second half of the movie does a good job of covering the first half’s mistakes, but never really achieves its potential.
2. Decision Before Dawn (1951)
Oscar Werner plays a German agent working for the Allies. He travels in bombed cities and goes through moracrises.es. The resolution and the stage work in the film are of great quality and create a very effective atmosphere of suspense. But the pacing is slow here, so it is more of a mood piece than a momentum-driven film; however, it still holds its ground for its great realism.
1. Foreign Correspondent (1940)
The first signs of spy gloom with murders, espionage, and chases full of danger constitute the beginning of Hitchcock’s take on wartime suspense. Joel McCrea’s character, who saves the day, is probably a little naive, but the setting and suspense episodes are typical of Hitchcock. It might not be the best one, yet it is still a required watch for spy thriller fans.
And here it is, the definitive list of WWII spy movies, from skip to must-see. If you want to understand the characters and their changing morals, or you want to see your heart stop during betrayals s then this genre is the one for you, it has it all and still leaves you craving for more spy movies.