Eighty years on, the global cataclysm known as World War II, as well as its crippling aftermath, continues to capture the attention and imaginations of filmmakers around the world. From classical directors like Alfred Hitchcock (Saboteur) to more modern, technically stunning visual stylists such as Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan), this devastating conflict between nations still inspires captivating stories on the big screen, exploring the “how” and “why” of such an unthinkable event.

Yale Professor Marc Lapadula explores clips of several films that portray historical figures and real-life incidents that profoundly impacted and devastated lives. Besides the above mentioned, films Marc examines include: The Pianist, Patton, Julia and The Bridge at Remagen