Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Hotaru no haka

Director: Isao Takahata
Stars: Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Akemi Yamaguchi

A tragic film covering a young boy and his little sister’s struggle to survive in Japan during World War II.

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Do not watch this if you haven’t got a roll of tissue paper beside you.

★★★★☆

The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)

Director: Ken Loach
Stars: Cillian Murphy, Padraic Delaney, Liam Cunningham

A sympathetic look at Republicans in early 20th century Ireland, and two brothers who are torn apart by anti-Brit rebellion.

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Okay, tell me, why does Cillian Murphy dies in almost all of the movies he’s in? It makes me sad. :p

★★★✮☆

The English Patient (1996)

Director: Anthony Minghella
Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas

At the close of WWII, a young nurse tends to a badly-burned plane crash victim. His past is shown in flashbacks, revealing an involvement in a fateful love affair.

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“Every night I cut out my heart. But in the morning it was full again.”

★★★✮☆

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Director: Quentin Tarantino
Stars: Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz

In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers coincides with a theatre owner’s vengeful plans for the same.

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★★★★☆

Casablanca (1942)

Director: Michael Curtiz
Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid

Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications.

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★★★✮☆