War movies are often products of their time, but some films manage to transcend the era out of which they are produced to explore universal themes around the human condition. While technology and political climates have evolved over the decades, these films have only grown in stature as they force viewers to confront the nature of war and bloodshed. From thought-provoking depictions of the First World War to outstanding explorations of the conflict in Vietnam, war cinema has the power to be both wildly entertaining and politically relevant. These movies hold up so well because they go beyond the specific...