List of films based on military books covering peacetime

This is a list of films based on military books in peacetime.

Since it only deals with preparation for conflict, this page is not organized chronologically by war, as the other pages are.
This page is organized by military mission, and by armed service.


1st century B.C.

Roman Army

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum1966Richard LesterUK & USAA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum [1][2]Burt Shevelove &
Larry Gelbart [3] (book), Stephen Sondheim (lyrics)
1962Musical---
1Pseudolus (uncredited)Plautusbefore 184 B.C.Play---
1Miles Gloriosus (uncredited)Plautusbefore 184 B.C.Play---
1Mostellaria (uncredited)Plautusbefore 184 B.C.Play---
  • ♠ Roman captain Miles Gloriosus, the one who "raped Thrace thrice", tries to secure a virgin bride.

18th century

Transportation of convicts

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Botany Bay1953John FarrowUSABotany BayCharles Nordhoff & James Norman Hall1941Novel---

British Army

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1The Recruiting Officer ♠ *1973David GilesUKThe Recruiting OfficerGeorge Farquhar1706Play---
  • ♠ There had also been an Australian television production in 1965.
  • * TV movie.

Frequently filmed: Mutiny on the Bounty

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1In the Wake of the Bounty1933Charles ChauvelUSAMutiny on the Bounty (uncredited)Charles Nordhoff &
James Norman Hall (uncredited)
1932Novel---
2Mutiny on the Bounty1935Frank LloydUSAMutiny on the BountyCharles Nordhoff &
James Norman Hall
1932Novel---

Imperial Russian Army

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Lieutenant Kijé
Поручик Киже
1934Aleksandr FaintsimmerUSSRLieutenant KijéYury Tynyanov1927Novella---
  • ♠ In English, the film is virtually unknown, but its score, by Prokofiev, is famous within classical music.[4]
  • ♦ The story's basic premise, a brilliant but non-existent soldier, was later used in M*A*S*H (the "Tuttle" episode) and in Wag the Dog.

19th century

African exploration

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Mountains of the Moon1990Bob RafelsonUSABurton and SpekeWilliam Harrison1984Novel---
Frequently filmed: The Man-Eaters of Tsavo
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
3The Ghost and the Darkness1996Stephen HopkinsUSAThe Man-eaters of Tsavo and other East African Adventures (uncredited)Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson (uncredited)1907Memoir/
Non-fiction
---
Peterloo Massacre

16 August 1819

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Sharpe's Justice ♠ *1997Tom CleggUKSharpe's Eagle (characters)Bernard Cornwell1981Novel---
  • ♠ The film alters the date and certain other details.
  • * TV movie.

Cavalry

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III *1994Larry PeerceUSAHeaven and HellJohn Jakes1987Novel---
  • * TV miniseries.
Buffalo soldiers
#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III *1994Larry PeerceUSAHeaven and HellJohn Jakes1987Novel---
  • * TV miniseries.

Cadets 

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1North and South ♠ *1985Richard T. HeffronUSANorth and SouthJohn Jakes1982Novel---
2Assault at West Point: The Court-Martial of Johnson Whittaker ♦ *1994Harry MosesUSACourt Martial: A Black Man in AmericaJohn Marszalek1972Non-fiction---
  • ♠ The principal characters graduate from West Point prior to the Mexican War. Secondary characters graduate before the Civil War.
  • ♦ The true story of Johnson Chesnut Whittaker, a freedman entering West Point in 1876.
  • * TV movie.

British Army

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Conduct Unbecoming1975Michael AndersonUKConduct UnbecomingBarry England1969Play---

French Army

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1The Judge and the Assassin1976Bertrand TavernierFranceLe juge et l'assassinHenri Garet &
René Tavernier
1976Non-fiction---
1Vacher l'éventreur et les crimes sadiquesAlexandre Lacassagne1899Non-fiction---

Dreyfus Affair

In the List of films based on war books, it is very unusual to have so many different books on a single subject made into films.
Comparable subjects would include D-Day and Stalingrad.

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1L'Affaire Dreyfus1930Richard OswaldGermanyDer Fall Dreyfus (?)Bruno Weil19??Novel---
2L'Affaire Dreyfus1931F.W. Kraemer &
Milton Rosmer
UKDer Fall Dreyfus (?)Wilhelm Herzog &
Hans Rehfisch
19??Play---
3The Life of Emile Zola [5]1937William DieterleUSAZola and His TimeMatthew Josephson1928Non-fiction---
4I Accuse!1958José FerrerUKCaptain Dreyfus: The Story of a Mass HysteriaNicholas Halasz1955Non-fiction---
5Affäre Dreyfus *1959Hanns FarenburgWest GermanyDer Fall Dreyfus (?)Wilhelm Herzog &
Hans Rehfisch
19??Play---
6L'affaire Dreyfus *1995Yves BoissetFrance & GermanyL'AffaireJean-Denis Bredin1983/1993Novel---
  • * TV movie.
Frequently filmed: "J'accuse"

Zola (and Lazare) are assumed sources in these instances.

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1L'Affaire Dreyfus1899Georges MélièsFrance"J'accuse"Émile Zola1898Open letter---
1L’affaire Dreyfus
– Une erreur judiciaire
Bernard Lazare1896Pamphlet---
2Trial of Captain Dreyfus1899American Mutoscope [6]USA"J'accuse"Émile Zola1898Open letter---
3Dreyfus Receiving His Sentence1899American Mutoscope [6]USA"J'accuse"Émile Zola1898Open letter---
4L'Affaire Dreyfus,
partie 1
1902Ferdinand ZeccaFrance"J'accuse"Émile Zola1898Open letter---
5L'Affaire Dreyfus,
partie 2
1908Lucien Nonguet & Ferdinand ZeccaFrance"J'accuse"Émile Zola1898Open letter---
6Theodor Herzl, der Bannerträger des jüdischen Volkes1921Otto KreislerAustria"J'accuse" (uncredited)Émile Zola (uncredited)1898Open letter---
7Wenn ihr wollt, ist es kein Märchen1973Imo MoszkowiczAustria"J'accuse" (uncredited)Émile Zola (uncredited)1898Open letter---
8Émile Zola ou La conscience humaine *1978Stellio LorenziFrance"J'accuse" (uncredited)Émile Zola (uncredited)1898Open letter---
9Prisoner of Honor *1991Ken RussellUK"J'accuse" (uncredited)Émile Zola (uncredited)1898Open letter---
  • * TV movie.

Frequently filmed: Woyzeck

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Woyzeck1979Werner HerzogWest GermanyWoyzeckGeorg Büchner1837/1879Play---

Prussian Army

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Der Hauptmann von Köpenick1926Siegfried DessauerGermanyWie ich Hauptmann von Köpenick wurde: mein LebensbildWilhelm Voigt1909Memoir---
  • ♠ There were also two immediate films made in 1906 based on Voigt's story, shortly after the incident occurred.

Frequently filmed: The Captain of Köpenick

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Der Hauptmann von Köpenick1931Richard OswaldGermanyThe Captain of KöpenickCarl Zuckmayer1931Play---
2I Was a Criminal
aka Captain of Koepenick
1945 [7]Richard OswaldUSAThe Captain of KöpenickCarl Zuckmayer1931Play---
3Der Hauptmann von Köpenick1956Helmut KäutnerWest GermanyThe Captain of KöpenickCarl Zuckmayer1931Play---
4Der Hauptmann von Köpenick *1997Frank BeyerGermany, Austria, SwitzerlandThe Captain of KöpenickCarl Zuckmayer1931Play---
  • * TV movie.

Frequently filmed: Carmen

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Carmen2003Vicente ArandaSpainCarmenProsper Mérimée1845Novella---

20th century

Arctic exploration

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1The Red Tent
Красная палатка
1969Mikhail KalatozovUSSR & ItalyMy Polar FlightsGen. Umberto Nobile1961Memoir---

Antarctic exploration

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Scott of the Antarctic1948Charles FrendUKScott's Last Expedition: The Personal Journals of Captain R.F. Scott, CVO, RNCapt. R.F. Scott1913Journals---
2The Last Place on Earth **1985Ferdinand FairfaxUKScott and AmundsenRoland Huntford1979 [8]Non-fiction---
  • ** TV miniseries.

Occupation of Japan

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Three Stripes in the Sun1955Richard MurphyUSA"The Gentle Wolfhound"E.J. Kahn Jr.195?Article---
2The Teahouse of the August Moon1956Daniel MannUSAThe Teahouse of the August Moon [9][10][11]John Patrick1953Play---
2The Teahouse of the August MoonVern Sneider1951Novel---
3Sayonara1957Joshua LoganUSASayonaraJames Michener1954Novel---
4Cry for Happy1961George MarshallUSACry for HappyGeorge Campbell1958 [8]Novel---

Occupation of Germany

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateType
1Town Without Pity
Stadt ohne Mitleid
1961Gottfried ReinhardtUSA & West GermanyTown Without Pity (?)
Das Urteil
"Manfred Gregor"1960Novel
2The Last Days of Patton *1986Delbert MannUSAThe Last Days of PattonLadislas Farago1981Non-fiction
  • * TV movie.

"Occupation of France"

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1New World
Le Nouveau monde
1995Alain CorneauFrance? [12]?199?Novel---

Space exploration

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Marooned1969John SturgesUSAMaroonedMartin Caidin1964/1969Novel---
2The Right Stuff1983Philip KaufmanUSAThe Right Stuff [13]Tom Wolfe1979Non-fiction---
3Apollo 131995Ron HowardUSALost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13Jim Lovell &
Jeffrey Kluger
1994Memoir/
Non-fiction
---
4From the Earth to the Moon1998?USAA Man on the MoonAndrew Chaikin1994Non-fiction---

Search and rescue

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1The Perfect Storm2000Wolfgang PetersenUSAThe Perfect StormSebastian Junger1997Non-fiction---

US Army

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1At War with the Army1950Hal WalkerUSAAt War with the ArmyJames B. Allardice1949Play---
2Soldier in the Rain1963Ralph NelsonUSASoldier in the RainWilliam Goldman1960Novel---
3Once an Eagle ♦ **1976Richard Michaels & E.W. SwackhamerUSAOnce an EagleAnton Myrer1968Novel---
4Fatal Vision **1984David GreeneUSAFatal VisionJoe McGinniss1983Non-fiction---
5Cadence1990Martin SheenUSACount a Lonely CadenceGordon Weaver1968 [8]Novel---
6Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story *1995Jeff BlecknerUSAServing in SilenceMargarethe Cammermeyer with Chris Fisher1994 [8]Memoir---
7The General's Daughter1999Simon WestUSAThe General's DaughterNelson DeMille1992Novel---
  • ♦ The wide-ranging film covers World War I, the interwar years, the Sino-Japanese War, and World War II (Pacific theatre).
    The novel also includes a fictionalized Vietnam War.[14]
  • * TV movie.
  • ** TV miniseries.

Armour

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1The Pentagon Wars *1998Richard BenjaminUSAThe Pentagon Wars: Reformers Challenge the Old GuardCol. James G. Burton1993Non-fiction---
  • * TV movie.

Cavalry (and mules)

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Army Girl1938George Nichols Jr.USAArmy Girl (?)Charles L. Clifford193?Story---
  • ♠ Cavalry finally gives way to tanks.

Cadets

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Francis Goes to West Point1952Arthur LubinUSAFrancis (characters)David Stern1946 [8]Novel---
2The Long Gray Line1955John FordUSABringing Up The Brass:
My 55 Years at West Point
Marty Maher with
Nardi Reeder Campion
1951Memoir---
3Taps1981Harold BeckerUSAFather SkyDevery Freeman1979 [8]Novel---
4The Lords of Discipline1983Franc RoddamUSAThe Lords of DisciplinePat Conroy1980Novel---
5Dress Gray *1986Glenn JordanUSADress GrayLucian Truscott IV (novel)
Gore Vidal (teleplay)
1978Novel---
6Code Breakers2005Rod HolcombUSAA Return to Glory: the Untold Story of Honor, Dishonor, and Triumph at the United States Military Academy, 1950–53Bill McWilliams2000 [8]¤Non-fiction---
  • * TV miniseries.
  • ♠ TV movie.

WACs

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Francis Joins the WACS1954Arthur LubinUSAFrancis (characters)David Stern1946 [8]Novel---

Civilian justice

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Anatomy of a Murder1959Otto PremingerUSAAnatomy of a Murder"Robert Traver"1958Novel---
  • ♠ A lieutenant and Korean War veteran is charged with murder.

Psychic soldiers

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1The Men Who Stare at Goats2009Grant HeslovUSAThe Men Who Stare at GoatsJon Ronson2004Non-fiction---

US Navy

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1On the Town1949Gene Kelly & Stanley DonenUSAOn the TownBetty Comden & Adolph Green1944Musical---
2Francis in the Navy1955Arthur LubinUSAFrancis (characters)David Stern1946 [8]Novel---
3Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N.1966Byron PaulUSARobinson CrusoeDaniel Defoe1719Novel---
4The Last Detail1973Hal AshbyUSAThe Last DetailDaryl Ponicsan1970Novel---
5Cinderella Liberty1973Mark RydellUSACinderella LibertyDaryl Ponicsan1973Novel---
6Grey Lady Down1978David GreeneUSAEvent 1000David Lavallee1971Novel---
7Men of Honor2000George Tillman, Jr.USAThe Reminiscences of Master Chief Boatswain's Mate Carl Brashear (uncredited)Paul Stillwell (ed.) (uncredited)1998Memoir---
8A Glimpse of Hell *2001Mikael SalomonCanadaA Glimpse of Hell: The Explosion on the USS Iowa and Its Cover-UpCharles C. Thompson II1999Non-fiction---
  • * TV movie.

Midshipmen

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Navy Blue and Gold1937Sam WoodUSANavy Blue and Gold,
a Story of the Naval Academy
George Bruce1936 [8]Novel---

USMC

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1The Great Santini1979Lewis John CarlinoUSAThe Great SantiniPat Conroy1976Novel---
2A Few Good Men1992Rob ReinerUSAA Few Good MenAaron Sorkin1989Play---

USAF

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1The Game of Their Lives2005David AnspaughUSAThe Game of Their LivesGeoffrey Douglas1996 [8]Non-fiction---
  • ♠ The World Cup soccer story involves a USAF airbase in Brazil in 1950.

Frequently filmed: No Time for Sergeants

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1No Time for Sergeants1958Mervyn LeRoyUSANo Time for SergeantsIra Levin1955PlayNo Time for Sergeants1964USA
1No Time for SergeantsMac Hyman1954Novel---

British Army

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Another Dawn1937William DieterleUSA"The Ambassador's Wife" (uncredited)W. Somerset Maugham (uncredited)193?Story---
2Reluctant Heroes1951Jack RaymondUKReluctant HeroesColin Morris195?Play---
3Tunes of Glory1960Ronald NeameUKTunes of GloryJames Kennaway1956Novel---

Royal Navy

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Morning Departure1950Roy Ward BakerUKMorning DepartureKenneth Woollard195?Play---
2The Baby and the Battleship1956Jay LewisUKThe Baby and the BattleshipAnthony Thorne195?Novel---

Army of India

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Kiss Me Sergeant1932"Monty Banks"UKIdol of MoolahSyd Courtenay & Lola Harvey193?Play---

Cadets

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Young Törless
Der junge Törless
1966Volker SchlöndorffWest Germany & FranceThe Confusions of Young Törless
Die Verwirrungen des Zöglings Törleß
Robert Musil1906Novel/
Memoir
---

Brazilian Navy

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1My Sister Eileen1942Alexander HallUSAMy Sister EileenJoseph Fields &
Jerome Chodorov
1940Play---
1My Sister EileenRuth McKenney1938Stories/Memoir---
2My Sister Eileen1955Richard QuineUSAMy Sister EileenJoseph Fields &
Jerome Chodorov
1940Play---
2My Sister EileenRuth McKenney1938Stories/Memoir---
  • ♠ Brazilians appear in the 1955 film.
    It is not established for certain that they appear in 1942. The 1942 film is in fact part of World War II, Home front. Brazil in 1942 is developing a belligerent stance toward Germany prior to a declaration of war in August by Pres. Vargas.

Czechoslovak Army

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Tank Battalion
Tankový prapor
1991Vít OlmerCzechoslovakiaThe Republic of Whores:
a Fragment from the Time of the Cults

Tankový prapor
Josef Škvorecký1992 [15]¤
(in English)
Novel---

French Army

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Port of Shadows1938Marcel CarnéFranceLe Quai des brumesPierre Mac Orlan1927Novel---

Japan Coast Guard

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Umizaru aka
Sea Monkeys
2004Eiichiro HasumiJapanUmizaruShūhō Satō1998Manga---
2Umizaru Evolution2005?JapanUmizaruShūhō Satō1998Manga---

Peruvian Army

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Captain Pantoja and the Special Services
Pantaleón y las visitadoras
1975José María Gutiérrez Santos & Mario Vargas Llosa [16]Dominican RepublicCaptain Pantoja and the Special ServicesMario Vargas Llosa [16]1973Novel---
2Captain Pantoja and the Special Services
Pantaleón y las visitadoras
1999Francisco J. LombardiPeru & SpainCaptain Pantoja and the Special ServicesMario Vargas Llosa [16]1973Novel---
  • ♠ A Peruvian captain must provide for the needs of lonesome soldiers in the remote jungle.

Cadets

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1The Time of the Hero
La ciudad y los perros
1985Francisco José LombardiPeruThe Time of the Hero
La ciudad y los perros
Mario Vargas Llosa1962Novel---

Red Fleet

(and Russian Fleet)

#FilmDateDirectorCountrySource
work
AuthorDateTypeTVDateCountry
1Baltiytsy
aka Men of the Sea
1938Aleksandr FaintsimmerUSSRMr Midshipman EasyCaptain Marryat1836Novel---
2The Hunt for Red October1990John McTiernanUSAThe Hunt for Red OctoberTom Clancy1984Novel---
372 Metres
72 метра
2004Vladimir KhotinenkoRussia?Aleksandr Pokrovsky199?Novels---
  • ♠ This film may be a war film, rather than a peace-time military film.
    It has a listing at the IMDb, but no references in Russian Wikipedia (Википедия).

References

Notes

  1. Recipient of the Tony Award in 1963.
  2. Nominated for the Tony Award for Best Revival in 1996.
  3. Shevelove and Gelbart were awarded the Tony Award in 1963.
  4. Prokofiev's music might be familiar from the Christmas single, "I Believe in Father Christmas" by Greg Lake, or from Woody Allen's film Love and Death.
  5. Inducted into the US National Film Registry in 2000.
  6. A theatrical production from a company which distributed many documentary shorts about the Boxer Rebellion, Boer War, and Spanish–American War.
  7. The film was completed in 1941 but not released immediately.
  8. Publication details for this title have been confirmed by the catalogue of the US Library of Congress.
    Source: Library of Congress Online Catalog.
  9. Recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 1954.
  10. Recipient of the Tony Award in 1954.
  11. Recipient of the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play in 1954.
  12. Source: DVD opening credits. This film's listing at the IMDb currently (as of December 2009) does not credit the novel.
  13. Recipient of the National Book Award in 1980.
  14. Source: Once-An-Eagle.com Archived 12 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  15. Publication details for this title have been confirmed by the catalogue of Library and Archives Canada.
    Source: Library Search.
  16. Vargas Llosa was awarded the Cervantes Prize in 1994.

Bibliography

  • Clarke, James. Virgin Film: War Films, Virgin Books, London, 2006.
  • 100 Greatest War Movies, special issue of Military History Magazine, Weider History Group, Leesburg, Virginia, 2007.

See also

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