Many war film fans would put Saving Private Ryan at the top of their list of the best films of the 1990s. But not everyone agrees. A much lesser-known 1993 film is also regularly described by viewers as one of the greatest war movies ever made.

Some even say it is the best war film ever made. The movie currently holds an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many arguing that it deserves more. That film is Stalingrad, a German anti-war thriller directed by Joseph Vilsmaier.

It follows a group of German soldiers during the Battle of Stalingrad, one of the most important and devastating battles of the Second World War.

Unlike many Hollywood war films, Stalingrad deals with the harsh reality faced by ordinary soldiers rather than grand acts of heroism.

The film stars Dominique Horwitz, Thomas Kretschmann, Jochen Nickel and Dana Vávrová.

To this day it remains one of the most highly regarded German war films ever made.

The movie was also recognised at the Bavarian Film Awards, where it won awards for Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Production.

Although it was not as widely known internationally as some English-language war films, its reputation has grown steadily over the years.

And those who have seen it do not hold back in their praise.

One person wrote in a Rotten Tomatoes review: “Best film of the 90s. Brutal, heartbreaking. Masterpiece. In the top five of best war films ever made.”

Another added: “A True war movie that shows the real horrors of war. Might be the best war movie I have ever seen.”

A third wrote: “In my opinion, it is the greatest war film of all time, and is in my top three films of all time. A must see.”

Someone else commented: “Epic! This must be one of the greatest war movies of all time, alongside Saving Private Ryan.”

Stalingrad can be streamed on Apple TV.

SOURCE: EXPRESS