Best movies like The Marathon
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
It is 5 May 1945 and the uprising against the hated German occupiers has broken out in Prague. The Czech guards open the gate of the Pankrác prison to allow the prisoners to escape en masse. Many of them are shot dead by the German guards but young Ruda (Jaromír Hanzlík) manages to run away. He is taken care of by one of the Prague fighters, concierge Kytka. Kytka hides him in the flat of the house's owner where only the young maid Karla (Jana Brejchová) is left, ordering her to take care of Ruda.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 28
Genere: Comedy, Drama, War
Country: Czechoslovakia
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: tragicomedy, crying, freeze frame
Best tv shows and movies like The Marathon (1968):
Similar in 82%
Tomorrow I'll Wake Up and Scald Myself with Tea (1977)
Plot Summary:
Former Nazi Klaus Abard survives to the 1990s by taking anti-ageing pills. He plans to use a time travel trip to return to Germany in 1944 and present Hitler with a hydrogen bomb, so that he can win the war. Unfortunately the pilot, woman-chasing Karel Bures, dies on the morning of the trip and his earnest twin brother Jan impersonates him, without knowing about the plot. The plot goes wrong when they lose the bomb and land near Hitler's bunker in 1941, at a time that the Nazis sense victory. Bures, with two of the plotters, escape capture by the Nazis and make it back to the time machine. Bures programs the machine to return one day before they left, because he figures he can then save his brother and foil the plot.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi, War
Country: Czechoslovakia
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: dark comedy, surreal, humorous, tense, sentimental, feel good, captivating, melancholic, political thriller, absurd
Similar in 79%
Porca vacca (1982)
Plot Summary:
When a stage artist is send to Fight he met a lovely girl.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 221
Genere: Comedy, Drama, War
Country: Italy
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: entertaining, low brow humor
Similar in 81%
What Did You Do in the War, Thanassi? (1971)
Plot Summary:
A wild tale of mistaken identity set during the Nazi occupation of Greece and starring the great Thanasis Vengos. Thanasis is called upon, during the Occupation, to testify at the trial of a tavern owner accused of serving cat meat to his customers. He too is accused of perjury and imprisoned with some resistance fighters. The resistance fighters escape, but Thanasis remains in his cell. He is accused of being Ivan, the notorious ringleader of certain revolutionaries.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 836
Genere: Comedy, Drama, War
Country: Greece
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: political
Similar in 80%
Carriage to Vienna (1966)
Plot Summary:
A WW2 story of a young Austrian soldier running from the Russian army and a woman whom he forces to come along in order to save his wounded mate.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, War
Country: Czechoslovakia
Duration: 78 min
Plot tags: road movie, dark
Similar in 76%
That Instant, That While (1981)
Plot Summary:
Autumn 1944. A doctor is accused in the collaboration with the Nazis and found guilty.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 26
Genere: Drama, War
Country: Czechoslovakia
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: crying
Similar in 82%
Funny Dirty Little War (1983)
Plot Summary:
A small revolution breaks out in a small Argentine town, as one group of Peronists calls they newly elected peronist a communist. The newly elected official enlists the aid of allies ranging from the town drunk to young peronists to help hold his post. What follows is a slapstick war with a serious message.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 550
Genere: Comedy, Drama, War
Country: Argentina
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: manga, humorous, realistic, suspenseful, witty, semi serious, crying, black comedy, slapstick comedy, freeze frame
Similar in 78%
The Liberation of Prague (1977)
Plot Summary:
On 20th of April 1945 the Soviet army launches its attack on Berlin. The end has come for Nazi Germany and Hitler decides to commit suicide. In Prague K.H. Frank (Nazi Secretary of State and Chief of police in the Protectorate of Bohemia a Moravia) discusses with his commanders how to transform the city into an impregnable fortress, but the Praguers do not intend to wait any longer. From the early hours of 4th of May people start assembling in the streets and tearing down German signs. On the next day, the 5th of May, the uprising begins.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 52
Genere: Drama, War
Country: Czechoslovakia, East Germany
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 87%
Cuckoo in a Dark Forest (1985)
Plot Summary:
Set in World War 2 as the Germans occupy Czechoslovakia, teenage Emilka's father is murdered by the Nazis, but she is selected for special treatment by virtue of being blonde. She is billeted with the commandant of a concentration camp near the Baltic coast, where his kindness towards her provokes his wife's jealousy, but is compromised when Emilka witnesses his brutality towards the prisoners.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 110
Genere: Drama, War
Country: Poland, Czechoslovakia
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: crying, freeze frame
Similar in 85%
The Night Overtakes Me (1986)
Plot Summary:
A communist journalist from Prague is sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 71
Genere: Biography, Drama, War
Country: Czechoslovakia
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: crying, freeze frame
Similar in 81%
Werewolf (2018)
Plot Summary:
Summer of 1945. A temporary orphanage is established in an abandoned palace surrounded by forests for the eight children liberated from the Gross-Rosen camp. Hanka, also a former inmate, becomes their guardian. After the atrocities of the camp, the protagonists slowly begin to regain what is left of their childhood but the horror returns quickly. Camp Alsatians roam the forests around. Released by the SS earlier on, they have gone feral and are starving. Looking for food they besiege the palace. The children are terrified and their camp survival instinct is triggered.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Horror, War
Country: Poland, Netherlands, Germany
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: scary, psychological, rough, thought provoking, melancholic, suspenseful, disturbing, suspense, perverse, crying
Similar in 78%
The Password Is Courage (1962)
Plot Summary:
A British officer, captured by the Germans, tries everything he can to escape. In the process, amongst many other adventures he gets awarded the Iron Cross !! Based on a true story.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, War
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: sitcom, historical drama
Similar in 76%
Barefoot (2017)
Plot Summary:
Story of a small boy is forced to move out of Prague during World War 2 to a small village of Slavonice where he meets the rest of his family. He needs to make new friends and get used to a new life which is immensely different from what this city boy was used to.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 882
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Denmark
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, touching, suspense, suspenseful, light, humorous, melancholic, tragicomedy, crying
Similar in 79%
The Boys (1962)
Plot Summary:
When Continuation War started in Summer 1941, German soldiers arrived to Oulu. With their charm they conquered women and town boys. Finnish boys communicated with them on many levels: had trades, worked as interpreters, rotated business, spied on German love adventures and fought with each other about the favor of soldiers. In autumn 1944, the war was ending. Germans left Oulu by leaving behind fragile relationships, bastard kids and unfinished businesses. The most shocking of all was the faith of young Jake.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 960
Genere: Comedy, Drama, War
Country: Finland
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: crying, black and white
Similar in 88%
For Ever Mozart (1996)
Plot Summary:
For Ever Mozart is an episodic film that follows a theater troupe from France attempting to put on a play in Sarajevo. Along their journey they are captured and held in a POW camp, and they call for help from their friends and relations in France. Director Jean-Luc Godard presents stories about this troop to ask how one can make art while slaughters like the one in Bosnia are taking place, and he throws in a strong critique of the European Union. For Ever Mozart is one of Godard's most disjointed and difficult films. Its stories sometimes seem to form a whole and at other times the links among them are unclear. One gets the impression that in each episode Godard attempts to start a film only to come to the conclusion that it is impossible to continue. It features some of the most beautiful shots of tanks in the cinema.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, War
Country: Switzerland, France
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: experimental, serious, realistic, contemplative, avant garde
Similar in 76%
Lacombe, Lucien (1974)
Plot Summary:
In 1944 Lucien Lacombe, a young peasant in the Lot region is refused permission to join the French Resistance. Instead, the opposing "French Gestapo" obtain from him information about an underground leader and recruit him into their organization.Lucien enjoys his power and inclusion as a member of the German Police (Milice française) but soon falls in love with a Jewish girl. Forcing himself upon her family, Lucien becomes personally involved with the very people some of his collaborators and superiors are, in part, employed to oppress.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama, War
Country: France, Italy, West Germany
Duration: 138 min
Plot tags: anthology, art house, postmodern, visual, psychological, sincere, serious, realistic, disturbing, controversial
Similar in 82%
Closely Watched Trains (1966)
Plot Summary:
In a small town still occupied by the Germans as World War II's tide is turning toward the Allies, apprentice train-watcher Milos is oblivious to the war. Instead, he is obsessed with having his first sexual experience. Despite the favors of train conductor Masa, Milos has no luck. His quest leads him to a female Resistance fighter who, in passing, recruits him to the cause. As Milos finally finds love, danger draws closer.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance, War
Country: Czechoslovakia
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, talky, touching, sincere, realistic, erotic, absurd, dark comedy, thought provoking, avant garde
Similar in 88%
Devils on the Doorstep (2000)
Plot Summary:
During the Japanese occupation of China, two prisoners are dumped in a peasant's home in a small town. The owner is bullied into keeping the prisoners until the next New Year, at which time they will be collected. The village leaders convene to interrogate the prisoners. The townspeople then struggle to accommodate the prisoners. One is a bellicose Japanese nationalist, the other a nervous translator. Will the townspeople manage to keep the prisoners until the New Year?.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, War
Country: China
Duration: 139 min
Plot tags: semi serious, atmospheric, humorous, realistic, dark comedy, depressing, cerebral, philosophical, absurd, independent film
Similar in 80%
The Savior (1971)
Plot Summary:
This is rural France. It's the summer of 1943, the weather is fine and sunny and life is sweet. On one of these beautiful days, Nanette, a fourteen-year-old peasant girl, meets a slightly injured young man near the farm she lives on. Her life is about to change forever.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 269
Genere: Drama, War
Country: France
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: neurotic, crying
Similar in 85%
The McKenzie Break (1970)
Plot Summary:
A German U-Boat commander and 600 prisoners plan a daring escape from a PoW camp in Scotland.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, War
Country: Ireland, UK
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: rough, realistic, suspenseful, serious, suspense, surprise ending, independent film, freeze frame, dark comedy, black comedy
Similar in 88%
Jacob the Liar (1974)
Plot Summary:
A Jewish ghetto in the east of Europe, 1944. By coincidence, Jakob Heym eavesdrops on a German radio broadcast announcing the Soviet Army is making slow by steady progress towards central Europe. In order to keep his companion in misfortune, Mischa, from risking his life for a few potatoes, he tells him what he heard and announces that he is in possession of a radio - in the ghetto a crime punishable by death. It doesn't take long for word of Jakob's secret to spread - suddenly, there is new hope and something to live for - and so Jakob finds himself in the uncomforting position of having to come up with more and more stories.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Drama, War
Country: East Germany, Czechoslovakia
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, tense, uplifting, serious, tragicomedy, gloomy, semi serious, fairy tale, crying
Similar in 87%
Operation Silver A (2007)
Plot Summary:
Based on actual events. Late 1941, Group Silver A are dropped into occupied Czechoslovakia on an SOE mission to set up a Radio communications centre for the resistance, and contact a German Army officer whom is forwarding information to the British.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 94
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: Czech Republic
Duration: 149 min
Plot tags: sentimental, suspense, suspenseful, disturbing, compassionate, crying
Similar in 83%
Breakthrough (1979)
Plot Summary:
Starting in late May 1944, during the German retreat on the Eastern Front, Captain Stransky (Helmut Griem) orders Sergeant Steiner (Richard Burton) to blow up a railway tunnel to prevent Russian forces from using it. Steiner's platoon fails in its mission by coming up against a Russian tank. Steiner then takes a furlough to Paris just as the Allies launch their invasion of Normandy.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, War
Country: West Germany
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 76%
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (1983)
Plot Summary:
In 1942, British soldier Jack Celliers comes to a japanese prison camp. The camp is run by Yonoi, who has a firm belief in discipline, honour and glory. In his view, the allied prisoners are cowards when they chose to surrender instead of commiting suicide. One of the prisoners, interpreter John Lawrence, tries to explain the japanese way of thinking, but is considered a traitor.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Drama, War
Country: UK, New Zealand, Japan
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: disturbing, psychological, bleak, realistic, sad, experimental, avant garde, art film, serious, crying
Similar in 78%
Catch-22 (1970)
Plot Summary:
A bombardier in World War II tries desperately to escape the insanity of the war. However, sometimes insanity is the only sane way to cope with a crazy situation. Catch-22 is a parody of a "military mentality" and of a bureaucratic society in general.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, War
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: dark comedy, surreal, absurd, black comedy, dark, grim, cult classic, psychological, clever, humorous
Similar in 86%
Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Plot Summary:
A World War II satire that follows a lonely German boy whose world view is turned upside down when he discovers his single mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in their attic. Aided only by his idiotic imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler, Jojo must confront his blind nationalism.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 428000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, War
Country: New Zealand, USA, Czech Republic
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: sad, dark comedy, black comedy, funny, psychological, tense, touching, political, disturbing, controversial
Similar in 81%
Red Cherry (1995)
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story, this horrifying tale follows two orphaned friends as they struggle to survive during World War II.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 745
Genere: Drama, War
Country: China
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: touching, bleak, serious, mesmerizing, saga, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 81%
The Boat Is Full (1981)
Plot Summary:
During World War II, Switzerland severely limited refugees: "Our boat is full." A train from Germany halts briefly in an isolated corner of Switzerland. Six people jump off seeking asylum: four Jews, a French child, and a German soldier. They seek temporary refuge with a couple who run a village inn. They pose as a family: the deserter as husband, Judith as his wife, an old man from Vienna as her father, his granddaughter and the French lad, whom they beg to keep silent, as their children. Judith's teenage brother poses as a soldier. The fabrication unravels through chance and the local constable's exact investigation. Whom will the Swiss allow to stay? Who gets deported?.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 686
Genere: Drama, War
Country: Switzerland, West Germany, Austria
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: bleak, serious, captivating, realistic, disturbing
Similar in 78%
Operation: Daybreak (1975)
Plot Summary:
Czechoslovakia, 1942. Three brave Czech patriots risk everything to rid their country of its brutal Nazi leader, SS-General Reinhard Heydrich.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 79%
Stalingrad (1993)
Plot Summary:
"Stalingrad" follows the progress of a German Platoon through the brutal fighting of the Battle of Stalingrad. After having half their number wiped out and after being placed under the command of a sadistic Captain, the Lieutenant of the platoon leads his men to desert. The men of the platoon attempt to escape from the city which is now surrounded by the Soviet Army.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 37000
Genere: Drama, War
Country: Germany
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, suspenseful, gloomy, rough, epic, captivating, factual, talky, political
Similar in 79%
A Bridge Too Far (1977)
Plot Summary:
A Bridge Too Far tells the story of Operation Market Garden, the failed attempt by the allies to end the war quickly by securing three bridges in Holland and allowing access over the Rhine into Germany. A combination of poor allied intelligence and the presence of two crack German Panzer divisions meant that the final part of this operation (the bridge in Arnhem over the Rhine, the titular 'bridge too far') was doomed to failure.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 61000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 175 min
Plot tags: epic, realistic, suspense, intense, rough, serious, suspenseful, breathtaking, cult classic, spectacular