Early Modern Warfare Films are set from 1500 AD – 1854 AD during various periods of history including The Age of Discovery, The Renaissance Era, the Early Modern Period of Asia and the early years of the Industrial Age. Early Modern Warfare is generally thought to have begun with the Age of Discovery in 1492 and lasts until the Siege of Sevastopol in 1854.
For our purposes, we’ve classified Early Modern Warfare Films as generally starting around 1500 AD (shortly after Columbus’ Discovery of America in 1492) and use the same historical benchmark of 1854 as the end of this warfare period (that also marks the beginning of the Industrial Warfare Era). The Early Modern Warfare Era is also typically known as the Gunpowder Warfare Era due to the widespread adoption of gunpowder and use of firearms and artillery in war.
Early Modern Warfare saw military tactics of the Medieval Warfare Era transition to the column, line, skirmishers and square infantry formations, increased use of artillery and the evolution of naval warfare. Medieval cavalry (often involving mounted knights) would evolve to Dragoons which were lighter and armor-less mounted infantry with firearms. The musket would replace the arquebus as the dominant weapon in the battlefield (though the saber and katana would still be instrumental in hand to hand combat). Medieval Era castles would be replaced by the polygonal fort to better withstand advanced artillery attacks. And naval warfare would evolve with the introduction of the caravel and galleon and cannon-based sea battles.
Wars depicted in Early Modern Warfare films include the Battle of Myeongnyang (1597 AD) by Japan and the Korean Joseon Kingdom in The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014), the Battle of Naseby (1654) during the First English Civil War in Cromwell (1970), and the Battle of Waterloo (1815) in Waterloo (1970).
Though most of the popular films of Early Modern Warfare cover events in Europe and North America, we have also included films depicting warfare in the Early Modern Period of Asia. This includes warfare films during the Joseon Dynasty (1397 AD – 1897 AD) in Korea, the Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568 AD – 1600 AD) and Edo Period (1603 AD – 1868 AD) in Japan and the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD – 1644 AD) and Qing Dynasty (1636 AD – 1912 AD) in China.
Historical figures featured during the Early Modern Warfare Era include popular Age of Discovery explorers such as Christopher Columbus in 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992) and Pedro de Ursúa and Lope de Aguirre in El Dorado (1988). Chinese Military General Qi Jiguang was featured (with some fictional creative liberties) in God of War (2017). Cromwell (1970) detailed Oliver Cromwell’s wars against monarch Charles I of England. Various Films About the U.S Revolutionary War would cover George Washington and America’s Continental Army during 1776. And one of the most famous military figures of the era, Napoleon Bonaparte, would be featured in prominent films such as Waterloo (1970) and the upcoming Ridley Scott film, Napoleon (2023).
Literary works were also the basis for many films set during the Early Modern Warfare Era including films based on Alexandre Dumas’ novel, The Three Musketeers, with The Three Musketeers (1974), The Four Musketeers (1974) and The Musketeer (2001). The Battle of Rocroi (1643) would be recreated in the film Alatriste (2006) which was based on The Adventures of Captain Alatriste series of novels by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. The Napoleonic Wars would serve as the backdrop for Patrick O’Brian’s nautical historical novels, Aubrey-Maturin series, with the first novel adapted for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003). And the literary classic, The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, would be adapted into multiple films including the subgenre classic The Last of the Mohicans (1992) that were set during the French and Indian War.
While this article will cover the Best Early Modern Warfare Films, you can also check out additional articles of films from different periods of military history below. We’ll be covering every military warfare film from the Macedonian phalanx in Ancient Warfare to the use of deadly UCAV military drones in Modern Warfare. And for good measure, we’re even going to cover some of the Best Sci-Fi Warfare and Fantasy Warfare films featuring fantasy-based wars and futuristic space battles.
- Best Ancient Warfare Films (3,000 BC – 500 AD)
- Best Medieval Warfare Films (500 AD – 1500 AD)
- Best Early Modern Warfare Films (1500 AD – 1854 AD)
- Best Early Industrial Warfare Films (1854 AD – 1913 AD)
- Best World War I & World War II Warfare Films (1913 AD – 1945 AD)
- Best Modern Warfare Films (1945 AD – Present)
- Best Fantasy Warfare Films
- Best Sci-Fi Warfare Films
What are the Best Early Modern Warfare Films? Read on as we look at some of the popular and lesser-known war films from the periods of Francisco Pizarro to Michiel de Ruyter to Davy Crockett from the last 70 years. This is a special edition of our “Best Of” subgenre list where we will rank the Top 20 Early Modern Warfare Films from our War Films with Massive Battle Scenes collection. You can also find these and other historical films in our collections of Films Set During the Age of Discovery, Films Set During the Renaissance Era, Films Set During the Early Modern Period of Asia, War Films Set During Medieval Asia and Films Set During the Industrial Age.
For our rankings we’re going to use some criteria to help define and refine our list. First, we’re going to prioritize Films that have Massive Battle Scenes. What good is a film about Early Modern Warfare unless there’s a huge, chaotic battle with weapons and tactics of the time?
Second, we’re not going to use an arbitrary number to determine what constitutes a ‘massive’ battle. We know it when we see it, and so will you. However, we will create a list of films before our Top 20 list that includes Early Modern Warfare Era Films that might not show a massive battle but do have examples of Early Modern Warfare including sword duels during the 17th & 18th centuries, the emergence of ninjas in the Sengoku period of Japan and film depictions of the legendary winged Polish hussars.
Third, we’re also going to prioritize a film’s action over its plot, acting and so on. We want the best actions films from this warfare period so that means films that have confusing plots or pacing issues like The Shogun Assassins (1979) and Alatriste (2006) will rank higher on our list because they have some great action-packed battles.
Fourth, we’re going to be lenient with historical accuracy – especially for films such as The Patriot (2000) and God of War (2017). We’re fully aware that Mel Gibson plays fast and loose with historical accuracy like he did in Braveheart (1995) and does with The Patriot. But the film has a good representation of the Battle of Cowpens and of warfare during the U.S. Revolutionary War. And as for God of War, though this is a fictionalized account of Chinese Military General Qi Jiguang, it still has some amazing battle scenes and tactics of the time period.
And fifth, we had to follow our rule for all of KBZ’s film listings where we only list films that have a 4.0/10 or higher rating. And though we typically focus on films from 1970 to present, we’re going to move our start date backwards to 1965 so we can include notable Early Modern Warfare Films such as Sons of the Stone-Hearted Man (1965) and Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969).
Our complete list of War Films with Massive Battles Scenes features over 169+ films from 1930 – 2023 and covers all periods of war from Ancient Warfare to Modern Warfare. Though we haven’t yet segmented out specific periods of warfare films, you can also check out our Films Set During the Age of Discovery, Films Set During the Renaissance Era, Films Set During the Early Modern Period of Asia, War Films Set During Medieval Asia and Films Set During the Industrial Age collections if you don’t see a favorite film of yours on our list. And finally, subscribe to our newsletter to get updated as we release future articles in this special edition series of warfare films.
We have embedded a compilation video of our Best Early Modern Warfare Films and more details on these films can be found in the list below. Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Best Early Modern Warfare Films
Films that didn’t have Massive Battle Scenes for our list but did have examples of Early Modern Warfare including sword duels, uniforms and weapons of the time, samurai, ninjas and smaller scale skirmishes: The Three Musketeers (1974), The Duellists (1977), Big Land Flying Eagles (1978), The Fall of Ako Castle (1978), A Tale of Two Cities (1980), Shogun’s Ninja (1980), Goodbye, Bonaparte (1985), The Mission (1986), The Deceivers (1988), Shogun’s Shadow (1989), Black Robe (1991), The Three Musketeers (1993), Rob Roy (1995), Catherine the Great (1996), The Man in the Iron Mask (1998), Owls’ Castle (1999), War in the Highlands (1999), Sword in The Moon (2003), To Kill a King (2003), The Seven Swords (2005), Prince of the Himalayas (2006), 13 Assassins (2010), Blades of Blood (2010), Way of the Samurai (2010), War of the Arrows (2011), Age of Uprising: The Legend of Michael Kohlhaas (2013), Fall of Ming (2013), Tula: The Revolt (2013), Brotherhood of Blades (2014), The Revenant (2015), Mumon: The Land of Stealth (2017) and Mary Queen of Scots (2018).
Honorable Mentions: War and Peace (1956), Sons of the Stone-Hearted Man (1965), The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969), The Last Valley (1971), The Four Musketeers (1974), Barry Lyndon (1975), Revolution (1985), El Dorado (1988), Heaven and Earth (1990), Journey of Honor (1991), 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992), Cutthroat Island (1993), Sharpe’s Eagle (1993), The Opium War (1997), The Legend of Suriyothai (2011), The Musketeer (2001), The New World (2005), Nomad: The Warrior (2005), Apocalypto (2006), Eréndira the Untamable (2006), Kingdom of War: Part 1 (2007), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Bathory: Countess of Blood (2008), Tsar (2009), Henry of Navarre (2010), The Princess of Montpensier (2010), Day of the Siege (2012), The Liberator (2013), Sekigahara (2017), Hansan: Rising Dragon (2022) and The Woman King (2022).
Special Mention: Napoleon (2023). Though Napoleon won’t be released until November 22nd, 2023, it’s best not to bet against Ridley Scott. He’s made some legendary Films with Massive Battle Scenes in Gladiator (2000), Black Hawk Down (2001), Kingdom of Heaven (2005) and The Last Duel (2021). Based on the trailer for Napoleon alone (embedded below), the film will likely end up in our Top 5 and we’ll update the list at that time.
Rank 20-1:
#20 The Profession of Arms (2001) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon | Kanopy
#19 1612: Chronicles of the Dark Time (2007) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#18 The Sovereign’s Servant (2007) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#17 Warriors of the Dawn (2017) Where to Stream / Buy: Ebay
#16 Kingdom of War: Part 2 (2007) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#15 Kenau (2014) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#14 The Shogun Assassins (1979) Where to Stream / Buy: N/A
#13 The Fortress (2017) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#12 Kagemusha (1980) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#11 The Admiral (2016) Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: After an abrupt and violent encounter with a French warship inflicts severe damage upon his ship, a captain of the British Royal Navy begins a chase over two oceans to capture or destroy the enemy, though he must weigh his commitment to duty and ferocious pursuit of glory against the safety of his devoted crew, including the ship’s thoughtful surgeon, his best friend.
Year(s): 1805 AD
KBZ’s Take: This is one of the best films of the subgenre that balances amazing maritime battle scenes against the friendship of Capt. Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany). Their friendship is the anchor of the story as Maturin’s pacifist views prove counter to Aubrey’s sense of duty and determination to pursue the French frigate, Acheron. It’s also one of the better films showing how life was aboard a ship in the early 19th century.
Though there are some intense and action-packed battle sequences, the film has a deliberate slower pace with a focus on Aubrey, Maturin and the crew. However, when the battle scenes do arrive, they’re must-see of the subgenre.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#9
The Alamo
Plot: Based on the 1836 standoff between a group of Texan and Tejano men, led by Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, and Mexican dictator Santa Anna’s forces at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas.
Year(s): 1836 AD
KBZ’s Take: Most Americans learn about the Battle of the Alamo in grade school. It’s one of the defining moments of U.S. (and Texas) history with Davy Crockett, James Bowie, William Travis and Sam Houston becoming American folk heroes who fought against insurmountable odds.
However, the film bombed at the box office. Though the film takes pains to be as historically accurate as possible, the attention to historic detail bogs the film down while taking too long to get to the infamous battle. But when the film finally does arrive at the infamous battle, it’s one of the best of the subgenre.
On a final note, not many films depict the Mexican Army of the era and we would also recommend checking out Cinco de Mayo: The Battle (2013) if you’re interested in Mexican military history.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#8
Alatriste
Plot: In the 17th Century, the brave Alatriste returns to Spain which is now plagued by corruption and poverty.
Year(s): Early 17th Century
KBZ’s Take: This film has been panned by readers of The Adventures of Captain Alatriste by Arturo Pérez-Reverte for trying to fit the series of novels into a 145-minute film. Not having read the novels, we still enjoyed Alatriste and an always great performance by Viggo Mortenson (who speaks fluent Spanish throughout the film).
The film has multiple battle scenes and has an actual battle scene from the Battle of Rocroi in 1643 which features a Tercio infantry unit and tactics (which War History buffs will enjoy). This film shows the Spanish perspective of the Eighty Years’ War between Spain and the Netherlands and you can check out Kenau (2014), which is #15 on our list, for the Dutch perspective of the war.
Additional Lists: Top Films Set During the Renaissance Era You Haven’t Seen #4
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#7
God of War
Plot: During the 16th century, pirates rule the Chinese coastline, pillaging the small villages and terrorizing the citizens. When maverick leader Commander Yu enlists the help of a sharp young general, they devise a plan to defeat the pirates. A violent clash of wit and weapons will decide who will rule the land.
Year(s): 16th Century
KBZ’s Take: Like The Patriot (2000), God of War is a historical war film that takes some creative liberties with actual history to present an action-packed film for modern audiences. And while some of the historical inaccuracies are minor, for the most part, it’s a great portrayal of Chinese Military General Qi Jiguang and his battles against the Japanese.
The film has many amazing battle sequences often on par with The Great Battle (2018) which was #4 on our list of the Best Medieval War Films. God of War is filled to the brim with constant battles and weapons of the time period – including the matchlock arquebus.
We’re not going to pretend to be scholars of Chinese military history so if you watch the film and want to know more about what the film gets right (historically), Great Ming Military has a great breakdown of the film’s depictions of historical figures to weapons of the era.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: In 1597, Korean Admiral Yi leads 12 warships into the Battle of Myeong-Nyang against the formidable Japanese navy.
Year(s): 1597 AD
KBZ’s Take: If Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) is too slow for your tastes and you want a wall-to-wall action-packed film with naval battles, look no further than The Admiral: Roaring Currents. This is arguably one of the best (if not the best) films about naval warfare during the Early Modern Warfare era.
Primarily centered around the Battle of Myeongnyang, the film has a similar vibe to 300 (2007) with a small, but determined, force using tactical advantages against a superior enemy. And like 300, it’s a film you’ll rarely take your eyes off of during the historically accurate and intense sea warfare.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
Plot: The last members of a dying Native American tribe, the Mohicans — Uncas (Eric Schweig), his father Chingachgook (Russell Means), and his adopted half-white brother Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis) – live in peace alongside British colonists. But when the daughters (Madeleine Stowe, Jodhi May) of a British colonel are kidnapped by a traitorous scout, Hawkeye and Uncas must rescue them in the crossfire of a gruesome military conflict of which they wanted no part: the French and Indian War.
Year(s): 1757 AD
KBZ’s Take: The Last of the Mohicans is essentially an epic Romantic Drama with war elements in the background. But it’s a rare film where the romantic thread of the film feeds into the various depictions of warfare including the Siege of Fort William Henry and the Huron attack and massacre of a British column. These two war scenes show traditional warfare between the English and French vs. the guerilla military tactics of the Huron.
If you read most of our articles, you’ll also know we’re huge fans of Michael Mann. His masterful direction turns the film into the best adaptation of the James Fenimore Cooper’s novel and he creates one of the most memorable sequences of the subgenre with Hawkeye and Uncas pursuing Magua – all set to an epic, yet haunting, instrumental score.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#4
Cromwell
Plot: Oliver Cromwell is drawn into the English Civil War.
Year(s): 1640 AD
KBZ’s Take: There’s two films about Cromwell that are worth watching. To Kill a King (2003) is the more recent portrayal of the English Civil War (and paints Cromwell more as a dictator to be) while Cromwell (1970) has a nuanced look at the period though paints Cromwell in a more sympathetic light.
Oliver Cromwell himself is a controversial figure in English history that has as many supporters as detractors so it’s best to watch both films. Plus, the 1970 film has acting legends Alec Guinness (as King Charles I) and Richard Harris (as Cromwell).
Also, if you’re interested in battle scenes of the period, you’ll definitely want to watch the 1970 film as it’s also in our War Films with Massive Battle Scenes subgenre list with an amazing reenactment of the Battle of Naseby (1654).
Additional Lists: Top Films Set During the Renaissance Era You Haven’t Seen #3
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#3
The Patriot
Plot: After proving himself on the field of battle in the French and Indian War, Benjamin Martin wants nothing more to do with such things, preferring the simple life of a farmer. But when his son Gabriel enlists in the army to defend their new nation, America, against the British, Benjamin reluctantly returns to his old life to protect his son.
Year(s): 1776
KBZ’s Take: We’re fully aware that The Patriot is not the most historically accurate film on our list. But how could this film not one of the best Early Modern Warfare films when it’s become THE subgenre film most synonymous with the Revolutionary War?
While other subgenre films are historically accurate recreations of events or meticulously detailed Biopics about participants of the war, The Patriot encapsulates the essence of America’s battle for independence even if it takes some liberties with factual events. It’s America’s version of Braveheart (1995) and we don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing.
The massive battle scene in the film combines The Battle of Cowpens and The Battle Guilford Court House (both fought in 1781) and it’s not only one of the most memorable battle scenes of the Early Modern Warfare era, but also one of it’s bloodiest and intense.
Additional Lists: Top Films About the American Revolution & Independence #1
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#2
Ran
Plot: At the age of seventy, after years of consolidating his empire, the Great Lord Hidetora Ichimonji (Tatsuya Nakadai) decides to abdicate and divide his domain amongst his three sons. Taro (Akira Terao), the eldest, will rule. Jiro (Jinpachi Nezu), his second son, and Saburo (Daisuke Ryu) will take command of the Second and Third Castles but are expected to obey and support their elder brother. Saburo defies the pledge of obedience and is banished.
Year(s): 16th Century
KBZ’s Take: We’re going to assume that most fans of War Films (from any era) have seen Ran. If you haven’t somehow yet seen this film, it’s a classic of the subgenre for various reasons.
First, it’s Akira Kurosawa’s crowning achievement in a storied film career. His take on Shakespeare’s King Lear set during the Sengoku Period of Japan has one of the best underlying stories of the subgenre.
Second, Ran is visually amazing with some of the most well-choreographed scenes of warfare throughout the film.
And finally, there’s Epic War Films and then there’s Ran. Few films can match the scope and scale of Ran – especially its iconic, climatic battle scene.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
#1
Waterloo
Plot: After defeating France and imprisoning Napoleon on Elba, ending two decades of war, Europe is shocked to find Napoleon has escaped and has caused the French Army to defect from the King back to him. The best of the British generals, the Duke of Wellington, beat Napolean’s best generals in Spain and Portugal, but now must beat Napoleon himself with an Anglo Allied army.
Year(s): 1815 AD
KBZ’s Take: Even 50+ years after its release, Waterloo still retains the crown for the Best Early Modern Warfare film. It’s almost hour-long portrayal of the Battle of Waterloo is unmatched in the subgenre and is one of the best depictions of war ever committed to film.
The first half of the film introduces the audience to the two men who will be the main combatants in the battle – Napoleon Bonaparte (Rod Steiger) and Arthur Wellesley (Christopher Plummer). Steiger and Plummer are excellent in this film as the two men who would become linked together in history through their one and only battle against each other.
The second half of the film is focused on the battle itself – from the military tactics of Napoleon and Wellesley to continuous waves of battles fought within the battle. There’s so much on display during this hour that it’s almost like you’re watching the entire battle yourself in 1815.
Though it will remain to be seen if Ridley Scott’s Napoleon (2023) will becoming the defining War Film about the French emperor and renowned military strategist, for now at least, Waterloo remains the definitive film of the battle that finally ended Napoleon’s reign.
Where to Stream / Buy: Amazon
