Based on the novel Munich by Robert Harris, the new Netflix movie Munich: The Edge of War deals with the efforts of British and German diplomats to prevent World War II. As Adolf Hitler aims to invade Czechoslovakia, the British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain attempts to build peace. The movie captures the paranoia before the eventual war while highlighting the role of diplomacy in such situations. 

The viewers who enjoyed Munich: The Edge of War would also appreciate similar movies that capture the essence of wartime diplomacy or provide more context behind the Nazi forces and their role in the war. 

SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

Downfall (2006) – Stream On Kanopy

Set during the final days of World War II, Downfall documents the days that Adolf Hitler spent in his underground bunker before his eventual death. The movie further depicts Hitler’s rage and stubbornness in not accepting defeat even though the odds aren’t in his favor. 

Unlike other depictions of Hitler, Bruno Ganz’s performance humanizes the infamous dictator. Instead of showing scenes of violence,  Downfall relies on a dialogue-driven approach to expose his bigotry and authoritarianism. The lack of any wartime action and emphasis on conversation is what will impress fans of Munich: The Edge of War. 

Dr. Strangelove (1964) – Stream On AMC On Demand

One of the greatest political satires ever made, Dr. Strangelove pokes fun at the Cold War through the perspective of both sides. As the possibility of nuclear war looms large, the fate of the world lies in the hands of the American President, the Soviet Premier, and a rogue American general. 

More than often, countries don’t actively participate in wars because of the immense damage that both sides can face. And this is where diplomats and politicians play a major part in preventing wars. While a movie like Munich: The Edge of War shows such a situation in a serious light, Dr. Strangelove serves as the perfect parody. 

Race (2016) – Stream On Vudu

A biopic of iconic athlete Jesse Owens, Race focuses on his multiple medal-winning streaks in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. As the movie reveals, Owens’ participation didn’t just break records but also struck a blow to American racism and Adolf Hitler’s notions of Aryan supremacy in Germany. 

See also  Which iPhones Have Three Cameras? Here's The Full List

While World War II movies mostly end up incorporating wartime action and military strategies, releases like Munich: The Edge of War show other aspects of the conflict. So, while the former deals with the diplomacy behind the war, Race shows how the World War was rooted in other non-war activities like culture and sports. Jeremy Irons appearing in both movies is an added bonus. 

Hitler: A Career (1977) – Stream On Netflix

The definitive guide to everything about Hitler, this documentary charters his rise to power and the propaganda that he relied on to mobilize crowds. 

While Hitler plays a secondary role in Munich: The Edge of War, his destructive impact is what serves as the central threat in the movie. Several movies have dramatized the dictator’s life but to gain a comprehensive insight into his psyche, it is important to view detailed documentaries such as this 1977 release.

Bridge Of Spies (2015) – Stream On Vudu

Set in the heart of the Cold War, Bridge of Spies starts off with the Soviet Union’s capture of American pilot Gary Powers. Negotiating an exchange deal, American lawyer James B Donovan plans to free Soviet spy Rudolph Abel in exchange for Powers. In the course of this case, the lawyer and the alleged KGB spy end up striking an unlikely friendship. 

The Steven Spielberg-directed movie shows how the efforts of negotiators like Donovan prevented the Cold War from turning into an active war. Parallels can be drawn between Tom Hanks’ Donovan and George McKay’s Hugh Legat in Munich: The Edge of War. 

See also  How Jabba The Hutt Knew Leia’s Plan To Rescue Han

Elser (2014) – Stream On Vudu

Elser aka 13 Minutes is a German biopic on George Elser, the man who attempted to assassinate “the great dictator” way back in 1939. Even though his plan failed, he expressed an emerging German resistance against the Nazi regime. 

Elser’s take on its titular figure’s life is an interesting tool to show the mood of the general German public. While many were being brainwashed by Hitler’s propaganda, some like Elser were planning a counter-revolution. Hence, understanding the human side of the war is as important as its political nature (as shown in Munich: The Edge of War). 

Oslo (2021) – Stream On HBO Max

The conflict behind Israel and Palestine’s territorial disputes is a long one. In 1993, the polarizing Oslo Accords attempted to broker peace through a series of secret negotiations. The HBO original movie Oslo attempts to tell the story behind these negotiations. 

Oslo is a perfect watch for fans of Munich: The Edge of War as both movies tend to focus on the power of high-stakes diplomacy. Regardless of the outcome, diplomacy does play a major role to mitigate tensions and these movies don’t underplay it at all. 

Operation Finale (2018)  – Stream On Netflix

In Operation Finale, Ben Kingsley plays the part of Adolph Eichmann, the notorious Nazi behind the Holocaust. The political thriller takes inspiration from the real-life story behind Israeli operatives tracking down Eichmann in T1960s-era Argentina.

If Munich: The Edge of War captured the anxieties before World War II, Operation Finale shows the traumatic aftermath of the same conflict. Even years after the Holocaust, the memories still continue to haunt the survivors. The titular operation in the movie was a symbolic move of ending all remnants of Nazism to ensure that such a reign never returns in the future. 

See also  Every Canceled Jurassic Park Spinoff Explained

The Courier (2020) – Stream On Amazon Prime Video

One of the most shocking aspects of the Cold War was the Cuban Missile Crisis, a situation that could have caused World War III if neither of the sides backed down. The Courier tells the true story behind the role of an American spy and his Russian source in preventing this crisis.

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch in one of his best roles, The Courier yet again highlights the importance of intel during wartime. Just like Munich: The Edge of War’s Hugh Legat, Greville Wynne embarks on a race against time to control impending violence.

The Man With The Iron Heart (2017) – Stream On Starz

Reinhard Heydrich was one of Hitler’s most dreaded aides, as not only did he head the Gestapo, but he also masterminded the so-called “Final Solution” to exterminate Jews and other minorities in Germany. The Man With The Iron Heart takes a biographical look at Heydrich’s life while also covering the efforts of Czech resistance fighters to assassinate him. 

Unlike Munich: The Edge of War, the lead characters in The Man With The Iron Heart cannot avoid war. But they can surely prevent it from getting worse and that’s what they do by embarking on what seems like a suicide mission. The fast-paced thriller succeeds at reinterpreting a crucial phase of the war in Nazi Germany. 

Every Adam Sandler Movie His Family Members Appear In (& Who They Play)

About The Author


Shaurya Thapa
(736 Articles Published)

Shaurya Thapa is an Indian freelance journalist who mostly dabbles in writings on cinema, music, and human interest features. When it comes to Screen Rant, he writes lists on a wide array of subjects ranging from international films to mainstream Netflix series and comic book trivia. He also hosts a podcast called ‘BhindiWire’, an Indian parody of IndieWire.

More From Shaurya Thapa