SimilarScreen
The War Lover

The War Lover

The men of the flying forts whose bravery became a legend

19626.01h 45m

Overview

Buzz Rickson is a dare-devil World War II bomber pilot with a death wish. Failing at everything not involving flying, Rickson lives for the most dangerous missions. His crew lives with this aspect of his personality only because they know he always brings them back alive.

Directed by Philip Leacock
Written by Howard Koch, John Hersey
Produced by Arthur Hornblow Jr.
0

Top Cast

Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen

Capt. Buzz Rickson

Robert Wagner

Robert Wagner

1st Lt. Ed Bolland

Shirley Anne Field

Shirley Anne Field

Daphne Caldwell

Gary Cockrell

Gary Cockrell

2nd Lt. Marty Lynch

Michael Crawford

Michael Crawford

Sgt. Junior Sailen

Burt Kwouk

Burt Kwouk

Air Crewman

Bill Edwards

Bill Edwards

Brindt: Crew of 'The Body'

C

Chuck Julian

Lamb: Crew of 'The Body'

Robert Easton

Robert Easton

Handown: Crew of 'The Body'

Al Waxman

Al Waxman

Prien: Crew of 'The Body'

Themes & Keywords

bomberbomber pilot

About The War Lover

The War Lover is a drama, war, adventure film released in 1962 exploring themes of bomber, bomber pilot. Directed by Philip Leacock, it stars Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner, Shirley Anne Field. Buzz Rickson is a dare-devil World War II bomber pilot with a death wish. Failing at everything not involving flying, Rickson lives for the most dangerous missions. His crew lives with this aspect of his personality only because they know he always brings them back alive.

Movies Similar to The War Lover

Discover titles like The War Lover — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to The War Lover

If you enjoyed The War Lover, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of The War Lover.

The Purple Plain
49% Match

An RAF airfield in Burma in 1945, during World War II. Canadian bomber pilot Bill Forrester is a bitter man who lives haunted by a tragic past. He has became a reckless warrior, and is feared by his comrades, who consider him a madman. Dr. Harris, the squadron physician, is determined to help him heal his tormented soul.

In Which We Serve
44% Match

The story of the HMS Torrin, from its construction to its sinking in the Mediterranean during action in World War II. The ship’s first and only commanding officer is Captain E.V. Kinross, who trains his men not only to be loyal to him and the country, but—most importantly—to themselves.

Memphis Belle
42% Match

The "Memphis Belle" is a World War II bomber, piloted by a young crew on dangerous bombing raids into Europe. The crew only have to make one more bombing raid before they have finished their duty and can go home. In the briefing before their last flight, the crew discover that the target for the day is Bremen.

Fail Safe
42% Match

Fail Safe(1964)

Movie7.8/10

Because of a technical defect an American bomber team mistakenly orders the destruction of Moscow. The President of the United States has but little time to prevent an atomic catastrophe from occurring.

Closing the Ring
37% Match

During the 1940s, a group of young men go off to war, leaving behind Ethel Ann, who is in love with one of them, Teddy. In modern-day Belfast, a man named Jimmy endeavors to return a ring found in the wreckage of a crashed plane. He travels to Michigan, where the grown Ethel Ann, who married another man after Teddy was killed in battle, now lives. Ethel Ann must decide whether to go with Jimmy to meet the soldier who last saw Teddy alive.

Don't Look Now... We're Being Shot At!
35% Match

During World War II, two French civilians and a downed British Bomber Crew set out from Paris to cross the demarcation line between Nazi-occupied Northern France and the South. From there they will be able to escape to England. First, they must avoid German troops – and the consequences of their own blunders.

A Prayer for the Dying
34% Match

Martin, an I.R.A. hitman, is seen by a Catholic priest while carrying out a hit. He grows a bond with the priest and his niece. But his past and his former employers put all their lives in danger.

By Dawn's Early Light
33% Match

A nuclear warhead launched by Soviet insurgents protesting the waning Cold War destroys the Ukrainian city of Donetsk. The destruction sets off a race between American and Soviet politicians to prevent a nuclear holocaust. While the U.S. president feverishly works to keep the military and political machine from going into overdrive, various subordinates panic. When the president is believed to be killed in a helicopter crash, zealous advisers take over.

CSI: Immortality
31% Match

An explosion inside a casino brings Catherine Willows back to Las Vegas to investigate. And when the crime is tied to Lady Heather, Gil Grissom is brought back as well to aid the investigation. This is a 2 part TV Special. Series Finale

Source Code
31% Match

When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train.

A Guy Named Joe
23% Match

A cocky U.S. Army Air Force pilot stationed in England during World War II falls for a daring female flier. After he's killed on a mission, he's sent back to Earth by a heavenly General with a new assignment.

Birdy
8% Match

Birdy(1984)

Movie7.1/10

Two young men are seriously affected by the Vietnam War. One of them has always been obsessed with birds - but now believes he really is a bird, and has been sent to a mental hospital. Can his friend help him pull through?