Bridge on the River Kwai is definitely up there. So's Dr. Strangelove. And Das Boot. And V.
Another arguably non-war-movie that I love is Good Morning Vietnam; again, there's no denying the existence of the conflict, but it's not about the scars and the battles we've lost. (And one of the all-time great non-original soundtracks.)
Of the three in your original post, I'd say the closest thing to a war movie is Casablanca, because the war is involved in the plot most directly. Sure, the men in Scarlett's life go to and from the war, but even when it's right outside her door, the movie's about her. Rick et al., though, are dealing with the German army and intelligence as well as each other, to an extent where I'm not willing to call it a war flick, but it's more than just a character piece.
ETA: I'm not sure if I'd count Schindler's List, either, but if so, add it near the top of the heap.
no subject
Another arguably non-war-movie that I love is Good Morning Vietnam; again, there's no denying the existence of the conflict, but it's not about the scars and the battles we've lost. (And one of the all-time great non-original soundtracks.)
Of the three in your original post, I'd say the closest thing to a war movie is Casablanca, because the war is involved in the plot most directly. Sure, the men in Scarlett's life go to and from the war, but even when it's right outside her door, the movie's about her. Rick et al., though, are dealing with the German army and intelligence as well as each other, to an extent where I'm not willing to call it a war flick, but it's more than just a character piece.
ETA: I'm not sure if I'd count Schindler's List, either, but if so, add it near the top of the heap.