1940 1941 194219431944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949

1943 Movies

Take a nostalgic look back at the top movies of 1943, celebrating the films, directors and actors that defined the year and left a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment.

1943 Academy Awards

The Song of Bernadette
Written by: George Seaton, Franz Werfel
Directed by: Henry King
Starring: Jennifer Jones, Charles Bickford, William Eythe, Gladys Cooper, Vincent Price, Lee J. Cobb, Anne Revere, Roman Bohnen, Mary Anderson, Patricia Morison
Country: United States of America
Outline: In 1858, 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous claims to have seen a divine vision in Lourdes, France, leading to skepticism and religious turmoil. The film portrays her journey from skepticism to sainthood, highlighting her unwavering faith and the challenges she faces.
source: imdb.com
Destination Tokyo
Written by: Frank Wead
Directed by: Delmer Daves
Starring: Cary Grant, John Garfield, Alan Hale, Errol Flynn, John Ridgely, Dane Clark, William Prince, Tom D'Andrea, Ben Astar, John Alvin
Country: United States of America
Outline: During World War II, the crew of the U.S.S. Copperfin submarine embarks on a secret mission to gather intelligence in Tokyo Bay ahead of the Doolittle Raid. The film focuses on the crew's camaraderie and the challenges they face during their perilous journey.
source: imdb.com
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Written by: Dalton Trumbo, Robert E. Sherwood, John Howard Lawson
Directed by: Sam Wood
Starring: Gary Cooper, Ingrid Bergman, Akim Tamiroff, Joseph Calleia, Vladimir Sokoloff, Katina Paxinou, Fortunio Bonanova, Arturo de Córdova, Leonid Kinskey, Vladimir Sokoloff
Country: United States of America
Outline: Set during the Spanish Civil War, an American dynamiter named Robert Jordan is assigned to blow up a bridge vital to enemy supply lines. Amidst the backdrop of war, he forms a deep connection with a young woman named Maria, leading to a poignant exploration of love and sacrifice.
source: imdb.com
Coney Island
Written by: Lamar Trotti
Directed by: Walter Lang
Starring: Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Cesar Romero, Annabella, Jack Oakie, William Frawley, Jane Darwell, Edgar Kennedy, Charles Dingle, Edward Arnold
Country: United States of America
Outline: Set in the early 20th century, the film follows the lives of two sisters who run a restaurant at Coney Island. Their lives are intertwined with the ups and downs of the amusement park's patrons, leading to a tale of love, ambition, and family dynamics.
source: imdb.com
Stage Door Canteen
Written by: Lillian Hellman, John Howard Lawson, Dalton Trumbo
Directed by: Frank Borzage
Starring: John Garfield, Paul Henreid, Bette Davis, George Raft, Joan Blondell, Ann Sheridan, Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Alan Hale, Jack Carson
Country: United States of America
Outline: A musical revue featuring performances by popular entertainers of the time, presented as a tribute to the men and women serving in World War II. The film showcases a variety of musical and comedic acts, highlighting the morale-boosting efforts of the Stage Door Canteen.
source: imdb.com
This Is the Army
Written by: Casey Robinson, Claude Binyon
Directed by: Michael Curtiz
Starring: George Murphy, Joan Leslie, Ronald Reagan, George Tobias, Alan Hale
Country: United States of America
Outline: During World War I, actor Jerry Jones stages a musical to boost soldiers' morale. In World War II, his son Johnny continues the tradition by organizing a show for departing troops.
source: rottentomatoes.com
Prithvi Vallabh
Written by: Sohrab Modi
Directed by: Sohrab Modi
Starring: Sohrab Modi, Mehtab, K. N. Singh, Leela Mishra, S. N. Tripathi, S. N. Banerjee
Country: India
Outline: A historical drama set in ancient India, depicting the love story between King Prithvi Vallabh and the beautiful princess Mrinalvati, amidst political intrigue and war.
source: imdb.com
Tansen
Written by: Jayant Desai
Directed by: Jayant Desai
Starring: K. L. Saigal, Khursheed, K. N. Singh, S. N. Tripathi, S. N. Banerjee, Leela Mishra
Country: India
Outline: A biographical film about the legendary Indian musician Tansen, exploring his rise to fame and his contributions to classical music.
source: imdb.com
The Ox-Bow Incident
Written by: Lamar Trotti
Directed by: William A. Wellman
Starring: Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews, Mary Beth Hughes, Anthony Quinn, Harry Morgan
Country: United States of America
Outline: In 1885, two cowboys arrive in a Nevada town where a rancher has been murdered and his cattle stolen. They join a posse that forms to track down the culprits, leading to a tragic lynching of three men who may be innocent.
source: imdb.com
Day of Wrath
Written by: Carl Theodor Dreyer, Poul Knudsen, Mogens Skot-Hansen
Directed by: Carl Theodor Dreyer
Starring: Lisbeth Movin, Thorkild Roose, Preben Lerdorff Rye, Albert Hoeberg
Country: Denmark
Outline: In 17th-century Denmark, a young woman marries an elderly pastor, only to fall in love with his son amidst a merciless witch hunt.
source: imdb.com
Shadow of a Doubt
Written by: Thornton Wilder, Sally Benson, Alma Reville
Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Macdonald Carey, Henry Travers, Patricia Collinge
Country: United States of America
Outline: A young woman becomes suspicious that her beloved uncle may be a notorious serial killer.
source: imdb.com
The More the Merrier
Written by: Richard Flournoy, Lewis R. Foster
Directed by: George Stevens
Starring: Jean Arthur, Joel McCrea, Charles Coburn, Richard Gaines, Edmund Gwenn
Country: United States of America
Outline: During World War II, a widowed woman rents out a room in her apartment to a man who brings his friend, leading to romantic complications.
source: imdb.com
The Miracle of Morgan's Creek
Written by: Preston Sturges
Directed by: Preston Sturges
Starring: Betty Hutton, Eddie Bracken, William Demarest, Porter Hall, Al Bridge
Country: United States of America
Outline: A small-town girl becomes pregnant after a whirlwind romance with a soldier, leading to comedic complications.
source: imdb.com
Ossessione
Written by: Luchino Visconti, Mario Alicata, Giuseppe De Santis, Gianni Puccini
Directed by: Luchino Visconti
Starring: Clara Calamai, Massimo Girotti, Juan de Landa
Country: Italy
Outline: In the Po Valley of northern Italy, a young mechanic named Gino becomes involved with Giovanna, the wife of a restaurant owner. Together, they plot to murder her husband, leading to tragic consequences.
source: en.wikipedia.org
This Land Is Mine
Written by: Dudley Nichols
Directed by: Jean Renoir
Starring: Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, George Sanders
Country: United States of America
Outline: Set in a German-occupied European town during World War II, the film follows Albert Lory, a meek schoolteacher who is drawn into the resistance after being falsely accused of murder.
source: imdb.com
Jane Eyre
Written by: John Houseman, Aldous Huxley
Directed by: Robert Stevenson
Starring: Orson Welles, Joan Fontaine, Margaret O'Brien
Country: United States of America
Outline: A young orphan named Jane Eyre becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she falls in love with her enigmatic employer, Mr. Rochester, uncovering dark secrets about his past.
source: imdb.com
Old Acquaintance
Written by: Katherine Albert, Dale Eunson
Directed by: Vincent Sherman
Starring: Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins, Gig Young
Country: United States of America
Outline: Two lifelong friends, both successful authors, experience rivalry and jealousy as they navigate their personal and professional lives over the years.
source: imdb.com
Sahara
Written by: John Howard Lawson
Directed by: Zoltan Korda
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Bruce Bennett, Dan Duryea
Country: United States of America
Outline: During World War II, a group of American soldiers and Free French forces are stranded in the Sahara Desert after a tank battle, facing both the harsh environment and German forces.
source: imdb.com
Heaven Can Wait
Written by: Samson Raphaelson
Directed by: Ernst Lubitsch
Starring: Don Ameche, Gene Tierney, Charles Coburn
Country: United States of America
Outline: A man is sent to the afterlife before his time and recounts his life story, focusing on his romantic entanglements and his rise to success.
source: imdb.com
Five Graves to Cairo
Written by: Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder, Lajos Bíró
Directed by: Billy Wilder
Starring: Franchot Tone, Anne Baxter, Akim Tamiroff, Erich von Stroheim
Country: United States of America
Outline: During World War II, a British soldier infiltrates a hotel in North Africa, posing as a waiter to gather intelligence and sabotage German operations. The film delves into themes of deception and resistance against the Axis powers.
source: imdb.com
Stormy Weather
Written by: Jerry Horwin, Seymour B. Robinson, Frederick J. Jackson, H.S. Kraft
Directed by: Andrew L. Stone
Starring: Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Cab Calloway, Katherine Dunham, Fats Waller, Nicholas Brothers
Country: United States of America
Outline: An aspiring dancer's journey intertwines with a popular songstress, showcasing the talents of African-American entertainers through musical performances. The film features iconic numbers like Lena Horne's rendition of the title song.
source: imdb.com
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Written by: Jerry Horwin, H.S. Kraft, Frederick J. Jackson, Ted Koehler
Directed by: David Butler
Starring: Eddie Cantor, Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, S.Z. Sakall, Olivia de Havilland
Country: United States of America
Outline: A musical comedy featuring a series of performances by popular Warner Bros. stars, aiming to boost morale during World War II. The film includes comedic sketches and musical numbers.
source: imdb.com
Family Troubles
Written by: Hal Law, Robert A. McGowan
Directed by: Herbert Glazer
Starring: Janet Burston, Bobby Blake, Billy Laughlin, Billie Thomas, Mickey Laughlin
Country: United States of America
Outline: Janet feels that her parents no longer love her because they made her older sister the definite center of attention during her aunt's visit. Filled with anger and despair, she decides to run away.
source: imdb.com