I first saw The Ascent (1976) in a filmclub in Slovenia on the big screen - in fact I only saw the last twenty to ten minutes. And it was one of the most marvellous experiences I have ever had in relation to movies. The close-ups of the executed people's faces... I think this will stay with me forever. After that, I had to find a copy of the film to watch the whole of it. My expectations were of course much too high, and I was disappointed after watching the complete movie. Mix these two reactions, and you probably get a more "objective" impression. That's why I included it, though I'd like to see it again. 

Speaking of watching too many WWII films... 
Something similar happened to me years ago when I first saw "Ivan's Childhood" (1962). I just didn't like it because I was "overfed" with this period.