I recommend watching the theatrical version of each first, then going back and watching the extended if you liked what you saw, simply because the extended versions are so long, and if your attention isn't caught, you will get bored and confused. So see if you like the shorter version first, then work yourself into an extra 30 or 40 minutes of an already long movie. (Not that it's hard to sit through if you like it.
I've watched all three extended multiple times and it never gets old...).
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.