Just because enough people voted it that way. I know that's not a very satisfying answer, but basically, what it comes down to is that IMDb's Top 250 is a popularity contest. It's not really about what's better than what or what's the best of what, but what the majority likes the most at any given time.
I have always hated that movie and would not rate it very high.
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.