Metal nanowire array films were prepared by electrodepositing Cu, Ag, Ni, Co and Cu-Ag on porous anodic alumina film. Optical transmittance of both the porous anodic alumina film and metal nanowire array film was measured in the wavelength range of 400-2600 nm under an obliquely incident light. The experimental results show that metal nanowire array films exhibit a prominent polarization function. It was found that optical polarization properties can be improved by choosing suitable kinds of electrodepositing metal, controlling the shape and length of nanowire, and changing the incident angle.