JULY/AUGUST 2023
SPOTLIGHT
THE ART OF WAR FILMS
Text By Douglas Schwartz
All content in this SPOTLIGHT © copyright the respective artists. All rights reserved.
While each of the aforementioned motion pictures creatively illustrates the subject of war in it's own way, none that I have ever seen
depicts the intense, graphic nature of the front lines more intimately than the film, 1917 (2019). The credit for this is due to the style of
filmmaking used throughout the presentation which gives the appearance of one long, continuous, fluid-style shot. As a result, the
viewer feels as if they are not merely watching the movie, but are part of all the misery as well!
Without giving too much of the story away, 1917 is about two British solders who, during World War I, are sent on an extremely
dangerous mission to deliver an order. If they are successful, this order will prevent 1600 British troops from mounting an offensive
which, unbeknownst to them, will lead to their massacre. An important element of the story is that one of the two British soldiers sent
on the mission has a brother who will be part of the doomed assault.
depicts the intense, graphic nature of the front lines more intimately than the film, 1917 (2019). The credit for this is due to the style of
filmmaking used throughout the presentation which gives the appearance of one long, continuous, fluid-style shot. As a result, the
viewer feels as if they are not merely watching the movie, but are part of all the misery as well!
Without giving too much of the story away, 1917 is about two British solders who, during World War I, are sent on an extremely
dangerous mission to deliver an order. If they are successful, this order will prevent 1600 British troops from mounting an offensive
which, unbeknownst to them, will lead to their massacre. An important element of the story is that one of the two British soldiers sent
on the mission has a brother who will be part of the doomed assault.
For the benefit of those who have not seen 1917, I won't
describe what happens to the men on their perilous journey,
except to say the following. The heroic determination
demonstrated by the two brave soldiers in getting the
message through, in the face of all the horror and danger
they experience along the way, is nothing short of incredible!
The words...riveting, haunting, captivating, emotionally
overwhelming, appropriately gory and realistic…all serve
well to describe what is felt by the viewer.
I would also like to add that there is an extremely poignant
scene involving a young french woman, and an orphaned
baby in her care, which provides a sense of sanity and
normalcy in an otherwise cavalcade of pure hell. Speaking
as a nature photographer who is well aware of the calming
effects of our natural world, I also found it visually poetic that
the film begins and ends with the principal character finding
a few moments of peace while resting against a tree.
describe what happens to the men on their perilous journey,
except to say the following. The heroic determination
demonstrated by the two brave soldiers in getting the
message through, in the face of all the horror and danger
they experience along the way, is nothing short of incredible!
The words...riveting, haunting, captivating, emotionally
overwhelming, appropriately gory and realistic…all serve
well to describe what is felt by the viewer.
I would also like to add that there is an extremely poignant
scene involving a young french woman, and an orphaned
baby in her care, which provides a sense of sanity and
normalcy in an otherwise cavalcade of pure hell. Speaking
as a nature photographer who is well aware of the calming
effects of our natural world, I also found it visually poetic that
the film begins and ends with the principal character finding
a few moments of peace while resting against a tree.
The writing, acting, directing, music, editing and set design in 1917 are all superb. Most notably, the style of camera work which
I previously mentioned is, in my opinion, a true masterpiece of cinematography. All in all, I highly recommend 1917 to anyone who
values the determination of the human spirit, as well as the art of motion pictures. Keep in mind, however, that this film is intended
for mature viewers who are able to handle the intense subject matter.
In keeping with that level of intensity, I would now like to share a story with you that has a personal connection for me to the "War to
End All Wars" (yeah...right!) which the film, 1917 was based upon.
My great-uncle Howard served in the United States Army during World War I. Uncle Howard had the most unenviable assignment of
going to battlefields after the fighting was over to retrieve the bodies of deceased American soldiers. Part of his duty included the
emotionally difficult task of trying to match decapitated heads and blown-off limbs with torsos that were missing such body parts.
I don't know how my uncle was able to deal with the incredible horror of that experience, both during the time he served, as well as in
the years that followed. While he was always a friendly, easy-going man when I knew him, I'm sure his memories haunted him at times.
Especially, perhaps, while he slept.
I apologize for being so graphic in relating that story...but war is graphic in the most dreadful sense of the word! There's no way
around that fact! Anyone who thinks that war is not hell, or that playing violent video war games is fun, should consider for a moment
what my uncle, and countless other men and women who served in all the wars throughout history, had to deal with. With that in mind,
I offer the following.
While watching 1917 again recently in preparation for this SPOTLIGHT, I found myself recalling the lyrics to one of John Lennon's
most popular anti-war songs...
I previously mentioned is, in my opinion, a true masterpiece of cinematography. All in all, I highly recommend 1917 to anyone who
values the determination of the human spirit, as well as the art of motion pictures. Keep in mind, however, that this film is intended
for mature viewers who are able to handle the intense subject matter.
In keeping with that level of intensity, I would now like to share a story with you that has a personal connection for me to the "War to
End All Wars" (yeah...right!) which the film, 1917 was based upon.
My great-uncle Howard served in the United States Army during World War I. Uncle Howard had the most unenviable assignment of
going to battlefields after the fighting was over to retrieve the bodies of deceased American soldiers. Part of his duty included the
emotionally difficult task of trying to match decapitated heads and blown-off limbs with torsos that were missing such body parts.
I don't know how my uncle was able to deal with the incredible horror of that experience, both during the time he served, as well as in
the years that followed. While he was always a friendly, easy-going man when I knew him, I'm sure his memories haunted him at times.
Especially, perhaps, while he slept.
I apologize for being so graphic in relating that story...but war is graphic in the most dreadful sense of the word! There's no way
around that fact! Anyone who thinks that war is not hell, or that playing violent video war games is fun, should consider for a moment
what my uncle, and countless other men and women who served in all the wars throughout history, had to deal with. With that in mind,
I offer the following.
While watching 1917 again recently in preparation for this SPOTLIGHT, I found myself recalling the lyrics to one of John Lennon's
most popular anti-war songs...
A variation on the classic peace symbol
by Karen Schwartz
by Karen Schwartz
Because bombs, bullets and traumatic death are in
such opposition to creativity and being an artist, The
Art of War Films may seem a rather strange topic for
a journal such as this. Some people, in fact, may
believe that no aspect of art could ever be found in a
film about war. In my opinion, they would be wrong.
Excellent writing, directing, acting, cinematography,
music, editing...and all the other creative talents that
go into any well crafted movie...are essential in a film
about war as well. If these artistic standards are met,
the result may serve to enlighten or educate an
audience in one way or another. So, while this genre
of cinema may be alarming, or depressing, it can
serve a creative purpose as well.
When I was young, however, I wasn't nearly as critical
of the artistic merits of the war movies I watched.
During that naive point in my life, I mistakenly believed
that any film about war was something "fun" to see.
Keep in mind that many boys, including yours truly,
growing up in our culture during that time, would often
"play war" with their friends. The sounds of pop guns,
cap pistols, and shouts of...got you, you're dead...
would often be heard in backyards and alleyways.
Things have changed a lot since then. Kids today no
longer need to resort to such barbaric competition.
Instead, they have the civilized luxury of killing people
while playing violent video games. There's no need
for them to run around getting sweaty, or risk getting
grass stains on their jeans. Most importantly, their
play time won't be interrupted if it starts to rain. How
fortunate they are! But I digress.
Getting back to the war films I watched as a youth.
Many of those movies were shown on "the late show"
or, "the late, late show," as those movie time slots
were referred to in the days before the arrival of cable
movie channels. As was often the case, I watched
many of those movies with my dad who served in the
United States Army during World War II.
With the wisdom of someone who knew much more
than I, my father would subtly point out to me that the
war movies we watched were based on real-life
events. Events that were far from fun! What they
showed, he explained, was the very worst part of this
life! Because of his guidance, I learned to watch films
about war from a historical point of view, and in doing
so, matured as an individual.
Some of the films I watched with my dad...or in the
years that followed on my own...that impressed
me the most with their artistry, include…The Bridge
on the River Kwai (1957), The Great Escape (1963),
Glory (1989), All Quiet on the Western Front (1930),
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), The Caine Mutiny
(1954), Patton (1970), Das Boot (1981), The Diary
of Anne Frank (1959), The Dirty Dozen (1967), Red
Dawn (1984), Stalag 17 (1953), Fail Safe (1964),
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), Halls of
Montezuma (1951), Dr. Strangelove (1964), Mister
Roberts (1955), Casualties of War (1989), and a
rather lengthy motion picture (at 178 minutes) with
the apropos title of, The Longest Day (1962).
The films I just named portray war in many different
ways. Some show the horrors of battle, while others
use war as a backdrop to their story. The Best Years
of Our Lives, which fits into the second category,
portrays men returning home after having fought and
been injured, physically and mentally, during World
War II. Other films I mentioned such as Stalag 17,
Dr. Strangelove, Mister Roberts and Good Morning,
Vietnam go so far as to use comedy in part or much
of their story. In other words, they use laughter in an
effort to combat the insanity of war!
Another remarkable motion picture on my list is one
which does not feature military personnel or battle
scenes, yet still manages to illustrate the stark
brutality of war and its evil effects on humanity.
I am referring to, The Diary of Anne Frank. Those
who have never seen it, but wish to do so, should
know that this is definitely a film which requires a
strong emotional constitution in order to watch.
such opposition to creativity and being an artist, The
Art of War Films may seem a rather strange topic for
a journal such as this. Some people, in fact, may
believe that no aspect of art could ever be found in a
film about war. In my opinion, they would be wrong.
Excellent writing, directing, acting, cinematography,
music, editing...and all the other creative talents that
go into any well crafted movie...are essential in a film
about war as well. If these artistic standards are met,
the result may serve to enlighten or educate an
audience in one way or another. So, while this genre
of cinema may be alarming, or depressing, it can
serve a creative purpose as well.
When I was young, however, I wasn't nearly as critical
of the artistic merits of the war movies I watched.
During that naive point in my life, I mistakenly believed
that any film about war was something "fun" to see.
Keep in mind that many boys, including yours truly,
growing up in our culture during that time, would often
"play war" with their friends. The sounds of pop guns,
cap pistols, and shouts of...got you, you're dead...
would often be heard in backyards and alleyways.
Things have changed a lot since then. Kids today no
longer need to resort to such barbaric competition.
Instead, they have the civilized luxury of killing people
while playing violent video games. There's no need
for them to run around getting sweaty, or risk getting
grass stains on their jeans. Most importantly, their
play time won't be interrupted if it starts to rain. How
fortunate they are! But I digress.
Getting back to the war films I watched as a youth.
Many of those movies were shown on "the late show"
or, "the late, late show," as those movie time slots
were referred to in the days before the arrival of cable
movie channels. As was often the case, I watched
many of those movies with my dad who served in the
United States Army during World War II.
With the wisdom of someone who knew much more
than I, my father would subtly point out to me that the
war movies we watched were based on real-life
events. Events that were far from fun! What they
showed, he explained, was the very worst part of this
life! Because of his guidance, I learned to watch films
about war from a historical point of view, and in doing
so, matured as an individual.
Some of the films I watched with my dad...or in the
years that followed on my own...that impressed
me the most with their artistry, include…The Bridge
on the River Kwai (1957), The Great Escape (1963),
Glory (1989), All Quiet on the Western Front (1930),
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), The Caine Mutiny
(1954), Patton (1970), Das Boot (1981), The Diary
of Anne Frank (1959), The Dirty Dozen (1967), Red
Dawn (1984), Stalag 17 (1953), Fail Safe (1964),
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946), Halls of
Montezuma (1951), Dr. Strangelove (1964), Mister
Roberts (1955), Casualties of War (1989), and a
rather lengthy motion picture (at 178 minutes) with
the apropos title of, The Longest Day (1962).
The films I just named portray war in many different
ways. Some show the horrors of battle, while others
use war as a backdrop to their story. The Best Years
of Our Lives, which fits into the second category,
portrays men returning home after having fought and
been injured, physically and mentally, during World
War II. Other films I mentioned such as Stalag 17,
Dr. Strangelove, Mister Roberts and Good Morning,
Vietnam go so far as to use comedy in part or much
of their story. In other words, they use laughter in an
effort to combat the insanity of war!
Another remarkable motion picture on my list is one
which does not feature military personnel or battle
scenes, yet still manages to illustrate the stark
brutality of war and its evil effects on humanity.
I am referring to, The Diary of Anne Frank. Those
who have never seen it, but wish to do so, should
know that this is definitely a film which requires a
strong emotional constitution in order to watch.
All we are saying is give peace a chance.
Considering the atrocities of war which the films in this SPOTLIGHT so artistically illustrate, any chance would be well worth the effort!
Considering the atrocities of war which the films in this SPOTLIGHT so artistically illustrate, any chance would be well worth the effort!