One of the enduring topics of both art and the human condition is the ever-present spectre of conflict and warfare. Filmmakers have naturally gravitated to the subject for as long as movies have been made... In part, this is because of the dramatic nature of war -- it grips the imagination and captures the audience -- and because of the unique ability of cinema to show us something close to reality, visceral visions packed with the sights, sounds, emotional impact and sheer terror of organized, widespread violence. This webpage is an attempt to sort through some of the classics of the genre and several forgotten gems that may help shed some light on the subject. For now, I'm organizing this section chronologically, that is, in relation to the specific conflicts in question. My goal is not to review every dumb war film ever made, just those I think are of particular interest. (By the way, your recommendations are welcome...)
"The Steel Helmet" (1951)
Even though it was directed by the great Sam Fuller, this low-budget, psychologically-oriented Korean War movie lacks emotional oomph, and isn't really that big in the bang-pow department either. Gene Evans stars as a prototypical cigar-chomping battle-hardened infantry sargeant who dodges a particularly grim death as the movie begins. Soon, the grizzled loner hooks up with a rag-tag outfit populated with various Characters: the loyal Asian American, the loyal American Negro, a couple of colorful goofballs and an officer he (naturally) has to lock horns with until combat brings mutual respect. It's a potboiler, and along with the cheap production values, isn't terribly engaging. The plot perks up mildly when a Red Chinese prisoner tries to needle his captors -- particularly on civil rights issues -- but the politics of the script are a bit muddled, and neither the Asian or the African-American soldiers manage to effectively explain their loyalty to the old Stars and Stripes. Of some interest historically, but not a very good film.
"Pork Chop Hill" (MGM, 1959)
A grim but macho look at trench warfare in the 1950s... Gregory Peck leads his troops up a worthless hill during the waning days of the Korean War, in a tragic pissing contest with the Red Chinese. There's a redemptive message tagged onto the end (that we proved to the Reds that Americans have what it takes to stand up to their aggression), but this is a pretty bleak and despondent presentation of modern warfare... somewhat in keeping with other contemporary depictations of the Korean War -- the conflict where the phrase "War Is Hell" really stuck. Notable for the additions of Asian and black characters in the de riguer multi-ethnic squadron. The Japanese-American second in command is particularly welcome, although the cowardly African-American deserter is a bit more troublesome. Attempts to tie his character in with civil rights concerns don't help much. Best lines of the film: "Where's that 'pushbutton war' we've heard so much about?" "We're the pushbuttons..."
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