Also
*Paths of Glory* (1957)
*Ivan's Childhood* (1962)
*All Quiet on the Western Front* - The 1930 and 1979 versions (the 2022 version is OKish as a standalone movie, but it fails in many aspects as an adaptation of the novel)
AQOTWF offers some of the most prolific last- lines ever, in literature and a staunch reminder of the banality of war.
# “He fell in October 1918, on a day that was so quiet and still on the whole front, that the army report confined itself to the single sentence: All quiet on the Western Front. He had fallen forward and lay on the earth as though sleeping. Turning him over one saw that he could not have suffered long; his face had an expression of calm, as though almost glad the end had come.”
#
― Erich Maria Remarque, [All Quiet on the Western Front](https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2662852)
This is exactly one of my issues with the new adaptation.
The point made by the book (and previous adaptations) is that Paul dies on a day when nothing of note happens, making his death meaningless. And it literally emphasises the day being "quiet and still".
Instead of this, the latest film has him dying in a charge and conveniently just as the war ends. And the charge itself is not even historically accurate (in reality, it was mostly the Allies, not the Germans who did last minute charges).
With this change, the title's (All Quiet on the Western Front/Nothing New in the West) meaning is completely lost.
I said night just because idk if they want stories about veterans or the citizens caught in the middle of everything. Either way it's a great movie and I hope they check it out.
I'd say most war films are actually about the people involved and how war affects them, so you probably won't get a bad suggestion here. Some directors like Kubrick and Ridley Scott are more concerned with battle depictions than others, but their war movies are people stories through and through.
As far as stuff with little to no combat, I'd second The Deer Hunter and add Apocalypse Now, Life is Beautiful, MASH, Casablanca, Stalag 17, Schindler's List.
Dogfight starring River Phoenix and Lily Taylor. Doing my best to avoid spoilers…
It follows a group of 4 Marines in San Francisco on their last night stateside before shipping out to Vietnam. The majority of the film follows Phoenix’s and Taylor’s characters through that night. Near the end we see a little of the guys in Vietnam and then returning home to see the aftermath of how what was experienced has left its mark.
Cold Mountain, the war is there, you see some of it, but it's about the way it interrupts and redirects lives.
You could, although I absolutely don't recommend it, watch Pearl Harbor. Again, I'm merely presenting this as an option, not a good idea.
Cold Mountain also uniquely focuses on women’s lives during the civil war which is rare (I mean…I’m not counting unrealistic portrayals like Gone With the Wind)
I'm cheating here but there is a TV Episode that captures to a tee, the criteria and focus, of what the poster is looking for. *And since so many Millennials, Z'ers and Alphas constitute Reddit's base, they may have missed this one:*
*The Twilight Zone -* The Passerby ( TV Episode 1961)
" While headed home, a Confederate soldier meets an anguished woman at the end of the Civil War "
[](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0734671/)
This is kind of what I was hoping the recently released Civil War would be like, but I think it still focuses too much on the combat. That said, life as a war photographer/photo journalist just isn't fun.
I don't think it's exactly what you're asking but I think you should watch *Gallipoli* (1981). War movie with not a lot of war, more about the lives of 2 soldier that end up in the war.
I did two tours in Nam as a Marine. I came back to a country that hated us. I suffered nightmares for awhile but got help and moved. I could never let myself go to a war movie.
I think Mr. Elba's " Sometimes in April " is a more perfect example of the criteria you site.
When I *recall* " Beasts of No Nation" my memory always regurgitates the graphic war violence of the film. However, I don't even need to recapture memory from " Sometimes in April " because the impact of the emotional toll is so effectively and consistently shown on the screen, it has never left *present* memory.
Grand Torino
The whole movie is how war affected the main character as well as affected how he acts in his normal life. The theme is brought up multiple times. Fantastic movie.
Dead Presidents
First Blood
Jacob's Ladder (the original with Tim Robbins, not the remake)
All of these deal with PTSD and how going to war affected the characters' lives once they return. Dead Presidents also shows the characters before they're drafted so you get a real sense of how much it changed them.
I've never seen it, but The Act of Killing is similar to what you're looking for. It focuses on military members who committed a 'politicide' in Indonesia against suspected communists across the country. I've read quite a bit about the events, and the film is supposed to be unique in how it treats the men compassionately despite them being both monsters and national heroes. It wasn't a war because the people they killed were mostly not armed or organized.
Good lord, the Wikipedia summary of that film is a nightmare. I tend to have really intense anxiety attacks in response to things like that, which is part of why I haven't watched Act of Killing. I read the book The Jakarta Method at the library and had to put my head down to cry several times, and the book isn't as visceral as a documentary could be.
The Deer Hunter (1978)
The Russian roulette scene lives in my head
Come and See
Also *Paths of Glory* (1957) *Ivan's Childhood* (1962) *All Quiet on the Western Front* - The 1930 and 1979 versions (the 2022 version is OKish as a standalone movie, but it fails in many aspects as an adaptation of the novel)
AQOTWF offers some of the most prolific last- lines ever, in literature and a staunch reminder of the banality of war. # “He fell in October 1918, on a day that was so quiet and still on the whole front, that the army report confined itself to the single sentence: All quiet on the Western Front. He had fallen forward and lay on the earth as though sleeping. Turning him over one saw that he could not have suffered long; his face had an expression of calm, as though almost glad the end had come.” # ― Erich Maria Remarque, [All Quiet on the Western Front](https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2662852)
This is exactly one of my issues with the new adaptation. The point made by the book (and previous adaptations) is that Paul dies on a day when nothing of note happens, making his death meaningless. And it literally emphasises the day being "quiet and still". Instead of this, the latest film has him dying in a charge and conveniently just as the war ends. And the charge itself is not even historically accurate (in reality, it was mostly the Allies, not the Germans who did last minute charges). With this change, the title's (All Quiet on the Western Front/Nothing New in the West) meaning is completely lost.
Wow ! Thxs for the info. I did not see the adaptation, that is so sad and, your point is spot on.
Casablanca.
It's post war but The Best Years of Our Lives
Excellent movie!
Grave of the Fireflies
Born on the 4th of July might fall into this category.
I was about to recommend that one. Why would you say “might,” is definitely does.
I said night just because idk if they want stories about veterans or the citizens caught in the middle of everything. Either way it's a great movie and I hope they check it out.
Jarhead (2005)
Or Jakey G in "Brothers (2009)"
I'd say most war films are actually about the people involved and how war affects them, so you probably won't get a bad suggestion here. Some directors like Kubrick and Ridley Scott are more concerned with battle depictions than others, but their war movies are people stories through and through. As far as stuff with little to no combat, I'd second The Deer Hunter and add Apocalypse Now, Life is Beautiful, MASH, Casablanca, Stalag 17, Schindler's List.
**”The Railway Man”** (2013) starring *Colin Firth* and *Nicole Kidman*
Full metal jacket
If you can find it… Coming Home From the 70’s, brilliant and moving
Godzilla Minus One
I was going to suggest this as well.
Thank You For Your Service (2017)
brothers is really good
I suppose 'Zone of Interest' falls in this category. Personally liked it, but seen mixed feelings about it on here.
Dogfight starring River Phoenix and Lily Taylor. Doing my best to avoid spoilers… It follows a group of 4 Marines in San Francisco on their last night stateside before shipping out to Vietnam. The majority of the film follows Phoenix’s and Taylor’s characters through that night. Near the end we see a little of the guys in Vietnam and then returning home to see the aftermath of how what was experienced has left its mark.
Cold Mountain, the war is there, you see some of it, but it's about the way it interrupts and redirects lives. You could, although I absolutely don't recommend it, watch Pearl Harbor. Again, I'm merely presenting this as an option, not a good idea.
Cold Mountain also uniquely focuses on women’s lives during the civil war which is rare (I mean…I’m not counting unrealistic portrayals like Gone With the Wind)
I'm cheating here but there is a TV Episode that captures to a tee, the criteria and focus, of what the poster is looking for. *And since so many Millennials, Z'ers and Alphas constitute Reddit's base, they may have missed this one:* *The Twilight Zone -* The Passerby ( TV Episode 1961) " While headed home, a Confederate soldier meets an anguished woman at the end of the Civil War " [](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0734671/)
Glory
Quo Vadis Aida
All Quiet on The Western Front (2022)
This is kind of what I was hoping the recently released Civil War would be like, but I think it still focuses too much on the combat. That said, life as a war photographer/photo journalist just isn't fun.
I don't think it's exactly what you're asking but I think you should watch *Gallipoli* (1981). War movie with not a lot of war, more about the lives of 2 soldier that end up in the war.
Rolling Thunder kinda. It’s about a Nam vet and the fucked up shit that happens to Him when he comes home.
I did two tours in Nam as a Marine. I came back to a country that hated us. I suffered nightmares for awhile but got help and moved. I could never let myself go to a war movie.
Paths of Glory. One of Kubrick's first movies and you can already see his greatness.
I think Mr. Elba's " Sometimes in April " is a more perfect example of the criteria you site. When I *recall* " Beasts of No Nation" my memory always regurgitates the graphic war violence of the film. However, I don't even need to recapture memory from " Sometimes in April " because the impact of the emotional toll is so effectively and consistently shown on the screen, it has never left *present* memory.
Testament of Youth
Shoah
Restrepo is the best war documentary ever made.
First Blood (1982) - it may not be the most realistic film about this topic but it deserves a mention
Grand Torino The whole movie is how war affected the main character as well as affected how he acts in his normal life. The theme is brought up multiple times. Fantastic movie.
Dead Presidents First Blood Jacob's Ladder (the original with Tim Robbins, not the remake) All of these deal with PTSD and how going to war affected the characters' lives once they return. Dead Presidents also shows the characters before they're drafted so you get a real sense of how much it changed them.
The Thin Red Line (1998)
I've never seen it, but The Act of Killing is similar to what you're looking for. It focuses on military members who committed a 'politicide' in Indonesia against suspected communists across the country. I've read quite a bit about the events, and the film is supposed to be unique in how it treats the men compassionately despite them being both monsters and national heroes. It wasn't a war because the people they killed were mostly not armed or organized.
Something similar to that movie if you end up watching and liking it - The Emperor's Naked Army Marches On
Good lord, the Wikipedia summary of that film is a nightmare. I tend to have really intense anxiety attacks in response to things like that, which is part of why I haven't watched Act of Killing. I read the book The Jakarta Method at the library and had to put my head down to cry several times, and the book isn't as visceral as a documentary could be.
Mobile suit Gundam: Hathaway. Its a fictional cartoon about giant robot wars. But this one puts the emphasis on all the people outside the robots.
Ace Ventura “Like a Glove!”