Black Hawk Down: what makes a war film?

**BuBu** · January 17th, 2002, 02:47 PM

I am going to the local premire tonight but what do you think of the film? Is it, as it is claimed to be, the most realistic depiction of war ever in cinema history? what makes a war film?

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**Matt J Heaton** · January 17th, 2002, 05:44 PM

Thats not true. A war film can glorify war and still be a war film. You're describing anti-war films - the best of which is IMO Paths Of Glory.

Black Hawk is a war film; a war film which is concentrating on bravery during war.

The official status of the conflict is irrelevant.

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**miker** · January 17th, 2002, 10:15 PM

anyone who thinks a war 'serious' war film can encapsulate the myriad of emotions from hatred of the enemy through state propaganda to the anguish over the random death of your son is sadly mistaken.

war films are a spectacle, they cannot possibly make an audience relive an experience, although some supposedly come close.

anyone who's paint-balled should realise how easy it would be to die.

a war film should be about the courage to fight, the courage not to fight, and the courage to take no prisoners. a war film should be about humanity and the cold reality of an ugly death, and the guilt felt for not dying.

basically, a war film should be about a bunch of young men killing each other under the direction of the state.

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**Amblin1138** · January 17th, 2002, 10:46 PM

Black hawk Down was Amazing!! I thought the directing and cinematography were excellent. Don't miss this movie!

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**nate_dog** · January 18th, 2002, 12:29 AM

War films can take place about anywhere as long as there is military conflict. It could range from WWII (Thin Red Line is a personal favorite) to the Native/British battles in America during the 17th century (Last of the Mohicans). The reason why war films are so populalar is because there is so much drama involved.

Think about it:
Stories of courage and survival.
The desire to kill.
The desire not to kill but forced to.
The effect war has on men.
The effect men have on a war.
Fighting for what you believe in.

I could go on. All these make great movies. There is no mystery why people are intrigued by these films. War is a part of our history. (sorry for getting off topic).

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I LOVE THE SMELL OF NAPALM IN THE MORNING

**Crafty Banton** · January 18th, 2002, 04:19 AM

I've not seen it yet, but it ain't a war film - it's about a battle. The states weren't at war in somalia, they were just flexing imperialistic muscles, and cocked up.

I reckon a war film has to concentrate primarily on the emotions and experiences of the people involved. You can realistically depict gunshots and explosions and injuries, but that won't give the deepest imression of war . I mean, you can't really relate to it unless you've been through it , right ?! The closest I think we could come to relating would be through the humanity of the characters.

The two most powerful war films I've seen would be 'Galipoli" and 'All quiet on the Western front'. They managed to deliver a powerful message without providing graphic battle scenes .
I think that unless a war film leaves you thinking about the futility and pointlessness of war, then it's failed.

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