Military melodramas: a brief description

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Military melodramas are one of the most popular genres in both old and modern cinema. Films of this direction have always been popular with the audience, as they are filmed on one of the most relevant topics. Films about the Second and First World Wars, as well as about armed conflicts in general, have always found their audience. Therefore, it is not surprising that the paintings of this genre remain popular today.

General characteristics of the genre

Military melodramas have always taken pride of place in domestic and foreign cinema. Traditionally, they were devoted to the love theme unfolding against the backdrop of hostilities. These stories have always been a hit. Another possible storyline in films of this kind is the children's theme in films. The disclosure of such characters against the backdrop of hostilities and the horrors of war has always been distinguished by the psychological depth and seriousness of the approach to the script. Such stories are interesting because they allow you to see the complex ups and downs of the war as if from the inside, so directors often resort to such a technique. Very often, military melodramas highlight the moral values of the heroes, their courage, or, on the contrary, betrayal and cowardice in the face of danger. In short, this genre provides a wide range of topics andplots for the development of the composition. In addition, it has the advantage of being interesting to every viewer in one way or another.

Images

The specificity of this genre is different in that it reveals characters slowly, unhurriedly. The situations in which the hero finds himself, as a rule, do not differ in great drama and sharpness of the storyline. On the contrary, the situation in which the main character finds himself is tense, but at the same time leaves room for reflection. Military melodramas are interesting because they make the viewer think about what is happening. Therefore, the very action of the plot and the disclosure of characters occur gradually, so that often only by the end of the picture the appearance of the characters emerges completely. A striking example of this approach is the famous French painting "The Last Metro". The psychological portrait of the main characters is revealed throughout the film, and only towards the end it becomes clear what they really are.

Storyline

The best foreign military melodramas differ from domestic ones in that they focus more on the storyline. In them, the psychology of the characters develops depending on specific circumstances and events and is unthinkable outside a certain context. While Soviet and Russian films of this genre are characterized by the fact that in them the disclosure of the psychological image and moral values has a fairly independent meaning. The plot servesauxiliary background for revealing the image of the characters.

Comparison of domestic and Western films

The characters of Western European paintings are inseparable from the plot, while domestic ones have a more independent sound. Therefore, foreign films are more dynamic and action-packed, while Russian ones are more solid. For example, the film "Sunflowers" reveals the images of the main characters in the context of a rather fascinating story. The best military melodramas of domestic production are more calm. For example, the famous film "Ivan's Childhood" is distinguished by a fairly even development of the storyline, which, however, enhances its drama.

About war

An important role is played by the depiction of military actions in such pictures. After all, the ups and downs of battle serve as a bright background for revealing the characters and the relationships between them. In foreign films, he pays great attention to action. Very often, it even begins to acquire an independent meaning, pushing the characteristics of the characters into the background. While Russian military melodramas assign secondary importance to the depiction of battles. For example, in the films “Only Old Men Go to Battle”, “They Fought for the Motherland”, despite the abundance of military scenes, the images and relationships between the characters play a decisive role in the development of the plot. Western directors have a slightly different attitude. So, in the film "Saving Private Ryan" much attention is paid to action, although, of course, the disclosure of a psychological portrait plays a decisive role.heroes.

Replaying the era

Of great importance for the success and high quality of films of this genre is the authenticity of the image of the era. In many ways, this factor determines the perception of the picture: after all, it is important for the viewer to feel the atmosphere of the war years. In this regard, the list of military melodramas should be supplemented with several more foreign and domestic films. The cult series "Seventeen Moments of Spring" perfectly conveys the atmosphere of the last year of the war. Life, everyday life in Berlin, combined with chronicles and documentary clippings, perfectly convey the spirit of wartime. The same can be said about another Soviet series - "Shield and Sword". It very well reproduces the atmosphere of all the years of the war. Of the modern works of domestic filmmakers, the picture “Bless the Woman” should be singled out, which very realistically conveys the everyday life of ordinary people in the war. This picture is valuable in that it not only reproduces the military chronicle, but tells about the everyday life of both the military and the civilian population. That is why the film is one of the most popular today in this genre.