Military melodramas: a brief description

Military melodramas are one of the most popular genres in both old and modern cinema. Films of this kind were invariably popular with viewers, since they were shot for one of the most relevant topics. The films about the Second and First World Wars, as well as on armed conflicts in general, always found their spectator. Therefore it is not surprising that the pictures of this genre remain popular in our days.

General characteristics of the genre

Military melodramas have always occupied a place of honor in domestic and foreign cinema. Traditionally, they were devoted to a love topic, unfolding against the backdrop of military action. Such kind of stories invariably enjoyed success. Another possible storyline in such pictures is the children's theme in films. The disclosure of such characters against the background of military operations and the horrors of war has always been characterized by psychological depth and the seriousness of the approach to the scenario. Such subjects are interesting in that they allow you to see the complex vicissitudes of war from inside, so directors often resort to such a technique. Very often military melodramas illuminate the moral values of heroes, their courage or, on the contrary, betrayal and cowardice in the face of danger. In short, this genre provides a wide range of themes and stories for the development of the composition. In addition, it has the advantage that it is interesting for each viewer to some extent.

Images

The specificity of this genre is different in that in it the disclosure of characters is slow, leisurely. Situations in which the hero falls are, as a rule, not very dramatic and sharp in the plot line. On the contrary, the situation in which the main acting hero turns out is tense, but at the same time leaves room for reflection. Military melodramas are interesting in that they compel the viewer to reflect on what is happening. Therefore, the very action of the plot and the disclosure of characters occur gradually, so that often only towards the end of the picture the appearance of the characters looms definitively. A vivid 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 to the final it becomes clear what they really are.

Plot

The best foreign military melodramas differ from the domestic ones in that they have more emphasis on the storyline. In them, the psychology of the characters develops according to specific circumstances and events and is unthinkable beyond 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 quite independent significance. The plot serves as an auxiliary background for revealing the image of the heroes.

Comparison of domestic and Western films

The characters of Western European paintings are inseparable from the plot, while the domestic ones have a more independent sound. Therefore foreign films are more dynamic and topical, while Russian ones are more thorough. For example, the tape "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 smooth development of the storyline, which, however, reinforces its dramatic character.

About war

An important role is played by the depiction of military operations in such paintings. After all, the military vicissitudes serve as a bright background for the disclosure of characters and the relationship between them. In foreign films, much attention is paid to the action. Very often he even begins to acquire independent significance, pushing the characterization of the heroes to the background. While Russian military melodramas divert the image of battles of secondary importance. For example, in the pictures "Only Old Men Are Going to the Battle," "They Fought for Their Country," 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 the action, although, of course, the determining role is played by the disclosure of the psychological portrait of the characters.

Reproduction of the era

Great significance for the success and high quality of films of this genre has the authenticity of the image of the era. In many respects 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 respect, the list of military melodramas should be supplemented with a few more foreign and domestic films. 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 cuttings, perfectly convey the spirit of wartime. The same can be said about another Soviet series - "The Shield and the Sword". It is very well reproduced the atmosphere of all the years of the war. Of contemporary works of Russian cinematographers it is necessary to single out the picture "Bless the Woman", which very realistically conveys the everyday life of ordinary people in the war. This picture is valuable because it not only reproduces the military chronicle, but tells about the everyday life of both military and civilians. That's why the film is one of the most popular to date in the genre in question.