Scope Note:

Fictional work portraying military conflicts in the twentieth century, primarily the first and second world wars, but also other subsequent wars, such as Vietnam, as well as smaller conflicts. Includes not only portrayals of combat, but stories set in POW camps (THREE CAME HOME; STALAG 17), accounts of the homefront (SINCE YOU WENT AWAY (with Family)), and depictions of the difficulties of demobilization and the veteran returning to civilian life (THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES; COMING HOME). The genre includes depictions of the primary fronts during the war, as well as the battles on the geographical margins of the conflict (THE AFRICAN QUEEN). The genre ranges from work enthusiastically dramatizing the war effort, with harsh portrayals of the enemy, to denunciations of war. Note: Stories taking place in the military milieu in peacetime go under Military, and those depicting military conflicts prior to the 19th century usually go under Historical or Adventure. Not necessary to also use Historical, since that is implied by War. Feature examples: ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (with Adaptation); BATAAN; DAS BOOT / THE BOAT; BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY (with Biographical; Adaptation); THE BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI (with Adaptation); COURAGE UNDER FIRE; FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS (with Adaptation); LE GRANDE ILLUSION / THE GRAND ILLUSION; HITLER'S CHILDREN; IN WHICH WE SERVE; LIFEBOAT (with Survival); M*A*S*H (with Dark comedy; Medical); MRS. MINIVER; PLATOON; RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD, PART II; ROMA CITTA APERTA / OPEN CITY; SEVEN BEAUTIES; SO PROUDLY WE HAIL (with Women); THE STEEL HELMET; TORA! TORA! TORA!; WESTFRONT 1918; WINGS (with Aviation). TV examples: CHINA BEACH; HOGAN'S HEROES (with Situation comedy); HOMEFRONT (with Family); MCHALE'S NAVY (with Situation comedy); THE RAT PATROL; TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH (with Aviation).

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