The Good Soldier
The Good Soldier

Movie spotlight

The Good Soldier

1982
Movie
104 min
Italian

Tommaso, a young boy growing up in a big family in the country often spies on cousin Marta. Then she marries and moves away. The film then following the courses of both their lives. Tom grows up and goes into military service, Marta is separated from her husband.

Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Director: Kevin BillingtonGenres: Drama, War

Plot Summary

The film is set during World War I and follows the experiences of Captain Edward C. Ashworth, a British officer. It delves into the psychological toll of war, exploring themes of duty, disillusionment, and the changing nature of heroism in the face of industrial-scale conflict. Ashworth grapples with his conscience and the horrors he witnesses on the Western Front.

Critical Reception

The Good Soldier received a generally muted critical response upon its release. While some acknowledged its intentions to portray the grim realities of war, many found its execution to be somewhat conventional and lacking the visceral impact of other war films of the era. Performances were sometimes praised, but the narrative was often considered too slow-paced or melodramatic.

What Reviewers Say

  • Presents a somber depiction of WWI.

  • Criticized for a slow pace and conventional storytelling.

  • Performances are adequate but don't elevate the material significantly.

Google audience: Audience reception is not widely documented for this film, but available comments suggest it is a lesser-known war drama that offers a thoughtful, albeit unexceptional, portrayal of WWI.

Fun Fact

Despite its WWI setting, the film was made in 1982, over six decades after the conflict ended, and was based on a novel published after the war.

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