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"The Ascent:" should rightfully take its place as one of the greatest

98.232.224.41

war films.
There isn't a lot of battle action. There isn't a lot of the Hollywood type of bravery with heroes mowing down platoons of the enemy while somehow remaining invulnerable to bullets and grenades.
Rather, the film takes a scalpel to human emotion as few other films have. Courage, loyalty, cowardice, and betrayal are examined more thoroughly than in any other film with which I'm familiar. Being a Russian film, there is, of course, a mystical lens through which this all is seen.
How does an entire nation condone mass murder? How do "regular" fellows, after a few weeks of training, eagerly go off to kill and maim--- or to suffer the same?
These vast human mysteries may not be answered in this film, but they are examined with unflinching candor.

Edits: 06/03/14

Follow Ups:

It's an interesting companion piece to Come And See, which was made by the director's husband (nt) - Doug Flynn 16:00:49 06/04/14 (0)
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A book that addresses those questions. - free.ranger 20:56:29 06/03/14 (1)
I know this is a film forum, but I rececently finished a difficult book that ponders those same questions you posted: "On Killing, the Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society", by Dave Grossman, revised 2009.

Many insights from this former officer Army Ranger and West Point psych professor about the training and motivational tactics, as well as the lifelong fallout from it.

Worth the time for anyone trying to underdstand this grisly business, but not a quick or uplifting read.
- Thanks. I read an excerpt in the New Yorker about a book mentioning studies that - tinear 14:44:41 06/04/14 (0)
  showed the impact killing had had on men long after the combat. Also, how difficult it was to train men to kill others--- how few men in modern combat ever shoot at a particular combatant--- it's mostly fire zones, yet the results, though not "personalized," still are devastating.
  I'm sure my local library has it; again, thanks for the info.

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