Set in 1861, Kentucky, Zachary Treitz's Men Go to Battle chronicles the lives of Francis and Henry, two brothers who rely on each other to survive on their unkempt land. One night, Henry walks off into the night, leaving Francis alone on the farm. The first thing that jumps out about Men Go to Battle is the authenticity it is able to create, recreating the look and feel of the time period in an impressive way compared to other films taking place in the time period, like the Keeping Room for example. Even the dialogue itself is written in a way eith authenticity in mind, showcasing the uneducated and unintellecutual nature of our two main protagonists. The brother dynamic between Henry and Francis is what makes the film so compelling, as these two actors create a very believable portrait of two uneducated brothers who must rely on each other to survive. They tease each other and get into dumb arguments routinely, with the two actors being very convincing in the roles. What makes Men Go To Battle special is that the civil war isn't front and center but is still a major component, as the film beautifully and subtlely captures the immense amount of change it brought to the livelihoods of so many. For Henry, joining the army provides him with a form of security, never having to worry where his next meal is coming from. It also provides him a means to get educated, learning to read and write while he serves. Of course when the battles begin Henry is awakened to the true horror of his situation, which leads to him deserting the Union and attempting to find his way back to his brother. Men Go To Battle is by-and-large a small character study, but it also manages to capture the larger impact the war had on so many, with fathers, brothers, sons, and communities reshaped by this monumentous war.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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