Closely Watched Trains

War films are made by the plenty, but none with the personal context like Closely Watched Trains. The story follows a youth whose purpose is to take over his father's duty as a railway platform guard. His first day on the job is queazy and his escapades lead to the hope of sexual liaisons instead of honor on the job. The focus on this character, a general issue-type one, relates him back to the old guard mentality that the youthful are to follow in their parent's footsteps. Or, in the case of war, they are to follow in the footsteps of national allegiance. This film wonderfully shows the personal ambitions that lie in people even during the most honorable causes. The end, with the youth turning unexpected rebel to the war, is a pronouncement of the film against old ideals of allegiance and honor in war. But the film is most memorable for its vivid characters and wonderful writing.