The movie (whose title translates to "demoted" or "degraded") explores the consequences of two episodes, not seen on screen. In the first, a greenhorn lieutenant refuses to follow suicidal orders (a frontal attack without artillery support, which would surely result in the annihilation of his entire platoon). In the second, a veteran brigade commander extricates his troops from encirclement rather than ordering them to fight to the death.
The story deals with the fog and confusion of war, and the difficulty of placing the fine line between responsibility and cowardice in combat situations. All of this in the context of a war where the very existence of an entire people depended on staving off defeat by whatever means.
Excellent production values, directing and acting. An unpretentious film well worth watching.
The story deals with the fog and confusion of war, and the difficulty of placing the fine line between responsibility and cowardice in combat situations. All of this in the context of a war where the very existence of an entire people depended on staving off defeat by whatever means.
Excellent production values, directing and acting. An unpretentious film well worth watching.
