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The Wars (1983)
Director: Robin Phillips
Cast: Brent Carver, Kirsten Bishop, Jackie Burroughs, Shirley Douglas
Runtime118 min
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Robert Ross (Brent Carver) lives a protected adolescence in a well-off Toronto suburb. Secretive and withdrawn, he shares his thoughts only with his sister Rowena (Anne-Marie MacDonald) who is mentally disabled. He feels compassion for his weak and conventional father. He avoids any confrontation with his mother (Martha Henry), a dominating woman whose despondency at having given birth to a handicapped child has turned to bitterness. Rowena occupies a central position in Robert's existence of daydreams and make-believe. When she dies, Robert clashes openly with his family, and decides to take himself in hand. It's 1914. He enrolls in the Canadian army, and, after training in Alberta and Montreal, he finds himself in England and France. The war becomes another way for him to resolve his conflicts, his dramas, his passions--his wars.
Critical Reception & Ratings
The Wars, a 1983 film directed by Robin Phillips, has received generally positive critical reception. Though not widely known, the film has been praised for its thoughtful exploration of a young man's inner conflicts against the backdrop of World War I. While specific awards recognition is not provided, the film's compelling narrative and strong performances have resonated with audiences, as evidenced by its solid ratings on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.
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Directed by Robin Phillips, this 1983 drama 'The Wars' offers a poignant exploration of the complex inner life of its protagonist Robert, played with nuance by Brent Carver. The film blends intimate family dynamics with the turbulent backdrop of World War I, crafting a thoughtful, character-driven story that will resonate with fans of cerebral, introspective cinema.
About
The Wars is a Canadian historical drama, directed by Robin Phillips and released in 1983. An adaptation of the Governor General's Award-winning novel The Wars by Timothy Findley, the film centres on Robert Ross, the privileged and immature son of an upper class Rosedale family who enlists to serve in the Canadian Army during World War I. The film's original musical score was composed by Glenn Gould prior to his death.
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