Les Carabiniers

Jean-Luc Godard's bleak semi-documentary follows two uncouth, unwashed peasant boys who sign up for war, commit terrible crimes and are stunned when they are not regarded as heroes. The movie adopts a casual, off-hand approach to violence that is reflected in the attitudes of its main characters. Critical reaction was so hostile that the film was initially withdrawn, while modern audiences may be confused by Godard's habitual cultural teasing, typified by odd inserts and allusions to Greek and Shakespearean tragedy. That said, it remains one of the most provocative studies of war ever filmed.