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I would contend it is probably the most tame in terms of content for war a movie I have ever seen with a PG rating. The difference comes when we talk about the intangibles of the film. By intangibles, I mean the tone, feeling, atmosphere and emotion of the movie. With these things in mind, I will list the technical and intangible attributes that contribute to the appropriateness or inappropriateness of the film for younger teens.
Despite the fact that this is a movie based on a particularly troublesome moment of WWII, there is surprisingly little shown in way of intense violence and it never lingers on any death or injury.
The violence in the film includes shooting, bombings, fist fighting, drownings and one possible suicide, but with very little blood and no gore to speak of. Though the first 10 minutes of the film have to do with a young soldier looking for a place to go to the bathroom, there is really no nudity or sexuality in this film. Again, this movie is extremely tame in its language, despite the subject matter.
This effect is created through the use of sound, music and cinematography. There is no relief to be had throughout the film in terms of taking an emotional break. You may walk out of the film feeling on edge and antsy, which is an intended part of the overall experience of the movie. At times, it can be very discordant and uneasy to experience. The intended effect here is to cause the viewers to feel ill at ease as they watch film and the experiences of the main characters unfold.
