The Virgin Soldiers

While the U.S. enjoys a catalog of brilliant anti-war comedies based on literary works - "M*A*S*H," "Catch-22" - so does Britain. Case in point: "The Virgin Soldiers," John Dexter's 1969 film based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Leslie Thomas.

Hovering somewhere between Stanley Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket" and Liliana Cavani's "The Skin," "The Virgin Soldiers" plunges down war's rabbit hole into a labyrinth of funny, poignant, shocking, and tragic moments. Set in 1951 - during Britain's twelve-year-long "Malaya Emergency" - the film follows a group of youthful recruits, mainly Brigg (Hywel Bennett), as they obsess over girls and sex, fret about going onto active combat duty, and joke around, sometimes uneasily, as they while away time at their desks while stationed at a transit camp.

Not that they really understand very much about any of those things. As a skeptical sergeant named Driscoll, played by Nigel Davenport, tells Brigg while discussing women, "I don't think you could find it."

Maybe not, but there's a cheerful sex worker (Tsai Chin) in nearby Singapore who's happy to lend a hand... along with the rest of her... when it comes to Brigg's education. He plunks down $15; she promises him "a filthy good time." His lessons in love don't exactly go to plan, but once he had a little experience, Brigg is keener than ever to pursue the daughter of the camp's blowhard regimental Sergeant Major (Nigel Patrick). Her name is Phillipa (Lynn Redgrave), and she's bored out of her mind with the jungle and with the military men that surround her, and some battle action, but the gore is practically nonexistent and the violence is minimal. The focus here is on a sweet cadre of kids - two of whom are openly gay and accepted by their fellow servicemembers - and while love and war both get a share of screen time, this is more a movie about life's affirmations (clumsy as they might be) than about the dubious glories of manhood's more belligerent authentications.

This charming film is given the usual top-notch Blu-ray presentation from Twilight Time, which is all for the better when it comes to appreciating the location shooting and the cinematography of Kenneth Higgins. There are no extras to speak of aside from film historian Julie Kirgo's enjoyable, as always, essay. A theatrical trailer is also included, and the signature isolated music track showcases Peter Greenwell's score (which is sprightly, though, frankly, the only thing about this production that feels dated - or perhaps the word should be outdated. The rest of the film, while definitely a product of the '60s, has aged remarkably well).

But who needs extras? This movie is a sheer delight unto itself. (Cameo spotters, keep your eyes peeled for a very brief appearance by David Bowie.)

"The Virgin Soldiers"
Blu-ray
$29.95
https://www.twilighttimemovies.com/virgin-soldiers-the-blu-ray/