Courage_Under_Fire

Courage is often measured by an individuals strength and ability to do something in spite of the obstacles they may face. It is not simply the ability to face danger or display great bravery but also about being able to confront and overcome difficulty, uncertainty or pain. In the film Courage Under Fire directed by Edward Zwick a number of characters are able to show exceptional courage - Nat Serling and Karen Walden especially when confronted with the physical dangers of war and the pressure from others of taking the easy way out both characters stand up for what they believe is right. An important aspect of courage is being confident enough to act on what you know is right. Nat Serling is able to take responsibility for others when he orders his tanks to turn their lights on during the friendly fire even though it is against his training. Zwick incorporates continuous loud noises such as explosions and machine gun fire, editing and close up camera angles to create a sense of panic and distress as Serling realises the enemy has infiltrated amongst his tankers. The background noise of gun shots and explosions becomes distant as Serling realises it was Boylar's tank that was taken down as a result of them failing to turn their lights on and being mistaken for the enemy. This enables the audience to become apart of the action and almost empathetic to the soldiers as we see and hear what they are experiencing making the courage they hold more obvious and apparent. Serling takes responsibility for his men and admits that it was him that gave orders for fire to be shot at one of their own tanks, he overcomes his fear of what others may believe about they incident and is able to remain truthful about the event that took place. Another example of courage is when people overcome challenges. Karen Walden comes face to face with the challenge of supporting and leading her crew when her helicopter is shot down by the Iraqis during battle. Walden's courage and inner strength is depicted by Zwick mainly through dialogue and music. Walden remains a leader even after she is shot in the stomach by Monfriez and insists on staying with Rady until help arrives, she quotes 'I think I can handle it' proving once again the sheer determination and dedication she possesses. At the height of Walden's conflict with Monfriez the music also reaches a climax demonstrating the amount of tension between them. When the rescue chopper finally arrives Walden shows her courage and mateship by staying back to cover for her men instructing them to come back with 'ammo and stretchers' and takes the M16 as she is left to fight off the enemy on her own. This evidently displays Karen Walden's exceptional courage, not only physical as she faces her inevitable death when her crew leaves her but also her own personal and professional rectitude. The Australian Dictionary states that courage is the ability to do something that frightens one or strength in the face of pain or grief, in my opinion both of these definitions are truth. The film Courage Under Fire directed by Edward Zwick is a testament to these definitions as he depicts courage in one of its rawest and most commonly thought of forms, in the face of war. Soldiers are confronted with the need to posses physical, mental and emotional courage as they plough through each day unaware of what will happen next. The characters in this film, notably Nat Serling and Karen Walden give insight into the lives and daily duties of the real men and women of war as they face terrifying odds for the good of others, one of the most courageous acts a person can do.