Lost Innocence and dealing with the suffering of life

For me this film was primarily about the loss of innocence and dealing with the suffering of life, the real heart and soul of what being alive is all about, and I'm not sure I've seen it portrayed any better.

The lead character's killing of innocents, the loss of his sweetheart, his own psychological breakup as his wartime experiences send him over the edge, then getting stuck in another bad situation with Deming, who himself eventuality realises his own loss of innocence and seeks his redemption accordingly.

The misfigured children defeating the evils of the world with all their deficiencies, their school teachers who still care for them as they fight to survive.

The young girl's loss of beauty and constant reminder of it with the painting in the cellar, which she finally lets go of in the end. I'll never forget the image of that mask framed by her beautiful hair, hiding something beneath.

When you are over bullets and explosions, this is the sort of stuff that you want to see in a film.