A Time Out of War (1954)

There's something of the Christmas in no-man's-land about this short feature. One confederate and two Union soldiers are charged with guarding a not especially important river crossing during the American civil war. It's dull work and they becomes bored and even a bit hysterical before concluding that an hour of truce could do no harm. Initially suspicious, each emerge from their hideouts and do some fishing, trade a smoke or two for some bread and slowly realise that once they are on first name terms, there's not so much difference between them after all. Their unanimity is tested, though, when one catches something a bit more poignant than a trout and it's all back to square one as the sun sets. It's quite a gently engaging and thoughtful drama with some sparing dialogue and some riverside photography that pretty much mirrors not just the lack of activity the men face doing their duty, but also the inevitability that it symbolises day in, day out with little change. Rarely seen nowadays, but worth watch if you come across it.