Focus : Of Conflict, Courage and Moral Convictions

If war is hell, movies have been the unofficial tour guide of Hades for decades. Since the advent of cable channels, classic war movies are offered regularly to TV audiences, especially on holidays revolving around commemorations, such as this Memorial Day weekend.

Following is a selection of movies that dramatically capture conflict and war’s emotional fallout; some offer Hollywood’s dark comic takes on war and its romantic backdrop. (The film’s video label is in parentheses.)

The Civil War

“Friendly Persuasion” (CBS/Fox): William Wyler directed this exquisite, charming 1956 adaptation of Jessamyn West’s novel about a Quaker family trying to maintain their normal lives and religious convictions at the onset of the Civil War. Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire and Anthony Perkins star.

“The Red Badge of Courage” (MGM/UA): Director John Huston’s acclaimed 1951 version of Stephen Crane’s landmark novel about a young Yankee soldier who flees while under fire. Audie Murphy, one of World War II’s greatest heroes, stars.

World War I

“All Quiet on the Western Front” (MCA/Universal): Lewis Milestone directed this haunting Oscar-winning 1930 adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s anti-war novel about German youth going off to war, featuring Lew Ayres. The final scene is a knockout.

“The Big Parade” (MGM/UA): Seventy years after its release, King Vidor’s epic still packs a punch. Magnificently staged battle sequences highlight this compelling drama that made John Gilbert, who plays the heroic soldier, a star.

“Sergeant York” (MGM/UA): It was this popular 1941 biopic that earned Gary Cooper his first Oscar for his endearing performance as a pacifist who became a hero. Howard Hawks directed.

“Wings” (Paramount): First Oscar winner for best picture. Incredible combat-flying sequences almost make up for the insipid plot of director William Wellman’s 1927 drama about two Army Air Corps buddies--Richard Arlen and Charles (Buddy) Rogers--in love with the same woman (Clara Bow).

World War II

“A Guy Named Joe” (MGM/UA): Corny but enjoyable 1943 fantasy about a dead pilot (Spencer Tracy) whose spirit returns to Earth to help the romance between his old girlfriend (Irene Dunne) and a young serviceman (Van Johnson). Skip Steven Spielberg’s turgid 1989 remake, “Always.”

“The Bridge on the River Kwai” (Columbia/TriStar): David Lean directed this 1957 best picture Oscar winner--an exceptionally well-crafted version of Pierre Boulle’s novel about a group of British POWs forced to build a bridge for the Japanese. Alec Guinness received an Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of the by-the-book British commander; William Holden is the American soldier sent on a mission to destroy the bridge.

“From Here to Eternity” (Columbia/TriStar): Critics and audiences praised the classy Oscar-winning best picture based on James Jones’ vivid novel about Army life in Honolulu just before Pearl Harbor was bombed. Masterfully directed by Fred Zinnemann. Burt Lancaster, Deborah Kerr, Montgomery Clift, Donna Reed and Frank Sinatra star. Both Reed and Sinatra won supporting Oscars. (Showtime Monday, 12:15 p.m.)

“Mr. Roberts” (Warner Home Video): Funny, poignant 1955 adaptation of the hit Broadway play about an earnest officer (Henry Fonda) stationed on a cargo ship who is desperate to see action. Jack Lemmon received a supporting Oscar as the enterprising Ensign Pulver. James Cagney and William Powell, in his last film, are equally splendid.

“Patton” (Fox Video): George C. Scott won but refused his best actor Oscar for his multilayered portrayal of the eccentric, hot-tempered U.S. Gen. George Patton. Franklin Schaffner directed this Oscar-winning 1970 biopic. Intelligent, moving and powerful.

“Stalag 17” (Paramount): Billy Wilder directed this classic 1953 comedy-drama set in a German POW camp. William Holden won a richly deserved Oscar as a cynical, pessimistic American sergeant.

Korean War

“MASH” (Fox Video): Robert Altman directed this irreverent 1970 critical and box-office smash about some wild and wacky doctors and nurses stationed in Korea. Elliott Gould, Donald Sutherland, Sally Kellerman, Robert Duvall and Tom Skerritt star in this Oscar-winning black comedy penned by Ring Lardner Jr. The film became the basis for the long-running CBS series. (HBO3 Thursday, 3 p.m.)

Vietnam War

“Apocalypse Now” (Paramount): Francis Ford Coppola’s brilliant, maddening, fascinating and frustrating 1979 epic based on Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness.” Martin Sheen stars as a special agent who is sent upriver in Vietnam to find a renegade officer (Marlon Brando) and terminate him. Harrison Ford, Sam Bottoms, Frederic Forrest and Laurence Fishburne also star.

“Platoon” (Vestron Video): Oliver Stone wrote and directed this 1986 Oscar-winning best picture, which is an astonishing brutal look at platoon life in Vietnam. Charlie Sheen, William Dafoe and Tom Berenger star. Stone complete his war trilogy with “Born on the Fourth of July” and “Heaven and Earth.”