Fear and Desire is a 1953 American war film directed by Stanley Kubrick and written by Howard Sackler. It tells the story of four soldiers – Lieutenant Corby (Kenneth Harp), Sergeant Mac (Frank Silvera), Private Sidney (Paul Mazursky) and Fletcher (Steve Coit) – who crash land behind enemy lines during an unspecified conflict.
As they try to navigate their way through hostile territory, they soon discover a local peasant girl (Virginia Leith) who is unaware of the war that is going on around her. The soldiers are initially wary of her, but as they spend more time with her, they start to understand the human cost of war.
The film explores themes of fear, masculinity, and the dehumanizing effects of war. Kubrick's use of symbolism and visual metaphors, such as the juxtaposition of the girl's innocence with the brutality of war, help to reinforce these themes.
Although the film received mixed reviews upon its release, it is considered an important early work of Kubrick's and has gained a cult following over the years. It is noted for its experimental style and thought-provoking subject matter.