Passchendaele is a 2008 Canadian war film that tells the story of Sergeant Michael Dunne, who fought in the First World War in the 10th Battalion, 1st Canadian Division. The film is set in 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele, one of the bloodiest battles of the war, where the Canadian troops were asked to capture the German-occupied town of Passchendaele in Belgium.
Sergeant Dunne is traumatized by the war and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after witnessing the horrors of the battlefield, including the deaths of his friends. He falls in love with a nurse named Sarah, who helps him cope with his PTSD. Despite his condition, Dunne decides to rejoin his battalion and participate in the battle at Passchendaele.
The battle at Passchendaele is depicted in the film as a brutal and gruesome affair, with heavy casualties on both sides. Dunne, along with his comrades, faces not only the enemy but also the harsh conditions of the muddy and water-filled battlefield. However, he manages to show immense bravery and courage in the face of danger and leads his team in capturing the town of Passchendaele.
The film, directed by and starring Paul Gross, is a tribute to the Canadian soldiers who fought in the First World War, and highlights the sacrifices they made for their country. It also sheds light on the issue of PTSD and its impact on soldiers, a subject that was not well-known or understood at the time.