I know about the existence of one of those (book or film, I can't remember which one now though, doesn't surprise me in the slightest that both exist XD) but have not read/seen either. Probably should but I really hate wars and stories about them (unless it's in a computer game, that was fun and fine precisely because it's not real, and even then I've gotten so pathetically non-competitive I don't even enjoy those anymore).

The contrasts you described between the politicians and soldiers is precisely why I believe that anyone who is supportive of a war or declares one should be out there leading by example.