Lopez, D. Films by genre, 1993: p. 59 (Coming-of-age movie: the stage through which one must pass to attain adulthood and be socially responsible is frequently labeled coming-of-age. It may be a traumatic or sweet moment; it is always a momentous occasion as childhood dreams are left behind and new realities take over. The coming-of-age picture focuses on growing up or, in other words, reaching maturity.)

Wikipedia, June 25, 2008 (Category: Coming-of-age films: This is a category for films that portray Coming of age themes. This might also include Rite of passage themes involving young and adolescent characters.)

LCSH, June 25, 2008 (hdg.: Coming-of-age films; UF Bildungsfilms; Rite of passage films)

Lucas, R. Theatres of extremity : war and subjectivity in The thin red line, via WWW, Jun 24, 2008 ("Malick's depiction of violence, I would argue, is not used in the service of discourses of heroism, or in the construction of a bildungsfilm that traces the bloody rites of passage of an individual soldier.")