A WAR DRAMA WATCH-WORTHY WITH A SPECTACULAR ALL-STAR CAST!! ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฟ
This is one WWI film that's ultimately faithful to the monotony, uncertainty, and harrowing real-life accounts of this tragic event in the 1900's era. While the presentation may not be as dynamically bloody or gory that one would expect to see in a war film, the thespian showcase of the cast here compensates for the pacing of the narrative, up until the climactic, glorious scenes.
I was watching this, and thinking about the other 'Great War' film of which was helmed by "Skyfall" and "Spectre" director... While the mentioned was more on a visual perspective, this feature, connects to you, in a sense that you can vicariously re-live how it's like being in that dreadful trench, bunker situation- awaiting orders from the higher-ups, rationing scarce food supply, sleep deprivation and the precariousness of what tomorrow brings and what will happen next. I get it why most WWI films are made like this- Props to the director and production crew! Plus, the ensemble of actors here did great heavy lifting with convincing performances to note! James d'Arcy who was also in "Age of Heroes", Daniel Craig who was in the actioner "Defiance', and 'Scarecrow' from "The Dark Knight" trilogy to mention a few.
I do wish though that some big-shot studio would produce a screen re-enactment of the Somme offensive 'Battle of Flers-Courcelette.' Nobody has made this first tank warfare scenario yet for the silver screen. Sure, it was an epic fail for the Allies, but I'm sure someone'd be creative enough to execute this just like how director of 'Oppenheimer' adapted "Dunkirk."
Sorry for digressing there a bit.. And yes, as I have said in my earlier sentences, the plot for this, is centered in on the drama of trench warfare along Northern France as the British soldiers prepare for one of the biggest and deadliest offensive of the First World War.. A showpiece that truly focuses on humanity in the face of conflict, and at the same time, the evils in it, a messed up sense of survival of the fittest, so to speak. Senseless violence, unworthy of the thousands of lives lost wrought by this geopolitical nonsense...
In honor of all those who sacrificed their lives, and the friends, families who were affected. Watching movies like this, in a sense, is like paying tribute to the men and women in war and their valor and offerings. They died, so that we can live comfortably in peace. I do hope and pray that featurettes like this, serve as a lesson to everyone- this generation and the next.
Happy Watching!! And.. Peace!