Journey’s End

Set during World War I in northern France, this incredibly powerful, meticulously crafted British film explores the fears soldiers had to endure while serving their country in the front-line trenches, as they anticipated an imminent German offensive.

A fresh young soldier (Asa Butterfield) has arrived with unparalleled excitement, as an officer quietly comments “these young soldiers don’t know how unlucky they are.” The excitement predictably transforms into horror as the reality of war becomes apparent.

This is not your conventional war film – war action is minimal and only thrives in the highly explosive climactic sequence. However, the desired effect is achieved, as audiences are introduced to these wretched characters and realistically witness life in the muddy, rat-infested trenches with the lingering stench of death.

The reliance on cigarettes and mind-easing effect of whiskey compounds to a very realistic cinematic study on the traumatic effects of war. “We’ll last five minutes if the Germans attack” an officer nervously states as a soldier yells “They have sent us here to die!”

Beautifully filmed and superbly acted only the British could produce such a profoundly affecting yet darkly mesmerising epic war film, which will leave shattered audiences pondering over the futility and hypocrisy of war. (MMo)

★★★★