Journey's End 2017

     This film is based on a play with the same title premiering in London in 1928 with Laurence Olivier as part of the cast.  There is also a 1930 film adaptation directed by James Whale and starring Colin Clive.  The setting of this film is late March 1918 in a dugout in Aisne near St. Quentin, France during WWI.  This war has been grinding on for more than four years and it will go on for more than six months longer.  A group of British officers assigned to the 9^th Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment are there to do battle.

     The title Journey’s End refers to the fear and terror of waiting for an impending attack.  War, irrational, illogical with young men and old men usually thinking it will be a short war with victory but taken from this life instead.  Now, women are wounded, maimed and dying.  It's for a cause supported by those not willing to enter the conflict but willing to send others.  How many wars have brought the tragic loss of many human beings???  The British Empire lost between 1,077,383 to 1,244,093 lives and this was .28-.33% of the population.  The total wounded was 2,101,077.  I must say that I watched this film with one eye while I read a book with the other eye!!  The subject is not really my “cup of tea?"?  2 ½* (This movie is so-so)  

  

107 min, Drama directed by Saul Dibb with Paul Bettany, Sam Claflin, Stephen Graham, Tom Sturridge, Alais Lawson, Andy Gathergood, Jack Riddiford, Adam Colborne, Elliot Balchin, Theo Barklem-Biggs, Asa Butterfield, Derek Barr, Nicholasw Agnew, Rupert Wickham, Miles Jupp.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 93% critic 75% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3*, Amazon 3.7* out of 5* with 42 reviews.Rolling Stone 3 ½* out of 4* Peter Travers, Metacritic 73 out of 100 with 23 critics 6.2 out of 10 with 13 reviews, Common Sense Media 2* out of 5 positive messages, 2* role models, 4* violence 1* sex, 4* language 3* drinking and smoking.

Special Note:  Filmed in Wales and Suffolk, England, UK.  Sam Claflin researched his family history and he learned that his great-great-grandfather was in a battalion posted to the Battle of St. Quentin.  This is the same battle depicted in this film.