Tuesday 6 February 2018

Film: 'Journey's End'

You're not likely to come out of seeing this with a song in your heart. But if you're hankering after a practically unremittingly bleak World War One drama set almost entirely within the narrow muddy confines of a dug-out trench and its adjacent quarters, with an all-male cast (apart from a few seconds of a female form just before the close), then this should fit the bill for you.

You may well be familiar with the film's title as I was from the stage play (1928) by R.C.Sheriff, and which I'd seen some decades ago - the play being followed by a novel based on the theatre version. Even in this film adaptation it's pretty clear that it's tailor-made for the stage. There is little attempt here to open it up cinematically, which is good for it retaining its essentially claustrophobic atmosphere.

It takes place in 1918 in northern France, a few months before the Armistice, where a British contingent is holed up right on the front line, and knowing that a German offensive will be launched two days hence. They have been drawn the short straw in that in interchanging manning of the trench they are the ones who will be there to try to stop or hinder the German advance. It's these two days of waiting which creates the film's tension, and this is indeed ratcheted up quite effectively. Much understandable bickering and loss of tempers between the men reveals their suspense of waiting, not knowing which of them, if any, will survive to tell the tale. Attempts at humour are brief and usually fall flat.

Sam Claflin plays the nervous wreck of a Captain, finding it hard enough to keep his own composure never mind the jumpy men under his command. He's joined by Asa Butterfield as a wet-behind-the- ears young officer eager to play his part while trying to conceal his natural anxieties. It's the first time I've seen Butterfield since his appearance as the titular 'Hugo' in Scorsese's 2011 film of that name, a film for which, having now seen four times, I still retain considerable affection. In 'Hugo' Butterfield was then a boy. Now, of course, he's become a young man, and showing good potential as an up and coming actor.  

Among the rest of the cast there's Paul Bettany, as well as the always reliable Toby Jones, though his is little more than a bit-part.

Director Saul Dibbs ('Suite Francaise', 'The Duchess') does a fine job of transferring the play (as adapted by Simon Reade) to the screen, though it does still betray its theatrical source. I felt myself  wishing that I'd rather have seen it again with the immediacy and involvement of a live production. Perhaps anyone coming to this film without knowledge of its origin will appreciate it more.

Violence in the climactic battle scene is not shown in lingering close-ups, so there's little need to shield the eyes.
Colour throughout is in appropriate sepia and muddy tints.

Good enough, then, but I don't think it says anything that can't be said more effectively in the setting of live theatre..................6.5.

12 comments:

  1. Sam Claflin Is incredibly cute Raymondo, but he does have very odd ears

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    1. Hadn't noticed that, JayGee - but I sure am going to next time I see him!

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  2. The title seemed familiar.After your reference to the stage play, I suddenly recalled that I had seen this several years ago because of the presence of Hugh Dancy. Yes, it does work best as a stage play. I saw an interview with Asa Butterfield last night and even though you mentioned it, it is still a shock to see how much he has matured since "Hugo."

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    1. I think the title may be familiar to a number of people who don't know why, Paul. I see it has been filmed before, as long ago as 1930, but I doubt if many have seen that one. Surprising that it hasn't been re-made before now.

      Butterfield still has boy-looks in his face and it didn't seem very realistic in this film to see others addressing him as 'Sir'. I wouldn't have recognised him as the main character in 'Hugo' if I hadn't look him up.

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  3. Ray - I can't respond to this film as I haven't seen it. But was wondering if you are going to see The Shape of Water. 13 Oscar noms. I went to see it primarily because it was shot in Hamilton, where I live, and Toronto - where I just moved from. The sense I had of the film before seeing didn't intrigue me but I must admit I quite enjoyed it. Apart from three unnecessary sex scenes I thought it was a good story and great filming. Also, I'm a Sally Hawkins fan who I think is great in everything I've seen her in. Otherwise - hope all is well with you.
    Pat

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    1. All well here, Paul - as I hope the same is with you. Thanks for asking.

      'Shape of Water' doesn't open here for another week yet. (These release dates around the world always seem so bizarre though there must be a reason). I will be going definitely, principally because like you I'm a great fan of Sally H., but also because of all the awards buzz. Otherwise I might have been wary of seeing another film so heavy on sentiment, as appears to be from the trailer. (I hadn't realised it was shot in Canada, and Hamilton in particular). The fact that you 'quite' enjoyed it increases the chances that I will too. A review will be duly forthcoming.

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    2. I was hoping to see this film but failed to make it last week. I put off reading for that reason. Maybe I will still get to see it somewhere. The young man Sam went to school around here and grew up here.
      You still have my old blog in your blog list Ray, it no longer exists, I lost it. Can you remove it and replace with racheldubois.blogspot. Thanks/

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    3. Your 'proper' current blog on my blog list looks okay from here, Rachel, and it works fine. I removed your old one some weeks ago. But just in case, I've tried deleting your present one and then re-loading it, which now looks just the same as it did before. I hope it looks better now from what you can see.

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    4. Thanks Ray. The old one still shows on your Gay Almanac blog list to me saying I last posted 4 weeks ago! The new one does not appear. Unless I am going mad! Enjoy your day!

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    5. Good, Rachel. Have a fine day yourself, though with all that flatland around you it's probably at least as cold and shivery as it is here.

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  4. Ray, Permit me to join the conversation between you and Rachel and to assure her that she is not going mad. For some weeks, I've attempted to read Rachel's postings through your link, but instead, it came up "Blogger not found." Just now, I've again made the attempt and it came up with same.

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    1. Right, should be okay now, Paul. I know what I should have done but failed to see it through. Thanks for getting me to have another look at it.

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