In extremely fortunate timing, 2018 brings a fourth cinematic adaptation of R.C.Sherriff's Journey's End, released a matter of months before I sit an A-Level exam featuring the aforementioned play. First performed a little over a decade after the end of World War I, when the wounds of the living were still fresh, the play gave a raw and understandably angry account. Saul Dibb's interpretation, thanks to some incredible performances from an outstanding cast, is equally raw and angry.
Young Lieutenant Raleigh (captured well by Asa Butterfield) symbolises the 'plucky' recruit fresh out of school. Clearly influenced by the blatant lies published by Brooke and Sassoon, he is eager to see the war for himself. Watching that excitement being systematically taken from him as the true horrors unfold in front of him might be the biggest tragedy of the movie. Sam Claflin gives his best performance ever as the tormented Captain Stanhope. He is so painfully conflicted and bearing the strain of being both a good man and a good captain has him on the verge of breaking point and Claflin portrays this brilliantly. There's one scene where whilst sending a team of men to their almost certain deaths, he's playing several emotions at once and all of them are believable. His rare moments of weakness as he realises all he has fought to protect is slipping away are sensationally handled.
Paul Bettany is also excellent as Stanhope's number 2, Osborne. Lovingly referred to as 'uncle' by his fellow officers, he mothers Stanhope - even tucking him in at one point. He incarnates the familial ties that the men formed with each other. His motivation to remain positive and protect the youngsters from the direness of their reality - addressing the stupidly unnecessary raid with "At least the weather's held off' - is incredibly moving. Stephan Graham is great as Trotter and Toby Jones is fantastic as the chef Mason, who offers welcome moments of satire - he'll make you the best 'yellow soup' in France.
No attempt is made to sugarcoat or trivialise the horrors of war - every aspect of trench warfare is brought to life in excruciatingly brutal fashion. Rat infested hellholes caked in endless mud. The cinematography, and especially the lighting, in each and every scene is superb. Stark contrast between light and dark throughout that simulate the development of the characters. Also, just as Sherriff intended with his play, we get to see the perhaps unexpected lengthy waiting periods. We of course see the chaos and atrocity of the slaughter, which all looks excellent on a relatively small budget. Yet it's balanced perfectly with the damage that is caused in the anticipation and the aftermath of battle. Neither the soldiers nor the audience get any respite. Witnessing such an unfiltered representation of 'life' in the trenches makes it all the more heartbreaking to see the tragedy the men are led into.
This film also does an excellent job of reiterating just how ridiculous World War I was. The infamous quote of 'lions led by donkeys' has never been more evident. Whilst the big-wig generals (the only ones with the actual power to change things) get fresh fish sent up the line, innocent men and boys are forced to sacrifice their lives for literally no gain. The lack of any exhilarating action is very deliberate. We get time to slow down and understand these characters to remind us that Claflin, Bettany and Co are playing real people. They lived disgracefully short lives and they died for their countries in the most futile way. Journey's End goes to great lengths to remind us of that.
This spectacular cast really cherishes carrying a narrative that is just as powerful now as it was in 1929. No sentimentality. No hyperbole. A brutally honest depiction of life at war and a reminder of just how futile it all was. Immensely moving and extremely heartfelt. Amazing.
5/5 Stars
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