Hi everyone!
Last movie for this week, and what a film it is. At least according to 99% of the critics anyway. Peter Jackson and a massive technical team bring us “They Shall Not Grow Old”, a documentary that restores and enhances silent black and white footage from World War I into spectacular color and detail. Shane’s going to give you the details in a second, but for a few other war or war-related documentaries, check out “Last Men in Aleppo” (Episode #032), “Human Flow” (Episode #074), “Cartel Land” (Episode #109), “Buzz One Four” (Episode #137), “Fire at Sea” (Episode #151), and “Ballad of the Little Soldier” (Episode #285). And if you have any favorites, let us know over social media!
Take it away, Shane!
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Kia Ora, I’m Shane Hyde, and this is my review of “They Shall Not Grow Old”. I’m keeping it short and to the point this time around. It seems due that respect.
Up front, I must say: Just the simple fact that this footage is bought 100 years through time to be viewed on today's high definition devices is simply amazing. Peter Jackson and his team went through 600 hours of interviews, 100 hours of footage, and reviewed it all over the course of a year to assemble this final film, “They Shall Not Grow Old”. Blades of grass and mud has been colourised over hours. Soldiers returned to life. And the end result is quite the experience.
“They Shall Not Grow Old” places you there in amongst the grime and filth, showing you all parts of the war in vibrant colour. And there are professional lip-readers who even capture the often upbeat chatter of the soldiers who played such a significant role in the hellscape. And then, you’re watching the film, and there's this point that just simply immerses you, and no spoilers, but it made me gasp out loud.
Through this retouched medium, we hear these stories told; voices that could be your grandfather or grandpapa, or whatever, narrating this grand adventure that they were on. And thankfully it sticks to that course. There's no broader political commentary present in the film, no specifics about the battles they engaged in. Just the day-to-day lives of British soldiers who trudged hard through the muck of the trenches.
This is quite hard to review. We can talk to Peter Jackson and his long-time fascination with The World Wars, or perhaps the technical department and the long hours that they put in. But really, when all said and done, it’s the men on screen that we need to talk about. And there are these moments in the film that are eerie and affecting. I found myself deeply struck by the weight of what I was watching, and a great empathy for the young men who were there.
I struggle with how to recommend this film. It's not really for children and for the faint of heart, but everyone should experience it at least once. In the end it's a timely reminder of sacrifices made for the freedoms that we enjoy. So... yes, everyone should see it.
Rotten Tomatoes: 99% (CERTIFIED FRESH)
Metacritic: 91 (MUST SEE)
One Movie Punch: 8.5/10
“They Shall Not Grow Old” is currently rated R and is in limited theatres at the moment.
