Dunkirk

A first-rate film; one of the best in recent years to capture well not only the experience of World War II but also a flavour of how it feels to be on the losing side of a battle and being unsure if you could make it home. Though the violence and blood is limited, the film makes up for it by superbly conveying the tense atmosphere, horror, and the struggle to survive and escape. All the storylines in the film are presented articulately and relatively-realistically, the acting is excellent, and the emotional cues to make the story hit home are present. It should be noted that this is no standard war film. There are no battle scenes in the traditional sense, behind-the-lines scenes explaining the context of any action, or even much character development. Even then, this was a very realistic film exploring the Dunkirk evacuation from the view of the men in the thick of it. Christopher Nolan's near total-refusal to use CGI is somewhat double-edged. While it does ensure that everything the audience sees is real and immeasurably adds to the realism of the film, the limited scale and use of anachronistic ships and aircraft to stand in can take some people out of the film. For this writer's part, it did not and still created a very intense experience.

There are a few times a great movie is released and this is one of those times. I'm old enough to have known survivors of this evacuation and it changed lives. That being said, the script, plot, cinematography and acting are so, so good. The timeline is not linear and offered to you in segments, land, sea and air. Each runs somewhat independently, yet tie up at the end. Soundtrack, sound effects and mastering come in for particular mention. You really do feel as though you are there. The final Spitfire scene played to Elgar as Churchill's prophetic words are read out is electrifying. This is a wonderful piece of entertainment and if you're watching it for the first time, I envy you.

It's maybe not on the same level as Full Metal Jacket, Saving Private Ryan and Inglorious Basterds. But, it's still a great War film nevertheless and another great film from the man, the myth and the legend, Christopher Nolan. I'd definitely recommend Dunkirk to anyone, who enjoys watching great War films or to anyone who enjoys watching Christopher Nolan's films. It's honestly worth the watch, it's such a great war film to pass the time.