‘Heart-wrenching’ war film with A-list cast and almost perfect rating | Films | Entertainment
The cast of Journey’s End (Image: (Image: Publicity Picture))
Journey’s End is a British war film based on the celebrated 1928 stage play of the same name by playwright RC Sherriff.
Having suffered severe injuries in 1917 during his military service, Sherriff drew upon his own firsthand experiences of trench warfare to craft the original production.
The film, available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, made its debut on 8 September 2017, before receiving a wider theatrical release in spring 2018 – timed to coincide with the centenary of the German Spring Offensive, the military campaign that forms the backbone of the story.
Helmed by director Saul Dibb and adapted for the screen by Simon Reade – who introduced a number of new characters to the film version – Journey’s End achieved a modest worldwide box office total of $970,809.
Nevertheless, the picture garnered widespread critical praise, earning an impressive 91 per cent rating on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, reports the Daily Record.
Sam Claflin and Stephen Graham star in the film (Image: (Image: Publicity Picture))
The film offers an unflinching depiction of the tense period leading up to Operation Michael, the opening phase of the German Spring Offensive launched against British forces.
It provides viewers with a deeply personal insight into the devastating offensives that tore through the Western Front, as well as the profound psychological suffering endured by those fighting on the front line.
Featuring Asa Butterfield, Sam Claflin, Paul Bettany, Toby Jones, Stephen Graham, and Tom Sturridge, Journey’s End follows a group of British soldiers under the command of Captain Stanhope (Claflin) – a deeply troubled young officer wrestling with the psychological burden of prolonged warfare.
The young soldier’s predicament intensifies with the appearance of Lieutenant Raleigh (Butterfield). The enthusiastic yet inexperienced arrival also happens to be the sibling of his fiancée and had previously admired Stanhope.
This compels Stanhope to confront his own internal struggles, resulting in a deeply affecting on-screen performance as he grapples with the pressures thrust upon him.
Sam Claflin plays the lead role (Image: (Image: Dumfries And Galloway Standard))
‘Journey’s End’, through its unsparing exploration of war’s pointlessness, impressed critics, with one describing it “a powerful and moving tribute to the men who fought in the trenches”.
Another critic remarked: “War is hell but we’ve seen that story before. Journey’s End manages to reaffirm the message in a tale that is both harrowing and heartbreaking.”
One reviewer was particularly impressed with the performances, noting: “The actors are superb at impressing some humanity onto this ugliness.”
Meanwhile, another critic lavished praise on the poignant depiction of combat: “This taut, emotionally wrenching snapshot of both the mythologies and grim realities of war possesses useful reminders about self-deception and abuse of power, especially at a time when bellicose rhetoric and war cabinets seem to be the order of the day.”
The director also garnered recognition, with one review emphasising: “Saul Dibb’s World War 1 tale of British soldiers in the trenches is a bleak, sobering experience that puts audiences through a wringer. It’s also an emotional powerhouse you will not forget.”
Audience reactions were equally fervent, with one viewer saying: “Such a tragic end It had a profound effect on me! Making me study operation Micheal in great detail. 5 star film.”
Another heartfelt review from a viewer stated: “A beautiful film, focuses more on the interactions between the different officers, their psychological state and each one’s reaction to their situation. A well crafted homage so the memories of the ones who have suffered so much will not be forgotten, from the writer of the original play as well as to his comrades.”
One viewer described Journey’s End as a “riveting movie” boasting “superb acting”, even going so far as to call it “one of the best antiwar movies that I have seen”. Meanwhile, a separate review observed: “Superb study of PTSD and the massacre and hopelessness of war. Best adaptation of a play I can think of. Much of it relies on the excellent acting and close ups. So hard to see how this could work on stage.”
