The BBC is set to broadcast one of the most heart-wrenching films set during the backdrop of World War II. Atonement, a 2007 film directed by Joe Wright, will be shown on BBC Two at 11pm. The narrative begins with a crime committed in England in 1935 and follows the aftermath as a couple’s love is shattered due to a young girl’s deceit.

Keira Knightley takes on the role of Cecilia while James McAvoy plays Robbie, the son of the housekeeper, in this tragic tale. Currently, the film holds an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 83%, and it received high praise from critics upon its release, even earning one actor their first Oscar nomination, reports the Mirror.

Empire Magazine lauded it for its “near-faultless performances” and described it as a “complex” and “devastating” piece of cinema.

Rolling Stone magazine praised it as a “miracle”, perfectly written, directed, and acted, and said that Atonement “sweeps you up on waves of humour, heartbreak and ravishing romance.”

Viewers who have watched the film echo these sentiments, with one remarking: “I remember seeing Atonement when I was an older teenager, and I also remember this being the particular story and rendition that showed me that ‘girly’ love stories CAN capture the heart of a man.

“I don’t want to get into specifics, or spoilers, but Keira Knightley and James McAvoy are absolutely amazing, as is everything else about this film as well. The score is beautiful, sensual and elating.”

Another reviewed: “I absolutely love this film. Is everything I love in a film. Really brings the war to life in my eyes.

“The ending is excellent. Definitely had be balling and definitely did not see it coming. The whole film surprised me in fact. They all play really good parts in the film, never really been a big fan of Keira Knightly but think differently about her now. And Saoirse Ronan plays the Young girl, really well done. And just love James McAvoy.”

Someone else penned: “This movie was absolutely brilliant but nobody prepared me for how devastating that ending was.

“It was the perfect example of everything a movie should be . Stunning frames, gifted actors, top of the line direction; But the writing is what blew my mind.”

Another viewer was left in floods of tears by the film’s conclusion, revealing: “I actually had to laugh just a little bit upon finally exiting my fullscreen from watching this, because I still had the tab open, “is atonement sad”, because I hadn’t been looking for something too terrible at the time… obviously, it said that it was, but what it did not tell me is that I would spend about 100 of the next 120 minutes bawling my eyes out.”

Should you miss Atonement on BBC Two, it remains available to stream on BBC iPlayer afterwards.