'Journey's End' Review: Perfectly Conveys The Horrors Of War Without Heaviness And Gore!

• Journeys End, 2017 • Review • 8.8/10 •

This drama about the First World War is quietly moving as it perfectly conveys the horrors of war without heaviness and gore, focusing more on humanity and relying very little on battle scenes. Director Saul Dibb (The Duchess) stages this flick with plenty of mud and gloom -- and even wobbly hand-held cameras -- and yet it has enough patience and care that it works beautifully.

Potent little moments, like attempting to clear mud from a whistle, punctuate the story to great lengths. The cast is especially excellent, starting with Bettany, whose avuncular presence (the men call him "uncle") is downright calming; right before the mission, he coaxes Raleigh to focus his mind on other things (hot cocoa and a Lewis Carroll poem), he's bloody brilliant. Butterfield is appealingly naïve and I loved him as usual, Jones makes a grimly funny cook, providing a commentary on the dishes he manages to put together. And even Claflin -- who usually seems to be cast more for his looks than his presence -- is remarkable here. Together, the characters manage to discuss things more immediate and personal than war, and, by extension, tell everything there is to say. This is a brilliant, must see film, especially for all you brits!