The Trench

Vigilant · 20 September 1999, 12:30 PM

I read in the papers that there's a new WWI film out on general release since last Friday, called "The Trench". It's about the build up to (no prizes for guessing) the Somme, as experienced by British soldiers. It was scripted by a bloke who has previously written a novel set on the Western Front. (William Boyd "The New Confessions" 1987.)

He says, "We forget that the First World War took place in glorious Technicolor, so familiar are we with the monochrome version. We forget also that those smiling faces, chatting, brewing up, puffing on their Woodbines, also spoke. The silence - and the sepia - distance the event from us profoundly, and it seems to me one of the great values of making a film about the trench experience of the First World War at the end of the 20th century would be that, at the very least, we would see it and hear it approximately as it must have been." A very worthy intention, but I wonder what his budget was?!

Has anyone seen it? It seems to be a Brit pic and so may not be out in the States. I'll post a review as soon as I view it myself.

Amy · 20 September 1999, 12:35 PM

Vig:

"The Trench" is listed in the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com). Someone surfin' the 'net has already reviewed it. Looks as though it is an English film.

Amy

Vigilant · 20 September 1999, 12:39 PM

8 out of 10, that's not bad.

20 September 1999, 01:17 PM

check out the aussie series 'Anzacs'if you find it,as it is excellent .

PeterL · 20 September 1999, 08:15 PM

Can I take Private Ryan realism in a WW1 setting? Oh all right, go on then, give it a whirl. We seem to be experiencing a revival of interest at the moment. The Beeb have a drama series based arround Galipoli coming up later in the year, starring David Jason of all people. (Vig will know who that is, the rest of you talk amongst yourselves). And anyone who has yet to see the "Western Front" series, do yourself a favour.

Peter L

Reinout · 20 September 1999, 09:02 PM

David Jason, huh? Isn't he the guy who hosts "Never mind the buzzcocks"?

Seriously, he's not some dude from "Eastenders" I hope...

Kind regards,

Reinout

20 September 1999, 10:03 PM

PeterL,
DelBoy Trotter In Gallipoli..!!!!!!!!!
I think I need to lie down for a while!
The mind boggles!!!
Paul

leo · 21 September 1999, 07:43 AM

Peter

Sounds like an interesting series. Do you have any more details?

leo

Vigilant · 21 September 1999, 08:30 AM

Reinout
I'm surprised that with the amount of UK telly you evidently watch you haven't seen the repeats of "Only Fools and Horses"! Now Mark Lamaar in Gallipoli would be hard to stomach

BTW remember you said that Wednesday weren't going down this season?? That Gilles de Bilde was quite good?? At least we gave Shearer the philip of becoming the first man to score 5 in a Premiership match!

Peter
I'll keep my eyes skinned. It's also the centenary of the Boer War so there's probably something on that on the way.

PeterL · 21 September 1999, 09:10 AM

Leo, the series is based on fact and is called "The Lost.......something or other". Anyhow it's about a an infantry company in Gallipoli. David Jason, who is actualy a fine actor despite his association with comic roles, plays a British General but don't ask me which one. I'm a big help aren't I? Hopefuly the Beeb's reputation for quality period drama remains justified and we shall all thoroughly enjoy it.

Peter L