DUNKIRK (Blu-ray Review)
FROM FILM MOVEMENT
Review by Mr. Pawsđž
The first thing newcomers will notice is that Dunkirk isnât solely about the historic military retreat Christopher Nolan would later base an entire film on, so any kind of comparison is unwarranted. Whereas the 2017 film is more of an artistic endeavor, this one is a docudrama that, while fictionalized, effectively weaves-in some of the history leading up to the storied event.
Dunkirk tells three concurrent stories. The first has Bernard Lee as Charles Foreman, a newspaper man who questions the propaganda being released by the British government, who are sugar-coating their military's steady retreat from the advancing German army in France. Meanwhile, his neighbor, John Holden (Richard Attenborough), is initially too wrapped up in his own business to concern himself with the war (partially because heâs profiting from it). Eventually, both men lend their boats to aid in the evacuation, insisting on going themselves, at which time Holden has an epiphany over whatâs at-stake.
Additionally, weâre made privy to the British commandersâ failure to stem the German advance, eventually having no choice but to rescue whatâs left of their troops at Dunkirk before the enemy converges on them.
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"That's not an enemy plane, sir. That's a duck." |
These plotlines converge during the final act, the Dunkirk operation itself. From a technical standpoint, the sequence is extremely well done on an epic scale; thousands of soldiers are sitting ducks on the beach as German troops and planes close in. But ironically, itâs also the least narratively engaging. Perhaps thatâs partially due to our familiarity with the event (well-documented in books and films over the years). Or maybe because, at this point, it becomes more of an ensemble piece with no particular focus on any of the characters weâve previously been invested in.
Still, Dunkirk is a compelling chronicle of a pivotal moment in modern WWII history, made during sort-of a renaissance period for British war films. It wouldnât be fair to draw comparisons to Nolanâs film (which I consider a masterpiece) because its narrative focus is much different. The dissimilarities instead make them great companion pieces, with this one serving as an intriguing prelude.
NOTE: This disc is identical to the one included in Film Movementâs Their Finest Hour boxed set released last year, which consisted of five British WWII films from the same era.
EXTRA KIBBLES
DUNKIRK OPERATION DYNAMO NEWSREEL - Newsreel footage of the mass evacuation
âYOUNG VETERANâ - 22 minute short subject from Ealing, the same studio that produced Dunkirk.
INTERVIEW WITH SEAN BARRETT - He played John Holdenâs teenage boat-hand, Frankie.
JOHN MILLSâ HOME MOVIES - About 10 minutes of location footage from various movies, including Dunkirk.
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