In the US, Fathom Events is presenting the film. It will be screened in both 2D and 3D on December 17th and December 27th. Go to Fathom Events (www.fathomevents.com) to reserve tickets.
Note: The following is a review of the 3D version.
One can read history books all day and learn details about significant events, but somehow textbooks can’t always fully communicate the experience of living through them. Recently, many nations commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the end of WWI. The Great War resulted in the deaths of more than 16 million soldiers and citizens. Director Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series, King Kong, Heavenly Creatures) and his production company have spent the past two years with the BBC and Imperial War Museum’s film archive, pouring over hundreds of hours of mostly unseen, silent camera footage that was taken during the period.
Apparently, this material was in poor shape, resulting in extensive restoration work. They’ve not only cleaned this film and corrected shutter speed issues (most of the footage was recorded using hand-cranked camera, meaning onscreen movement often looked sped up and jarring), but in some instances have even colorized it. Additionally, they’ve converted much of the footage to 3D. The results, They Shall Not Grow Old, is a documentary that pays tribute to WWI servicemen, while giving viewers a more accurate picture of what life was like on the front lines.
The results are stunning, presenting an immersive and intimate look into the war from the perspective of young soldiers. There is no narration as is commonly heard in a war documentary. Instead, Jackson uses archived interviews with British servicemen recorded in 1964 and has edited their voices into a chronological narrative that is assisted by the incredible footage. It provides details into why the young men volunteered, the training process, and eventually, their personal experiences on the battlefield.
Early portions are displayed using black and white footage at a square, 1.33 aspect ratio. However, as the kids find themselves in the trenches and on battlefields, the image opens up and is presented in color. Admittedly, only so much can be done with the source. Some shots are reused at various points during the recollections and the tweaked pictures aren’t always a perfect representation of the world around us. Still, it certainly makes an impression and comes closer to placing one right in the environment than ever before. The restoration work and images are absolutely stunning.
Along the way, the very specific and personal stories add fascinating detail about the experience that one might not initially consider. Group members recall their excitement and eagerness at the idea of serving, revealing that several weren’t of age and managed to get themselves enlisted despite being as young as 15. Their assigned uniform was the only one many had for the better part of four years.
Viewers are shown how difficult the labyrinth-like trenches were to move through. The film also doesn’t shy away from the various non-battle related dangers, including harsh and unsanitary conditions, and contending with flooding, frost bite and trench foot (with gruesome examples displayed in footage). Descriptions of battle are also vivid and horrific, as the men recall trudging slowly through No Man’s Land to get to the enemy, simply hoping they wouldn’t be shot as they saw their friends fall all around them. In these instances, artist renderings are used to detail what the youngsters saw.
The overriding message seems to be that many of these fighters were young and prideful, unaware of what was truly in store for them. It took great periods of time for messages to be relayed, and so they didn’t know if they were winning and later found themselves questioning the reasons for the war and the ultimate purpose of what they were doing. Naturally, as events progressed, and friends died, their feelings about the conflict changed dramatically.
Of course, many WWI enthusiasts may already know much this information, but to hear it all told first-person from the point-of-view of survivors, along with sharp and clear images relating to the stories being told, make a huge impact on the viewer. This is a remarkable, illuminating documentary that not only provides incredible insight, but tells a personal story about the thoughts and feelings of the servicemen. They Shall Not Grow Old is so potent and powerful it should be required viewing for young students wanting to know more about the trials and horrors of war.