Archived Review: Dunkirk

It's 1940, young private Tommy has just escaped death from German troops who stalk the streets of Dunkirk, he has avoided oblivion, he has survived. In any other situation, it would be the most significant and traumatising event in a single person's life. However, Tommy will have to experience this brutal run for life, over and over again.

This is World War II, where survival is practically unobtainable.

Christopher Nolan is a Director I've been fond of ever since I saw The Dark Knight, he constructs great ballads of intensity. As an audience we notice that his stories feel like biblical entries rather than big budget blockbusters. Believe me when I say that Dunkirk is the most narrowed, realistic depiction of War we've seen since... forever.

The minimalism in dialogue immediately queues the audience into feeling the pressure of the enemy. Hans Zimmer's excellent soundtrack feels like a orchestrated stopwatch, hearts racing just like time. Please, do not think that you need to see this in 70mm IMAX film. Whilst I'm certain the experience would be out of this world, the rawness I witnessed was achieved without a £25 ticket. You can almost feel the oil and waves crashing on your feet, the beauty of this piece is that dialogue isn't required to convince you the stakes are high. Quiet does wonders, simply using visuals, the chances of drawing the long straw in this game of War is an orchestra of perfect communication throughout the narrative.

If you go to this film expecting characterisation and metaphorical lecturing akin to a visit to the dentist, it will be burdensome to find. Instead, look for real life cruelty, look for unfairness and shun the alternative to this true miracle.

Blog image credit: Warner Bros.