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This is a Canadian made World War One film starring Paul Gross, a well known and respected Canadian actor who also wrote and directed Passchendaele. Gross was intrigued by a story told to him by his grandfather, Michael Dunne, about how he bayoneted a young German to death and how it haunted him until his final breath. That incident became the springboard leading to the making of this film, which is a story of courage and love, set against the backdrop of the First World War, and in particular, the battle of Passchendaele, also known as the third battle of Ypres.
The movie begins during the battle of Vimy Ridge in France. Sgt. Michael Dunne ( Gross ), a decorated veteran, is badly wounded and sent back to Alberta as a neurasthenia ( another word for shell shocked ) patient. While recuperating at a Calgary hospital, he meets and falls in love with a nurse, Sarah Mann. Upon release, Dunne remains in military service on the homefront as a recruiting officer. All would have been well until David, the asthmatic and misguided brother of Sarah, has his girlfriend's father doctor falsify records so he can enlist. The good doctor has ulterior motives for doing so. Sarah is horrified to learn this and incorrectly blames Dunne for enlisting her brother, after which Dunne, devasted and hurt, feels compelled to return to the front lines to protect young David from harm. Upon his return to the front, Dunne's commanding officer wonders why on earth he came back. He had done his part and was home free. Dunne's reply, " I did it for love. "
This is not your average war film in that there is only about 10 or 15 minutes of war scenes at the beginning, and a half hour toward the end. But those 45 minutes out of 120 are so intense and realistic that you will get your fill of war quite quickly and, if you're like me, will breathe a sigh of blessed relief when the battle of Passchendaele comes to an end.
Paul Gross made this film as a tribute to his grandfather, the real Sgt. Michael Dunne. His grandfather rarely talked about the war ( my dad was also a veteran of WW 1, so I understand this all to well ) but once during a fishing trip the story of how he bayoneted a young German to death came out and, as mentioned earlier, became the springboard for this film. But I feel it is not only a tribute to Gross's grandfather, but also to the many courageous young men who fought and died in the trenches during that terrible war.
The film is said to be historically accurate ( especially that final battle of Passchendaele ) and is a realistic look at what life was like , both on the battlefield and at home, during the First World War. It is an excellent film showing believable people trying to cope during a difficult, violent and dangerous time in history.
The images and audio on the Blu-ray disc are outstanding, and put you there in the middle of all that carnage during the battle of Passchendaele. Images of that battle, along with the touching love story of Sarah and Michael, will stay with you long after the credits fade.
Highly recommended. And, for collectors like me, is a must own. :T
The movie begins during the battle of Vimy Ridge in France. Sgt. Michael Dunne ( Gross ), a decorated veteran, is badly wounded and sent back to Alberta as a neurasthenia ( another word for shell shocked ) patient. While recuperating at a Calgary hospital, he meets and falls in love with a nurse, Sarah Mann. Upon release, Dunne remains in military service on the homefront as a recruiting officer. All would have been well until David, the asthmatic and misguided brother of Sarah, has his girlfriend's father doctor falsify records so he can enlist. The good doctor has ulterior motives for doing so. Sarah is horrified to learn this and incorrectly blames Dunne for enlisting her brother, after which Dunne, devasted and hurt, feels compelled to return to the front lines to protect young David from harm. Upon his return to the front, Dunne's commanding officer wonders why on earth he came back. He had done his part and was home free. Dunne's reply, " I did it for love. "
This is not your average war film in that there is only about 10 or 15 minutes of war scenes at the beginning, and a half hour toward the end. But those 45 minutes out of 120 are so intense and realistic that you will get your fill of war quite quickly and, if you're like me, will breathe a sigh of blessed relief when the battle of Passchendaele comes to an end.
Paul Gross made this film as a tribute to his grandfather, the real Sgt. Michael Dunne. His grandfather rarely talked about the war ( my dad was also a veteran of WW 1, so I understand this all to well ) but once during a fishing trip the story of how he bayoneted a young German to death came out and, as mentioned earlier, became the springboard for this film. But I feel it is not only a tribute to Gross's grandfather, but also to the many courageous young men who fought and died in the trenches during that terrible war.
The film is said to be historically accurate ( especially that final battle of Passchendaele ) and is a realistic look at what life was like , both on the battlefield and at home, during the First World War. It is an excellent film showing believable people trying to cope during a difficult, violent and dangerous time in history.
The images and audio on the Blu-ray disc are outstanding, and put you there in the middle of all that carnage during the battle of Passchendaele. Images of that battle, along with the touching love story of Sarah and Michael, will stay with you long after the credits fade.
Highly recommended. And, for collectors like me, is a must own. :T
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