*. The centenary of the First World War saw a revival of interest in that epic conflict, with scores of books and conferences and films to mark the occasion. They Shall Not Grow Old was part of this, being commissioned as a special memorial.
*. I think it has to be considered a resounding success on that score, being very well received both critically and among a broader audience. It’s also a tremendous achievement in terms of the restoration of archival film sources. The First World War has never looked so good.
*. There were purists who criticized colourization and other liberties taken with the source material to be a bridge too far, but I think this is to examine the matter far too closely. I do think it’s important that the critiques put forward by historians be heard, but at the end of the day this is popular history. Director Peter Jackson even said that he wasn’t that worried about accuracy. He wanted to convey the experience of the war in general terms, leaving out any mention of dates or locations, and not identifying any of the soldiers’ voices we hear. If you’re looking for that kind of documentary there are plenty of them out there. This was an attempt at doing something different.
*. I’ve read quite a bit about WWI, memoirs as well as histories, but I still appreciated the grunt’s-eye view of the proceedings here and felt I learned some things, mainly with regard to the more mundane aspects of life on the Western Front. Things like diet, going to the bathroom (there was no toilet paper), and (what never ceases to amaze me) the weight of the kit these human pack horses had to haul. I have to say that it never looks, when the troops are marching, that they are carrying 60-100 pounds of gear. This is a point I’ve often wondered about and that I should try to do more research into.
*. Also revealing is the ambiguous response to the war itself. War is hell, yes, but it’s also a peak experience for these men, and something they wouldn’t have missed for the world. This echoes similar sentiments I’ve heard expressed by other veterans. In their return to civilian life there’s an unmistakable note of bitterness struck, returning to meaningless industrial or office jobs, at least where they haven’t been made redundant. Rambo’s rant at the end of First Blood has a long history.
*. The film is structured well, following the Tommy experience from the outbreak of war, through enlistment, introduction to the front (where the film switches to colour), life in the trenches, the day of battle, and the end of war and its aftermath. The flip of ending on a joke is also, I think, a great touch.
*. Jackson dedicated the film to his grandfather, as Sam Mendes dedicated 1917 (which came out the next year) to his. Both movies are heartfelt memorials, but I much prefer this to 1917. While it makes some concessions to absolute accuracy and authenticity I found it revealing, informative, and moving throughout. It’s a cliché, but as in the best such films we really do feel the past coming to life.
Alex on Film 
Most excellent review M.de Gaul. I’ve seen 1917 and this one and agree this one gives you more emotional attachment.
Good morning Gateshead! (Well, it’s morning here.) I’ll be posting on 1917 next. It’s certainly a gorgeous movie to look at, but goes in for that stuff a bit too much, turning into an all-out fantasia. I guess I’ve seen a lot of war docs but this one really was special.
Yes it really was one of the best we’ve seen, and like you we’ve seen a lot!
1. They Shall Not Grow Old
2) They Shall Not Grow Old
3) They Shall Not Grow Old.
They won’t, but you will.
What have I won?
The opportunity to reflect upon your numberless crimes against decorum and good taste.
Would these crimes be better with numbers put in them?
Just easier to identify.
Off to bin duty!
Haven’t seen this, but I do agree 1917 was overrated. I’ll make sure to look out for They Shall Not Grow Old. I think the second chapter of my memoirs is definitely going to be, “The First World War has never looked so good.”
That sounds like a good read!
I think it will be.
“Titled Sweet Tooth For Sleaze, Over-The-Shoulder tackles the harsh realities of life and death, with such satisfying chapters as ‘The First World War has never looked so good’ and ‘The relaxing quality of tin foil between teeth’. Available at a local library near you!”
I think it’ll be a best seller.
I’ve seen bestsellers that had a lot less going for them.
Would you like to write the foreword? Just make sure you praise me a lot.
OTS blatantly stealing lines from my Lost Horizon review this morning, and parading them as his own without appropropriate credit. Red card for him, and this blog is shut down immediately by health and safety. This decision is final and cannot be revised.
Red cards go in recycling. That bin is already out.
No discussion. Decision is final. Peddling stolen words. Straight red.
Yes, I stole your blessed, yet poorly edited, words. What’s your point? I stole the others from Alex. In fact, I didn’t write any of my memoirs at all! All stolen! That’s right! Hahahahahahaha!
Red Card. 10 blog ban. Alex’s blog to be shut down until pest control can look at it.
Sin bin! Sit in the corner for 30 minutes! I don’t want to hear a word (unless you have a good title for chapter 4 of my memoirs…)!
I have even more serious punishments if you keep this up.
You don’t have the guts…
20 game ban and no crumpets for dinner.
I’m still waiting for my scones.
Never promised you scones, boy.
I think you did. Traditional Scottish Oat Scones. Where are they? Or did you waste all your oats on porridge? Selfish…
Take it up with your bin-man.
Do you think-? No… My bin man stole my scones? In fact, I recently got a new one – looks remarkably like Francis Ford Coppola. The scoundrel!
You really do have problems with punctuation that I can’t even begin to compute.
I’m afraid my punctuation is too intellectual for your little head. I don’t recommend my memoirs for primary school level readers such as yourself.
You have to write them first, Bunty.
Yes, and you’re distracting me. See, I accidentally just wrote a semi colon. I’m going to have to start all over again. Tut.
I really shouldn’t have to point out your punctuation errors to you, Bunty. It’s beneath me.
I’m sorry, but helping Alex with his bins isn’t? That says something.
It’s life or death for him, he has a lot invested. Best not to get into the details.
Ok, I’ll leave be. In fact, I see Coppola looking in my bins again. I’ve got to go!
Bins are as empty as Dix’s blog is of original or thoughtful content. It’s a full-time job taking out the trash.
Congratulations Alex. Nothing so satisfying as an clean empty bin, ready for the rubbish to go into the next day. Reckon Dix’s blog could do with a good clean out.
At this point I think he might as well hit “delete all.” Nuke it from space. Only way to be sure.
Mmm-hmm. The nuclear option is always usually the best.