Audience Member
A very funny and entertaining film based on a fantastic true story. The way they have used comedy in this film is great. The acting is very good and the directing is great. I love the soundtrack to this film.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/17/23
Full Review
Audience Member
At the start of this Chaplin says to Rhind-Tutt 'We've got plenty of ink, we've got paper, but no copy'. The writers too had paper and ink but no real idea what they wanted to do here. It's not grim enough to be a film about the triumph of the spirit in war - in fact, judging by the explosions the British army is up against boys with fireworks in an abandoned factory in Lancashire - and it's not funny enough to be a comedy either in the mould of the last Blackadder. Instead, it gives in to the sin of self parody of stiff upper lipped British officers leading the charge with dopey working class lads in the ranks scratching their heads at it all. It's an overused trope, the class issue in WWI and it's pummelled into submission here. I half expected Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse to wander on set as a pair of ludicrous senior officers sporting buck teeth and monocles. It's a story worth
telling but it needs to be told better than this. Jolly bad show, chaps.
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
02/23/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This is a true story and that what makes it a great film. It recounts well enough the time spent in the trenches in french areas fighting the germans (the huns) by our hero and his group. A group that knew and understood the futility, the ironies, the absurdities of the whole venture. The tone of the film is exceptionally well atuned to the story. The story itself is definitely someting to know. The horrors of war are not graphically exposed but are hinted with period photos and films.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/20/23
Full Review
Audience Member
terrific show...although set in war time, its filled with humour and is really more about theatre and performance and art as such than war and battle...well acted including a perfect role for my hero Michael Palin ...a story more than well worth telling and done so in a unique loving fashion...the sort of little show i could look at more than once for sure...bravo and props to the makers and of course to the soldiers in WW1 who fought their pain boredom fears and superiors even to stand up for their right to entertain and survive
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/06/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A thought provoking story about a British Captain Fred Roberts who, in the middle of the First World War, begins a newspaper called The Wiper's Times after discovering an abandoned printing press, which, he hopes will raise the morale of his men. He succeeds. Based on a true story, this is the tale of a man who went out of his way to keep things light hearted in a war of stalemates, mud, blood, shells and gas. A war where there seems to be no gain, or purpose. This film tells the story of how a little bit of good humor can go a long way, especially in wartime. This film certainly suffers from a severe case of optimism.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/21/23
Full Review
james b
This is an excellent film and a true story.
The repartee between the two main protagonists - which is quick, deep, and hilarious - is top drawer.
There are a minimum of combat scenes - just enough to tie together the real story, which is about our literary hero's (deftly played by Ben Chaplin, with excellent side-kicking from Julian Rhind-Tutt) success at printing a wry and cutting periodical, lampooning the conduct and mismanagement of the First World War, under the very noses of their higher ups, while fighting in the front lines!
This little movie gives us a fine taste of what some field grade officers, of intelligence and wit, really felt about the war, it's general staff, and the plight of the common soldier caught in the maelstrom and absurdity of the whole deadly affair. And it is a film to be savored with repeat viewing, in order to allow all of it's subtle nuances to truly sink in.
There is also a lovely small part played by Michael Palin, as the sympathetic commanding officer, who does what he can to run interference for our heroes with those less sympathetic.
Catch this on cable, showing now.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
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