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      The War Requiem

      1988 1h 25m Musical List
      100% 5 Reviews Tomatometer 62% 250+ Ratings Audience Score This experimental film synthesizes the poetry of Wilfred Owen, wordless reenactments of events from Owen's life, stock footage of 20th-century wars and music by composer Benjamin Britten. During World War I, British soldier Owen (Nathaniel Parker) is mortified by the examples of cruelty that surround him in the trenches. He combats these terrifying images by maintaining hope in his love for an army nurse (Tilda Swinton). But he also begins to accept his fate as another battlefield sacrifice. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member Gripping, horrifying, and touching. Though there is no dialogue whatsoever, the story and emotion were communicated with ease. And of course, there are no words to describe the beauty of Britten's War Requiem. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member It's often difficult to enter into Jarman's world and vision, but this film can be quite rewarding if you allow yourself entrance. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Britten's powerful War Requiem providing the soundtrack, the poetry of Wilfred Owen, intense visual performances and the stunning cinematography combine to form an emotional and horrific experience, quite different to anything I've seen before. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member Powerful fusion of film and opera with great imagery. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review walter m The powerful "War Requiem" starts with an old man(Laurence Olivier, in his last screen appearance, more or less) being pushed in his wheelchair by a nurse(Tilda Swinton) while regaling her with tales of his experiences in World War I. That was the same war that poet Wilfred Owen(Nathaniel Parker) served in and died towards the end of. On the surface, he is the subject of this film, as it follows him in a nonsequential fashion from basic training through the inhumanity he witnessed in the trenches, with rare moments of caring and sympathy. Along with this haunting imagery, there is also a good deal of Christian symbolism, which this being a Derek Jarman film, might offend one or two people. To describe his experiences, Owen used letters home and poetry which resonates to the present day(while the main setting is World War I, archival footage is shown from more recent wars) and the power of the written word is key here. Ironically, this is a movie without words, all sound coming from a requiem written by Benjamin Britten which contributes to form a grieving tribute to fallen soldiers of all eras. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is a very visual picture with a beautiful opera music score. The theme is World War I and it shows a terrible despair. Do not watch it if you are sad. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (5) Critics Reviews
      Jonathan Keates Sight & Sound War Requiem, with its firm imposition of formal structures and disciplines, is among the best things [Jarman] has ever done. Jan 16, 2020 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A stunning visual film that's combined with the spectacular interpretation of composer Benjamin Britten's 1961 orchestral and oratorio masterpiece. Rated: A Apr 28, 2012 Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) Like nearly all of Derek Jarman's films, his War Requiem is an uneven work where it's often easier to admire what was attempted more than what was actually achieved. Rated: 4/5 Nov 5, 2008 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 4/5 Sep 25, 2005 Full Review TV Guide Rated: 4/5 Jul 30, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis This experimental film synthesizes the poetry of Wilfred Owen, wordless reenactments of events from Owen's life, stock footage of 20th-century wars and music by composer Benjamin Britten. During World War I, British soldier Owen (Nathaniel Parker) is mortified by the examples of cruelty that surround him in the trenches. He combats these terrifying images by maintaining hope in his love for an army nurse (Tilda Swinton). But he also begins to accept his fate as another battlefield sacrifice.
      Director
      Derek Jarman
      Genre
      Musical
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Mar 13, 2017
      Runtime
      1h 25m