Dunkirk (Summer 2017) directed by Christopher Nolan

Participant · 8 Jul 2017 at 06:41

rubberduck said:
While I am fortunate to have never experienced it, I suspect the actual reality of war was not epic at all....

I think he means epic in the sense of scale and action, which WWII / Dunkirk most certainly was, rather than epic in the sense of how 13 year old IT nerds would use the word.

gettothechopper · 11 Jul 2017 at 11:05

Early preview reviews are sounding positive

sample a bit of the Zimmer theme to get yourselves in the mood:

Cleisthenes · 11 Jul 2017 at 19:15

Has it been mentioned here yet that the film's going to be a PG13 in the US and the equivalent here (I assume 12a). Not sure how I feel about that...

Participant · 12 Jul 2017 at 20:24

Cleisthenes said:
Has it been mentioned here yet that the film's going to be a PG13 in the US and the equivalent here (I assume 12a). Not sure how I feel about that...

Yes it has. Good films that have been PG-13 include Dark Knight and LoTR, so I'm tentatively hopeful...though I have to admit it feels like a good war movie should be able to portray the nasty bits properly, which a PG-13 can't really.

Efour · 12 Jul 2017 at 22:06

I think that a 12 is well and truly a 15 by modern standards looking back through the films I've seen in my life.
It's fine, I don't want to see blood and guts everywhere. It can/could create massive tension and the feeling of hopelessness from anything if done right.

Freakbro · 14 Jul 2017 at 08:22

This better be good as my friend has just convinced me to go to Manchester to watch it in 70mm

I'm in Lincs....

DrToffnar · 14 Jul 2017 at 09:34

Participant said:
Yes it has. Good films that have been PG-13 include Dark Knight and LoTR, so I'm tentatively hopeful...though I have to admit it feels like a good war movie should be able to portray the nasty bits properly, which a PG-13 can't really.

I think that's the real issue here. Especially when you take into account just how bloody and tragic the battle of Dunkirk actually was (and it was, despite the EXCEPTIONAL courage displayed by so many over the course of those 9 evacuation days).

Of course, you don't NEED the violence to tell a great story. But to soften it up to (assumedly) increase viewership feels a little disrespectful.

It can work the other way too, of course. I felt Hacksaw Ridge actively took advantage of it's certificate, often joyfully wallowing in it's violence as apposed to just showing an accurate historical reproduction of the events.

It's a difficult balance to strike. I can only think of a handful of films and TV shows that have managed to do it right.

DrToffnar · 14 Jul 2017 at 09:50

BTW, for all those who are interested in reading up on the event prior to seeing the movie, I have to suggest Hugh Sebag Montefiore's book 'Dunkirk - Fight to the Last Man'. Incredibly informative read. Sean Longden's 'Dunkirk - The Men They Left Behind' is also fantastic.

VincentHanna · 14 Jul 2017 at 10:17

Maybe we should give it a watch before judging if the age rating is appropriate?

mattyg · 14 Jul 2017 at 10:29

I've been to the cinema once in 10+ years. This WILL be my 2nd time.

I have a 120" cinema at home but this film screams IMAX

DrToffnar · 14 Jul 2017 at 10:55

VincentHanna said:
Maybe we should give it a watch before judging if the age rating is appropriate?

Aha you're right, of course. I don't think it's a deal breaker by any stretch. But I think it's something that should be discussed, whether that be pre or post viewing.

This isn't the Deadpool sequel, this is something that actually happened. We know a large portion of the movie takes place at Dunkirk during the time when the evacuees where under siege. Near 800,000 allied casualties...

I'm being entirely judgemental. Nolans a good enough Director that he's able to play around any certificate. But yeah, discussion and all...

VincentHanna · 14 Jul 2017 at 11:03

Review embargo lifts on Monday 17th.

DrToffnar · 14 Jul 2017 at 11:07

VincentHanna said:
Review embargo lifts on Monday 17th.

It'll review exceptionally well and be the biggest summer blockbuster of the last 5 years. I'd almost put money on it xD

VincentHanna · 14 Jul 2017 at 11:10

I do wonder how it will play in America, they weren't involved in the war at that stage.

DrToffnar · 14 Jul 2017 at 11:22

VincentHanna said:
I do wonder how it will play in America, they weren't involved in the war at that stage.

Indeed. I think it will do well enough, purely because it's Nolans new flick. But I've no doubt it's likely to do gangbusters in Western Europe, for obvious reasons.

wolfie138 · 14 Jul 2017 at 18:56

the Churchill in that trailer is horrific, he sounds like an apathetic teenager. Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour, other end of the spectrum.

Efour · 15 Jul 2017 at 21:26

VincentHanna said:
I do wonder how it will play in America, they weren't involved in the war at that stage.

Have you seen 'Their finest'? A rather interesting little film about propaganda film making and aiming to get the yanks to join in ww2.

They made the main character a yank, very bad at acting, adds some humour to the film

V_R · 16 Jul 2017 at 12:20

wolfie138 said:
the Churchill in that trailer is horrific, he sounds like an apathetic teenager. Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour, other end of the spectrum.

I'd be willing to guess it was one of the soldiers repeating/reading his speech rather than Churchill himself.

physichull · 16 Jul 2017 at 13:01

No reviews yet but the snippets i am picking up fom critics is that its outstanding.

Efour · 16 Jul 2017 at 17:39

V_R said:
I'd be willing to guess it was one of the soldiers repeating/reading his speech rather than Churchill himself.

This, I thought that was obvious tbh.