Dunkirk : Review

May 26 to June 4, 1940, allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire and France are surrounded by the German army at Dunkirk. They withdraw to the harbour, and a massive operation is launched to evacuate them during the very fierce Battle of France, in World War II. An evacuation that included boats requisitioned from civilians, and the many civilians who stepped forward to help.

The fast-paced story follows the land, sea and air aspects of combat, with Commander Bolton (Kenneth Branagh – Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit) as part of the navy,  and civilian Mr. Dawson (Mark Rylance). In the air, fighter pilot Farrier (Tom Hardy – Child 44, The Drop, Locke). With the ground covered by soldier Alex (Harry Styles, of boy band One Direction) and Tommy (Fionn Whitehead). Look for a shivering Cillian Murphy (Transcendence)  amongst the men.

Dunkirk gets right to the point of the film, starting off with shots fired within the first few seconds. And, it does not let up until the end credits roll, just over a hundred minutes later. The film depicts war in a raw, gritty manner, leaving no doubt that it is a terrible thing, yet we as a planet tend to not have the ability yet to avoid such violent conflict.

Portraying a decisive event, during a dark time in history, Dunkirk does the heroes of the day justice. Realistic battles, on land, sea and in the air. Stunning visuals, cinematography and effects provide a backdrop to the tension felt as nearly half a million men stand waiting to be ferried back home.

Dunkirk is a film that grips one at the beginning, and imbues on the viewer a small sense of the emotion and fear that must have befell the many young men sent off to fight for world freedom. The story eschews plot twists in favour of the harsh narrative of a true story.

Being one of writer / director Christopher Nolan’s (Interstellar) shorter films, this is also one that stands out for it historic content, and truth of story. A truly engrossing film, a tense ride, and great piece of cinema.

Dunkirk opens 28 July 2017, in South African cinemas.

By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb