REVIEW: The Champion of Auschwitz (2021)
There have been so many stories of heroism, resistance, sacrifice and rebellion surround World War Two that seems almost impossible to have “missed” any. However, it is the unknown story of a Polish champion boxer that is the subject of writer / director Maciej Barczewski’s…
REVIEW: Plan A (2021)
The German nation has been undergoing the process of “vergangenheitsbewaltigung” – coming to terms with the past – since 1945. Films like Die Morder Sind Unter Uns, Die Blechtrommel, Der Untergang and Die Welle have all sought to address the national consciousness; the “Kollectivschuld”. In…
REVIEW: The Eight Hundred (2021)
The Second Sino-Japanese War and how it evolved into the Pacific’s involvement in WWII has largely, criminally been left out of the history curriculum in the UK. Beyond Pearl Harbour, you would be forgiven for lacking awareness of the Chinese and Japanese conflict that inflicted…
REVIEW: The Good Traitor (2021)
World War II is the source of countless fascinating dramatic stories. But it doesn’t necessarily follow that every true story from World War II needs to be made into a film. Diplomatic relations don’t always have a dramatic impact that sets the hearts and minds…
REVIEW: Mulan (2020)
There were moments in this year when it felt like we would never get to this point. Originally set for release in cinemas at the end of March 2020, Disney’s latest live action offering instead ended up in release date limbo, seemingly competing with Christopher…
REVIEW: Summerland (2020)
Gentle World War Two dramas with a soupcon of romance are a niche genre, but a welcome balm in these troubled times. In recent years, we’ve had Their Finest (Lone Scherfig, 2016) and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (Mike Newell, 2018) and…
REVIEW: Ghosts of War (2020)
Ghosts, a spooky house, and a World War II setting should make for an interesting mix of genres. On the surface, the premise of Ghosts of War might impress, but the end result is an incoherent and poorly executed mess that fails to deliver on…
REVIEW: Greyhound (2020)
Debuting exclusively on Apple TV+ following a remarkable $70 million deal, Greyhound marks the return of Tom Hanks’ to a World War II setting, following Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan and Bridge of Spies. Based on CS Forester’s 1955 fictional war novel “The Good Shepherd”, the film shines a light…
