A review on Hollywood epic War feature length film, ‘Dunkirk’ (2017). The Production House is Syncopy Inc. while its Distributor is Warner Bros. Pictures.
+ Crew
- Written, Directed & Produced by Christopher Nolan
- Cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema
- Edited by Lee Smith
- Music by Hans Zimmer
- Co-Produced by Emma Thomas
+Note
It portrays the Dunkirk evacuation of the Second World War.Nolan wrote the script, told from three perspectives—land, sea, and air—with little dialogue and intended to create suspense through visuals and music. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema shot the film on IMAX 65 mm and 65 mm large format film stock. It made extensive use of practical effects, such as employing thousands of extras, gathering boats that had participated in the real Dunkirk evacuation, and using era-appropriate planes for the aerial sequences.
In the mid-1990s, director Christopher Nolan came upon the idea when he and his future wife Emma Thomas sailed across the English Channel in a recreation of the Dunkirk evacuation. He later decided to postpone Dunkirk until he had acquired sufficient experience directing large-scale blockbuster action films.
Dunkirk received praise for its generally realistic representation of the historical evacuation. It has been critical acclaim for Nolan’s screenplay and direction, the acting and cinematography, with some critics calling it Nolan’s best film to date, as well as one of the greatest war films ever made.
+ Main Cast
- Fionn Whitehead as Tommy, a British Army private
- Tom Glynn-Carney as Peter, Mr. Dawson’s son
- Jack Lowden as Pilot Officer Collins, a Royal Air Force Spitfire pilot
- Harry Styles as Alex, a private in the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
- Aneurin Barnard as “Gibson”, a French soldier masquerading as a British Army private
- James D’Arcy as Colonel Winnant
- Barry Keoghan as George
- Kenneth Branagh as Commander Bolton, the pier-master during the evacuation
- Cillian Murphy as Shivering Soldier
- Mark Rylance as Mr. Dawson
- Tom Hardy as Farrier, a Royal Air Force Spitfire pilot
- Michael Caine as Fortis Leader (Voice Cameo)
+ Plot
Allied soldiers consisting of 400,000 men from Belgium, the British Empire & France are surrounded by the German Nazi army and have to be evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.
+ High Points
i – We have many unfamiliar faces in the main cast including recurring star power from TDK trilogy such as Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy and Kenneth Branagh from Harry Potter film series. The unknown faces worked well with the story-line and the star power itself boasts up the list of main cast.
ii – The performances by every actor are superbly executed.
iii – The Music to create intensity of the particular scenes have been well composed, Hans Zimmer is the composer responsible for TDK trilogy and BvS: Dawn of Justice film’s music / soundtracks.
iv – Brilliant Direction yet again by the genius himself, Christopher Nolan.
v – Stunning Cinematography, visually stupendous and beautifully shot.
vi – The director played with its audience in terms of its Film & Sound Editing. There is high possibility that Dunkirk would most probably be nominated at the Oscars in these two categories at least along with Best Picture & Director.
vii – Excellent Screenplay, with very interesting story.
viii – The Visuals effects have done quite a good job, especially the bombard of the land and sea troops.
ix – Costumes and its props are almost accurate to connect realism with the audience.
+ Low Points
i – Disappointment to see no subcontinent or African troops’ presence, their important contribution in the fight at Dunkirk during World War II is left out.
+ Overall
Dunkirk is not only one of the best World War II films ever produced but also one of the finest films ever directed by Christopher Nolan.
Rate: 4.75 out of 5 stars
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