New WWI documentary "They Shall Not Grow Old", anyone seen it yet?

[FramFramson]

The entire stock of B&W footage used has been set to modern shutter speeds, colourized, and lip-reading has been used to add dialogue, so the footage also has sound.

The colouring is reasonable quality... seen better work in stills, but obviously doing an entire film in this way is rather a different kettle of fish, and it's still better than the majority of recolour work I've seen. 



There's a very very limited theatre release in December (in THREE-DEEEEEE), but apparently there was an earlier screening on the Beeb on Armistice day?

Anyway, looks pretty good, even though it probably won't really be covering any new ground.

[monk2002uk]

The interviews with veterans were very powerful. There are multiple interviews throughout the documentary. The tone and content of the interviews will surprise many who have brought up to see WW1 through the war poets. It reminded me of the discussions I had with my grandfather. He served in the New Zealand Division in the infantry and then the NZ Machine Gun Corps.

The colourised content and synched dialog has significant impact. There were scenes I have not viewed before, such as the firing of rifle grenades.

Highly recommended.

Robert

[Emir of Askaristan]

This is the Peter Jackson recoloured documentary with added sound and voices as well as the personal recollections of veterans from IWM and other sources.

It offers quite a different perspective from many docs on WW1. Starts right from recruitment through to demob. It is quite powerful.

To put it simply - watch it.

[jambo1]

Watched it and really enjoyed it, quite superb.

[Driscoles]

Will probably not run in my hometown cinema here in Germany.
But will watch it somehow.
Thanks Fram

[grant]

Looking forward to seeing it some day.

For anyone in Canada, Libraray and Archives Canada has the entire First World War database digitized. One can search out relatives, etc. with ease.

[Metternich]

Is it coming to the States ?

[FramFramson]

Is it coming to the States ?

It's getting a very brief global theatrical release in December (in some places only 2 days). Check out your local listings.

[Sir_Theo]

I saw it during the brief window it was available on BBC iPlayer. Really excellent, brought a fresh perspective to the footage. Worth hunting out. In fact worth buying if you have an interest in the subject once its released.

[FramFramson]

As someone who finds things like Oh What A Lovely War or The Wipers Times a rather more accurate depiction than the standard histories (whatever tune is being whistled in the trailer, I can only recognize it as "If The Sergeant Steals Your Rum"), I'm definitely interested in seeing how this film does.

[jon_1066]

I thought it was excellent.  Not normally a fan of Jackson's Hollywood output but this was really something.  The colourisation is good, it starts in black and white and changes mid scene at the front.  The effect is quite breathtaking.  The veteran interviews used are illuminating and varied.  The colour and frame rate really bring the people to life and they become so much more relatable than the B&W footage you associate with WWI.  The voice acting added to the film (from lip reading the people in the shot) is also very well done and sounds very natural.  Would highly recommend.

[has.been]

+1 to the 'recommend' pile.
I found it sad, as a lot of the recruits seem no older than
the children at my school.
On the wargame front, I found the scenery shots very interesting.

[Metternich]

Friend of mine saw it last month while visiting London - couldn't speak highly enough about it.

[gweirda]

I was a bit put off by the fact that all of the screenings near me will be 3D.

Was it intrusive/annoying or just there?

[Ignatieff]

It's popped up on Apple TV.  Recommended