‘Dunkirk’ : A Film For The Soldiers
I was hesitant about watching “Dunkirk”, another “war” film. I often choose to watch these films only when necessary due to the overexposure of war, violence, and conflict on social media and news outlets. I realize it’s not about me and preserving my sanity fuel tank, it’s about valuing the importance of being aware and knowledgeable of societal issues and events on a national and world level. Historically, the “Battle At Dunkirk” is based on desperate measures and victory. Seconds into the movie the camera follows the young British soldiers down a silent French street. As ripped pages from books fly like ghosts through the air distracting the soldiers, they come under fire within seconds. Right away I am transported into the emotional rollercoaster of fear, anticipation, and determination of the soldiers and it doesn’t end here. Director Christopher Nolan’s choice of little dialogue is replaced by a gut-wrenching score by composer Hans Zimmer resembles something out of a horror movie leaving me in a state of panic throughout the duration of the movie.
“Dunkirk” takes place in the seaside town of Dunkirk, France over a 24 hour period on May 26, 1940. The Nazis are rapidly moving in on the French and British armies entrapping over 300,000 allied troops with no escape but the waters of the English Channel. Determined British seamen with their personal boats, three Spitfire fighter planes from the Royal Air Force, and hospital boats aid in the troops’ courageous attempt to escape the approaching enemy. The storylines weave between a handful of characters played by a mixed bag of popular, break-out, and veteran actors including Harry Styles, Sir Kevin Branagh, Tom Hardy, and newcomer Fionn Whitehead. The movie centers around the roles of two desperate British troops who seem to cheat death as they flee from sea vessels that come under attack. A father and his son rush to leave Britain on their boat, Moonstone, and head across the channel towards France in search of stranded troops. And my personal favorites leave me reminiscing about my late grandfather a WW2 airman in the South Pacific, are the three Royal Air Force pilots maneuvering and strategizing their counterattack against German dive bombers.
What strikes a nerve is how the troops come home feeling defeated and that they had failed their country when in fact they were welcomed home with open arms. “Dunkirk” is not just another “war” movie, it’s a piece of contemporary world history exhibiting humans putting others before themselves despite the risk and the psychological resilience of soldiers at war. Christopher Nolan paid acknowledged and brought to life every single one of these details from beginning to end, in turn honoring those who served and lost their lives. This film doesn’t just give recognition to the efforts of British and French troops, but of all the troops who served in WW2. Although my grandfather would be reluctant to watch, he would be proud.
