Take a Journey of remembrance

cinemas this week detailing the daily hell that British soldiers endured.

Based on the 1928 play of the same name, Journey’s End , is set over four days. This essentially chamber piece takes in the waiting that goes on in the trenches as soldiers nervously expect the next big push: arguments over who’s stolen rationed tinned apricots and discussions over what shade of yellow the soup is, sit grimly next to a tale of a youngster who has used nepotism to get to the front line, much to the horror of a commanding officer who knows what’s ahead.

While it rarely transcends its original roots as a play, Journey’s End is a powerfully restrained film that revels in the poignancy of the dialogue, and the tragedy of the situation conscripted soldiers find themselves in.

A soliloquy delivered by Paul Bettany (pictured) as an eloquent lieutenant laments the frailty of life, and the undelivered promise of youth caught in the conflict.

Journey’s End may lack the proverbial overload of war scenes ... but it’s evocative, powerful, damning stuff.

Journey’s End may lack the proverbial overload of war scenes (though, when one comes, it’s as horrifying as it should be), but it’s evocative, powerful, damning stuff.

In truth, it’s a reminder of the creeping terror of war and a rejoinder that while audiences are satiated with fantasy wars such as Avengers: Infinity War, the reality of 100 years ago was much more devastating than perhaps many of us can even begin to perceive these days.