Serious, respectful and downright thrilling

CHRISTOPHER Nolan is making a frontal assault on the Oscars with this spectacular action epic.

The writer/director allies astonishing technical ability with inventive storytelling to deliver a vision of war that is serious, respectful and thrilling.

We see the battle from land, sea and air, with each launching a ferocious attack on your senses. Oscar-winner Mark Rylance is suitably stoic as a pilot on one of the famous Little Ships. Harry Styles shines on his acting debut, Tom Hardy is ace as a Spitfire pilot and Kenneth Branagh impresses as the beachhead commander.

With such a compelling story, there is no need for Hollywood romance, jokes or gung-ho heroics.

And it doesn’t matter that the sparse dialogue is mostly functional.

This is Nolan’s finest film to date, an immersive and emotional masterpiece.