Synopsis

Peter Jackson directs this homage to the British troops of the First World War with real footage of soldiers as they faced the fear and uncertainty of frontline battle in Belgium. Digitally remastered and now in colour, the footage has been studied by lip reading experts whose transcripts were recorded and used as audio for the film. Overlayed by a narrative of those who partook in the war from interviews made in the 1960s and 1970s, this historic film was made to commemorate revisiting one the centenary of the end of the Great War.

Critics Views

“By applying cutting-edge restoration techniques to footage shot at the time, Jackson has crafted an historical portrait of matchless immediacy and power, in which young souls lost in a century-old war stare out across the years and meet our gaze.” The Telegraph

“Jackson and his entire production team have produced a film which is both a form of cultural monument and a monumental cinematic achievement.” Cinevue

“It’s a simple thing but if it’s not the first film to show World War I taking place under heavenly blue skies it certainly feels like it is. The odd clarity is a horrible but absolutely necessary gift from Jackson and Walsh to these men.” RogerEbert.com

“Using nothing but the voices and the images from the past, They Shall Not Grow Old is a powerful tribute to every veteran and one of the most empathetic portraits of war ever created. His grandfather would be proud.” Toronto Globe and Mail

“This was, undeniably, a risky proposition; no one wants to airbrush history. But by thoughtfully employing cutting-edge technology, Jackson has instead created an essential portal connecting audiences of the present to his subjects in the past.” The Wrap

Winner of the BAFTA Award 2018 for Best Documentary

Film Rating

IMDb
 Critics: 91%  Audience 83%

Rotten Tomatoes
Critics positive review 99%   Audience Liked It 91%

 Stockbridge Audience Score: 95%

Audience Comments

Brilliantly put together and a very moving documentary (even on second viewing)
An epic piece of work. It will be shown often and should be seen by everybody. The big screen experience was particularly powerful. Thank you.
Beyond words
Very tough to watch!
Clever stuff and all but oddly felt it slightly romanticised it and very slightly glorified it and the end with the comic strip like images…. Likely I misunderstood.
What was shocking was the likely real fact of the poor physical condition (teeth!) of the recruits which comments on our industrial society then.
Extremely harrowing to watch but feel that all our politicians should be made to watch it.
Beautifully put together, with the veterans’ spoken sound track following the war experience from enlistment to armistice: small ‘historic’ screen at the beginning and end and widening out in the middle.
It would make a very good educational aid. Thought provoking and poignant
A tough viewing but this film had to be seen
Very powerful
Brilliant film and such a poignant time to show it.