Sarah's War

An interesting story that is slightly predictable. The acting is good and believable.

I wouldn't go as far as some reviewers as to say that this film is valueless. There are some interesting ideas, particularly the treatment of single mothers at the time. However the initial plot line is inexplicable and the whole thing seems under-rehearsed and rather amateurish. The acting is rather wooden at times. If comes across as a low budget production, possibly even a student project. It was not a total waste of time spent in watching it but there are certainly plenty of better films to watch.

An engaging film with a compelling and unfolding storyline.The post-war narrative is particularly illuminating in terms of the social norms of the period.

I found this Film to be engaging, thoughtful and well paced, although a little slow at the beginning of the film, you start to see that this is the point of it, to be slowly pulled into the unfolding drama of one persons life through the catastrophe of War, showing the ramifications war on innocent individual, whilst being being immersed in the everyday prejudices that occurred for people that were trying to get on with their lives.

As the film progress , the pace picks up and takes us further into the depths of Sarah's turbulent life, surrounded by such idyllic settings, her life spirals out of control..

The film is beautifully shot, with great attention paid to the period look, in terms of set design and costumes, with good cinematography throughout and a strong cast, who all give subtle yet powerful performances.

I enjoyed every moment of this excellent film.

The actors deliberately under played their rôles in order to keep the characters believable and realistic.

Much of the drama is maintained by camera angles and suggestion. Scissors to murder. Railway lines recalling Anna Karenina's suicide.

Slightly weak final scene of domestic bliss was the nearest to 'syruppy" that the plot came. It seemed a letdown rather than leaving the ending to the watcher's own interpretation after the kiss and only smile from Sarah!

The Jobsworth was all too realistic and his lack of humanity was typical of the post war prejudices of any perceived breach of the self imposed moral codes of the period.

The filming in black and white evoked the films (Brief Encounter etc.) of the heyday of the late '40s.

The dying scene with the music of Pachelbel's Canon was especially evocative.