L'enfer sous terre

I recently watched an absolute shambles of a WW1 film called "Forbidden Ground" from 2013. That film was made on a budget in the region of $40 million. The film spent more time up in the actors faces that you would wonder what exactly the money went towards. Then I seen this film, "The War Below", made on a very low budget of around 500,000 pounds. The set-design values, namely the trenches, looked a thousand times better, or rather, were utilised better in this film. Obviously, it is no "1917", but "The War Below" definitely stands tall and I would rank among the best WW1 productions. It would give its natural equivalent, "Beneath Hill 60", a good run at the races. Like that movie, the film follows the story of a group of civilian tunnellers arriving in the trenches of Europe during the Great War. They are tasked with digging beneath No Mans Land and planting enough explosives beneath the German trenches to destroy them and end the bloody stalemate once and for all.

Everyone deserves praise for this film but what truly stood out to me was the cinematography by Nick Cooke. There are some beautiful shot scenes of spring fields and soldiers walking through them and obviously he had a hand to play in bringing the trenches to life.

My great grandad was one of those miners. Taken from the coalfields of Mansfield to join the Royal Engineers. And he came home.

The acting was great - the reflection of history now on Haig comes across well as with other officers.

But the courage and determination of those diggers is extraordinary. I don't want to give spoilers as I'd rather people watch it.

It is not Bourne! I thought the balance between planning, action and highlighting the bravery of these men is well worth a watch.

This is the first movie I've seen that was focusing on this topic - digging a tunnel to the German trenches. Up to this point, I've only ever read about the sorts of daring actions these coal miners did in the trenches in WWI.

The production value was high. It really did manage to convey what life was like for the diggers in these trenches. But even so, I'm sure it was no where near representing how it was really like in real life. But it was done well in this movie. It's realism clearly exceeding the realism of any recent war movies - particularly when compared to movies like "Dunkirk" by Chris Nolan.

Other pluses from this movie... the acting was superb, the drama and atmosphere created with all the special effects and set designs, simply brilliant.

SUMMARY: Inspired by true events with the war serving as the backdrop The main story is the courage, sacrifices and contribution the coal miners did in WWI.

VERDICT: Recommended viewing - specially if you're a history/war buff.

The kind of film that is hard to find today. Better than 1917. Story, direction, acting, editing/pacing, and set design all first rate. Photography is sublime, as is the music. Nearly flawless all around. No modern messaging here. Rather, 'The War Below' is an intimate "true story" film played out in believable understated fashion, acknowledging the sacrifices made by four everyday men who did something extraordinary (what most thought could not be done) to help end the "Great War". A fabulous film and highly recommended.

The film is actually very good for its tiny budget - surprisingly good to be honest.

It's obviously no 1917, and I wasn't sure want to make of it at first, but you get into it and I'm glad I stuck with it, because by the end I was totally engrossed. A poignant ending and a fine tribute to the miners of WWI.

I would recommend it, and would equally watch it again.