L'enfer sous terre

My husband loves watching war films, especially when they portray little known, amazing stories.

This is one of those, he knew that it actually happened but to see it re-enacted was so interesting, even for me.

Don't take any notice of the negative reviews, miners have a very specific skill, that's why mining was a protected profession.

The Royal Engineers would have been employed elsewhere, doing what they did best, built bridges, re-built roads, they weren't there for digging.

It was interesting to see the difference between the trained soldiers and the miners, both had integrity and bravery but in different ways!

If you enjoy seeing true stories of real people who made valuable contributions to, in this case, winning WWI, you'll enjoy this!

If I were one of the tunnellers I would be proud of this movie, it was focused, respectful and moving.

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.

Based on the true WWI story of a group of professional tunnellers, bought in by the army to tunnel under enemy lines and blow up their defences in time for 'the big push' at the Battle of Messiness.

This was never going to be a Where Eagles Dare type war film and its limited budget is clear. However this is a solid and towards the climax, exciting true story. The characterisations are a little bit bland and you never really get to know them, but this is largely because of the need to focus on the mechanics of the tunnelling effort. That said, Sam Hazeldine, the man in charge of his not always convinced team does well in the hero role and steers the story along nicely. The film also devotes time to emphasising per the ongoing controversy that General Haig and Colonel Fielding were as mad as a box of frogs and cared little for their men as long as they pushed forward and died like gentlemen.

It simply has everything in the right place. It's a combination of a great story of real selfless sacrifice, a good script and excellent acting.

Could the end result be any better? Sure. If they had the budget for million-dollar special effects and A-list actors, the eye-candy value would be higher. But this is a war movie, about real people who gave their lives for others. It's not Candy Crush.