a film by Derek Jarman
1989 | 92 mins | UK
Nathaniel Parker .... Wilfred Owen
Tilda Swinton .... Nurse
Laurence Olivier .... Old Soldier
Patricia Hayes .... Mother
Rohan McCullough .... Enemy Mother
Nigel Terry .... Abraham
Owen Teale .... Unknown Soldier
Sean Bean .... German Soldier
Spencer Leigh .... Soldier #1
War Requiem
a cinematic interpretation of Benjamin
Britten's interpretation of the
words of Wilfred Owen
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This is going to be an ever so short review, given this remains the sole Derek Jarman film
that I have still to see.
Then again, I know the basics. Namely that this piece marks a cinematic interpretation of
Benjamin Britten's musical interpretation of the words and indeed war poetry of Wilfred
Owen; the noted English poet who was killed in 1918 aged twenty-five,
a week prior to Armistice Day.
Narrated by Laurence Olivier, whose final work this was, this feature equally marked
the first BBC Films production to play the UK cinema circuit.
Praised by many, the end result was largely disowned by the man himself, who is
on record as having said "it never goes through my mind that I ever made it."
And that's it folks.
Except to say - anyone care to send a copy my way?
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