Testament Of Youth

Great films are few and far between and it is sometimes tempting to categorise a film in this way when in the first flush of enthusiasm after watching it. It is for that reason that I have held back for a week before venturing that Testament of Youth is a great film. I have therefore been lucky to encounter two such films in a relatively short time - first The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance, and now Testament of Youth.

This film gets it right in so many ways, barring one grammatical infelicity put in the mouth of someone who would never have so spoken. It places Vera Brittain's pacifism in its full context but does not go over the top. War is Hell, of course, but the film does not labour the point - the point makes itself without any need for clumsy assistance from the lions led by donkeys school of gore. Beautiful touches abound, from the off-screen wail of Vera's father at news of his son's death, to the hospital clearing-station crane shot that pays homage to another great film about a woman caught in war, Gone With the Wind.  

At the centre of all of this is a stunning performance by Alicia Vikander. Top stuff. I came to this film expecting it to be worthy and probably preachy. It is worthy but not in any reproachful way. It is clever, compassionate and moving. A great film. 9/10.