So bored we almost walked out many times

Rating: 5/10 (16 January 2020)

This film is the most realistic depiction of the horrors of the trench warfare of WWI that you will ever see. I can't imagine it ever being surpassed. The sets were just amazing. What a shame to waste it all of such a boring and irritating script.
There were just so many plot points that struck us as absurd and unrealistic. The frequent occasions when you found yourself thinking "Well that's stupid" or "That would never happen" kept you from being fully involved with the film. Surely the Generals in command would not have trusted this mission to just two grunts. A squad could travel as quickly as a pair, and would have allowed them to include at least one experienced non-com who could make better choices. And the choices made by the two soldiers were so unbelievable. Like entering the German tunnels as a way to get to their destination. That's just insane. And the recovery of the one who was buried in rubble and the explosion was dramatic, but unrealistic. And once back in the open they come across a farm house and say they need to check if it is abandoned. Why? If your mission is so important just go around it. Then when the German plane crashes into the shed at the farm why would they risk their lives to rescue the pilot? They've been cursing the damn Germans since the tunnel explosion, so it would be more likely for them to run up and shoot the pilot, not rescue him. Then the endless scene with the French girl and the baby. And on and on.
And just a comment about the "one shot" technique. At first it is captivating, and heightens the realism of being in the trench. But after the novelty wears off you find yourself frustrated with the slow pace of the action that is forced upon you by being stuck in real time. A blend of "one shot" and traditional editing would have improved things.
Most people seemed to enjoy it, so you probably will too. But my advice is to wait for the DVD so you can make good use of the fast forward feature.