Dunkirk - Chillingly Real

Rating: 10/10 (23 July 2017)

I rarely write reviews, but had to after seeing this movie. Unlike so many other 'historical' movies there are no fictitious characters, love stories or drawn out introductions - the movies characters (whose names you barely know) simply lead you through the terrifying events as they took place.
Not since the 1970 'Tora! Tora! Tora!' has there been such a good movie at showing an event in such historic accuracy without having to resort to other gimmicks. The special effects, the music and the events themselves kept me enthralled with chills often crawling up my spine.
The young British soldier who so clearly just wants out, but who is also clearly no coward - carries you from the beach almost to the safely of a hospital ship (where you find yourself surprised to see female Red Cross nurses and workers) which sinks, then to another ship (this time a larger war ship) which also sinks with him now in a closed compartment that floods, back on the beach, finally in the oil filled water again to be mercifully rescued by one of the small boats from the fleet of civilian ships who arrive to help.
I had long ago read of the massive fleet of fishing boats, pleasure yachts, cargo boats, ferries (basically anything that would float) that finally carried out the rescue of more than 300,000 men, but until you see them arrive from the perspective of the waiting and condemned men the story does not have the same meaning. They were salvation, not just for those men on the beach, but also for their country that needed their army to fight on.
And I had always wondered where was their air cover? The movie reveals that many of their planes were held back, but that those sent over played a valiant role in making it possible for the small boat flotilla to carryout their rescue. With pilots willing to stay until it was too late to turn back, trying to stop at least one last bomber or fighter from hitting their targets.
If you are looking for love stories or detailed character stories this movie is probably not for you. But if you are looking for a honest, accurate and chilling look at what really happened and you enjoy being carried through a movie by the action and music then this is the movie for you and I encourage you to see it.