Quite astonishing

Rating: 9/10 (20 October 2006)

Even if some of Brotherhood is lost in translation it remains a quite astonishing piece of work. Pulling no punches in its depiction of war's many destructive facets the film explores humanity and inhumanity in equal measure, blurring the two in many scenes as characters take paths with unforeseen consequences and, as in all wars, casualties. Of particular note are the battle scenes, as graphic as they are. For several minutes at a time the action becomes almost impossible to follow, death and chaos reign on screen accompanied by a battleground cacophony. Although I have never been involved in trench warfare it certainly looked and felt as horrific, brutal and unglamourous as I believe it to be. After two and a half hours I was just about emotionally exhausted when the scene we all knew was coming - the grandfather at the graveside - just about finished me off. Outstanding.