The film Dunkirk provides a gripping expose of the reality of war. The futile loss of life and the problematic nature of survival is all laid bare. Dunkirk also offers a masterclass in suspense, never knowing what is coming next as you live every moment with those struggling to escape the beach.
There
is relief as a group of soldiers appear to have survived on a ship, only to
have that joy immediately torn away as a torpedo rips into the vessel,
transforming in an instance the scene from one of celebration into that of a watery
grave. The only way in which the suspense is tempered is when you realise that
one of the film’s stars is not going to be killed in the first few minutes.
There
is no glorification of war in this epic. Whilst the gory nature of war, with
dismembered bodies is not part of the scene, the whole wasteful nature of
conflict is well illustrated. Courage too is paramount, among sailors, fighter
pilots and those who set off in the small boats from Britain to rescue the
troops on the beach
Dunkirk
should do much to open the eyes of some who glory in war. Those (usually male) who
celebrate war and weaponry, often from a safe distance. The sight of someone
being torn apart by a landmine or some such other weapon is not a pleasant
sight to see.
War
is the ultimate failure of the human condition, a failure to resolve
differences without resorting to killing one another, not something to
celebrate but remember in the hope that it will not recur again. Dunkirk
contributes much to the process of active remembering.
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