The movie “They Shall Not Grow Old” was such an intense experience. In this documentary about World War I produced by Peter Jackson. At first, I thought it was gonna be all boring and old. But the way the producer made the black and white scenes turned into color scenes was amazing. It was totally not what I expected.
This movies felt like if i was like going back in time and seeing what those soldiers went through. I couldn’t believe it. It made me realize that these soldiers who fought in the war were just regular people like us, not some distant characters from the past. For example that people between 19 and 35 were able to go to the war, but some kids lied about their age so that they could go to war. Even some parents wanted their kids back home but the kids that were at war didn’t went back because they wanted to be there.
And those voices, the ones from the actual soldiers, were so real. It’s like they were telling their stories right there with us in the theater. Hearing them talk about how they felt when they signed up, the fear they felt in the trenches, and the match they had with their friends, it was all so emotional. Some of the phrases that the soldiers say were “I don’t regret going to war”, “Even though it was a sad experience watching how they killed my friends i would repeat it and go again to the war” and “The men’s best friend at was is the rifle”. This phrases shocked me so much and I was so sad listening to this.
Another thing that stood out to me was the way the soldiers became so close and created a really strong brotherhood. They formed these strong bonds with their fellow soldiers, and it made me think about my own friendships and how important they are. It’s crazy how in the middle of all that chaos and danger, these guys found support and friendship in each other.
And the way the film handled the darker aspects of war, like the injuries and death, was really eye-opening. It made me realize the true cost of war, how it affects not just the soldiers but their families and communities too. It’s not just a bunch of numbers; it’s real people. The way they said that that about 1 Million British people were killed was so heartbreaking.
What I really liked was that the movie didn’t softened anything. It showed the harshness of war, the mud, the rats, the injuries. It was tough to watch, but it felt real. It made me appreciate what they went through and made me think about the sacrifices they made for our generation. It also made me realize how easy our lives are compared to what they went through.
The sad part was not only the war, also when the war ended the soldiers weren’t able to find a job, it was very difficult for them to get a good job. This happened because they wanted to make a reflection of the economic and social challenges that many veterans faced during the post war period. This movie shows the struggles of these veterans and provides a glimpse into the challenges they faced in reintegrating into society after the war. It serves as a sad reminder of the human costs of war and the lasting impact it can have on the lives of those who served.
This movie isn’t just a history lesson. It makes you realize that war isn’t some cool adventure; it’s a brutal and heartbreaking thing. It’s a movie that every teenager should watch because it helps us connect with the past and understand the price of freedom.
I agree! Adding colour and voiceovers made the movie that much more realistic. Thank you for taking on a perspective based on the making and structure of the movie instead of simply the content!
Great job! I liked how you contrasted your thoughts before and after watching the movie, and your quotes out the connection between the soldiers seeing their friends and old classmates being killed in from of them and how their best friend became their rifle. It shows that in this experience where people are dropping down all around you, the only dependable things are your weapons and you begin to trust them more than your friends.
I love the amount of detail you put into conveying different aspects of not only the movie but your experience while watching it. I like how you acknowledged how the repercussions of the war brought forth additional social and economic stress and challenges even after the worst was over. I specifically love when you say “It helps us connect with the past and understand the price of freedom.” You conveyed the importance of realizing our history and acknowledging the sacrifices that were made for freedom.
I liked how you talked about the soldiers that lied about their age and how they were literal children.
I wholeheartedly agree with what you’ve said. Somehow, seeing videos of these people during the war makes it feel less like fiction. I really like how you described the war as “the price of freedom”, as that paints a very vivid image in my head about what the war means to you.