The Burying Party (2018) User Reviews

This is a stunning portrayal of one of our nation's finest poets

[hilsax · 10/10 · 5 November 2018]

Watching this film on the centenary of Owen's death was incredibly moving and yet the director and cast managed to get over the fun that can sometimes co-exist with horror. The relationship with Sassoon is explored in detail, showing the various aspects and dynamics as Owen goes from being the acolyte at the door to the respected poet. A fitting tribute.

A rare gem of a film

[lmiller-07085 · 10/10 · 29 November 2018]

Anyone who believes quality can only be achieved by a big budget needs to think again. This film is a rare gem. All facets of it - the intelligent script, the sumptuous photography, the heartfelt performances - have been expertly perfected and absolutely nothing is wasted. The brooding foreboding of the WW1 trench scenes contrast with a colourful and true to period depiction of a Bohemian Edwardian life as the young poet, Wilfred Owen, finds affirmation both in his poetry and his personal identity as a gay man. Director, Richard Weston, proves he can deliver on a vision. He is a talent to watch.

Beauty found in the pity of war

[potts-28349 · 9/10 · 29 November 2018]

Great film! Two things stood out that I really liked. How war was completely pointless but Wilfred saw something poetic in that, and how the film dealt with his love life as matter of fact - not sensationalized but not hidden either. Highly recommended!

A moving evocation of the pity of war and the poetry of humanity

[birkeneds · 10/10 · 27 November 2018]

This film bears witness to the story of Wilfred Owen and his contemporaries with fresh insight and empathy. The senseless brutality of World War 1 is strikingly juxtaposed with Owen's personal journey of enlightenment, and in particular with his creative and loving relationship with Siegfried Sassoon. The writing, direction, cinematography, production and above all the acting are consistently superb, and the synergy they create is seamless and at times exquisite.

Through re-imagining the remembrance of Owen's life, The Burying Party has resonance and relevance for the here and now, and should be experienced by as wide an audience as is possible.

Exquisite!

[hannahhulmehunter-55428 · 10/10 · 18 March 2019]

Although not a big Wilfred Owen fan (much more Team Sassoon, me) I nevertheless made a small contribution to the crowd-funding of this project - and I'm just so pleased and proud I did because The Burying Party is exquisite. Intelligently acted, visually sumptuous, editorially focused; the cinematic equivalent of a well-crafted short story. A moving tribute to Owen's legacy and a sympathetic and vivid portrayal of the time (with a little treat for Sassoon groupies after the credits).

Excellent!

[rand-25869 · 10/10 · 4 November 2018]

Beautifully shot and fantastic movie!! I think the film and the director will go a long way! This is something to stand behind!

One short year...

[chris_lightfellow · 9/10 · 4 March 2019]

First off, inevitably, a 60-minute film relating roughly one year in someone's life is bound to rush /some/ things...

That being said, the casting and locations were superb! Call back any of those actors to reprise their role some other day. I mean, I didn't think this was a story that would showcase Nancy Nichols beyond her wedding day and etc, but I still enjoyed seeing her up through that.

Everyone with lines delivered them well (and some soldiers acted with merely their faces --and I pay a bit more attention to that as a former TV/movies extra myself)

But, ah, when Sassoon recited some of the lines from Owen's letter about him back to Owen, I sort of hoped they might kiss, ha ha. But, anyway, they held hands...

Perfectly captures "the pity of war"

[sarahalineschiffling · 10/10 · 27 November 2018]

This film is a very fitting tribute not just to Wilfred Owen, but to his many contemporaries who have received less attention. This could have so easily become too poetic and too sentimental, but it always remains human and real. The casting is fantastic and Owen's often complex poetry, as well as his language in personal letters, is seamlessly integrated and never feels out of place. Fantastic to see lesser-known poems become a part of this, as the title indicates. The film charts the development of Owen's distinct poetic voice, forged through family, religion, friendship, love, and his war experience. Despite the heavy subject matter, there are moments that make you chuckle, like Owen's awkwardness the first time he encounters his idol Siegfried Sassoon. The development of their relationship is simply beautiful and it is very painful to see the war get in its way before they can as much as kiss. I've had the great privilege of seeing this twice now and each time it sparked fascinating discussions. I look forward to seeing it again and hopefully spotting even more wonderful little details. The attention to detail and the many layers in this production are incredible.

Worthy of a wider audience

[neilperriam · 10/10 · 6 June 2019]

An extremely passionate film covering the last 12 months of Owen's life. The cinematography is outstanding and Weston manages to capture a number of emotional scenes that portray Owens shell-shock then determination to be seen as worthy to achieve similar goals to his peers - several handkerchief moments and the viewer is encouraged to explore more of his poetry - I can't read The Show without the emotion getting to me - try to see this gem

Finely Crafted Cinematic Paean to Wilfred Owen

[asmallerhell · 10/10 · 15 November 2021]

A tapestry woven with well-chosen snippets of Owen's poetry, tasteful cinematography, superlative performances and a script that somehow echoes the poetic form itself, this film succeeded where so many other war films fail. A delicate balance of brutality and sensitivity between scenes sets us up for the gut punch finale. On the one hand, we marvel at the eloquence of Owen and his poetic comrades even as they wax lyrical over a few pints whilst on leave; on the other, we're shocked at the horrors these men must endure and inflict on the battlefield. Like Owen himself, we are led inexorably to an ending that starkly evokes the ruthlessness, absurdity and of course, the pity of war.