Movie review - They Shall Not Grow Old

[Bindlestiff]

I just saw the movie "They Shall Not Grow Old" and I think it was outstanding!

But, just so you understand, I don't think its for everyone. If you are a history buff, interested in our past Wars or are into old photographs, I think you will enjoy it.

It's a two hour movie made up entirely of original WWI film and the original voices from interviews of survivors of "The Great War". The original film has been processed to remove jitter and get the speed correct so it looks like something done today. It was colorized in some cases and parts are even in 3D. They used lip readers to put sound to some of the people too! The original photographers used a wide view and the production here focused in, and panned the scene to make it even better than original. How they improved the original film, which was in some cases so dark that it wasn't worth looking at and brought it back so fine detail like small nuts & bolts are plainly visible is simply amazing.

The use of original material (100% original video and voice) makes this absolutely unique and, to me, extremely interesting.

But after it concludes, stay seated through the lengthy credits at the end because the production methods are explained afterward and that amounts to another 20 - 30 min. The production technique used is as interesting as the film itself.

Based on the very limited attendance, I don't think this will be in theaters very long, so if you have an interest I suggest you see it soon.

[Dean Romig]

I’ve seen trailers and it looks amazing.





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[Eric Estes]

Saw it earlier this week and highly recommend it.

[Woodcock survey]

Went to see it Mon. and agree with Robin. It starts with original film and slowly you notice it getting better until the restored film takes over. The theater was occupied by 4 people so I don't think it will have a wide audience. If you are into history you will have seen a lot of the film before but will see it in a totally different way. Well worth it.

[TOOL MAN]

[QUOTE=Daniel Carter;265060] The theater was occupied by 4 people so I don't think it will have a wide audience.

No surprise there. It's a shame one of the Kardashian's never served, the line would have wrapped around the building!! My heart goes out to all the high school history teachers still pitching today. I'm sure they'd have an easier time selling payphones.

[Setter Man]

[QUOTE=Steve Cambria;265125]

Originally Posted by Daniel Carter

The theater was occupied by 4 people so I don't think it will have a wide audience.

No surprise there. It's a shame one of the Kardashian's never served, the line would have wrapped around the building!! My heart goes out to all the high school history teachers still pitching today. I'm sure they'd have an easier time selling payphones.

Many times I have thought about making a career change and teaching History or Civics (or what ever they call it today) but I can imagine the guidelines that teachers have to teach through today and given the political sensitivity today, I doubt it would take long for parents to take offense for something said or discussed in class.

It's easy to talk about how ignorant of history and civil procedure "kids are today" but let's be honest, there are a lot of parents who are pretty ignorant themselves. In fact, I wonder how many people could actually pass the US Citizenship Test, immigrants are required to pass. Regardless, it is only through personal curiosity that we can understand the complexities and nuisances that are part of our history. In short: it takes time and effort to really cover, let alone comprehend the long term implication of historical events.

"They Shall Not Grow Old" is an impressive demonstration of how modern technology can give us a new perspective of events (without re-writing history) and I enjoyed watching it and I thought it humanized trench warfare, but it isn't groundbreaking in terms of learning new information about WW1. If you are interested in WW1 I recommend the book "A World Undone" a comprehensive history of the war. I also recommend watching the PBS documentary "The Great War." https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexp...lms/great-war/

JDG

[Harry Collins]

I was in Vietnam for Tet in 1968. There were a number of things I took away from this film and in no particular order that applies to WWI and Vietnam veterans. No one cares that you were in the war, what you did, who died, or how you survived. It is best to fit in with society and avoid any personal association with the war. The din of war will drive you crazy. There is no one to talk to about your experiences except other veterans. Family and friends will discount and marginalize you and most anything they say even to be helpful will hurt.

[Bindlestiff]

Originally Posted by Harry Collins

I was in Vietnam for Tet in 1968. There were a number of things I took away from this film and in no particular order that applies to WWI and Vietnam veterans. No one cares that you were in the war, what you did, who died, or how you survived. It is best to fit in with society and avoid any personal association with the war. The din of war will drive you crazy. There is no one to talk to about your experiences except other veterans. Family and friends will discount and marginalize you and most anything they say even to be helpful will hurt.

I must say I had the same take-a-way! Given that the voice was from a WWI vet and the view was the same as what I experienced in 1970 when I finished my 4 year tour of duty, I took note that he could have been talking about current events and his comments hit home for me?!

[Mike McKinney]

I hope this comes out as serious as I mean it. I didn’t serve, I never picked up nerve to join, but then and now I appreciate everyone who has and is serving, without service folks we wouldn’t have a country to be proud of. I get pretty discouraged with all the rhetoric but I’ve never heard or seen evidence of a better place. I appreciate my granddaddy, a WWI vet, and my dad, a WWII vet, and all the vets before and since. I hope I qualify as a patriot but I thank the vets and the folks serving today and have full gratitude for what you have done.

[Richard Flanders]

Harry, I think you're in a crowd here that cares, but I'd guess you know that already.