Main Cast: Paul Nicholls, Daniel Craig, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Danny Dyer, James D'Arcy
Release Year: 1999
Country: FR/UK
Run Time: 98 minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Plot
In 1916, the British Army suffered their bloodiest and most severe defeat ever in the Battle of the Somme; The Trench focuses on the awful prelude to the battle as seen through the eyes of a group of inexperienced soldiers. Billy Macfarlane (Paul Nicholls) is a 17-year-old boy who joined the Army to fight alongside his older brother Eddie (Tam Williams), whom he worships. As the members of their platoon wait for fighting to commence, Eddie climbs up on a hill to see what the German forces are up to. He's immediately hit by sniper fire, suffering a severe injury, and soon another man in the unit is killed. Suddenly the ugly reality of battle has been introduced to the soldiers, few of whom are out of their teens. While their commanders inform them bombing has wiped out most of the enemy troops, the continued attacks convince them this may not be the truth. The Trench marked the directorial debut of novelist William Boyd, whose books have often dealt with the First World War. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Cordelia Hardy - Art Director, Mary Selway - Casting, Jacques Perrin - Co-producer, Christophe Barratier - Co-producer, Lindy Hemming - Costume Designer, David Crossman - Costume Designer, Tony Pierce-Roberts - Director, William Boyd - Director, Jim Clark - Editor, Laurence Méry-Clark - Editor, Jim Clay - Production Designer, Steve Clark-Hall - Producer, Chris Munro - Sound/Sound Designer, Tony Pierce-Roberts - Screenwriter, William Boyd - Screenwriter
