Main Cast: Nathaniel Parker, Tilda Swinton, Laurence Olivier, Patricia Hayes, Rohan McCullough
Release Year: 1988
Country: UK
Run Time: 92 minutes
Plot
The first BBC television film to be given a British theatrical release, Derek Jarman's War Requiem is a cinematic interpretation of composer Benjamin Britten's famed oratorio. Narrated by Lord Laurence Olivier, whose last film this was, War Requiem combines Britten's music with the words of English poet (and World War 1 casualty Wilfred Owen) and Jarman's stark, symbolic images--filmed, appropriately enough, in an old mental hospital. Throughout, the sacrifice of young lives to the horrors of war is likened to the Supreme Sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As always, Jarman uses every opportunity to poke holes in Brtain's hidebound traditionalism. Though unrated, the violence quotient in War Requiem is enough to render the film unsuitable for young children. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Extraordinarily powerful, War Requiem is a passionate eulogy, an antiwar statement that is also clearly intended to have relevance for those whose lives have been forever touched and changed by the scourge of AIDS. While Benjamin Britten purists may argue -- and justifiably so -- that director Derek Jarman's work sometimes obscures or is at odds with the music, those who are open to what Jarman is doing will see that he is making a brilliant transfer from one medium (the oratorio) to another (film). It is true that his choice of images is sometimes jarring or puzzling (and even, on occasion, overtly sentimental); but these lapses are more than compensated for by sequences that impress, that dazzle, or that overpower. This is an intense, spellbinding work, and if it falls short of perfection, it is marked by keen, deeply-felt emotions and stamped with a unique, unmistakably personal vision. Those who are willing to meet it on its terms will likely find it a profoundly moving experience. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Nigel Terry - Abraham; Owen Teale - Unknown Soldier; Sean Bean - German Soldier; Claire Davenport - Charge Sister/Britannia; Alex Jennings - Blinded Soldier; Kim Kindersley - Soldier; Spencer Leigh - Soldier; David Meyer - Businessman; Linda Spurrier - Nurse; Milo Bell - Soldier; Lucinda Gane - Nurse; Beverly Seymour - Nurse; Richard Stirling - Soldier; Stuart Turton - Soldier; Tale Owen
Credit
Linda Alderson - Costume Designer, Derek Jarman - Director, Rick Elgood - Editor, John Kelleher - Executive Producer, Peter King - Makeup, Lucy Morahan - Production Designer, Richard Greatrex - Cinematographer, Don Boyd - Producer, Derek Jarman - Screenwriter, Benjamin Britten - From Opera by
War Requiem is a film adaptation of Benjamin Britten's musical piece War Requiem. It was shot in 1988 by the British film director Derek Jarman with the 1963 recording as the soundtrack, produced by Don Boyd and financed by the BBC. Decca Records required that the 1963 recording be heard on its own, with no overlaid soundtrack or other sound effects.[2] The film featured Nathaniel Parker as Wilfred Owen, and Laurence Olivier in his last acting appearance in any medium before his death in July 1989. The film is structured as the reminiscences of Olivier's character, the Old Soldier in a wheelchair, and Olivier recites "Strange Meeting" in the film's prologue.[2]
The Production Design was done by Lucy Morahan, while Linda Alderson was responsible for the costumes.
Shooting for the film took place at Darenth Park Hospital in Kent[2], beginning 17 October 1988 and lasting for 18 days. It was released on the following dates in English-speaking countries:
The film was released on VHS in 1990, but because of its limited release, copies are quite rare. The film has been released on UK Region 2 DVD featuring a Making of War Requiem documentary and interviews with Swinton, Parker and Don Boyd (who also provides an audio commentary). A DVD has also been released in Japan.
