I think I have said, in other reviews before, that I just don't understand war. I mean I obviously know about it and the effects it can have, Etc, but I just don't get the mentality of going to war and why anyone would think that killing others would benefit the progress of their life or their world (That is a philosophical debate to have at another time), which is why this film isn't for me. And although I tried to go in to this film with an open mind and read no reviews or synopsis about it, within 10 minutes I wished I hadn't put it on. The case may be that I was just not in the mood for it tonight, but I really don't think that is so. I know a lot of people will disagree with me, as this is quite a well reputed release, however it is exactly the type of film that upsets me and stirs my anxiety and mental health in general. To start with the backing track is constantly building to make you think that action will happen any minute and small bits of action do take place, but they are cobbled together clumsily and you lose the flow of the story as it jumps around between the different characters, while the music just makes you anxious for what is to come. At one point the timeline was completely thrown out as we went back to find out what had happened to someone else and it took me a while to realise what was happening. It was like they had ruined the chronology to bring some of the action forward, so it wasn't all in the second half. A lot of things confused me within this film as I couldn't tell whose plane was whose, what they were shooting at and even the "Lead" actors were all copies of each other so I couldn't tell them apart when they died or escaped danger, which didn't give me the opportunity to feel for any of them.

The only bit the stands out for me is Jack Lowden's part as Collins the pilot, as you actually got to see a bit of his character and he was interesting. I'm not even just saying that because he was handsome. Everyone else was on top of each other and not in the sexy way I like.

Tom Hardy did a good job, but you barely got to see his lovely face at all. It's difficult to judge his acting here when all you can see is his eyes and nothing else moves very much at all. Mark Rylance did as he was directed as always and even Kenneth Branagh didn't aggravate me in this one, but nobody really stood out. I think they lost the tension and drama by trying to follow too many stories instead of concentrating on one man's journey home or a boat Captains journey to get there and return safely again proud of his achievement. It made a lot of it predictable and some completely unnecessary. Roger for instance didn't need to be in the film at all and Tom's landing was obvious from the start.

The other film with Bill Nighy, was it 'Their Finest'? was much better in my eyes. It told the story in a charming way without making you feel miserable and sickened by it. I always feel a bit hollow watching these films as I see what a senseless waste of life war is and I'm thankful that my grandparents were all brought home safely.

A big budget that could have been used better.