I'm old enough to remember a student poster that was rather trendy when I wasn't old enough to be a university student. It featured a soldier in the process of dying with a huge "Why?" plastered across the top of it.

Why do the rear lines seem to exist mere metres behind the front lines? Why would a couple of lowly lance corporals be trusted to save 1600 men? Why is there virtually no artillery (the biggest killer and maimer in WWI) in this film? Why do we have random individual Indian and black soldiers chucked into units without explanation? Why is there so much greenery on the frontline?

Why is this film rated so highly?

Looks very nice, though. I suppose that's all that matters these days. Extra star for the prettiness.