This is not the kind of war movie people are used to, however, it does its job better than any other movie I have seen. It doesn't take place during the Second World War, but the first.
The movie is set in Scotland in, like so many modern films, hospital. This is not just any hospital, but one for shell-shocked British officers. There are three principal characters, all of whom are real historical figures. The doctor, Rivers and two poets Sassoon and Owen form heart of this film. Sassoon is a gallant officer. He's brave and cares deeply about his men. He cares so much that he has taken to protesting the war. As a result Horse Guard's has declared him shell shocked and in need of treatment. Owen is quintessential sensitive poet. Rivers is a caring and hard working physician who wants to see his patients actually recover.
Rivers must treat Sassoon, and this forms the central action of the film. Of course, Sassoon is not shell shocked. So we think anyway. Rivers can't stand it, there are others in the hospital who are actually suffering, but he holds back his feelings. Sassoon is completely contemptuous of his situation and those trying to silence him. Like all movies set in hospitals like this the question of who's crazy is central.
The war is not seen so much as it is remembered. The world has been turned inside out. Everything is backwards. Nothing is as it should be and this is all the fault of the war. War is the driving force of the movie. It is all that can be talked about and for the poets its all that they can really write about.
The war is driving Rivers to shell shock, and he has never been shot at. War, not love is the source for the greatest poetry. Sassoon may actually be shell shocked. Officer's are commanding young children. The most effective healing is done outside the hospital. Doctors torturing patients.
The power of war is evident throughout the film. It doesn't just blow things up. It kills souls. You don't even have to be at the front to be killed.
The violence in this film is psychic, and what could be more disturbing than that? The film is not devoid of hope. The name is after all Regeneration. The characters overcome, but once they overcome, their fate is to return to the war. So enters Futility.
Heroism is also evident. The strength of character of each patient, and Rivers is apparent. But these men are officers, and leaders ultimately their willingness to heal themselves is also a willingness to return once more into the breach, for dear friends. They are moved by concern for others, for their troops. There is an honour amongst these men.
This movie has it all, and it is all done with gently with words, characters and plot. There is no need for the obvious. War is violent enough. The violence is belittled if it only seen to be a physical violence. In Regeneration the physical violence mnifests itself psychically in the patients, in the language of the poets and aesthetically in the reversals. In the end life regenerates and the human spirit triumphs.
The film is on all accounts excellent. Though characters and plot are central it is beautifully filmed. A superlative film!
On the official Chris' Choice scale Regeneration gets five stars.
*****
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