Landship, a British first world war drama based loosely on a true story, deploys cunning budget-saving stratagems, starting with setting almost the entire narrative inside a tank nicknamed the Fray Bentos after the popular tinned pie. Whenever the soldiers venture outside this confined space, it is almost always night-time or shrouded in thick smoke and fog, obscuring the Germans behind mud hillocks.
Murky Visuals Hinder Character Distinction
All the gloom makes it hard to discern what is happening, rendering the noble chaps almost indistinguishable. Over time, it becomes apparent that officers have tidy moustaches and posh accents, while teenage privates are clean-shaven with working-class accents. Captain Richardson (Vin Hawke) is determined to push on with their mission until the tank gets stuck, then insists on waiting for a carrier pigeon to summon help. Days pass, and the men grow stroppy, especially Morrey (Jack Sherlock), whose mutterings turn mutinous.
Director Shows Improvement Despite Retro Feel
Director Callum Burn, co-writing with his father Andrew Burn, has made previous WWII films like Lancaster Skies and Spitfire Over Berlin. He improves as a helmer, drawing solid emoting from the cast and maintaining tension. The film feels stolidly retro, almost like a comedy send-up but without gags. Landship is in UK cinemas from 26 June.
