Synopsis
Derek Jarman creates a visual evocation of the legendary original recording of
Benjamin Britten's choral masterpiece which blended the Latin Mass of the Dead with the poignant poetry of
Wilfred Owen, Britain's greatest chronicler of the Great War. Dramatised scenes featuring spell-binding performances from an extraordinary cast are interwoven with cinematic, poetic images and harrowing archive footage which all serve to recreate the horrors of 20th century wars – the loss of innocence, the unbearable suffering, the nightmares, the tragic waste of life. Critically-acclaimed on its release,
Derek Jarman's
War Requiem is perhaps the visionary director's greatest film. As testament to the futility of war it is a unique, unforgettable poignant and haunting experience.
