THE WAR BELOW

UK, 2021, 96 minutes, Colour.

Sam Hazeldine, Tom Goodman-Hall, Kris Hitchen, Elliot James Langridge, Sam Clem,ett, Joseph Steyne, Anna Maguire, Andrew Scarborough, Douglas Reith.

Directed by J.P.Watts.

The War Below is a piece of history of World War I trench warfare. It focuses on a group of industrial tunnel diggers who are seconded to the war effort, going to the Somme, going to Flanders, digging under no man’s land, planting explosives to destroy German gun strongholds. (A parallel story about Australian tunnel diggers can be seen in Beneath Hill 60).

The film initially recreates the atmosphere of recruitment for the war, British patriotism, the men lined up to enlist. It also shows those who rejected on health grounds. Included in these is William Hawkin, an expert digger for local industry.

However, there are sequences with General Haig, the desperation at the conduct of the war in 1916, the battle of the Somme, the number of casualties. One of his colonels, nicknamed Hellfire Jack, suggests the digging of tunnels under no man’s land, the idea rejected by Haig who is old school in his conduct of warfare, rejected by Colonel Fielding, superior, looking down on the working classes. However, the decision is made and Jack goes to the factory where William Hawkin works, discusses the matter, initial scepticism, but a group of five going to France. They discover the hardships of dirt and filth in the trenches, are looked down on by the regular soldiers, insulted by Fielding.

The film shows the camaraderie between the diggers, the details of the first tunnel, the explosion and success of the mission. The film also shows the discussion between the men about returning home, continue with their work, the military authorities keen that they dig another tunnel in Flanders. William Hawkin is pigheaded and obsessive, tensions within the group. Fielding charges Hawkin and his associate, Harry, with insubordination and they spend the night as a penalty their hands strung up, reminding audiences of the harsh attitudes of the authorities towards the soldiers during the war.

The next mission is fraught with danger, the Germans now digging tunnels, fights and interactions with the Germans, time and deadlines, a dramatic conclusion.

The film is a tribute to the ordinary citizens who contributed to the war effort.

1. The title? World War I? The trenches, the tunnels, the theme?
2. Period and atmosphere, costumes, uniform, decor? Military? War action? England, industry and factories? The musical score?
3. Audience response to war in the trenches, in France and Flanders, the Somme, Messine, the number of the dead, deaths in no man’s land, the condition of the trenches, dirt, sewage, rats…?
4. General Haig? His stances, superior, old style war? Colonel Fielding and his superiority, class stances? Hellfire Jack, his reputation, the desperate situation in the trenches, his idea of the tunnels? Haig negative? Fielding superior? Jack making his case, the agreement?
5. The opening, the recruiting, men eager to do their bit for the cause? The father and son? The later glimpse of the son in the trenches delivering the message? William Hawkin, eagerness, discussions, failing the medical?
6. Hawkin, industry, tunnel digging, his crew, Jack visiting, the proposal, their not thinking it feasible? The patriotic appeal? Hawkin, his son and wife, her fears, his talking with the boy, the toy soldier – and its return to the boy at the end?
7. The men going, military, looked down on, Fielding and his scoffing and insults, Jack and his support? The planning, the maps, the equipment, the filthy conditions in the trenches? The personalities and the team, Hawkin and his stubbornness, leadership, Harry and Shorty, their roles, Charlie and George as young, inexperienced? Life together, the relationships, support, working together?
8. The progress of the tunnel, the detail, the hard work, the explosion and its success? Jack and his response? Fielding and his continued superiority?
9. The issue of whether to continue, wanting to go back home, Jack and the cricket scene of the hill? Charlie, his girlfriend? William writing letters to his wife?
10. The new tunnel, difficulties, the surveying, the soldier caught in no man’s land, William going out, carrying the man back, his justification, authorities and their reaction?
11. The project, continue digging, being careful, listening, the Germans and their tunnels? Explosions? Charlie, falling on George, leaving, going out into no man’s land, his being shot? Leaving the letter?
12. The decision to continue, Fielding and the insubordination, William and Harry, strung up overnight, the soldier giving the cigarette to William?
13. The dangers, the decision, the number of dead anticipated, George falling into the German tunnel, the Germans in the British tunnel, the fight? George discovered in the tunnel, his fight with the German? Psychological repercussions?
14. The setup, the timing, the two getting out to set the detonation, William remaining, sending George out, giving him the toy soldier? The German attack, William being wounded? The explosion? The visuals of the explosion, the biggest up till then in war?
15. Jack, visiting William’s wife, the son, the medals, the soldier?
16. A glimpse of the First World War, trench warfare, tunnels, war in close-up, the number of dead?