Review of The Wipers Times (2013) by Ben A — 05 May 2015

This is an excellent film and a true story.

The repartee between the two main protagonists - which is quick, deep, and hilarious - is top drawer.

There are a minimum of combat scenes - just enough to tie together the real story, which is about our literary hero's (deftly played by Ben Chaplin, with excellent side-kicking from Julian Rhind-Tutt) success at printing a wry and cutting periodical, lampooning the conduct and mismanagement of the First World War, under the very noses of their higher ups, while fighting in the front lines!

This little movie gives us a fine taste of what some field grade officers, of intelligence and wit, really felt about the war, it's general staff, and the plight of the common soldier caught in the maelstrom and absurdity of the whole deadly affair. And it is a film to be savored with repeat viewing, in order to allow all of it's subtle nuances to truly sink in.

There is also a lovely small part played by Michael Palin, as the sympathetic commanding officer, who does what he can to run interference for our heroes with those less sympathetic.

Catch this on cable, showing now.