Private Peaceful
Director: Pat O'Connor
Cast: George Mackay, Samuel Bottomley, Richard Griffiths, John Lynch, Alexandra Roach, Frances de la Tour
Rating: (M)
2 stars (out of 5)
Based on a second adaptation of a Michael Morpurgo novel after Steven Spielberg's War Horse, comparisons between the two films are inevitable, although, with a significantly better cast and an equine element of difference, War Horse trumps this.
The crux of the story revolves around the Peaceful family who eke out an impoverished existence beholden to the Colonel (Richard Griffiths).
Told largely through the eyes of Thommo (George Mackay), the younger of the Peaceful brothers, we follow Thommo and his older brother Charlie (Samuel Bottomley).
Somewhere during their adolescence, the boys discover the charms of Molly Monks (Alexandra Roach) and, while competing for her affection, it's revealed that Charlie has been seducing Molly, which compels Thommo to enlist for the World War 1 frontline.
If that sounds a little simplistic, it is. Private Peaceful might have won awards as a novel aimed at older children, but as a film it's a mess.
A whole host of sequences are cut together with scant regard for temporality or explanation.
When the bullets have stopped flying and the lights have dimmed on the BBC war-stages, Private Peaceful will be remembered for the last performance by Richard Griffiths.
As the wealthy aristocrat exploiting the inhabitants of Iddesleigh village, this isn't vintage Griffiths. Hamming up his role as ''the Colonel'', Griffiths supposedly epitomises ruthless nobility but, in reality, just rifles through a grab bag of cliches.
Best thing: Seeing the final credits roll.
Worst thing: The confused flashback structure.
See it with: Anyone who liked War Horse.
