Reviews
Birdsong Review
7th February 2012
The story follows British soldier Stephen Wraysford as he is haunted by memories of a past love while struggling for survival amidst the brutality of the First World War. Portrayed beautifully by Eddie Redmayne, Stephen appears already dead as he wanders the trenches of the great war, absorbed only by his thoughts of Isabelle (Clémence Poésy), his beautiful French lover. Director Philip Martin cleverly and seamlessly interweaves two stories; that of Stephen and Isabella's passionate early relationship, and his contrasting later life as he is faced with the unrelenting harshness of war. Mixing love with death and suffering, the sheer cruelty of conflict is tentatively portrayed, while the classic love story remains at the fore of the action. Director Philip Martin adds a further element to the emotional roller-coaster, developing a bond between Stephen and lower ranking Jack Firebrace (Joseph Mawle), allowing the warmth of friendship and companionship to shine through the bleakness.