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Top Trench Moments
Blackadder Goes Forth (1989)Famous for its satirical plot twists and comical charciatures, Ben Elton and Richard Curtis’ comedy took a darker turn when it reached its final series in 1989. Set in 1917, on the Western Front, Rowan Atkinson’s character Captain Blackadder and his comrades (Tim McInnerny, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and Tony Robinson) come up with a string of ill-thought out escape routes to break free from the deeply dug trenches. Through a combination of clever writing and comically crafted scenes, the series managed the almost unachievable task of making war funny – while at the same time channelling anti-war messages throughout its script. 
Saving Private Ryan (1998)Set during World War II, Saving Private Ryan takes place during the invasion of Normandy. Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg expressed an interest in the film after having directed 1941, Empire Of The Sun and Schindler’s List. Hearing of Spielberg’s involvement, an all-star cast including Tom Hanks and Matt Damon quickly signed up to take their place in the trenches. The script, written by Robert Rodat, is said to have been inspired by a monument in Putney Corners, New Hampshire, which was erected for eight brothers who died in the American Civil War. 
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)Cited as the seventh best war film of all-time by the American Film Institute, All Quiet on the Western Front offers an accurate and realistic depiction of World War I. Director Lewis Milestone gradually and skilfully builds the tension in the trenches, as the troops struggle to come to terms with the possibility of imminent death. To create authentic battle scenes, Milestone drafted German army veterans to appear in his picture alongside over 2000 extras. Director Fred Zinnemann – who went onto direct High Noon and From Here to Eternity - was hired as an extra, but was later fired for his incompetence. 
Band Of Brothers (2001)Having already worked together on 1998’s Saving Private Ryan, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks teamed up again in 2001 to bring WWII to the small screen. Based on the book of the same title, written by Stephen Ambrose, Band of Brothers depicts the United States’ troops deep in the throes of conflict. The series included footage and interviews from real- life war veterans who Spielberg and Hanks based the fictional characters on. Scenes on the front line alternate between the trenches in Toccoa, Georgia and Germany. Due to its success, Spielberg is diving head first into a planned miniseries about the United States Marine Corps, entitled Pacific. 
The Road to Glory (1936)Famous for alerting the world to the fact that Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, director Howard Hawkes serves up a much less glamorous offering in his 1936 war film, Road to Glory. The plot follows Napoleon Bonaparte’s 39th regiment as they wade through the trenches in World War I. As France falls apart around him, leading man Lieutenant Michel Denet (Fredric March) finds love with Monique La Coste (June Lang). Hawkes’ penchant for War movies was short lived; he later went onto direct a string of classic comedies such as Bringing up Baby. 
The Trench (1999)William Boyd’s 1999 film focuses on the emotional woes concealed deep in the heart of the trenches of WWI. The plot plays out off the battle field, shying away from any gung ho action and adventure. Audiences may be swung by the current 007’s (Daniel Craig) inclusion in the ensemble cast and its liberal, anti-war content which offers an inspiring edge to a slower paced plot. Interestingly, the film also sees a young looking Paul Nicholls (aka Joe Wicks in Eastenders), bringing a bit of melodrama to the big screen. 
Legends Of The Fall (1994)Less of a war movie and more of an epic drama, Legends of the Fall follows three brothers (Brad Pitt, Henry Thomas and Aidan Quinn) and their father (Anthony Hopkins) in the early 1900s. Based on the novel of the same name, the film focuses largely on years leading up to the Prohibition era – including WWI, in which brothers Tristan (Pitt) and Sam (Thomas) both serve. Instead of opting for a political stance or an anti-war message, director Edward Zwick uses the trenches as a tool to drive emotion. For those who haven’t seen the film, it is worth grabbing a box of tissues before you embark on this classic. 
No Man's Land (2001)Set in the trenches of the Bosnian war, Academy Award winning No Man’s Land is a war movie with a twist. After having lost their way from opposing lines, two wounded soldiers find themselves in unoccupied territory, aka no man’s land. Battling for different sides, a Bosniak and a Bosnian Serb, trade insults amidst the warfare. Director Danis Tanović picked up an Oscar for his work, and went onto claim several awards for this ironic black comedy. Jennifer Trevorrow |