Behind the Lines (1997)
"Regeneration" (original title)

Based on Pat Barker's novel of the same name, 'Regeneration' tells the story of soldiers of World War One sent to an asylum for emotional troubles. Two of the soldiers meeting there are ... See full summary »

Director:

Gillies MacKinnon

Writers:

Pat Barker (novel), Allan Scott (screenplay)

Stars:

Jonathan Pryce, James Wilby, Jonny Lee Miller

17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jonathan Pryce	...	Capt. William Rivers
James Wilby	...	2nd Lt. Siegfried Sassoon
Jonny Lee Miller	...	2nd Lt. Billy Prior
Stuart Bunce	...	2nd Lt. Wilfred Owen
Tanya Allen	...	Sarah
David Hayman	...	Maj. Bryce
Dougray Scott	...	Capt. Robert Graves
John Neville	...	Dr. Yealland
Paul Young	...	Dr. Brock
Alastair Galbraith	...	Capt. Campbell
Eileen Nicholas	...	Miss Crowe
Julian Fellowes	...	Timmons
David Robb	...	Dr. McIntyre
Kevin McKidd	...	Callan
Rupert Procter	...	Capt. David Burns

Storyline

Based on Pat Barker's novel of the same name, 'Regeneration' tells the story of soldiers of World War One sent to an asylum for emotional troubles. Two of the soldiers meeting there are Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, two of England's most important WW1 poets.

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Plot Keywords:

poet | world war one | hospital | gay interest | outdoor sex | 

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Taglines:

In war, sanity is the ultimate casualty

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for war-related violent images, and some sexuality and language

Details

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 August 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Behind the Lines

Filming Locations:

Overtoun House, Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$19,273 (USA) (14 August 1998)

Gross:

$19,273 (USA) (14 August 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Famous Players, Norstar Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The camera and the crane on which it is suspended are reflected in several puddles during the very opening shot (of the battlefield).

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Quotes

Capt. William Rivers: I find it interesting that you don't stutter.
Billy Prior: I find it even more interesting that you do.

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Connections

Referenced in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005)

User Reviews

Dark and powerful

A stupendous film that quietly captures the futility, the absurdity, the grimness and the desperation of the third year of World War I. The acting is low key. Everything is shot in brownish tones that evoke the era. Even the weather is bleak. The general mood and tone of the film is all enveloping. The settings, the costumes and the props all seem accurate. Everything comes to-gether beautifully. In actual fact, I do not believe that the mental health of British troops was treated as compassionately i n the first war as this film portrays. Shell shock was usually dismissed as LMF (Lack of moral fiber.) No matter. It is still a gripping, powerful film with the same appeal a thoughtful stage play on the same subject might convey.