Regeneration (1997)

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 (as 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:

post traumatic stress disorder | poet | world war one | one word title | gay interest | 

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Taglines:

Adventure

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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:

21 November 1997 (UK)

Also Known As:

A fronton túl

Filming Locations:

Overtoun House, Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,593, 16 August 1998

Gross USA:

$33,131

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$33,131

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?

Trivia

The film used a lot of present and former Territorial Army soldiers as extras for larger scenes. This includes soldiers from 52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, located in Hotspur street, Glasgow.

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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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Alternate Versions

Released in the USA in a 96 minute version under the title "Behind the Lines".

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Connections

Featured in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005)

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Soundtracks

The King And Country Want You
Performed by Helen Clarke and Chorus
Courtesy of Saydisc Records

User Reviews

"and half the seed of Europe, one by one"

The film opens with a stunning tracking shot that reminded me of Tarkovsky; the technique is used again throughout the film to register the horror of war--the mud, the dead, and the shattered, flailing bodies. Most of the film, however, takes place in an insane asylum, far from the battlefield. Yes, the film is quite "talky," but the talk is very good, very intelligent, very thought-provoking. The film focuses on a number of relationships that develop--principally, the respectful but antagonistic "father-son" relationship between the famous war hero and poet Siegfried Sassoon (who has been sent to the insane asylum for penning an anti-war statement) and Dr. Rivers (whose mission is to get Sassoon to recant and back on the front lines). But other relationships are almost equally important--those between Dr. Rivers and an angry soldier named Billy Prior, between Prior and a local "munitionette," and between Sassoon and the man who would emerge, under his tutorship, as perhaps an even greater war poet, Wilfred Owen.

The drama is based on real events, and the performances are quite stunning. Above all, Jonathan Pryce as Dr. Rivers is simply incredible, a man torn between duty and compassion, a doctor on the verge of becoming a patient himself. In a just world, he would have won an Oscar (but hardly anyone, it seems, saw this film on initial release). The handsome James Wilby gives a very fine performance as Sassoon--in fact, I've never seen him in better form. Johnny Lee Miller perfectly embodies the edgy anger, angst, and shame of Billy Prior. And Stuart Bunce brings a remarkably gentle, otherworldly quality to his haunting portrayal of Wilfred Owen. You absolutely believe that this man has a poet's soul; but he finds his voice not by contemplating beauty but by contemplating supreme horror.

There are many scenes from this film I will never forget--particularly, Dr. Rivers' trip to see another doctor cure a patient of being mute by applying electricity directly to his teeth and larynx. This scene is horrifying and, yet, like the rest of the film, restrained, in part because of the way Pryce portrays Rivers' reactions. Another unforgettable scene is the abrupt, shattering ending--but I won't give that away. Suffice it to say that words, especially the words of a great poet, sometimes are more powerful than shocking images.

This is a very intelligent, moving, humane, and important film. What a shame that it has been so overlooked.