Vera Britain was a name that, until very recently, I was unfamiliar with. I am ashamed to say that her tale of love and loss during the First World War had passed me by completely unnoticed. It was by pure luck that I had the chance to see the film, based on her memoirs, during a training event for film bloggers.
Vera was the daughter of a middle class mill owner, living in relative comfort at the beginning of the 20th Century. She was unlike most girls of her age and class, despising the idea of marriage and instead putting herself through the process of attempting to join Oxford University. For her, education was the gateway to the life she dreamed of. Her world changed with two momentous occurrences; the outbreak of war and meeting Roland Leighton. Both these are chronicled in the film but, as with most literary adaptations, there are differences and omissions between page and screen.
While Ms Brittain's book starts from her childhood (as most good memoirs do), the film begins with her struggle to convince her father that Oxford is the best choice for her. Her brother and one true supporter, Edward (played by Kingsman: The Secret Service star, Taron Egerton), champions Vera's corner and ultimately wins their father round.
It is also Edward that introduces his sister to the love of her life, Roland. A classmate and friend, Roland was not intimidated by Vera's brash manner and independence. In the film, the couple are played by Swedish actress Alicia Vikander and Game of Thrones star Kit Harrington, and the two have a wonderful chemistry that is sweet; love not lust.
The film centres on the relationship between the main characters as the war first threatens, then consumes Europe. Vera's lover and brother are both sent to the front lines. The book chronicles the letters that were sent back and forth during that time.
Writing is an important theme throughout the film, Vera tries to convince Roland to continue his poetry in a bid to remain true to himself despite the horrors of war. His poetry can be found throughout the book.
Victor, a friend of Edward and Roland, is also present in the book and film (played by Merlin star, Colin Morgan). His is a much smaller part in the film but the book tells the reader that the three boys were inseparable and were known as the Three Musketeers (more literary references).
One other friend, Geoffrey, is brought into the film but only has a couple of scenes. However, in the text, Geoffrey was a major part of Vera's life and the two were rather close as she describes him as one of the most handsome faces she had ever seen. It was a shame to cut down such a part of her life but the film does focus primarily on the relationship between Roland and Vera so sacrifices were inevitable.
The book was certainly eye-opening. The struggles that women endured to achieve equality, especially in education; the horrors of war, for the soldiers and the people left back home; how two people tried to maintain a relationship through the most turbulent circumstances.
The film is not afraid to display blood and guts all over the screen (one scene set in a hospital in France is one such moment) but its main focus is on the two lovers.
The film is beautifully shot; natural light is used to express emotion. Most scenes are grey and cold but when Vera is in love, she is bathed in brilliant sunlight and the warmth can be felt emanating from the big screen.
The film is recommended but I would also urge people to read the book, even if just as a reminder of what previous generations endured for our own.
