Flawless performances fortify this spot-on study of shell-shocked World War One veterans, and of Dr Rivers (Jonathan Pryce) who attempts to rehabilitate them. More importantly the film is, despite its subject, never less than gripping and entertaining. Its characters are men with many facets, few left unexplored by Allan Scott's truth-veined screenplay. And graphic images of bodies half-buried in battlefield mud are sufficient to bring home the reality of war without being over-used. You'll find it hard not to be moved by this near-masterpiece.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes