PASSCHENDAELE

Year: 2008
UK: High Fliers Films
Cast: Paul Gross, Caroline Dhavernas, Joe Dinicol, Jim Mezon, Meredith Bailey, Michael Greyeyes, Gil Bellows
Director: Paul Gross
Country: Canada
UK: 114 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong bloody battle violence and strong language
UK Release Date: 4 September 2009 (Limited Release - London, West End)

Synopsis

"In love, there is only one rule... Don't die."

During World War I, Passchendaele, a town in Belgium, was the site of a devastating and brutal battle lasting four months from 31 July to 6 November 1917 when Canadian soldiers finally gained control and captured the town from the Germans. It is estimated that over a million shells rained down on Passchendaele turning it and the surrounding area into a muddy hellhole. The total losses exceeded 580,000.

PASSCHENDAELE centres on Sergeant Michael Dunne (Paul Gross), who when wounded in battle is eventually sent home to Calgary but is left with war wounds and emotionally fragile. Recuperating in hospital he meets an attractive nurse, Sarah (Caroline Dhavernas) that he falls for.

However, when Sarah's brother David (Joe Dinicol) signs up to fight, Sgt Dunne returns as well instinctively wanting to protect him from the horrors he's had to witness. Alongside thousands of other Canadians they are sent to fight in the Battle of Passchendaele...