5 minute read
Battle fatigues
Paul Bäumer experiences the shocking realities of trench warfare
DRAMA DEPICTS THE WESTERN FRONT
Novel adaptation portrays horrors of First World War
Film feature by Emily Bright
IN a misty French forest, a vixen and
her cubs are resting in their den. But above ground, there is death and destruction on the front line of the First World War. The rat-a-tat of gunfire and screams of desperate men punctuate the peace, as mortars explode all round the soldiers. Bodies are strewn across no man’s land.
Based on the book by Erich Maria Remarque, the Netflix film All Quiet on the Western Front then switches to the home town of a 17-year-old German student in 1917. Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer) and his schoolfriends, giddy with the prospect of wartime glory, have signed up to fight. They triumphantly march towards battle, with no idea of the reality that awaits them.
‘Man is a beast,’ says war-hardened soldier Katczinsky (Albrecht Schuch) to Paul as he arrives at the front. The men face the constant threat of mortar fire, gas and bullets. From early on Paul faces the sobering task of collecting the military dog tags of his dead colleagues. As the war goes on he struggles to retain his humanity in the face of unimaginable suffering.
Eighteen months later, in November 1918, Germany knows that the war is lost. Politicians negotiate a ceasefire, much to the outrage of one German general, who is determined to fight until the bitter end in one last disastrous raid on the French trenches. His soldiers fight for survival in a final and seemingly futile offensive, minutes before the armistice is declared.
While the film is based on a work of fiction, the horrors it depicts were all too real for soldiers on both sides in the First World War. Remembrance Sunday provides a sobering reminder not only of the sacrifices made by those who died while fighting for freedom but also of the brutality of wars, past and present. When we look back on previous wars and witness the horrors of current conflicts in the news, the world can seem like a godforsaken place.
But the truth is that God was and is
present in the midst of conflict: he is no stranger to suffering. He sent his only Son, Jesus, into the world to sacrifice his life for us so that we could be reconciled with God. A prophet called Isaiah, Jesus endured who foresaw Jesus’ death centuries before it happened, horrendous cruelty said: ‘He was hurt for our wrongdoing. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so we would have peace. He was beaten so we would be healed’ (Isaiah 53:5 New Life Version). Jesus endured horrendous cruelty at the hands of his enemies and willingly died so that we could be in a relationship with God. By making the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus dealt with the consequences of the things we do that are wrong. He then rose from the dead, defeating sin and death. His death and resurrection enables us to encounter the life-changing power of God’s love now and into eternal life, if we will give our lives to him and follow his way. The significance of Jesus’ sacrifice should never be forgotten.
Faith trumps fame for Dan
PRESENTER of 5 News Dan Walker told The Guardian that being a Christian is more important to him than his job in the media.
In an article exploring the broadcaster’s background, home life and personal interests, Dan said: ‘The most important thing for me in terms of my faith – my Christianity – is that it gives me a sense of perspective. When it comes to the job, I love it but I am not defined by my career… Instead, I am led by what I call the “Fs”: the important Fs to me are family, friends and faith, and the things that don’t matter are fame, fortune and the froth that sometimes comes with the industry.’
Dan also said that, because of his Christian beliefs, he won’t work on Sundays.
‘It’s not something anyone else has to adhere to,’ he said. ‘My sister is a nurse and works on Sundays all the time – but I’ve often worked hard the other six days of the week, and I want our family to be together on that day no matter what.’
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nTOYSHOP The Entertainer has teamed up with The Salvation Army to launch a Christmas appeal.
This month, in-person and online customers of The Entertainer will be asked if they want to donate a toy to the appeal when they make a purchase. The Salvation Army will distribute the donated toys to children whose families may not be able to afford gifts at Christmas.
Webinar asks what Jesus would do
A HYMN-writer will answer the question ‘What would Jesus do?’ in a webinar on Tuesday (15 November).
John Bell, who is a minister in the Church of Scotland and a member of the Iona Community, has written many hymns. In the free-to-view webinar, he will be considering how Jesus might react to war, poverty, suffering and the climate crisis.
The webinar is part of a series – Questions of our Times – presented by Christian Evidence, an interdenominational trust that makes the case for faith in the modern world.
l For more information visit christianevidence.org
Princess meets slavery survivors
PRINCESS Eugenie has visited a Salvation Army music therapy session for survivors of modern slavery.
As co-founders of the Anti-Slavery Collective, the princess and Julia de Boinville joined in with the therapy group’s warm-up and breathing exercises before listening to an informal performance of their songs. Afterwards, she spoke to survivors and support workers to learn about the positive impact that the sessions have on the survivors’ wellbeing.
Each week, with the help of a specialist support worker, the group gather together to practise their singing and to learn how to play the guitar.
Jenny Thompson, who oversees The Salvation Army’s London outreach service, explained that Salvation Army churches and community centres provide a ‘key safe space’ for survivors.
‘This particular church has been hosting this music session for almost a year now,’ she said. ‘The sessions are about so much more than music and singing skills. They are about building confidence and giving survivors space to have fun and share with each other, at the same time as getting support from our team of specialist support workers. Every time they leave, they are so excited to come back the following week.’
