A Field In England Review

• 13th Aug 2013

Ben Wheatley is back again with this bonkers civil war drama A Field In England.

5 men on the run from battle find themselves traipsing about in the countryside with little to no goal until they happen upon O’Neil (a terrific Michael Smiley) who sets them about the idea of digging up treasure nearby.

This all sounds linear enough, but the film is anything but – leaping about stylistically in its beautifully shot Black and White cinematography. There are silent and reflective pauses in the film; psychedelic impulses and beautiful ambient music interludes as well as some wonderfully colourful dialogue between the characters.

Anyone expecting the on the nose humor of Sightseers or the in the face abruptness of Kill List’s violence are watching the wrong film. But anyone expecting the unexpected and Ben Wheatley’s unique trend for inventing the situation as it plays out will swallow this whole. A very inspiring film, made quickly and on a budget.

The disc comes with a few extras including Commentary from the director and crew. A Field in England was release theatrically and on home video at the same time.

Steven Hurst