As a fan of director Peter Jackson, the initial announcement of Mortal Engines piqued my interest, albeit he served only as producer. Consequently, They Shall Not Grow Old, attributed as a Peter Jackson directorial work, immediately garnered my attention.
They Shall Not Grow Old is a documentary focusing on World War I, employing contemporary technology to revitalize aged and degraded archival footage from the era. Through digital restoration, the filmmakers colorized and added synchronized sound to these newsreels, aiming to immerse the viewer in the environment of the conflict.
However, the technological enhancements are not without their imperfections. The visuals exhibit a discernible artificiality. For those familiar with visual effects, as I am, the digital manipulation is apparent. Image stabilization artifacts and pronounced motion blur are readily noticeable. Nevertheless, the audio engineering is genuinely impressive, creating an immersive soundscape. Hearing the voices of individuals who perished over a century ago is a uniquely unsettling experience.
Peter Jackson’s decision to forego a narrator and instead rely on recorded interviews with war survivors from the 1960s and 70s, while an interesting approach, proves somewhat ineffective. The lack of a clear connection between these voices and the visuals diminishes the narrative cohesion, leaving the overarching theme as simply “war is hell.”
The resultant film is visually and aurally compelling, yet, in my opinion, lacks emotional depth and narrative focus. Ultimately, the disembodied voices become distracting, overshadowing the events depicted on screen.
The Blu-ray edition boasts commendable audio and video quality. The soundtrack, in particular, delivers a powerfully immersive experience, effectively conveying the intensity of combat. The supplemental material includes a half-hour documentary that, in quintessential Peter Jackson fashion, is both informative and devoid of promotional excess. Jackson’s aptitude for producing insightful documentaries is a notable strength, reminiscent of the extensive behind-the-scenes content accompanying the Sagan om ringen (Lord of the Rings) films.
In conclusion, They Shall Not Grow Old, while technically impressive, falls short of its potential. The disconnect between the audio commentary and the visuals is a significant drawback. A fleeting observation by Jackson regarding the likely fate of soldiers filmed in a particular scene, specifically the palpable fear in their eyes, resonated more profoundly than the documentary as a whole.
