Testament of Youth, a war film based on the true story of a nurse who cared for soldiers during World War One, airs on BBC1 tonight at 11.10pm. The poignant tale, adapted from Vera Brittain's best-selling 1933 memoir of the same name, has left fans in tears.
A nurse's true story
The film recounts Brittain's time as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse during the First World War and her journey towards pacifism. Her story was continued in a second book, Testament of Experience, published in 1957. Brittain's work solidified her as a feminist writer, portraying the struggle of women beginning to forge independent careers in a society that was only tolerant of those who had received a good education.
The story centres on an ambitious and fiercely independent young woman named Vera who, desperate to break free from her conventional family life in Buxton, wins a place at Oxford University. Joining her are her brother Edward and his two closest friends, Roland and Victor, who together form a tight-knit circle.
Cast and critical acclaim
Before their studies begin, Vera and Roland share a blossoming romance, while Victor quietly harbours feelings for her. When war erupts during their time at university, the three young men eagerly enlist, and Vera, refusing to be left behind, signs up as a wartime nurse. Gradually, the brutal realities of war begin to take their toll, and the men she holds dear are lost one by one.
Alicia Vikander takes on the role of Vera, delivering a performance that has drawn widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. One review reads: "Alicia Vikander is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, and nominations for two Golden Globe Awards and three British Academy Film Awards, and I fully understand why."
Emotional impact on viewers
Another fan of the film said: "A poetic war story that speaks to the horrors of war and dying young, that takes a long, heart-aching trip through the First World War and through the story of a pair of lovers, of siblings, and of friends and family." The cinematography and film editing made much of the film feel a little like a poem, focused on the little things — the blades of grass, the edge of a man's chin, the corner of a blanket.
The film holds an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The supporting cast includes Kit Harington as Roland, Colin Morgan as Victor, and Taron Egerton as Vera's brother Edward. Their parents, Mr and Mrs Brittain, are brought to life by Dominic West and Emily Watson.
While the storyline is widely acknowledged as deeply moving, as is common within the war genre, given its harrowing retelling of true events. When Vera returns home from the front to resume her studies, she confronts overwhelming grief and trauma from her experiences, a feeling that strikes a chord with many viewers.
One viewer captured it perfectly, saying: "Testament of Youth is based on the life of Vera Brittain during WWI but it feels like it could be the story of thousands of women during that time. That's definitely what is most compelling about this film. On top of that Alicia Vikander gave us a heartfelt portray of Vera."
