A Field in England (2013) — Read Along
“This war’s not been run to my liking!”
Ben Wheatley’s fourth cinematic creation was released in a uniquely different way on multi formats on the same day of release, embracing a new viewing culture for everyone from Film 4, Channel 4, On Demand, DVD and traditionally via the medium of the cinema itself. Written by regular collaborator and partner in crime Amy Jump (both Ben and Amy were also co-editors), regular collaborator Laurie Rose also returned again as Director of Photography and the film owes a great debt to Rose as a film shot entirely in a field in England and nature being a dominant theme throughout it is shot absolutely beautifully. Wide angled lens shots capture the field and surroundings superbly and lovingly, from the stunning sun rises through to close in shots of rye grass and the spiders webs of nature all around. Laurie Rose, as with all three previous collaborations with Wheatley provides a loving and detailed touch that is to be greatly admired.
Presented in black and white to reflect the period setting of the English Civil War, the war itself seemingly (but unseen) rages on behind a hedgerow but we remain on the other side and in the company of five main characters out of a total of just six in the entire film. All characters are entirely different from each other, a wise and learned man, a coward, an aggressive and angry bully but on the surface each has his own simple, singular dimension, however as the film progresses we see further duality to each man’s character. The coward for example becomes the aggressor and the abstainer becomes an abuser. Seeking a pub, beer and “English tits” our merry band of protagonists traverse the field in search of one further item, mystical buried treasure, but during their travels this surreal and often disturbing Ben Wheatley film has much more to offer than just beer, breasts and treasure!
The small cast in this 90 minute film is made up of five individual and eclectic performances from Michael Smiley, a stalwart of Ben Wheatley films, as Irishman “O’Neil”, the outstanding Reece Shearsmith as “Whitehead”, Ryan Pope as “Cutler”, Peter Ferdinando as “Jacob” and Richard Glover as “Friend”. There is also a minimal cameo from Julian Barratt as “Trower”.
Suffice to say, throw into the mix five weary men, drag Michael Smiley literally out of the ground, a search for a “Master”, a twisted concoction of old and new world vernacular typified by “Well, if God Almighty shall preserve my life, I may hereafter add many great things and light to my art”
“What’s he say?”
“He says the next time his Master sends him on a job, he won’t fuck it up” and amid this madness add mushrooms of the magic variety, and you have another twisted gem from Ben Wheatley! But that is far from all. This darkly comedic tale is contorted further through the lens and mind of Wheatley via caustic wit, discombobulating visuals, disorientating slow motion segments, numerous fades to black and yet another final act that is highly disturbing and affecting. It will put a smile on your face but you may feel highly uncomfortable as to why and the less said about “Baloo, My Boy” and the ultra surreal and disturbing use of “Ring a Ring a Roses” the better!
Ben Wheatley is again on top surrealistic and highly disturbing form.
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Thanks for reading. I hope this message in a bottle in The Matrix finds you well, prospering, and the right way up in an upside down world.
"English tits"? I don't think they talked like that then.
I will.