“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its labourers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of iron.”
― Dwight D. Eisenhower
War never comes up with something constructive, it is always accompanied by the evils of humanity. There have been many wars that went unnoticed in our history. Wars that people have forgotten simply because there was no greater impact. This is where Matt Elliott’s movie becomes a great way to show how significant the “insignificant” can be. A Royal Marines Disposition gives a glimpse of the Falklands War of the 1980s, a war that many people have forgotten about. The Falklands War was a ten-week war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982. It was fought over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic. They were the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.The movie shows the POV of a Royal Mariner who participated in the undeclared war and witnessed the atrocities of War with his own eyes.
The film is a documentary and it is commendable how the director has beautifully captured the thoughts of the spectator who was just a nineteen year old boy when the war broke out. When he was sent to the war zone, the young mariner was visibly overwhelmed. The presentation of the perspectives is extremely unique in this movie as this also deals with an important aspect – memory! What he perceived as a young man is now being narrated by an old man. His commentary reflects the wisdom and experience he has gathered, the pain and trauma he has endured and the path he has travelled. This film does an impressive job when it comes to sharing historical accuracy and information. It is commendable how Matt Elliott touches upon a lesser known war. It shows his earnestness as a creator, the earnestness to show the suffering of the people. The scenes deal with uncertainty of lives, quick reversals and human connections. It is noteworthy how the soldiers’ lives have been a perfect combination of thrill, suspense and momentary relief.
Actor Tip Cullen does an amazing job as the recollecting soldier who has grown up so much as a human. The film lacks certain technicalities, but when it comes to representation and portrayal, it definitely deserves an applause.
