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How many films have been made about WWII? The answer is a ton. Now ask yourself, how many films have been made about WWI? The answer would be less than that. One more question. How many films have been made about WWI from an Australian perspective? The answer to that one probably could be measured on one hand so when Before Dawn came across my desk from Australian filmmaker Jordon Prince-Wright who co-wrote, produced and directed the film, I was immediately intrigued because, for one, I love war movies and two, I love war movies that tell stories that not many people know about. Countless times, there have been films done from the perspectives of the Americans and the British but here is a movie that tells the almost forgotten story of Australia’s participation in the first great war. Prince-Wright, who is barely out of his teens by the way, is a filmmaker that should be on everyone’s radar and throw in a wonderful performance from actor Levi Miller, and you have one harrowing tale of Australian soldiers fighting for the world and each other with visceral and immersive battle sequences. A true diamond in the rough and a film that should be seen by as many people as possible.
Before Dawn tells the solemn story of young Australian men who leave their idyllic lives in Australia to fight in WWI at Somme. Watching this movie and confirming with the filmmaker himself, this was a true passion project for Prince-Wright who essentially has crafted a big something out of nothing and with a limited budget, resources and filming time, has crafted a memorable and savage war pic that really shows off the bravado and honor of these young, brave men who were not warriors to begin with but were thrown into an extraordinary situation that transformed them into something greater.
The story is told from the perspective of Jim (Miller), who is a simple farmworker who works daily on his father’s farm doing what he can to help his family survive. The movie takes off when Jim wants to join his friends who want to fight in the war and Jim, being as naive as he is, wants to join them and fight the good fight. Upon arriving at the battlefront and seeing the horrors of war, Jim quickly figures out that he made a big mistake but proceeds to do what he can to fight side by side with his friends and comrades and see that everyone comes out alive. We know that’s not going to happen, but the mentality of these men is a crowning achievement to what makes the human race great for a change.
The budget is limited but you wouldn’t really know it as Prince-Wright throws the viewers into a real immersive experience with some truly outstanding battle sequences which focus on the trenches that were used by the Australians to counterman the attacks of the enemy. Like the tunnels in Vietnam, this creates a real claustrophobic and hopeless experience as these brave men try to fight to see another day even though they are outmanned and outgunned. Prince-Wright shoots the action with an in-your-face flavor to it that assaults the audience with blunt force, breathtaking visuals and sound that will work out your subwoofer and home theater. The explosions in this movie are worth the price of admission alone and there are several bombastic sequences of chaos and carnage that really throws you into the thick of things.
Levi Miller is a standout young performer, and he really carries the movie on his back along with a great supporting cast that are all in with every minute of the running time. It may be a little hard to keep track of certain characters as they are all dressed the same and are wearing the same haircut (an issue with most war movies) but there isn’t a bad acting job to be found here. Miller shows the horrors and mayhem on his face well as he loses several friends during the running time, and you really care for him and want to see him live as well as his comrades.
The cinematography is big budget worthy with sweeping shots of the terrain and the action when it lights up the screen and I would take these sequences any day of the week over some of the bigger budgeted Hollywood flicks that come out. No offense to those films but it’s always more impressive when smaller films like Before Dawn bring the gusto with astounding choreography and visuals with lesser means. I could nitpick about certain things but why bother as I was involved and learning history while being entertained. Prince-Wright did his homework for the film and takes great care in presenting the material on the screen for the audience without trying to be preachy or overbearing. this is a love letter to the men who fought and died at this battle that is not thought about when anything is discussed about WWI.
Overall, Before Dawn is a unique and poignant little indie film that carries a massively important message about us as a human race and how great we can be when we are thrown into dire circumstances and need to depend on one another. The history is important, and the drama is heavy with blistering action sequences that execute an immersive and visceral experience that resonates with the viewer well after it is over. Levi Miller is a definite up and coming talent and I look forward to seeing what he has to offer in the future as well as filmmaker Jordon Prince-Wright who is showing what he is capable of at a very early age so he can only improve and get better when he gets older. There’s a true comradery with the actors involved and a believability to them when they are engaged in war. Before Dawn is a simple engrossing watch from start to finish.
VERDICT: 4 Out of 5 Stars
Before Dawn is a stark engrossing WWI epic of bravado and never say die mentality that is a true immersive and visceral viewing experience from start to finish.
Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment presents Before Dawn out now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital
