Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for BFI
A special presentation of Peter Jackson’s extraordinary new First World War documentary They Shall Not Grow Old premiered at BFI Southbank last night for London Film Festival. HRH Prince William attended the premiere, along with other esteemed guests.
They Shall Not Grow Old shows original footage from Imperial War Museums’ extensive archive colourised, converted to 3D and transformed with modern production techniques to present never before seen detail.
Critics have applauded Jackson’s work, describing it as a ‘historical portrait of matchless immediacy and power’ (The Telegraph), ‘a visually staggering thought experiment’ (The Guardian), ‘a groundbreaking resurrection (The Times) and ‘a documentary like no other’ (Independent).
Follow the hashtag #TheyShallNotGrowOld to read public reaction to last night’s one-off screening.
★★★★★ It’s the visual and emotional achievement — a groundbreaking resurrection — that resonates.
The Times
★★★★★ Jackson’s storytelling skill matches his technical wizardry.
Independent
★★★★★ The effect is electrifying.
The Guardian
★★★★★ It is an encounter with the past that feels exhilaratingly present-tense.
The Telegraph
They Shall Not Grow Old will be shown daily at IWM Short Film Festival from 25 – 29 October, and will be on BBC in November.
