The Trench – 1999 | 98 mins | Drama, War | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Novelist William Boyd’s low-budget directorial debut is a claustrophobic anti-war drama set on the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army.

It is 48 hours before the Battle of the Somme. There is tension in the air, and 17 year old Bill Macfarlane (Paul Nicholls) – whose eyes the story is seen through – does not have long to prepare himself for what lies ahead and to face up to his responsibilities. As the members of their platoon led by middle-class Lt. Harte (Julian Rhind-Tutt) and gritty Sgt Winter (Daniel Craig) wait in a frontline trench for the big push to commence, Eddie climbs up on a hill to see what the German forces are up to. He’s immediately hit by sniper fire, suffering a severe injury, and suddenly the ugly reality of battle has been introduced to the soldiers. While their commanders inform their artillery barrage has destroyed most of the enemy front line, the continued German attacks convince them this may not be the reality.