War Game

Inspired by the true story of the 1914 WWI "Christmas truce" between British and German soldiers, in which the "no man's land" separating the trenches of the respective combatants briefly became a peaceful meeting ground for carol singing, exchanging sundries such as cigarettes and cigars, and ultimately a football (soccer) game--before the resumption of wholesale slaughter--filmmaker Dave Unwin's (Father Christmas) 2001 animated adaptation of Michael Foreman's picture book follows three Bedfordshire, England football-playing lads stirred by patriotic fervor who leave their idyllic rural lives only to find themselves on the killing fields of the Great War. Featuring the voice of Kate Winslet, War Game deftly moves from its pastoral scenes of village life to the grim realities of trench warfare and the amazing grace of the Christmas truce before reaching its tragic denouement (with some shots reminiscent of Peter Weir's Gallipoli). DVD extras include a six-minute interview with Foreman, a promo for the upcoming animated adaptation of the author's autobiographical War Boy, and a 13-minute montage that looks at the animation process. A powerful illustration of humankind at its best and worst, this attractively-priced title is definitely recommended (though it's questionable whether this would be "suitable for the whole family" as the box claims, since the violence and dark ending--while no more graphic than Saturday morning cartoon fare--could be disturbing to very young children). Aud: P. (R. Pitman)