Reviewing Movies

A CBC Production

The losses sustained by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in WW#1 are blamed for causing the demise of Newfoundland as a Nation as an entire generation of its brightest and best were killed or injured in mind or body there. I’ve known that July First is a day of mourning in Newfoundland marking the Battle of Beaumount Hamel but this movie introduces one to the fact that the regiment were active at Gallipoli, where the ANZAC’s more famously fought, and at other venues after that July First debacle.

Two descendants of the soldiers visit the battle sites and tour the cemeteries where their ancestors are buried. They are joined by high school students who are similarly related, most little younger than their forebears when they signed up. I was unfamiliar with the Caribou as being a symbol of the regiment or Princess Anne as their present patron. The dismissive attitude British Generals had for colonial troops is common knowledge but the utter perfidy that sent hundreds of men to their deaths at Beaumont Hamel and at other engagements seems unforgivable.

We can share the disillusionment of the young men who set off on an adventure that ended in muddy stinking trenches running with their blood. No one wants to believe that their deaths were in vain so we honour their valour, bravery, and dedication plus the Victoria Cross won by one of their number.