If , like me, you were brought up on a steady diet of commando comics, then the story of Dunkirk would be familiar to you. A beleaguered British Army, chased to the ocean by the all powerful German Army. And, a motely group of spitfires, ships, and fishermen who help with the evacuation. I had read many variants of the same story. The doughty Brit NCO, or lower rank officer, who saved the day, and helped people escape.

And, despite all its visual sophistication, that is what Dunkirk is, a well crafted commando comic.  Three parallel stories of three different sets of men, who are involved in the evacuation of Dunkirk. One is a soldier who is trying to get evacuated from Dunkirk (labelled the Moth – the one week story). the second is a man with his own ‘luxury’ boat (the day long story) who answers the call to help evacuate, and sets sail across the English Channel, with his son and helper; and the third is a set of spitfires (the hour long story), that is trying provide air cover to British ships and boats, despite fewer planes and limited fuel. And it is the criss crossing of these stories that makes for an interesting view. Hans  Zimmer’s soundtrack adds to the sheer tension of these 3 sets of stories.

Shot on an almost blue and grey palette, except for the last scene, the film makes you feel the chill of being drenched and being out at sea. What is interesting about this film, is that it is not about the big guys who are pulling strings from Whitehall but the little guys stuck, and waiting to ship out. What I did like about the film was the lack of a jumpy camera. In most of the new action films, the camera is a vital part of the action, and it is almost like you are seeing the action from the camera as a participant, as opposed to an observer. In most of those films, I barely know what is going on because the camera is shaking terribly. This was beautifully composed, classic film making.

Have I seen better war films ? yes. The longest day, for example, was superlative. Amongst India films, the plight of the soldier on the front is brought out beautifully in Haqueeqat. My problem with this Nolan film is pretty much my problem with the other Nolan films – I don’t emotionally connect with any of the characters. (I am leaving out Batman from this, because Batman is 70 years own, and audiences are already invested in the character + you know Batman won’t die). While in the Longest Day or Haqueeqat, I really cared about the characters, here, it was not the same kind of connect. Possibly because you really don’t get to know anyone.

I know there is a controversy about the lack of black and brown faces in the film, and I noticed the lack of them during the movie, but, like I said upfront, he was making a sophisticated commando comic film. Also, he wasn’t making a documentary. There were Indian soldiers who died in all of the Empire’s wars, and maybe it is time our extensive film industry started telling those stories.