User reviews

Shocking, low budget, poor acting and all else that makes a film bad. They used good cameras and the bunkers looked good. That was it. Zero actual action. Bad, terrible acting. The story line had promise. The 8.9 rating sounded good. Boom. Purchased. Then saw only 20 reviews lol. My bad. Probably family and friends... That'll teach me

How anybody can rate this 10/10 or call it a masterpiece is beyond me. Purely out of respect, this should never have been released as it's impossible to take it seriously, despite it being such an awful time in world history. The end of the first world war, all crammed into 79 minutes with such unconvincing acting, at times it was hard to believe this was actually a serious film. Embarrassing at times to watch.

Released to coincide with the 100 year anniversary of armistice day, Eleven started it's life as a small independent film project of its writer and co-director, Rock Salt and for a film with such limitations its not short on ambition. Historical period pieces are notoriously difficult to shoot for a low budget, so its no small feat that this production manages to achieve both a feeling of scale and emotionally engage its audience for its tight 82 minute running time.

The plot, loosely based on true events, concerns a group of British soldiers in the trenches of World War 1, who are forced to commit one more meaningless offensive as peace is about to be declared between the Allies and Germany on the Western Front. Knowing this to be the case an unhinged British General still orders the men in his sector to attack German lines one last time. So the debate rages between the lower ranks and officers alike if the orders should be followed or should they just wait for peace to be declared. Meanwhile families on both sides at home wait for news of their loved ones, praying that all will return home safely.

On paper with it's minuscule budget, Eleven really shouldn't have worked but thanks to some well framed production shots, clever use of locations and a very committed and talented cast co-directors Sean Cronin and Rock Salt manage to pull it off. The story explores the futility of war and the clash of egos among the different range of characters. The cast and script must take much of the credit for bringing such an interesting range of different personas to life and while some are more memorable than others there's several stand out performances from Joe Bryant as Corporal Reeves, Richard Dee Roberts as Sgt Jones and Julian Gamm as Private Harry Blount all of whom were exceptionally good. Touching moments too come on the home front scenes through the performances from Grace Blackman and Sean Cronin during the films more intimate moments with their characters respective families. Nice too, to see a cameo from Lucy Benjamin supporting such a worthy production. There's not a huge number of films being made about the Great War. It was a muddy, dirty war, where the battlefields all looked the same and the tactics from both sides rarely changed so its nice to see a film bring this period to life again so convincingly. The ending too packs an emotional wallop that only the most cynical would fail to be moved from.

Occasionally the limits of the budget betray itself on screen, there's some continuity issues and not all the performances are even but minor quibbles aside this is still a well made, extremely moving piece of cinema. So set expectations aside and enjoy the well crafted story and characters as you go back to a time that has been all but forgotten.

The film ultimately offers a message of hope for the future but we know of course, with this being world war one, such words ultimately fell on deaf ears.

Terrible acting even for a low budget film not worth watching and a disgrace to real events of WW1. Wasted my money.

Eleven is a very moving film, showing the last few hours of World War 1. The fear felt by soldiers was well captured, as was the sense of comradeship. It was great to see such attention to historical and period detail in the sets and uniforms and the camera work was superb.

All the actors were excellent, with standout performances by Sean Cronin as Friedrich Muller and Jo Stone-Fewings as Captain Mullen. A special mention must also be made of the wounded French soldier, Jerome Bernard, played by the very talented Guillaume Rivaud, who so beautifully captured the look of thoughtful sorrow and acted with great compassion and feeling.

It was fitting to include the powerful 'soldier's prayer' at the beginning and one can easily imagine that many prayed such a prayer on the battlefields. It was a great shame therefore that the name of Jesus was taken in vain several times during the film.

All in all, this film was a well-made reminder of the horrors of World War 1 and the friendships that must have been made during that time.

This low budget film depicts the closings hours from midnight to 11am on last of WW1. It captures sin small scale view the lives lost to combat action along the front line. Don't expect high budget effects this film focuses the impact of company to small group of soldiers.

We tried to watch this but when they fail to get the simple details right, for example British Servicemen NEVER salute without any headgear, yet a junior officer does this ten minutes in, my wife pointed out that he had holes in his tunic where his regimental badges should be.

Then the senior officer, taken directly from Blackadder goes forth, at least that was satire. The makers obviously thought no one under 40 would have seen Blackadder.

What could have been a good story was ruined, we gave up after 15 minutes.

What an beautiful film which captured the horrific last hour of the great war where many lost their lives so needlessly. I was gripped from start to finish. The acting was outstanding in particular Jon Woodrow and Sean Cronin.The cast performed well together creating a realistic bond.Its direction can only be described as on a par with Mr Spielberg. A wonderful film with a rollercoaster coaster of emotions which had me reaching for the tissues to wipe the tears from my eyes.Great work gang and I hope you get the recognition and awards this deserves.......Dave Armstrong

Hugely ambitious, modestly budgeted UK indie drama based on the final hours of World War I. The film has real heart and feels authentic as to the people stuck in the trenches, as well as those back home. A meditation on the senseless waste of life, and a moving tribute to those who fought, and those that fell during that horrible conflict.

Poor acting, over dramatized, crappy movie scene sets. Rifles sound like a child's cap gun from 1957. No storyline really. Generals depicted as crazed disturbed puppet masters. About as u realistic acting to the situation as possible. Poor taste in music...mismatched. a nurse breaks out in song and has a modern tone and vibrato, totally inappropriate to the time. Movie ends with a modern sappy song. Gives zero justice to the men and women that laid their lives on the line during g WWI.

With absolutely appalling acting and direction that is little better this film had great ambition with "one for effort" is probably being generous. Even the costuming is poor with chinstraps not worn (which totally negates the point of the helmet in WW1) and bright brass buttons - there to provide a good target for snipers I suppose.... Overall this film has nothing to recommend it.

I knew when she was driving there she was quoting things that you learned in journalism school. She has no insight into anything. She didn't research his background. She didn't ask him about his childhood. She didn't even try to get him talking. She just skipped right ahead to the murders, she didn't even attempt to warm him up at all, it's a wasted interview to get an interview with someone like that you need to prepare yourself. She was literally like a high school student interviewing him. It was such a waste of time if you can waste the time of someone in jail you're pretty worthless I don't know how she has a job. She follows up about how difficult he was. As a journalist she didn't even try.

Great Film written by Rock Salt and Directed by Sean Cronin , i was gripped from start to finish Highly Recommend, with a great cast of up and coming British Actors .

Very dramatic film of the horrors of war that could have been avoided during the last hours, if not for orders issued by a deranged General, played brilliantly by Rory Wilton. Also touching was the emotions of the French soldier, portrayed by Guillaume Rivaud. Loved the last scenes with Archie and the German sargeant.

If your going to go and see a film that will touch you from beginning to end , this is the one , you will be captured from the start right through to the last moments , for a low budget movie this is the one , A great cast and fantastic storyline this film has all the ingredients to make you ask , " whyou has it taken so long to write a masterpiece like this .***** excellent!

I love informative and historian feature films. This film gave me the opportunity to have a great view of how the World war was. Amazing cast, story, and directors. I strongly recommend to watch/buy this film. Also, I recommend this film for educational purposes as well.

At last I got round to watching this. I cannot understand some negative views here but of course everyone is entitled to their opinion. I thought the acting was good, the scenes realistic and the sudden gunfire was at a level which made one jump. This wasn't a massive budget film. People need to remember that. I thought the part at the end with the daughter aged 100 visiting her father's grave was very moving.

This is fantastic. Simon does a spectacular job. Shame that Roofied is on his page. This film on the other hand is great, the script, the storytelling and the acting. Top-notch stuff!