Attending a free preview screening of Testament of Youth meant that I saw this film knowing little about it. Based on Vera Brittain’s highly-regarded memoir, this film covers the WWI period of 1914 to 1918 in England. It moved me on many levels. Maybe you should resolve now to come along and read no more. For those of you still here, let me say what moved me.

The re-creation of the grand British Empire era is perfect – the buildings, the trains and railway stations, the tea houses and wardrobes and manners. You see British countryside at its best and beautiful Oxford. There is a naïve excitement amongst the young men about the opportunity to participate in a war; “How many generations get the chance to be involved in something like this?” says Vera’s brother. “War is never short and fast,” responds his father.

After achieving university entrance against her father’s opposition, Vera feels she must abandon her studies and contribute to the war effort instead. Not satisfied as a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse looking after the wounded at home, she serves under the harrowing conditions at the battle front in France.

As we know, her father was right: the war was long and many were killed. The acting is extremely good, a mix of familiar names and faces and others new to me, none better than Alicia Vikander as Vera. Coming away I again considered how lucky I have been that my generation did not experience a war like this.