Summaries

Legendary 20th century English war poet Siegfried Sassoon embarks on a life-long quest for personal salvation through his experiences with family, war, his writing, and destructive relationships. True salvation can only come from within.

BENEDICTION explores the turbulent life of First World War poet, Siegfried Sassoon, through the eyes of the revered filmmaker Terence Davies. Sassoon was a complex man who survived the horrors of fighting in the First World War and was decorated for his bravery but who became a vocal critic of the government's continuation of the war when he returned from service. His poetry was inspired by his experiences on the Western Front and he became one of the leading war poets of the era. Adored by members of the aristocracy as well as stars of London's literary and stage world, he embarked on affairs with several men as he attempted to come to terms with his homosexuality. At the same time, broken by the horror of war, he made his life's journey a quest for salvation, trying to find it within the conformity of marriage and religion. His story is one of a troubled man in a fractured world searching for peace and self-acceptance, something which speaks as meaningfully to the modern world as it did then.

Details

Keywords
  • soldier
  • friendship between men
  • world war one
  • gay kiss
  • charleston the dance
Genres
  • Drama
  • History
  • War
  • Biography
Release date Dec 22, 2021
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) PG-13
Countries of origin United States United Kingdom
Language English German French
Filming locations Chillington Hall, Port Lane, Brewood, Wolverhampton WV8 1RE, United Kingdom
Production companies British Film Institute (BFI) BBC Film The National Lottery

Box office

Gross US & Canada $201093
Opening weekend US & Canada $50970
Gross worldwide $847418

Tech specs

Runtime 2h 17m
Color Color
Sound mix Stereo
Aspect ratio 2.39 : 1

Synopsis

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