The plot revolves around an encounter that occurs during the summer of 1940, while Operation Sea Lion is in progress. In 1983 Britain, an elderly WWII veteran named Charlie (Martin Riley) goes to a church where he makes a confession to a priest. His confession involves events that occurred when he fought during Operation Sea Lion. Charlie (the younger version of the character played by Charlie Riley), then a member of the British Armed Forces, enters a bunker that is occupied by the Nazis. He is soon confronted by a German soldier named Heinrich (Brookes) and the bunker is suddenly bombed, leaving both of them injured and trapped.

Almost the entirety of the narrative takes place inside the bunker, where the two men sit in relative darkness and the main focus is the unexpected, unstable, yet, ultimately life-changing rapport that develops between them. Initially, they are hostile towards each other and as time goes by and they become respectful and understanding because they learn about each other's lives and sorrow.

The budget was £2,000 and it is hard to believe that the funds were so limited, taking under consideration that the filmmakers' creativity convincingly brings the action to the time of the Second World War. Filming took place in an authentic WWII fortress that was used for home defence during The Blitz and the decision to do so certainly makes the whole setting look more realistic and creates a dark and claustrophobic atmosphere. Additionally, the sound effects of battle further suggest that armed conflict is taking place over the bunker, with distant sounds of gunfire and bombing heard throughout. Furthermore, the clothing and weapons also add to the environment and the handheld camera techniques, along with the close-ups and long takes establish an unsettling space, revealing how being trapped underground affects one's state of mind.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, two men from opposite sides of a global conflict are forced to remain together, inside an enclosed space. Played brilliantly by Brookes and Charles Riley, both of them have been physically and emotionally damaged by the war and they feel the need to express their thoughts and emotions. The elderly version of Charlie (also a superb performance by Martin Riley) is a person who has been deeply affected by his encounter with Heinrich and seems to be looking for redemption.

As this is a war story, it deals with themes that war films tend to explore and in this case, these are the mental scars of warfare, the fear of losing one's life and the pain of loss. Furthermore, the screenplay places significant emphasis on self-reflection and on issues involving confession, redemption and humanity.

A poignant WWII story about two men re-evaluating their lives. It is a powerful viewing that pays homage to the people who lost their lives during this global conflict and the presence of WWII veteran John Dennett adds massive value.

Review by Jason Knight.