It’s quite rare for me to get to review films around the date of their initial release. I think the last time it happened was for Russell Crowe’s ’The Water Diviner’ a couple of years back. It’s also quite rare for a Great War Film to be based in Los Angeles. And finally it’s VERY rare (although not unique) for a Great War Film to have time travel as a central plot tenet. My film today is, as you may have guessed from the previous statements, a bit of a rarity in Great War Films terms. It recently had its’ world premiere at the San Diego Comic Con, it is set in Los Angeles and, yes, it features time travel. A ‘Sci-fi’ Great War Film. That’s a new, and particularly niche, sub-genre. Hopefully this one works a little better than ‘Horror’ Great War Film ‘Deathwatch’, which is so dreadful it makes me angry. Well, there’s only one way to find out.
‘Alistair1918’ is the story of a Great War soldier who is thrown forward in time and space from the Second Battle of the Marne in France during 1918 to Los Angeles in 2014. The eponymous Alistair has to quickly come to grips with his new surroundings whilst fighting for survival in an unforgiving urban landscape. A film crew casting about for vox populi on the subject of Homelessness are directed to a wooded area known to be frequented by homeless people. There they stumble upon Alistair and, as they befriend him, he talks them through his story. How he ended up in Los Angeles, what he’d been doing to survive for the last 30 days and how he wants to return to his own time and his wife.
There are two films that immediately spring to mind in terms of comparisons. I’ve recently re-visited Terry Gilliam’s ‘The Fisher King’ which deals with mental health and homelessness in a skewed, typically Gilliam manner. No-one is who they say they are. Their histories and traumatic memories are tucked away somewhere in their sub-conscious. Their manic, maudlin, unpredictable behaviour causing onlookers to recoil in fear. Alistair, at least initially, is treated in much the same way by the members of the crew and the general public. He is filthy, he stinks, and the talk of time travel makes them question his sanity.
Second comparison, ‘Primer’ (2004), is a more obvious film to compare ‘Alistair1918’ to. Not everyone will know this film and I’m not sure how I found out about it myself if I’m honest! ‘Primer’ is an ultra-low budget time travel film that is rooted in reality. On a budget of $7,000 the film gained cult status due to its rock solid premise and mind-bending story. ‘Alistair1918’ has been knocked out on a 2014 budget of under $30,000. Like Primer there is one driving force person behind the majority of the production and also like Primer the main reason this film succeeds is because it has a cast who all pull their weight and who clearly care about the final result.
The story evolves much as you’d expect at the start. Alistair needs some food, a wash and a roof over his head. The presenter of the documentary takes a bit of a shine to him and as she starts to believe his story she begins to think of ways to get him back to his own time. An expert is contacted and plans are put in place. I won’t spoil it by telling you anymore, you’ll have to buy it to find out.
With the budgetary constraints comes a need for the team to think lean. The cast and crew overlap roles with Director Annie McVey also taking on the role of the documentary presenter. Writer, Producer, Actor Guy Birtwhistle has lots of hats on and each one of those hats is an essential millinery accessory to the overall finished product. The crew act and the actors become the crew. Anything with a record function is pressed into service as a movie camera, including iPhones and Samsung S3s.
The use of all the various different cameras, with lots of different members of the cast taking on camera person duties at different points in the film, is a standout feature. In a few spots the editing cuts from one camera shooting another to the other camera shooting the first and back again. It’s all very 21st century and it totally works with the story. It’s modern and I can’t think of many (any?) other films from the last few years that have done that.
The film has clearly been done on the cheap but at the same time there is clearly some talent on display here. Cheap is a relative thing and when you look at films like ‘Birdemic: Shock and Terror’ which was knocked out on a tiny budget but also absolutely woeful in terms of production values ‘Alistair1918’ looks like a proper feature film. The editing is sharp, the sound has been well handled (one of ‘Birdemics’ massive failings), the cinematography does what it should in terms of continuity of lighting, staging etc. It’s got a bit of class.
I liked it. The story isn’t my normal Great War Film fayre and, to be honest, it’s been good for me to look at something outside the norm. Alistair is the centre of the story and he’s well played by Guy Birtwhistle. He looked the part with a nice dirty uniform and a wounded hand. I was rooting for him to get home and as the film ended I wanted a bit more. I wanted to see what the GoPro saw. Hopefully that’s not a spoiler. I liked that the differences between 1918 and 2014 was played down. ‘We have radios’ Alistair says when asked about how he feels owning a mobile phone. Did I dislike anything? Not really.
What I really look for in a film (and music, and people, actually probably all aspects of my life!) is integrity. If something has been done with heart and care and a love of the creative process then I’m all for it. This film does that. The crew/cast clearly cared for the output and what they have produced is to be applauded. Having read the media blurb, writer Guy Birtwhistle talks about his own family connections to the Great War and his desire to put himself in their shoes. He’s done them proud and to see the film dedicated to them at the end resonated with me. I often think about how I might’ve survived in those times. Not too well is my conclusion. I’m sure my Great Grandfather would’ve been a much better transplant into the modern day than I would be into the past.
So, to conclude and pull together my rambling thoughts, this is a film which entertains and pulls you in. It’s not got all the bells and whistles but it does do a great job at telling a story and keeping you entertained and isn’t that what it should be all about? It’s not a Great War Film in so much as it’s not based in a trench, of an airfield but it has elements that made me think about the conflict and how the world has not changed quite as much as we sometimes think in the last 100 years. You can go watch the trailer, the first 20 minutes or buy it at their Vimeo site which links through from the website at www.alistair1918.com. I’m sure they’d love your money.
Great War Films 
Great review, Alistair2016 now has this on his radar!
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Ha ha! We’re contacting you for the sequel…
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Huge thank you from the cast and crew of Alistair1918! We so appreciate the big shoutout for our little film.
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Just wish the boots would have been at least replicas. Is he wearing timberlands(green emblem on sole). Maybe someone gave them to him in Griffith Park. Otherwise, nice story.
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I know right? It drives me crazy too. The replica ones had metal segs on the bottom so we had to send them back (too noisy for sound). The black tape kept falling off the bottom of the modern ones. We came to the same conclusion, he found them in the park. Thanks for watching the movie and commenting. Guy
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I just watched in on Amazon and I really liked it. The main character acted very well.
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You made my week. Thank you!
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Who is being honoured at the end credits and why? Cracking movie as well
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Thank you so much for watching Steve. The photos at the end are of my family members who fought in the war. We made a short behind the scenes documentary about the movie, where I talk about my father unearthing these photos and sending them to me. It’s on YouTube if you’re interested https://youtu.be/DAafG17X2mI The photos got me thinking about how these men would react to my life 100 years in the future. Thanks again for watching and commenting. Best, Guy
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Unfortunately, he video is marked “private” and does not play..
BTW, loved Alistair1918.
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Thank you so much for watching, Steven. Unfortunately there was a lot of behind the scenes footage shot in people’s private residences that we eventually had to take down from YouTube at their request. We’ll know better for next time. Thanks again and take care!
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We’ve just watched this film on Amazon Prime & really liked it. Acted really well, I was drawn in from the start. My Polish.Grandfather fought in WW1 & WW2 – the 2nd under British command and my dad was in the RAF in WW2. Invoked many emotions , my husband thought Poppy responded like I would ! She was very compassionate. My sister works with the homeless, & my son makes documentaries, so i connected with the film on many different levels. Well done, great talent.
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Thank you so much Anna. Our cast got together today to celebrate 1 million minutes streamed on Amazon, and I read them your post. It was wonderful to hear we struck a chord with your family. Thanks again, your comments are so appreciated.
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Outstanding film, cracking story and real character appeal. Loved it!
Saw it on Amazon Prime, hopefully a lot more will too.
Great stuff Guy! Looking forward to seeing more of your work
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Thank you so much Steve! Busy working on the next one…
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Excellent film! Not many minutes into the film, I found myself rooting for Alistair to succeed; and, at the end of the film, I found myself wiping away a few years. You folks have done an amazing job of making an unbelievable outcome almost credible. Kudos! I eagerly await your next project. All the best…
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Hi Stan. I thought the same regarding rooting for Alistair. He’s an instantly likeable character. He’s been placed in adversity and not been found wanting. The film I want to see if Alistair’s journey from his return to 1918 to placing the gopro in the ground in LA.
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Hi Stan, Thank you so much for watching the film and taking the time to write a comment. It makes it all worthwhile. Cheers, Guy
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I really enjoyed this film, I love time travel movies and am waiting for a sequel. You guy did a great job creating the storyline.
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Thanks for watching and commenting, Ken! We had such a blast making it, and welcome any excuse to get everyone back together again.
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We watched this last night on Amazon having seen the trailer a few months ago. What a great film…I shed a tear when he got his letters wet and was trying to dry them out on the table. So moving. I am recommending this film to everyone I know
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Hi Jules, Thanks for watching our movie. That scene always gets me too. They were actual letters I wrote to my real life wife. Guy
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My Wife and I really liked the creativity and suspense of this movie. It captivated us from start to finish. Thanks for a movie well done!
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Thank you for watching, Victor. Happy New Year! Guy
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Just watched this film and really enjoyed it – huge respect for creating a captivating story that leaves you really rooting for Alistair and wishing you knew more! What’s next?!
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Thank you for your comment and for watching the movie. I’m working on a TV show pilot about a clinical trial for a new drug that can cure PTSD. Fingers crossed it will become a reality in 2018. Guy
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Fab film, really enjoyed this. Please make a sequel. Loved the character Alistair, so wanted him to make it home to his wife and was rooting for him all the way. 😊 Will be on the look out for more of your films, well done!
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Thank you Suzanne! It’s been 4 years since we ventured out into LA with our cameras. It’s so gratifying to hear that people like yourself are still watching and enjoying it. We’re working away here on the next movie. Thanks again for your comment, Guy
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Cool film! My wife and I just watched it. I was really disappointed to not see the go-pro video at the end. That would’ve been so exciting. I can’t understand why that wasn’t part of the story, especially because it would verify that it all worked. Oh, well. Anyway, thanks for making the film!
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Thank you Mark. I know right, Alistair landing back in his trench, his commanding office telling him the war is over. We’ll have to get a film studio to fund a remake.
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I have just watched the film, amazing! Very funny with the attempt at the swimming pool, So suspense at the end, waiting to see whether Alistair will disappear. The acting is excellent. To my biggest surprise, there is no a Wikipedia page about the film.
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Thank you so much for watching Goran. We didn’t want to be presumptuous enough to make our own Wikipedia page, we’ve always felt if someone liked the movie enough they would create one.
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