IMDb 8.2 2018 HD

They Shall Not Grow Old

They Shall Not Grow Old

2018
Documentary History War
99 min R United Kingdom
7.8 / 10
8.2 IMDB

A documentary about World War I with never-before-seen footage to commemorate the centennial of Armistice Day, and the end of the war.

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Peter Jackson
Starring
Thomas Adlam / William Argent / John Ashby / Attwood / Walter Aust / Donald Bain / Thomas Baker / George Banton

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

powerful immersive harrowing poignant authentic raw historical moving intense remarkable unforgettable visceral

Reviews

I
Isabelle Moreau
Apr 11, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

This is a profoundly affecting piece of cinema, a vital contribution to our understanding of World War I. 'They Shall Not Grow Old' leverages never-before-seen footage to create an astonishingly intimate portrait of the soldiers. The restoration is…

A
Arthur Pendelton
Apr 11, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

'They Shall Not Grow Old' presents a bold, and largely successful, attempt to revitalise historical documentary filmmaking. By focusing on newly unearthed footage, the film offers a unique window into the lives of soldiers during World War I.…

G
Genevieve Dubois
Apr 11, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

The centennial of Armistice Day finds a potent voice in 'They Shall Not Grow Old'. This documentary transcends typical historical fare by employing never-before-seen footage, meticulously brought into the digital age. The result is a startlingly intimate portrayal…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Apr 11, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A remarkable feat of archival restoration, 'They Shall Not Grow Old' offers a perspective on World War I rarely afforded to modern audiences. The film eschews traditional narration for the most part, allowing the original footage and the…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 11, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

This is not merely a documentary; it is an immersion. 'They Shall Not Grow Old' plunges the viewer headfirst into the mud and chaos of the Great War, using remarkably preserved footage to astonishing effect. The restoration work…

FAQs

The documentary focuses on the collective experience of soldiers during World War I, rather than individual narratives in the traditional sense. Figures like Thomas Adlam, William Argent, John Ashby, Attwood, and Walter Aust are among the men whose presence is felt through the archival footage. Their faces and actions form the heart of the film, representing the thousands who served and whose stories are brought to light.