Watch A Field in England

A Field in England is a British psychological thriller film from 2013, directed by Ben Wheatley. The movie tells the story of a group of soldiers during the English Civil War who leave the battle in search of an alehouse. Instead, they find themselves trapped in a vast, mysterious and seemingly never-ending field. The story begins with the character of Whitehead, a timid and bookish scholar who becomes a cipher for the absurdity and horror that exists within the film's universe. Whitehead is a cowardly, paranoid man who has been conscripted to the army to work as an assistant to a great alchemist, O’Neill. From the start, viewers are thrust into the chaotic world of the English Civil War as the sounds of gunfire and explosions fill the air. As Whitehead and his group wander through the field, they eventually come across O’Neill, played by Michael Smiley, who is trying to find and excavate a hidden treasure in the field.

The group of travelers soon become aware that the field itself is not like any other they've ever seen. The landscape is eerie, otherworldly, and seems to warp and shift in impossible ways. As the nights grow darker and the group becomes more lost, tensions rise and strange things begin to happen. The group becomes increasingly unhinged as they attempt to locate the treasure that O'Neill seeks. This search for treasure becomes the film's central mystery, within which all of the characters' motivations exist - and where audiences will find themselves questioning who to trust, who to fear and what is really happening in the field.

Although the plot of the film is rather thin, much of the film's brilliance comes from its visual effects, sound design, and cinematography. The film has an eerie, disorienting quality that is visually arresting and serves to heighten the existential dread of the story. Throughout the movie, viewers are shown intense, surreal images that seem to be lifted directly from the twisted dreams of the film's characters, adding to the feeling of being trapped in a nightmare. The editing, too, is masterful, with Wheatley making use of quick cuts and jarring transitions that turn the film into a feverish and hallucinatory experience.

The ominous and brooding atmosphere is further reinforced by Jim Williams' chilling musical score, which is a combination of medieval chants, strange noise, and eerily beautiful folk music. The sound design also deserves praise, as it enhances the creepy, unnerving ambiance of the film. There are several moments where the sounds themselves begin to warp and disintegrate in a way that creates a physical unease within the viewer.

The performances of the film's cast are all noteworthy as well, providing a human touch within the chaos. Julian Barratt, of The Mighty Boosh fame, makes great use of his dry comedic sensibilities to create a character who is both endearing and mentally unstable. Michael Smiley delivers a brilliant performance as O'Neill, who is both an enigmatic figure and a ruthless opportunist. Richard Glover plays Trower, a soldier who is both sensitive and brutal. Overall, the cast works in harmony with the film's surreal and unsettling atmosphere to create something special.

In conclusion, A Field in England is not a movie for the faint of heart. It is a challenging film that demands its viewers' attention and patience. It is a deeply unsettling, and sometimes grotesque movie that offers an intense, sometimes confusing experience. The film is a daring experiment in style, form, and storytelling that brings something fresh and original to the psychological thriller genre. Fans of surreal, psychological thrillers are sure to appreciate the artistry of Ben Wheatley's vision.

A Field in England is a 2014 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 73.