(spoiler free)
‘Hurricane’ tells the true story of Squadron 303 of the Royal Air Force during World War II. This squadron was made up of Polish pilots who came to Great Britain to continue the fight against Hitler and the Nazis despite Poland already having fallen. With language barriers and prejudices against them on British soil the war against the Germans wasn’t going to be the only fight for these Polish pilots!
The nature of this story means that there are a lot of sequences in the air as we watch the squadron maneuver the skies in their hurricanes as they attempt to assist the British pilots in their fight against the Luftwaffe. Therefore it’s a real shame that these sequences are easily the worst thing about the whole film. The special effects work is very poor with the quality being more like B-movie standard, a sharknado wouldn’t have looked out of place amongst the air warfare – this is the kind of CGI we’re talking! As a result this really takes you out of the drama and action of the story. Furthermore, the editing of these scenes is also below par and often there’s little to no context for these scenes leaving you feeling lost amongst the CGI shit storm unfolding before your eyes. You do somewhat become used to the quality as the film progresses and it does improve on its framing of these sequences but there’s simply no denying that for a film so dedicated to telling the story of these pilots the scenes of flight just don’t do them justice.
Thankfully back on ground it’s a very different story for ‘Hurricane’ as it manages to be a rather charming wartime drama. It’s very informative about the Polish (and other nationalities) involvement in the British war effort. It sheds light on how much of an impact they had and how they were treated, a story that I’m sure many won’t know. It’s a nice touch that the majority of the squadron are played by Polish actors and a lot of the film is subtitled which adds to the authenticity of the picture. ‘Misfits’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ star Iwan Rheon is the biggest name attached to the film and he plays the leading role here. He holds his own amongst the rest of the Polish cast and shares a believable chemistry with his co-stars creating a strong dynamic on screen. This makes way for good levels of drama, humour and emotion which allow for a thoroughly enjoyable wartime picture.
Initially I had thought that one of the only issues with the proceedings back on ground was the potentially one-note portrayal of the British reception to the Poles. Of course the film showcases the hostility that these pilots were met with from much of the country, and rightly so as this is an important part of their story however I had thought more of the positive response could have been highlighted creating a better balance. However, upon reflection I actually do think this balance has been achieved and whilst you may come away with a somewhat villainous impression of some of the British characters here maybe you should do, and furthermore question how Great Britain really treated and thanked these brave men who ultimately helped win the war.
‘Hurricane’ could be two completely different films depending on which section you find yourself watching. The battle sequences in the skies are a complete let down, especially with Christopher Nolan’s spectacular ‘Dunkirk’ still fresh in our memories. However, the drama on British soil is more reminiscent of the wonderful and charming ‘Their Finest’. So whilst fundamentally flawed ‘Hurricane’ need not surrender just yet as it still remains an enjoyable wartime picture with an informative flare that should enlighten audiences aplenty with its brilliant story that deserves to be told.
Written by Hamish Calvert
Rating – 6.5/10
Question: What is your favourite war film from the 21st Century?
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