Written and directed by a filmmaker hailed as one of Britain’s most esteemed auteurs of his time, this 2021 film marks Terence Davies’ final tour de force.

The biographical romantic drama, Benediction, features Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi in the lead roles as war poet Siegfried Sassoon. They are joined by Simon Russell Beale, Kate Phillips, Gemma Jones, Jeremy Irvine, and Ben Daniels, rounding out an extraordinary ensemble cast.

Fans of war cinema and Terence Davies can rejoice as Benediction is now streaming for free on BBC iPlayer.

The film traces the life of Siegfried Sassoon, a British poet and decorated World War I veteran who was committed to a psychiatric institution for his outspoken anti-war stance. This biographical piece explores his romantic relationships with several men during the 1920s, his marriage and fatherhood, as well as his eventual conversion to Catholicism.

In September 2021, Benediction made its global premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival as a Special Presentation. With a near-perfect 92 per cent approval rating from critics on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the biographical drama has received glowing reviews from critics, according to the Mirror, reports <a href=”https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/2130188/unspeakably-brilliant-war-film-airing-bbc-tonight” rel=”Follow” target=”_self”>the Express</a>.

One critic said: “Benediction is achingly sad but poignant – like all great art it elicits empathy for the subject and the many, many young men who were lost due to wars out of their control; whether those be on a battlefield or in their personal lives.”

Another reviewer added: “Ethereal, profound and enthralling – Terence Davies’ Benediction is magnificent in every single way.”

A further critic hailed the biographical drama, saying: “A great subject, a well-written, unspeakably brilliant cinematic drama and an extremely literate, lyrical and spiritual masterpiece.”

An excited fourth reviewer said: “This is a sumptuous, multi-layered, and tender piece of filmmaking from British director Terence Davies. Benediction is as beautifully rendered as the prose penned by its subject.”

Yet another critic, celebrating Davies’s directorial vision and the cast’s compelling portrayals, wrote: “Transcendent performances and visionary direction make for a numinous final film by Terence Davies.”

One admirer of the production posted on the review platform: “This is one of the most beautiful stories I’ve watched and listened to. The film shares much more than could be reasonably expected and imparts a depth of humanity often missing from the lives of the people who pass through not only this man’s life but fleetingly through our own.”

Another cinema-goer said: “Superb, cinema at its best, absolutely loved this film from beginning to end. It was a joy to watch but also so heartfelt, you really got a sense of the characters and the acting was marvellous.

“Quite a masterpiece. Every nuance and aspect of this magnificent film is considered and timely. An understanding, thoughtfulness, honesty, and production that captures a number of philosophies beautifully,” chimed in another mesmerised viewer.