Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		2.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

The Crimson Field Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 13, 2015

Produced by the BBC, “The Crimson Field” is a hospital drama set during World War I. It’s a time period popular to costume dramas right now (both “Downton Abbey” and “Mr. Selfridge” have set seasons during these volatile years), giving the show a boost of confidence as it strives to create a riveting depiction of wartime strife, romance, and uneasy camaraderie. It’s a surefire formula that somehow eludes the production, which spends six episodes with uninspired characters caught in the middle of tedious conflicts, barely using the potential of the premise. Instead of WWI intensity and passion, “The Crimson Field” sticks closely to melodrama to best comfort its audience, yet the writing doesn’t dream up heated adversity, instead paging through familiar beats of longing and secretive behavior that never quite adds up to anything compelling.

“The Crimson Field” is ostensibly about three nurses arriving at a field hospital in the far reaches of France, each possessing a haunted backstory and certain personality challenges that are meant to be conquered over the run of the show. With only six chapters in the overall narrative, the program doesn’t remain with its main characters for very long, soon branching out to survey the larger community of haunted soldiers and civilians, trying to establish groundwork necessary to pump up “The Crimson Field” with struggles strong enough to last for as long as necessary. Instead of building a flow of despair, the series achieves an episodic feel, with little emotional connection arriving to accentuate the lives lost and the bravery gained. It could’ve been a “MASH”-style program that mixes personal challenges with a hearty group dynamic, but the writing barely connects the dots, strangely sending the participants in opposite directions.

Momentum isn’t available in “The Crimson Field,” and a great deal of feeling is missing as well, finding the scripting manipulative and often too scattered. Considering it’s a WWI show about nurses, there should be more from the characters, but the production doesn’t sink into daily activity, trying to shoehorn life-altering secrets, turbulent romance, and military dishonor into a show that seems perfectly comfortable winding around the property, checking in on operations and treatments, with a series of wounded men providing a change of scenery. What’s here is more Harlequin, going for flared-nostril reactions to vaguely defined disasters. At least the acting is effective, with leads Oona Chaplin, Marianne Oldham, and Alice St. Clair managing to find life with monotone characterizations, while Kerry Fox and Hermione Norris bring special dimension as the seasoned nuns overseeing the nursing program. Of special note is Kevin Doyle, who wears hardness well as the military man in charge of the entire operation. Perhaps best known as bumbling Molesley on “Downton Abbey,” it’s a treat to see him in command for a change.

Episodes

Disc 1

“Episode 1” (57:30)

Escaping the pain of her past, Kitty (Oona Chaplin) retreats into World War I, joining Rosalie (Marianne Oldham) and Flora (Alice St. Clair) on a journey to a field hospital near the front line in northeastern France, ready for nursing duty. Discovering difficult work and traumatic events, the three women process the experience in their own ways, while Matron Carter (Hermione Norris) oversees the work, unsure if the new arrivals are ready for responsibility. Sister Margaret (Kerry Fox) attempts to carry on with the routine of care, but she’s upset with Carter’s promotion over her, taking out her insecurities on the younger nurses.

“Episode 2” (59:30)

As a wave of casualties is brought into the camp, Adeline (Jodhi May) arrives to see her husband, Major Crecy (Rupert Graves), who’s suffered terribly in battle. Kitty makes an effort to repair a damaged relationship through letter correspondence, only to learn that Matron Carter reads through all outgoing mail, humiliating the new nurse as secrets are revealed. Sister Joan (Suranne Jones) makes an immediate impression on the camp with her motorcycle, leaving schemer Soper (Jeremy Swift) to figure out a way to commandeer the vehicle. And Gillan (Richard Rankin) finds Kitty’s standoffish attitude enchanting, working to break the ice as he spies her distress.

"Episode 3" (59:22)

Denial of duty is in the air, with one soldier returning to the camp without a hand, leading his superiors to believe that he’s blown it off on purpose to avoid returning to the front lines. Gillan struggles with an experimental surgical procedure intended to help avoid amputations, only to be openly criticized by Major Yelland (Nicholas Burns). Sister Joan’s marital past comes rushing back to her memory after she encounters a German man in need of medical assistance for his young daughter. And Corporal Peache (Kerr Logan) has no intention of returning to uniform once out of the camp, complicating his chummy relationship with Sergeant McCafferty (Lorcan Cranitch), who understands the young man’s fears but can’t break his role as superior.

Disc 2

“Episode 4” (59:22)

Receiving treatment at the camp, a unit who refers to themselves as The Lucky 13 grows concerned that they won’t return to the battlefield due to various ailments and injuries, with their commanding officer willing to lie to help their cause. Kitty is charmed by Gillan, but she returns to England briefly when her secretive domestic concerns require attention, delivering news she doesn’t want to hear. And an act of leniency puts Sister Margaret in a difficult position when Lt. Col. Brett (Kevin Doyle) discovers her deception, challenging her sense of military duty and her Catholic compassion.

“Episode 5” (58:13)

Looking for a way to lift spirits around the camp, Flora sets out to arrange a revue for soldiers and the staff, looking to rope her fellow nurses into performing as her ambition grows. Sister Joan is desperate to contact a man from her past, trying to settle unfinished business without attracting too much attention as her mission crosses borders. Stomping into the camp is Major Ballard (Peter Sullivan), a force of nature who catches on to Matron Carter’s secretive past. And Kitty and Gillan finally succumb to their urges, with their combative ways fueling their desires.

“Episode 6” (59:33)

Put on trial for her covert affair, Sister Joan is left to defend herself, struggling to convince the powers that be that her interest in the enemy contained nothing more than pure intentions. Sister Margaret returns to duty pledging obedience to Matron Grace, but her trustworthiness is called into question. And Rosalie begins to settle into her role as a nurse, finally getting over her phobia of the male body.

The Crimson Field Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The MPEG-2 encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is truly a mixed bag. When the series is out in the open air, blasted with natural light, detail is adequate for an HD-shot show, providing a crisp, textured look at a myriad of weathered faces and worn costumes, while the locations are handed depth. Lose the bright light, and "The Crimson Field" becomes murky, with feeble contrast and a complete absence of delineation, losing frame information to a point where little that isn't directly illuminated can be seen. Unfortunately, the series spends as much time indoors as it does outdoors, creating a wildly uneven viewing experience. Banding is detected as well.

The Crimson Field Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 LPCM mix is comfortably loud, with emphasis on atmospherics that add a realistic bustle around the camp, working through the various stops on this tour of treatment. Some war flashbacks also contribute heft. Dialogue exchanges are fresh and clean, handling accents and dramatic extremes superbly. Scoring needs are met, offering sharp instrumentation and respectful support, swelling when necessary.

The Crimson Field Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on these discs.

The Crimson Field Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Perhaps most disconcerting about "The Crimson Field" is how the entire series is intended to bridge easily to another season. The show was canceled last year, leaving loose ends and unfinished business more annoying than enticing, with too much time spent setting up the program for future successes it hasn't eared. One episode at a time is always the best policy with a new show, finding the rush to stimulate a new television phenomenon hurting "The Crimson Field" instead of developing it to greater entertainment glory.