A Field In England: The Presence of Absence

I'm now on twitter!: / whatssograce
Ben Wheatley's 'A Field In England' contains many unusual creative choices, from using tableau to re-dubbing audio, but each decision seems to be directed at one thing: absence. But to what effect?
Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoyed this video essay!
If you have any thoughts on the ideas in this video, or just your interpretation of the film in general, please leave them down in the comments. :)
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[@chasidahl8563]

Masterpiece movie. Reece Shearsmith staggering out of the tent, after the blood curdling screams was bone chilling & the image has stayed with me. He is such an amazing actor. Able to portray abject horror & terror with no dialogue. Pure genius. This was an absolutely superb review. Perfect explanation. Can't wait to watch the film again! Thanks for sharing........

[@BrianCarnevaleB26]

An Excellent summary. Well said, mate! Cheers!

[@PG-wz7by]

@ChasidaL I am both scarred and delighted by Shearsmith's performance. His character's transformation is unexpected and and tangible. Amazing work.

[@chasidahl8563]

@@PG-wz7by- absolutely!

[@ephemera...]

This is the best film analysis I’ve seen on KZbin. Kudos.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@angusfindlay9576]

How this channel doesn't have a million more subs I'll never know, great video!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@RezValla]

they're great on rewatch too. i find myself returning to these videos. great channel. def underrated

[@RyanRSteiner]

Superb insights into an amazing piece of work! This movie is not everyone's cup of tea, but the layers of depth it offers are rewarding to discover, once you stop taking it at literal, face value. It was a movie that was, at times, somehow just indescribably... unsettling yet for me - which I found surprising, considering how unflinchingly jaded I typically am (from already seeing so much in movies and other media). Putting together why/how it causes this response has been interesting to try to put together. I had noticed some of the things you pointed out here, but the rope and the fairy ring thing is a new piece of the puzzle for me. Thanks for sharing!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@eon14873]

Super review. I love this film. The tones, the music, acting, psychedelia and what you touched on about the lack of ambient sounds like the obvious strong wind. Genius

[@PyroNexus22]

I love your choices of the films you pick for the videos

[@PyroNexus22]

and your videos are amazing

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@ArthurMorgan-_-]

The visuals in this movie are phenomenal. Very realistic to an actual psilocybin trip

[@nusee7267]

Wow! Thank you so much for this beautiful essay. I've loved this film for so long without being able to articulate what mind-bogglingly funs & exciting it is to watch.

[@amethegoblin]

The motionless tableau scene really hit me. Very stark & out of the blue.

[@selimacast725]

This movie has one of the most underrated soundtracks ever I think

[@theviper1999uk]

What an excellent video. Perfect analysis, you opened my eyes to so many of the things the film is doing. Thank you for making this !

[@quitescripted1908]

The assortment of topics you have dealt with up until now is astonishing! It is so exciting and rare to see tastes of such a prolific content creator aligning with your own! Thank you so much for your incredible work!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@morehush]

GRACE! Thank you for doing this. Especially with Wheatley's films, you give me a greater understanding and appreciation for things I already love.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thanks, I'm glad to hear it! :)

[@amethegoblin]

Even watching scenes from this film in your video is giving me goosebumps.

[@cirquedude123]

This film blew me away... and then you explain to me why I was so blown away! Wow incredible!

[@opngate]

An astute and thorough examination of Wheatley’s choices in this film! Thank you! 👍🏻

[@danlinder2249]

I stayed hooked with my mouth open for almost 9 minutes. Kudos to you, well done!

[@sunnygreenings4840]

"The presence of absence" is the perfect description. While the space used by the director seems prescribed to catch the remains of the adventure, I wondered throughout when the hedgerow would again be transgressed. I suppose I locked into that hedge as the main limn, where chaos by a turn becomes a green world of sorts. But as in all green worlds (the Bard as my guide) anything green and good and true seldom occurs. The green world is really a world of alchemy *and* black holes. It's more chaotic. Great analysis which informed my watching a few years ago.

[@lucasgoncalves2414]

Another beautiful analysis. Thanks again! You became already one of my favourites video essayists. Your stuff is very relevant and entertaining. :)

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@lucasgoncalves2414]

I know you must be sick of this requests but I'd love to see your take on Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream, or maybe Pi...

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

I love Pi! It's on my list of possible video subjects but no actually plans yet.

[@josephwalls8917]

Another great video essay! I love the small subset of films that use extreme realistic depictions of the past to explore the fantastic.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much! Me too! I'd say A Field In England and The Witch are probably my favourites.

[@Mink-yu8nu]

Thank you your wonderful explantion of this film.

[@KajiCarson]

YES! I knew you were gonna do an analysis of this film sooner or later. Thank You!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

I just can't resist a good Wheatley film! :)

[@EmlynBoyle]

I love these videos and your analysis of each subject. Keep it up (and subscribed!) :)

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you! :D

[@deanhundley4130]

Amazing and beautiful analysis. This really moved me.

[@ViktorGlass]

thank you for putting the music credits in your videos i've discovered some great artists through that

[@TooFatTooFurious]

Holy shit, lady, your content is incredible. You do these cool animatics and title cards, and your editing is spot on. You should have way more subscribers.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much!

[@TwoMikesProductions]

Absolutely magnificent video. A favourite film!

[@melpomeninelaj8881]

Everything is great about your channel :) Keep it up!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you! :D

[@user-wl4sr4tl7f]

I just found your channel (via the David Lynch video, obviously) and I've been binge watching your videos. Really great stuff!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@bodenlosedosenhose1590]

For various reasons I'm very much into in-depth analyses of movies, so this might be the channel for me. My first, superficial thought when watching the video actually was, "cool, this is like Lindsay Ellis, but in an English dialect and without the arrogance". You got yourself a new subscriber.

[@marquisdekiel]

Thank you for a great review. In times of imdb reviews sometimes I'm not sure if the world has gone mental.

[@webkahmik]

Well done, you touched on many aspects, resonances that I perceived directly, even on a molecular level, in this film. Odilon Redon, Arthur Rimbaud, Baudelaire, Mallarme, etc. Damn, they're all Frenchmen! Salut!

[@holdencaulfield4808]

Man. What a great flick. I love when I watch a film that I know pretty much nothing about beforehand and it turns out to be brilliant.

[@shteevuk]

Great video, has definitely made me want to rewatch this remarkable movie :)

[@averystanley265]

Great Video! I always find myself watching them over again to really appreciate them, they are very dense! I would love to see a video on your views of the Grand Budapest Hotel or Baby Driver, some of my favorites.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you very much! No plans to do those yet as I don't have anything to say that I haven't seen said before. I always like to try and contribute something new. But sometimes I randomly get ideas about a film years later, so you never know. :)

[@CVLTOTV]

Great review. Many thanks! :D

[@mrdog4288]

Superb exposition.

[@jamiedarlow]

Fantastic analysis! Definately got a new subscriber, thank you for this video :)

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

:D

[@orcaaaaaaaaaa]

great review!!

[@FilmFallon]

Fantastic analysis, subscribed.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@seanlachut8298]

Wonderful review

[@thiccboss4780]

would it be possible to create a subtitles option that shows the name of each film currently on screen synced with the subtitles? i believe some other film essayers do that with the videos but because of the taxing amount of time it involves , most don't. but since the end of your video does contain a list of every film used in the video , then i would like to point out that half the job is done, and the creator could finish the job by implementing those subtitles or let the viewer embark on a scavenger hunt for these clips from longer films. regardless of either issue wouldn't impact the overall quality of the actual essay itself.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

That's a great idea! I didn't realise this was something people did and had never thought of it. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@eon14873]

O'Neil did pull them in as the post is empty of the rope. Onlh noticed after about 4 watches

[@Edward-xv3bo]

Brilliant, thank you

[@SaintHaHaLOLZ]

You have such a penchant for story telling. I'm always impressed by the astounding quality of your videos! I'd love to see you do an analysis of The Voices (2014) or Session Nine (2001), and the use of mental illness as a tool and framing device in film. Or one of Brick (2005), cause noir (and neo-noir, by extension) is a beautiful genre that lends itself well to deconstruction and analysis.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you so much! I haven't seen The Voices or Brick, but I really liked Session 9! When I started watching it I thought it was a bit schlocky but probably fun enough as I love abandoned buildings, ended up loving it by the end. Don't know if there's anything there I'd want to make a video about, but I have a rough idea about architecture/buildings/haunted houses that it would easily fit into. :)

[@SaintHaHaLOLZ]

I'll admit, it rode the line between uncomfortably tense and uncomfortably cringe for me (fuck youuuuuu), but overall did love it! Thanks for taking the suggestion, and you should definitely watch The Voices. It's similar to Session 9 in that it starts out a little clunky and awkward, but really develops into some great black comedy.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

It looks interesting, I'll try and check it out. :) And the idea I had for this month's video doesn't look like it's going to come together in time so the 'haunted house' idea might get bumped up the list. :)

[@SaintHaHaLOLZ]

Just taking a wild stab in the dark, but is it going to revolve around 1) the concept of setting as character, or 2) the juxtaposition of fear and danger inside what's suppose to be a safe space (homes)? Can't wait to see what you have in store for us. I'm sure that whatever the video is for this month, it'll be edutaining and high quality.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

No, I've misled you by saying 'houses', haha. It's not really about houses at all. If I get a video done this month, it'll be this one. Hopefully I can fit it in, and I hope it lives up to your expectations!

[@zla3031]

New subscriber. Excellent videos!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you!

[@sabrinakrisb4672]

Please please please do more film reviews like this

[@drewklenkel5539]

good commentary. I loved this movie.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thanks!

[@dragoonbabic]

Finally got round to seeing this movie at the weekend meaning I now get to watch your video about it. Dbl win

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Hehe :D

[@jonaswhitt4322]

Man, back when people could make video essays in under 10 minutes rather than 8 hours.

[@Mediumreginald]

Is there any analysis out there that touches on the occult themes of the movie? I feel like it’s begging for a full analysis

[@zaroffhound]

a poetic clash with the prosaic, a bursting synaesthesia, seems to be riddled throughout too.

[@amethegoblin]

You're really cool, you big film nerd :)

[@radradder]

The aspect ratio of the film feels stetchy for all these close up shots. I would have prefered something more squarish. All these wide shots for close-up and empty terrain feels boring to me, but maybe boredom is a form of emptiness and the director succeeded in the message at the cost of me. Not everything is for everyone after All.

[@berbank]

Your work is excellent. I'd like to see more from you. I tried to follow you on twitter but the account seems to be down.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thanks! Twitter is working now as far as I can tell. :)

[@calvink7210]

i’ve watched your video many times, well done! not to over analyze, but i’ve gleaned that they’re in monmouthshire in 1648. one of them mentions that they’re in monmouthshire, and they mention Cromwell’s siege of Pembroke, which was 1648…who knows though 🙂 also worth noting, i’m of the opinion that neither Friend nor Jacob are real at all. i base this on O’Neil asking Whitehead if he is “…good in his loins”. Jacob was the one with that issue. I’m curious what the several references to hands might symbolize. anyhoo, great video. 👍

[@davidmoore8227]

…… ya I watched this high, I don’t regret 10/10

[@BathedInMilk]

Another doozy. I wrote a thing about it upon release saying similar things. Always great to get insight on Ben Wheatley flicks

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Thank you! This'll probably be my last Wheatley video for a while, haha.

[@atillacelik2736]

What's that movie at 0:26?

[@jonapello245]

:31 BEN WHTEATLEY

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

I know. :'( Typos will be my downfall.

[@jonapello245]

Sorry to've been smarmy--I think this vid's great as is your taste in media!

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Haha, no that's fine! I was laughing about Whteatley for a good few hours after I realised. I still keep saying out loud to myself. Thank you very much!

[@sarahl701]

YES YES YES

[@dmoore4520]

I just watched the movie, and sure I was high... but the last 20-30 minutes were pretty unsettling. Specifically a few minutes. Idk how I feel about this movie at all right now.

[@BobHooker]

I read the movie as the men have been killed in the war and are being moved to the land of the dead

[@karenvaughn3567]

It looks like a great film and story. Excellent analysis as well. Unfortunately, I can't actually watch the film because of the rapid editing/flicker shots.

[@kev3d]

You didn't miss much. It was quite dull.

[@CNNBlackmailSupport]

Black and white gives you more to process. Think about it... Would it take a computer longer to look through a list of programs, or through the files in a single complicated program? With black and white in a complicated area with texture, foreground, background, and motion, your mind is basically looking for a wifi signal that doesnt exist. Its searching for awhile, then finding a signal, checking whether it's public or password protected, attempting to log in, searching for the correct password, user name, etc... We use color as a shortcut to distinguish reality. Take that away and we have to actually work to figure out what's grass, what's clothing, what's a hat, what's a face, what's a tree, and what's the sky and clouds, with only shapes. You could also think of it as whether it would take you more or less time to figure out the model of a car by touch alone.

[@fiveagainstfour]

"Ben Whteatley"…!

[@BasedBrooklyn]

whomst is ben whteatley?

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

They're the patron saint of typos that you catch a second too late...

[@ericwinick8296]

Great video... you just misspelled the director's name.

[@stiofan5754]

they ate magic mushrooms .

[@flamesphere3144]

Wheatley is spelled wrong😭

[@bilbobaggins5752]

Also black and white reduces the capacity for an audience to find men in silly costumes acting wacky in fields as silly.

[@31webseries]

I loved this film. And while you may not get some of the layers watching it as an American or another nationality not steeped in English History, you will still get so much don't let that sway you. This held 98% of my attention for 1:23 minutes. These days, that's saying something.

[@82luft49]

Being an arm chair history buff, I found this film to be too contrived, and very little to do with the rich history of that time period. Nevertheless the most interresting aspect of this in depth review was you. I subscribed.

[@WhatsSoGreatAboutThat]

Haha, thank you!

[@kev3d]

I thought it was boring as shit. Maybe you have to be on drugs to get it. But for me it was about a handful of guys who do almost nothing, go almost nowhere, take mushrooms and then kill each other. Not scary, not brilliant, just slow. A director trying too hard to be David Lynch or Terry Gilliam.

[@colinhughes4559]

Couldn't get past that speech impediment. Get a new narrator ASAP.

[@drewbobaggins5212]

You sad little man.

[@drewbobaggins5212]

You sad little man.

[@colinhughes4559]

@@drewbobaggins5212 keep your pea-brained opinion to yourself you mewling quim. Away back under your rock, rat. 🤣