Billy Bishop Goes to War

Billy Bishop Goes to War is a captivating Canadian biographical drama of 2010 featuring John Gray and Eric Peterson based upon the true story of Billy Bishop, a famed World War I Canadian flying ace. It is a wonderful adaptation of the stage play by the same name which was co-created by Gray and Peterson themselves, lending an added layer of depth and authenticity.

The movie charts the extraordinary life of William Avery "Billy" Bishop who grew from a young, aimless wanderer to a celebrated war hero. With Peterson as Bishop and Gray donning multiple roles as the narrator and portraying various other characters, they skillfully recount Bishop's journey interwoven through wartime exploits, personal transformation, and potent elements of humor and pathos.

The movie opens with Billy as an underachieving student at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, showing no ambition or drive. The viewers witness the profound effect the advent of World War I has on Billy’s life. The film expertly threads together stories of Billy's time in the military, training as a pilot in the nascent air force, to his exploits in the skies over France. Peterson's portrayal of Bishop is, at once, charismatic yet characterized by a sense of detached impunity.

As the movie progresses, viewers are privy to Bishop's numerous aerial duels amidst the lethal backdrop of the Great War. During these intense sequences, the film makes use of stylized depictions rather than actual flight scenes, making room for imagination while retaining the intensity and danger inherent to these combats. The directors successfully blend reality with the oral tradition of storytelling, gently nudging the spectators into the realm of subjectivity and recall.

A significant part of the movie rests heavily on Gray and Peterson's vibrant storytelling, filled with humorous anecdotes, aided by poignant songs, period music, and mime. The narrative style of the film captures the gritty realities of the war while portraying Bishop as a complex individual. He is shown not merely as a war hero with an almost mythic reputation but also as a man with his follies, contradictions, and humaneness.

Gray, as the dramaturge, displays his virtuosity in multiple roles - from Bishop's commanding officers to his eccentric old mother, to his admirable yet realistic love interest. His performances and the songs he sings, infuse the film with varied tones and shifting emotions, enhancing the duality of war – the glory and the tragedy.

On the other hand, Peterson’s performance as Bishop is exceptional. He effortlessly acquires the swagger and glib charm of the legendary ace pilot, yet reveals his vulnerabilities and self-doubt, humanizing the character, making him relatable. Through their nuanced performances, Gray and Peterson manage to make their two-man show come alive with an ensemble's spirit.

The film's visuals deserve special mention. Rather than the stereotypical war scenes, the film adopts a minimalist approach. It utilises archival materials, monochrome photographs, songs of the era and subtle lighting effects. These elements not only takes the viewing experience to another level but also give it an intimate feel of a theatrical performance that resonates with its origin on stage, making it a unique cinematic experience.

The film's subtle way of dealing with themes such as heroism, myth-making, war's glamorization, propagandas, and their repercussions on a personal and public level adds further depth. It challenges the boundaries between reality and memory, the making of heroes, and the cost of war on the human mind and soul.

Directed by Barbara Willis Sweete, Billy Bishop Goes to War is as much a tribute to the man and his exploits as it is a reflection on the brutalities of war. It is a thought-provoking exploration of personal identity against the backdrop of a global conflict while providing a distinctive commentary on the social and political environment of the time.

In conclusion, Billy Bishop Goes to War is a powerful blend of biography, war chronicle, and music-drama that illuminates a fascinating piece of Canadian military history while raising broader questions about war and heroism. For those who love history, war stories, strong character study, and remarkable stage-to-screen adaptations, this film is a must-watch.