One of the most anticipated films of this summer, Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk,” is only a few weeks away and a new trailer has landed. The film, which premieres July 21st, tracks the evacuation of Dunkirk during World War II from land, air and sea. The official synopsis reads:
Dunkirk opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in.
Nolan has previously discussed how he approached the film as not a war film but as “a survival story and first and foremost a suspense film.” He recently curated a film series at the BFI that sheds light on the cinematic influences of “Dunkirk.” The list features such diverse films as Erich von Stroheim’s silent classic “Greed,” David Lean’s “Ryan’s Daughter,” Hugh Hudson’s “Chariots of Fire,” Jan De Bont’s “Speed” and, most interestingly, Tony Scott’s “Unstoppable,” which Nolan calls, “a well made, suspenseful thriller that works as a great companion piece to ‘Speed.”
“Dunkirk” is written and directed by Christopher Nolan and stars Nolan regulars Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy. Additionally, the cast includes Academy Award Winners Mark Rylance and Kenneth Branagh with Harry Styles making his film debut, and newcomer Fionn Whitehead in a feature role. The film was shot by Nolan’s “Interstellar” cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema. Surprisingly absent from the cast list is Michael Caine, who has had a role in every film directed by Nolan since 2005’s “Batman Begins,” though it wouldn’t be surprising if he showed up for a cameo. Tickets for 70mm screenings of “Dunkirk” go on sale today.