Peter Jackson’s They Shall Not Grow Old is a must-see cinematic tribute to those who served in the First World War.
In the lead up to the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the Imperial War Museums in London reached out to Peter Jackson several years ago to do something with their extensive and largely unseen archives of footage. Jackson, something of a First World War buff, combined painstakingly modernized footage with first-hand audio testimony from veterans to create something truly remarkable that deserves to be seen. An astounding technological achievement first released in 2018, They Shall Not Grow Old will take your breath away as it breaks your heart.
“Jackson has succeeded in pulling the stories of First World War soldiers into the modern era, so that we can see them with the urgency and immediacy that was felt by those who lived through it,” said Simon Coakeley, chief executive officer of Federal Retirees (and a major admirer of the film). “We are proud to be able to offer this experience to our members for Veterans’ Week. Although the film tells the story from a UK perspective, over 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders fought and over 66,000 died in the trenches in France and Belgium, and so this story is their story as well.”
On the first day of Veterans’ Week, Nov. 5, Federal Retirees members will receive a special email newsletter with instructions and login information to view this outstanding documentary for free. We encourage you to view it, together with those in your social bubble, and to take the time to honour the memories of those who fought to secure the freedom and peace we enjoy today as Canadians.