Directed and written by a filmmaker regarded as one of Britain’s most distinguished auteurs of his era, this 2021 movie served as Terence Davies’ final masterpiece.

The biographical romantic drama, Benediction, stars Jack Lowden and Peter Capaldi in the central roles as war poet Siegfried Sassoon, with support from Simon Russell Beale, Kate Phillips, Gemma Jones, Jeremy Irvine, and Ben Daniels, completing an exceptional ensemble cast.

Enthusiasts of war cinema and Terence Davies can celebrate as Benediction broadcasts on BBC2 at 11pm tonight, November 7.

The film chronicles the journey of Siegfried Sassoon, a British poet and decorated World War I combat veteran who was confined to a psychiatric institution for his vocal anti-war position. This biographical work examines his romantic entanglements with multiple men throughout the 1920s, his marriage and parenthood, alongside his ultimate embrace of Catholicism.

In September 2021, Benediction enjoyed its world debut at the Toronto International Film Festival as a Special Presentation. Boasting an impressive, near-flawless 92 per cent critics approval rating on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the biographical drama garnered rave reviews from critics, reports the Mirror.

One reviewer said: “Benediction is achingly sad but poignant – like all great art it elicits empathy for the subject and the many, many young men who were lost due to wars out of their control; whether those be on a battlefield or in their personal lives.”

One reviewer praised: “Ethereal, profound and enthralling – Terence Davies’ Benediction is magnificent in every single way.”

Another critic acclaimed the biopic, saying: “A great subject, a well-written, unspeakably brilliant cinematic drama and an extremely literate, lyrical and spiritual masterpiece.”

An enthusiastic fourth critic said: “This is a sumptuous, multi-layered, and tender piece of filmmaking from British director Terence Davies. Benediction is as beautifully rendered as the prose penned by its subject.”

Another reviewer, lauding Davies’s direction and the actors’ performances in the film, wrote: “Transcendent performances and visionary direction make for a numinous final film by Terence Davies.”

One fan of the film took to the review aggregator site and said: “This is one of the most beautiful stories I’ve watched and listened to. The film shares much more than could be reasonably expected and imparts a depth of humanity often missing from the lives of the people who pass through not only this man’s life but fleetingly through our own.”

While another audience member said: “Superb, cinema at its best, absolutely loved this film from beginning to end. It was a joy to watch but also so heartfelt, you really got a sense of the characters and the acting was marvellous.”

“Quite a masterpiece. Every nuance and aspect of this magnificent film is considered and timely. An understanding, thoughtfulness, honesty, and production that captures a number of philosophies beautifully,” added one captivated viewer.