Renowned for his poignant depiction of the harsh realities of the First World War trenches through powerful poetry, Siegfried Sassoon courageously shared narratives that challenged the prevailing sentiments of his time.
While Sassoon’s impactful verses continue to resonate a century later, his personal journey remains less explored. A new biographical film titled Benediction sheds light on the life of this soldier-poet. Directed and written by Terence Davies, known for the autobiographical film Distant Voices, Still Lives, the movie hits theaters this Friday.
The film stars Peter Capaldi from Doctor Who as an older Sassoon and Jack Lowden from Dunkirk portraying the poet in his younger years. Sassoon, a decorated war hero, expressed scathing criticism of the war, leading to his confinement in a psychiatric facility due to alleged “shell shock.”
Beyond his military acclaim, Sassoon faced emotional turmoil from several gay relationships and a short-lived marriage to a woman nearly two decades his junior. Born into privilege in 1886, he left Cambridge University prematurely to pursue a writing career, achieving recognition with The Daffodil Murderer in 1913, just before the outbreak of World War I.
Joining the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1915 after a series of setbacks, Sassoon earned the moniker “Mad Jack” for his daring acts of bravery in the trenches. Despite receiving the Military Cross for his valor, he found the grim realities of war overshadowed any semblance of glory.
Sassoon’s candid and graphic poems shocked audiences but garnered critical acclaim for their raw portrayal of war experiences. His shift from romantic themes to trench life in his poetry resonated with readers, capturing the vernacular and struggles of soldiers at the Front.
However, Sassoon’s disillusionment with the war peaked with the loss of a close friend, prompting him to publicly denounce the conflict as needlessly prolonged. His bold stance, viewed by some as treasonous, led to a stint at Edinburgh’s Craiglockhart Military Hospital, where he crossed paths with fellow poet Wilfred Owen.
Returning to the battlefield, Sassoon was wounded by friendly fire in 1918, while Owen tragically perished shortly before the war’s end. Sassoon’s influence on Owen’s work and his lasting impact on war literature underscore his legacy as a trailblazer in questioning the human toll of conflict.
After the war, Sassoon transitioned to prose, writing a trilogy of novels reflecting his wartime experiences through the fictional character George Sherston. His personal life saw tumultuous relationships, culminating in a late-life romance with aristocrat Stephen Tennant that ended abruptly.
Despite facing personal challenges and artistic evolutions, Sassoon’s work endures as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and horrors of war. His legacy lives on through his profound verses that continue to resonate with contemporary audiences, honoring those who served and perished in battle.
