The Return of the Soldier

The Return of the Soldier is a 1982 British film starring Alan Bates as Baldry and co-starring Julie Christie, Ian Holm, Glenda Jackson, and Ann-Margret about a shell-shocked officer's return from the First World War. It was directed by Alan Bridges and written by Hugh Whitemore based on the book The Return of the Soldier by British novelist Rebecca West. The film was entered into the 1982 Cannes Film Festival. In 1914, a group of British soldiers are preparing to leave to fight in The Great War in France led by Captain Chris Baldry . He appears at one final farewell party thrown by his wife,... Kitty - yet throughout he seems withdrawn and distant. The story moves on to 1916, Kitty and her companion, Jenny Baldry are living in England. Jenny is concerned because they have heard nothing from Chris' regiment, but Kitty dismisses her fears - more concerned by the rising prices of commodities in wartime Britain. Their quiet war is shattered by the unexpected visit of a Margaret Grey . A former acquaintance of Chris Baldry who has been written to by him from his hospital bed. He is ill and has been brought back to England. She cannot say any more.
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