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- What Is the Poem About in the ‘28 Years Later‘ Trailer?
- What Does the Poem Have to Do With ’28 Years Later?’
As a movie buff with a deep appreciation for the intricacies of storytelling and symbolism, I find the choice to incorporate Rudyard Kipling’s poem “Boots” in the trailer for Danny Boyle’s “28 Years Later” absolutely brilliant. With over two decades of watching films under my belt, I can confidently say that this decision adds an extra layer of depth and chilling effect that would have been missed with any other choice.
The new trailer for Danny Boyle’s eagerly awaited movie titled “28 Years Later” has been released online, sending chills down the spine. Due to be released in cinemas in June 2025, this film brings Boyle together with writer Alex Garland once again, having collaborated on their earlier project, “28 Days Later,” from 2002. In their latest collaboration, set almost three decades after their initial work, the film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, and Jack O’Connell, with Cillian Murphy reprising his role, although the exact nature of his part remains unclear. Some eagle-eyed viewers think they catch a glimpse of Murphy in the trailer in a startling and grotesque skeletal form, but it’s doubtful that this fully encompasses his role in the film.
Despite all the frightening visuals in the trailer, the creepiest part of it all is most certainly the reciting of a 20th-century military poem. The trailer begins with a group of children watching the Teletubbies and quickly shifts to an eerie recording of Taylor Holmes’ 1915 recording of Rudyard Kipling’s poem entitled Boots. As if the world of 28 Years Later wasn’t scary enough, the poem adds another level of fear and provides a deeper meaning for what’s to come.
What Is the Poem About in the ’28 Years Later’ Trailer?
Originally appearing in Kipling’s anthology The Five Nations in 1903, “Boots” encapsulates the recurring thoughts of a British Army infantryman during the Second Boer War at the start of the 20th century. The poem portrays the exhausting march of a soldier, and its opening words in every line are designed to be read at a pace of two words per second. Consequently, the rhythm of the poem mirrors the same marching tempo that British foot soldiers were familiar with.
1915 saw Holmes’ spoken-word performance being recorded and later utilized by American SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training institutions due to its psychological impact. Notably, one exercise aimed at soldiers involved them listening to the recording multiple times in a confined space as part of their preparation for enduring captivity and potential torture by adversaries.
Military schools were designed to equip personnel for war situations, yet they also imparted numerous other skills. However, their main focus was on survival techniques, evasion strategies, and staying undetected – all crucial skills needed to survive in intensely dangerous environments. The emphasis laid upon adhering to a military code of conduct was evident, as both the schools and a related poem underscored the idea that abiding by specific rules enhances a soldier’s chances of survival, regardless of how unpredictable or hostile the situation may become.
What Does the Poem Have to Do With ’28 Years Later?’
In the grim setting portrayed in “28 Years Later”, Kipling’s poem used in the trailer adds an unsettling atmosphere. At first, it plays over scenes depicting a community’s rules and their tranquil order, but quickly transitions to more disturbing imagery as the poem intensifies. The line, “There is no discharge from the war,” reflects the characters’ struggle in the film, suggesting they are unable to escape the conflict they’ve been thrust into.
In addition, the unsettling audio from the trailer unexpectedly creates a deeper sense of unease compared to John Murphy’s music in the original movie. The contrast between the disciplined verses of a military poem and the chaotic visuals of the rage virus is striking. The intention behind using Kipling’s work and Holmes’ voice is to instill dread, reflecting the constant fear that pervades Boyle’s world. 28 Years Later will premiere in cinemas on June 20, 2025.
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2024-12-12 04:31