Set in a dugout in Aisne in 1918, it is the story of a group of British officers, led by mentally-disintegrating young Officer Stanhope, as they await their fate.
The Western Front, April 1918. With a massive German attack imminent, a company moves up for its 6-day spell on the line. The company is lead by the war-weary, tightly wound, alcoholic Captain Stanhope. Joining the company is 2nd Lieutenant Raleigh, fresh out of training. Raleigh knew Stanhope at school and asked to be assigned to his company. Little does he realize how much Stanhope has changed. — grantss In March 1918, C-Company arrives to take its turn in the front-line trenches in northern France led by Captain Stanhope (Clafin). A German offensive is imminent, and the officers and their cook distract themselves in their dugout with talk of food and their past lives. Meanwhile, Stanhope soaks his fear in whisky. New young Officer Raleigh (Butterfield) has just arrived, abuzz with the excitement of his first real posting. Each man is trapped, the days ticking by, the tension rising and the attack drawing ever closer.