McCullin

'McCullin' (2012, David Morris, Jacqui Morris) is one of the most interesting films I have seen in a long time but at the same time one of the most moving and difficult to watch. It documents the work of war photographer/ photojournalist Don McCullin. The film follows the development of his career over three decades. What started out as a passion (photography) became a full time job, but one full of risk and danger.

The most impacting line of the film for me comes when Don recalls the time he was not invited to photograph one of the wars later in his career, but then suggests that this was not a problem as there would be another war for him to go to. His drive to capture the truth of war in photographs was incredible. Where there was a war, he was there. As noted by a few of the interviewees, unlike other photojournalists, Don would stay for the duration of military operations, living in the warzone alongside soldiers for up to two weeks, regardless of the danger it put him in (He was once shot, but this never discouraged his enthusiasm).

The photographs shown in the film are horrific and it is difficult to imagine being in such a situation, they only reveal a tiny fragment of what living in a warzone would be like. All the photos capture perfectly the truth, McCullin only once set up a photo, laying a fallen soldiers possessions around his body, however he claims that was a one off, only done to convey a deeper human meaning, this was a man with family, with people worth fighting for.

McCullin dislikes the term 'war photographer'. He took the photos to convey a truth, capturing war as it really was. However this lead to several difficult situations for him. He would often be taken to  places by local people to see people in unbelievable situations, but sometimes he struggled to find the reason for his visit as some were too difficult to photograph. McCullin took care in what he photographed and was respectful in his approach. He tells stories of murders happening in front of him, but of which he would not shoot.

Morris uses a mixture of archival footage and talking heads with McCullin narrating much of the film. A great contrast is created between McCullin now- shot in his home, and the black and white war photos. It creates an almost unreal feeling, that such horrors could occur, creating a greater impact on the audience, making the film more moving.

The black and white photographs suggest a reality, the gritty truth of war providing an insight to the viewer of life in a warzone, which was exactly what McCullin was trying to do. Revealing the horrors of war in the aim of discouraging it.

The voiceover of McCullin himself draws the audience to feel part of his story. The talking heads provide a personal feel that makes the audience feel as if they know Don, immersing them in the film. It feels like a conversation with him.

McCullin now photographs landscapes, as highlighted by the long shots of him walking through the British countryside. It suggests a  peaceful end to his career, his escape from the tragedies he has witnessed. Although it isn't an easy watch, this film is well structured to create an insightful documentary. It reveals McCullin not just as a photographer but as a genius. He knew the exact moments to take a photo, one frame to reveal an entire story, making him the greatest war photographer of all time.