See the list of cinemas and Q&A events here.
ERIC RAVILIOUS – DRAWN TO WAR a Margy Kinmonth film, is a true story. One of Britain’s greatest landscape artists, Eric Ravilious, is killed in a plane crash while on commission as Official War Artist in Iceland in 1942. His life is as compelling and enigmatic as his art, set against the dramatic wartime locations that inspire him. This film brings to life this unique and still grossly undervalued British artist caught in the crossfire of war 80 years ago, whose legacy largely sank without trace, until now…
This is the first full length feature documentary about Eric Ravilious, told in his own words through previously unseen private correspondence, made with the blessing of the Ravilious estate.
Shot entirely on location in UK, Portugal and Ireland, the film asks what it is to be a war artist, featuring Ai Weiwei, Alan Bennett, Grayson Perry, Robert Macfarlane and many more, to be released in his 80th anniversary year.
If you’d like news, please click here to contact us
and follow us:
Press Quotes
This fine overview does convince you of his singularity, while also coaxing you into the sunlit, subtly clouded uplands of his lost world.
Tim Robey – TELEGRAPH – 4 stars ****
This well-crafted documentary makes a thorough and convincing case for Ravilious as a major figure in early 20th-century art.
Cath Clarke – THE GUARDIAN – 3 stars ***
This vivid documentary argues that Ravilious should be as famous as Turner and Constable
Wendy Ide – THE OBSERVER – 4 stars ****
A touching search for a missing artist
SIGHT & SOUND
Veteran arts documentary director Margy Kinmonth makes an excellent argument for elevating the status of watercolourist and etcher Eric Ravilious in this lovingly crafted biographical film.
Saskia Baron – THE ARTS DESK
Eric Ravilious: Drawn To War is a very different kettle of fish, or perhaps plate of scones. Margy Kinmonth’s affectionate and enlightening documentary tells the life story of a watercolourist whose subjects encapsulated England and Englishness.
He deserves to be much better known for his pre-war work alone, but he also became an acclaimed war artist and died in a 1942 plane crash at the height of his powers, aged just 39.
Alan Bennett and the artist Grayson Perry are among those paying tribute in a film that draws heavily on Ravilious’s letters and diaries, and those of his wife and fellow artist Tirzah Garwood. ‘I find it hard to say what it is to be English, but Ravilious is part of it,’ says Bennett, which is praise indeed, since for some of us, Bennett is part of it, too.
Brian Viner – THE DAILY MAIL – 3 stars ***
Online News Pieces
‘Eric Ravilious: Drawn To War’ filmmaker Margy Kinmonth talks next projects, box-office run
Mona Tabbara – SCREEN DAILY (27 July 2022)
Artist’s legacy
HENLEY STANDARD (11 July 2022)
Alan Bennett on Ravilious: “Now he is so loved. Nevertheless, he is a shared secret.”
Colin Petch – MAG NORTH (10 July 2022)
Eric Ravilious: Artist on the Frontline
David White – ART MAG (6 July 2022)
Eric Ravilious: A very British vision of war?
Beverley D’Silva – BBC CULTURE (6 July 2022)
The renaissance of Eric Ravilious
THE ECONOMIST – Culture (4 July 2022)
Thoughts on Eric Ravilious – Drawn to War
JAMES RUSSELL ON THE WEB (2 July 2022)
New documentary sheds light on artist Eric Ravilious, a romantic visionary lost in war
Elizabeth Mistry – THE ART NEWSPAPER (1 July 2022)
Ravilious – a life cut short by conflict
THE FINE TIMES RECORDER (1 July 2022)
The talent and tragedy of painter Eric Ravilious
James Rampton – EXPRESS (1 July 2022)
Eric Ravilious: Drawn to War – new film about the ‘forgotten’ war artist who lived in Great Bardfield
Sinead Corr – BISHOP’S STORTFORD INDEPENDENT (30 June 2022)
Eric Ravilious: The forgotten war artist remembered
The World at One – BBC RADIO 4 (26 June 2022)
He died in his 30s living the life he had dreamed of: artist Eric Ravilious
Claire Armitstead – THE GUARDIAN (24 June 2022)
Story of doomed war artist Eric Ravilious told in new film
Richard Brooks – THE OBSERVER (19 June 2022)
Eric Ravilious: Drawn to War — a visionary master who celebrated England in war and peace
Rachel Campbell-Johnston – THE TIMES (18 June 2022)
Online Reviews
I hope audiences will seek it out, as Kinmonth has produced a fascinating film, which is also a visual feast.
Taylor Downing – THE PAST – Military History
THE UPCOMING – Review
An enlightening and richly illustrated biopic of the undervalued British artist
Joyce Glasser – THE MATURE TIMES
THE REVIEWS HUB – 5 stars *****
MORNING STAR – 3 stars ***
JEREMY C PROCESSING – 3.5 stars ***
HERO MAG – mention
EXPRESS AND STAR – mention
JNEWS – Review
