The Wipers Times (2013)

In the shadowy aftermath of World War I, Captain Fred Roberts (Ben Chaplin) embarks on a quest to become a newspaper journalist, recounting a tale of resilience, wit, and audacity from the battlefield trenches. His story springs to life in 1916, amidst the rubble of war-torn Ypres, Belgium, where he unearths a working printing press. Aided by his loyal friend Jack Pearson (Julian Rhind-Tutt) and the skilled ex-printer Sergeant Harris (Steve Oram), Roberts gives birth to The Wipers Times, a name inspired by the soldiers' mispronunciation of Ypres. Undeterred by the stern disapproval of Lieutenant Colonel Howfield (Ben Daniels), and bolstered by the supportive General Mitford (Sir Michael Palin), they craft twenty-three issues of a razor-sharp satirical magazine. This audacious endeavor, produced under the looming threat of enemy fire and gas attacks, not only provides a much-needed morale boost to the troops on the Western Front, but also dares to mock the grim specter of war. The Wipers Times, with its potent blend of gallows humor and subversive wit, even catches the attention of the sophisticated Tatler. Despite the destruction of their printing press by a German shell, the indomitable team manages to find a replacement, adapting the paper's title to echo their ever-changing deployment. Amidst this whirlwind of defiance and creativity, Roberts and Pearson earn gallantry medals for their bravery. Yet, on returning to a peacetime world, Roberts finds his journalistic talents reduced to compiling crosswords, leading him to seek new adventures as a prospector in Canada, while Pearson finds solace in matrimonial bliss and the hospitality industry in Argentina. The Wipers Times is more than a satirical magazine; it is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, a beacon of humor and resilience shining through the darkest hours of adversity. Indeed, both Pearson and Roberts survive well into the 1960s, their legacy serving as a remarkable tribute to the power of laughter amidst the chaos of war.

The Wipers Times is a comedy movie featuring Ben Chaplin and directed by Andy De Emmony.

The Wipers Times is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Freevee, Plex, Plex Player, Redbox and The Roku Channel and it's also available on Acorn TV, AcornTV Amazon Channel, DIRECTV and Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy The Wipers Times on Amazon Video.