"Superb" British period drama that "sweeps you away" is now streaming on the BBC

A period drama starring Ex Machina star Alicia Vikander and Game of Thrones' Kit Harington as lovers against the backdrop of World War I has just become available to stream on the BBC.

Premiering in 2014 ahead of a wider 2015 release, Testament of Youth is inspired by the real story of writer and pacifist Vera Brittain, played by Vikander.

Adapting Brittain's 1933 memoir of the same name, the film chronicles Vera's story as she abandons her university studies at Somerville College, Oxford to become a war nurse.

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The film from director James Kent and screenwriter Juliette Towhidi also sees Vera involved in a love triangle with two of her brother's (Taron Egerton) friends.

Portrayed by Harington and Merlin star Colin Morgan, Roland Leighton and Victor Richardson are both interested in Vera, though the former shares a deeper connection to the protagonist over their mutual love of writing and poetry.

Now available to stream on BBC iPlayer, Testament of Youth boasts a stacked cast, also featuring Marvel's Hayley Atwell, Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey, Emily Watson, Joanna Scanlan, Dominic West and Alexandra Roach.

The movie is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a critic score of 84% from 127 reviews. Critics have praised the film as one that "sweeps you away" (via Los Angeles Times) and a testament to "[Vikander's] ability to embody great women with grace and battle-ready precision" (via The Dissolve).

Meanwhile, Rolling Stone argued that the chemistry between the two leads enhances the film, noting: "Vikander and Harington provide the spark this World War I epic needs to get us through the tribulations and tragedies that pile on with numbing regularity."

Fans over on IMDb have called the film "superb" and "gorgeous", as well as praising Vikander's performance as Vera as "utterly sensational".

"It's a fabulous film, one that totally draws you in," a viewer wrote, with multiple fans recommending having hankies at the ready as the film is guaranteed to move you to tears.

Testament of Youth is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.

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Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).