Review:  Review: Melancholic ‘Private Peaceful’ orchestrated with grace

Melancholy runs deep in “Private Peaceful,” a richly appointed British period piece about fraternal loyalty adapted from the book of the same name by “War Horse” author Michael Morpurgo.

Set in rural England during the turn of the 20th century, the drama follows the young lives of the closely knit Peaceful siblings, sensitive Tommo (George MacKay) and the elder, gregarious Charlie (Jack O’Connell).

The bond between them is threatened with the arrival of the spirited Molly (Alexandra Roach), who proceeds to capture their hearts, but resentments on the domestic front are soon relegated to the background with the onset of World War I.

With its “Masterpiece Theatre”-ready cast (also featuring old pros Richard Griffiths, Frances de la Tour and John Lynch as a sadistic sergeant), the BBC production admittedly feels a bit starchy around the edges, especially in the early going.

And though the scenario might not be the freshest, director Pat O’Connor (“Circle of Friends”) employs a delicate, organic touch, lending a vivid sense of place to both the pastoral Devon backdrops and the grim, muddy trenches of Flanders.

He keeps you so coddled in atmosphere — further heightened by Rachel Portman’s lovely, elegiac score — that you’re totally unprepared for the ending, which, like the rest of the film, is orchestrated with nuance and grace.

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“Private Peaceful”

MPAA rating: None.

Running time: 1 hour, 43 minutes.

Playing: Laemmle’s Playhouse 7, Pasadena.