Introduction to a Haunting Trailer
When the first trailer for "28 years later" was released, it sent chills down the spines of horror fans everywhere. The trailer was full of eerie images of zombies and a dystopian world, but what made it even more terrifying was the uncanny, rhythmic vocals of a high, nasal voice. This voice moved with a military cadence, initially monotonal but increasingly louder and more excited as the trailer progressed.
The Power of Sound
The vocals in the trailer, although seemingly unrelated to the images, added to the overall sense of terror. The use of this sound in the film made already threatening scenes even more intense. The combination of the haunting music and the disturbing vocals created a sense of unease, drawing the viewer into the dark world of the film.
Uncovering the Source
The vocals are actually a recording of the poem "Boots" by Rudyard Kipling, first published in 1903. The poem was meant to capture the monotony of soldiers marching, inspired by the hundreds of miles British troops marched during the Second Boer War in southern Africa. According to the Kipling Society, the direct inspiration was the grueling marches of British soldiers.
A Historic Recording
The recording used in the film is almost as old as the poem itself, expressed by actor Taylor Holmes in 1915. It’s a dramatic reading that starts off militaristic but ends with a hint of hysteria, following the rhythm of the marching step. The poem has been used as a marching song by different armies over the years and has even been utilized by the US military in their Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) schools for its psychological effects.
Integration into the Film
Although the poem plays a small role in the film, its impact is significant. It soundtracks a pivotal scene where the characters march into a zombie-infested mainland, presumably to convey their determination. The use of a 110-year-old recording of a poem that dates back to the height of the British Empire is noteworthy. Director Danny Boyle explained in an interview that the team had been exploring archives to propose the culture that the island’s inhabitants taught their children, which was regressive and looked back to a time when England was great.
The Director’s Perspective
Boyle mentioned that the recording was suggested after the music director, Megan Barbour, was informed about the screenplay. Barbour, who knew the recording from someone who had been in SERE training, sent it to the trailer editor, Bill Neil. The recording was so effective that Boyle quickly integrated it into the film, noting that it seemed to understand so much of what they had tried to capture. The director also acknowledged that Kipling’s words and Holmes’ voice, which could have been lost over the decades, still maintain their visceral force even in today’s world.
The Timeless Impact of "Boots"
The poem’s enduring power is a testament to the timeless impact of art. As Boyle noted, it’s remarkable how something recorded over 100 years ago can still evoke the same emotions and reactions. In a world where content is constantly changing, the haunting vocals of "Boots" continue to captivate audiences, proving that some works of art are truly timeless.
