The first trailer for the upcoming film 28 Years Later was released yesterday, sparking excitement among fans as it marked the return of acclaimed British filmmakers Danny Boyle and Alex Garland to their 2002 zombie classic, 28 Days Later. The trailer stood out not only for its familiar yet chilling visuals of a zombie-ravaged Britain but also for its unique soundtrack choice. As the shaky camera captured glimpses of the undead and a gaunt Cillian Murphy, an unsettling voice repeated disjointed numbers and phrases, heightening the tension. Instead of conventional background music, the trailer featured Rudyard Kipling's poem "Boots" as its soundtrack, creating a haunting effect.

Rudyard Kipling, an English novelist known for works like "The Jungle Book," is regarded as one of the most emblematic writers of Britain between the 19th and 20th centuries. Born in British India, his writings on the British Empire, while earning him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907, have also led to contemporary reevaluations of his colonialist themes. "Boots" was first published in the 1903 collection "The Five Nations." Its repetitive verses are designed to immerse the reader in the mindset of a British soldier marching in South Africa during the Second Boer War (1899-1902).

In 1915, American actor Taylor Holmes recorded a spoken word rendition of "Boots." His performance, marked by a dry, accelerating recital that culminates in a terrified shriek, brings the horrors of war to life. This psychological impact made Holmes' recording a part of the US Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) training program, used to prepare soldiers for hostile environments. Listening to Holmes' rendition on YouTube reveals the chilling power of the poem, transforming it into a spine-tingling exploration of a soldier's traumatic experiences.

Over a century after Holmes' recording, the inclusion of "Boots" in the 28 Years Later trailer is a masterstroke. While details about Boyle's upcoming film remain scarce—aside from the cast, the timeframe of the story, and the fact that it was filmed on iPhones alongside a sequel, 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple—the use of "Boots" in the trailer has already captivated audiences, showcasing the art of trailers in generating anticipation for a film months before its release. The film is slated for a 20 June 2025 release.

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