1917 is a war film like no other, perfectly captivating viewers in an immersive 90-minute experience that drops moviegoers right in the middle of World War 1 through a jaw-dropping cinematic experience.
This movie follows the harrowing journey of two British troops, Lance Corporal Blake and Lance Corporal Schofield, as they deliver a message to call off an attack the next morning that would be leading 1,600 British troops into a trap, one of which being Blake’s older brother. Filmed seemingly with one continuous shot, this movie takes viewers across the trenches and battlefields with Blake and Schofield in such a way that makes moviegoers feel as if they are right there with them. It’s cunning use of hidden edits, skillful camera direction, and beautiful cinematography rightfully won 1917 Best Achievement in Cinematography as well as Best Achievement in Visual Effects at the Oscars.

But what is a story without its characters? No doubt, actor George Mackay and Dean-Charles Chapman give amazing performances as Schofield and Blake, truly bringing them alive on screen. Watching this film will make viewers celebrate the character’s accomplishments and mourn with them in times of sorrow. Furthermore, Mackay and Chapman are able to uphold their amazing performances alongside big-name actors including Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, and Andrew Scott, each of whom also seamlessly fit within this continuous story.

Perhaps one of the most notable achievements of this film, however, is how real it is. It seems to astonishingly capture a war that happened over 100 years ago and director Sam Mendes was even inspired by the true stories of his grandfather, Alfred Mendes, who was a soldier in World War 1. From building full-scale trenches for the sets to entire old, destroyed buildings, this film does justice to truly showing the Great War.

But what is the impact of this film? 1917 brings to life a war that may have normally been overlooked by more recent wars and troubles. It reminds people of those who fought and died in this war and of the hell they went through. It gives a face to the names people see on old family documents, a story to a grandfather long forgotten, and a feeling of remembrance as to what they did and who they were. As the common Remembrance Day saying goes, “Lest we forget”.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8579674/awards
https://www.npr.org/2019/12/21/790328406/it-was-part-of-me-director-sam-mendes-on-the-family-history-in-1917
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/lest-forget-story-behind-iconic-13571698
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/movie-reviews/1917/movie-review/73229889.cms