Starring: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Adrian Scarborough, Daniel Mays, Richard Madden, Benedict Cumberbatch
Director: Sam Mendes
Release date: 10th January 2019
It’s the Spring of 1917 in Northern France and the First World War is at it’s height. Two young British soldiers are called to see their commanding officer, only to be told that they have a mission. One of the men, Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) is informed that his brother and his Regiment are in grave danger. The Germans have set up a trap that the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment are going to walk straight into and 1600 lives will be lost as a result. Blake and his friend Schofield (George MacKay) must go on foot, and deliver a letter which calls off the attack, saving the lives of thousands of British soldiers in the process. Both men are scared but know that they must do everything in their power to complete the mission. Blake’s brother is in terrible danger and only they can stop the attack which will ultimately result in his death if they fail.
A war film in every sense of the word, ‘1917’ is unlike any film of its genre you may have seen in the past. The pure scale of the film will have your jaw hanging wide open and it will almost feel like you are on the mission with Blake and Schofield.
The film was shot in very long takes and choreographed to look as though it’s all done in one continuous take. The effect is stunning and you feel a bit like you’re watching in real time. It’s very very difficult to see the joins as most are seamless.
Such was the scale of ‘1917’, for a lot of the scenes they had to use up to 500 extras to show the breadth of the landscape.
This is one of those movies that doesn’t come along too often; a really breathtaking film that will leave you feeling all kinds of emotions by the end.
It did very well in the Golden Globes, taking away Best Motion Picture and Best Director for Sam Mendes. It’d be very surprising if it doesn’t get a few Oscars as well. The performances are sublime and there’s an amazing cast.
A very strong contender for films of the year already, go and see ‘1917’ on a big screen. I’m pretty sure that you’ll love it as much as I did.
Overall: 9.5/10
