1917 review

1917:

SAM MENDES’ WORLD WAR I EPIC IS AS RIVETING AS IT IS GROUNDBREAKING! 

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: **** out of 4

UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND DREAMWORKS PICTURES

George MacKay in 1917

            Director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Skyfall/Spectre) brings history to life like never before in 1917. A new war epic set during World War I and unlike other films set during that time period, this film has the distinction of literally being one continuous shot all throughout the running time, it’s like the Birdman of war films.

            Granted, a movie being filmed like it’s all one shot has been done before, but this has never been done with a war movie. So, Sam Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins (A Beautiful Mind, Sicario, Blade Runner 2049) who had previously worked together on Skyfall, decided to experiment with this technique and…wow, simply wow. 

            1917 is more than just another war movie, it’s an experience and a technical achievement that immerses the viewer into its world. From the camera work and Mendes’ direction to the music, sound effects, and realism, everything in this movie feels larger than life and the kind of film that SHOULD and MUST be seen on the big screen, streaming or renting it will not do it justice. 

            Despite its groundbreaking camera work and intensity on an epic scale, the plot is very simple and basic. Similar to Gravity where it isn’t really about the story but rather the experience and the journey. 

            At the height of World War I in spring 1917, the film follows two British soldiers, Schofield (George MacKay-Defiance, The Boys Are Back, Captain Fantastic) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman-Game of Thrones, Breathe, Blinded by the Light) who are given a seemingly impossible mission. To go behind enemy lines and cross German territory to deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of people, Blake’s own brother Joseph (Richard Madden-Game of Thrones, Cinderella (2015), Rocketman) among them. 

            The film also stars Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes (2009), Kingsman 1 and 2, Shazam!) as Captain Smith, Andrew Scott (Sherlock, Fleabag, Spectre) as Lieutenant Leslie, Colin Firth (A Single Man, The King’s Speech, Kingsman 1 and 2) as General Erinmore, Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, The Imitation Game, Marvel Cinematic Universe) as Colonel Mackenzie, Daniel Mays (Vera Drake, Atonement, The Rhythm Section) as Sergeant Sanders, Adrian Scarborough (Gosford Park, The King’s Speech, Les Miserables (2012)) as Major Hepburn, Jamie Parker (The History Boys, Valkyrie, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) as Lieutenant Richards, and Michael Jibson (Flyboys, The Bank Job, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) as Lieutenant Hutton. 

            Overall, 1917 is quite possibly one of the best war films I’ve seen since Saving Private Ryan and a technical marvel that makes you ask, “How did they do that?”. The cinematography and use of long shots are absolutely perfect for this movie and help set this grand scale but also unsettling and horrific mood of war without it ever feeling like a gimmick. 

            This movie is horrifying at times which makes sense given that it takes place during a war and while the violence and carnage is NOT the focus of the film, there is quite a body count and some grisly imagery. Ironically, this film is scarier and more disturbing than most horror movies, but it also captures the realism and intensity of the war. 

            The acting is superb and shows that sometimes all you need are two soldiers to carry an entire movie. George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman work together wonderfully, acting almost like guides as they take the audience on this heart-pounding, unforgettable journey, even the side characters like Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, or Richard Madden who probably only have like one line each still manage to make an impression on their presence alone. 

            While I was watching this movie, I thought back to Christopher Nolan’s 2017 war film, Dunkirk where the film was able to establish its characters and motives with minimal dialogue. Pretty much the same thing applies to this and even without constant dialogue I was still able to care about each and every character in the film because they’re all perfectly cast, and the writing gives them plenty to work with even if it’s just for one scene. 

            1917 adds another riveting, masterfully crafted film to director Sam Mendes’ filmography as well as a gripping and thoroughly unique war film that in Martin Scorsese’s case is both cinema and a theme park movie at the same time. It’s definitely worth checking out on the big screen and might even be worth experiencing in a premium format like IMAX or 4D, don’t watch it at home go to your local theater, experience it on the big screen, and get immersed in this game-changing war epic.