It was known as “The War To End All Wars.” World War I has been told through the history books of our schools and the documentaries on our televisions, but rarely is World War I depicted on-screen. Returning to the directors’ chair since Spectre, director Sam Mendes brings the passion, heart, and skill that he and his team poured into the brilliant Skyfall into his newest film, 1917. 1917 is the journey of two soldiers, embarking on mission of dire importance across the hellscape that is No Man’s Land. 1917, with its extraordinary cinematography, unique story, and unerring synergy, has instantly become one of the best war films in recent memory.
At its core, 1917 is a war drama, set in the climax of World War I.Two British soldiers, Will Schofield (George MacKay) and Tom Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) are given orders from General Erinmore (Colin Firth) to carry a message of the highest importance. A large battalion of British soldiers are about to launch a large scale attack against the Germans at the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich. The latest intelligence confirms that the British battalion is walking into a trap. Blake and Schofield are given the impossible task of running through enemy territory to warn the battalion and call off the attack. Time is no ally; it is the enemy, and it’s far deadlier than the actual enemy itself.
1917 arrests the attention of the audience through extremely impeccable and innovative cinematography, shot by Roger Deakins. 1917 is filmed as one, continuous take with the camera wisely putting the main subject in focus at all times. Throughout the experience, as the camera orbits around the changing scenery, the main subject is never lost. Blake and Schofield are on a dangerous journey, and with this technique, the audience is not only invested but feels part of the journey as if there’s a third person along with the duo. Seeing something like this stunned me as an avid film goer. 1917 immerses the senses. I felt the soupy muck of mud, the sudden snap of gunfire, and the rot of decaying corpses. One scene, in particular, towards the final act of the film, features sharp lighting and fire against a night sky that is one of the most elegantly designed shots I have personally seen in recent memory. Perhaps, this filmmaking can be too good and it may overwhelm some viewers with the constant focus and absorption of on-screen activity. However, even with that slight side-effect, 1917 revolutionizes how films are shot.
As 1917 puts viewers side by side with Blake and Schofield, the tension is tight. Every action they take brings feelings of dread, terror, and excitement. A particular scene involving a cave shook the entire audience as the camera works perfectly with the sharp sound design, truly bringing the sensations of dust and dirt. At times, the camera magnifies the emotions and distress of Blake and Schofield, as they urgently react with haste and panic over the obstacles of their ordeal.
From a video and audio presentation standpoint, 1917 is fantastic. As for the story, it does its job well with just a few stumbles. There is a level of authenticity that is unerring and keen, and in the story of Schofield and Bloke, their discussion and dialogue feels genuine and real as they trek on their dangerous task and reminisce on stories from their homes. 1917 isn’t necessarily a war film with multiple views but one that is squarely focused on the journey of these two soldiers. The one regret is there isn’t enough time to further explore their relationship, despite the two-hour runtime of the movie. Though, the events of the middle and final acts of the film work tremendously well to overlook this.
There will be those that compare 1917 to Dunkirk, but the films couldn’t be any more different. Their only similarity is the true antagonist: Time. Both films handle the aspects of time starkly different from the other. 1917 takes its place in real-time whereas Dunkirk takes place in a fast pace over the span of several days. Where Dunkirk had multiple viewpoints of an ongoing battle, 1917 squarely focuses on the two soldiers and their journey into a nightmare. Of course, the biggest, most obvious difference between the two is the fact that Dunkirk takes place during World War II, and tells the story from the sea, the air, and the land. In 1917, the viewpoint is strictly from these two WWI soldiers and what they see, feel, and observe, both physically and emotionally, and that experience is on-screen for the entire duration.
Perhaps the greatest strength of 1917 is the attention to authenticity and an absolutely unerring sensation of translation. Sam Mendes has based 1917 on the accounts of his late grandfather, Lance Corporal Alfred H Mendes, who served in World War I. Lance Corporal Mendes participated on the frontlines in Flanders, serving in the Royal Army’s 1st Rifle Corps. Lance Corporal Mendes served as a messenger as well, participating in missions not too dissimilar to the mission depicted in 1917. Each moment of 1917 feels as if the words of Lance Corporal Mendes were given substance, form, and ultimately, life.1917 is presented from someone who has been there and bore witness to the horrors and atrocities of that conflict. The words of Lance Corporal Mendes pass through Sam Mendes and his lens. In a sense, Sam carries the torch of being a messenger himself, sending it to the audience. If 1917 had come from a completely different writer or director, the emotional weight and acute film-making would have given way to a flamboyant, lazy, popcorn flick, filled with patriotism and mindless action, forgoing the importance of the story of all those who fought in World War I. While grim and brutal, and even at times filled with hopelessness, 1917 serves as an honorable tribute to his grandfather and all those who fought in the British Army during World War I.
1917 is a profound drama film and one of the best war films of recent memory. Its incredible synergy of direction and story, coupled with an impeccably strong presentation make for an experience that no one should miss. Like Saving Private Ryan, it is my sincere hope that 1917 helps to inspire more filmmakers and actors to invest in more historical films, especially ones involving World War I. Past is prologue, and it is imperative that we refuse to forget the sacrifices of all those who fought in the trenches.1917 is a story for those who fought, for those who saw the fighting, and for those fighting for hope in a changing world.
Learn more about 1917 on the official website.
1917 was screened at Hazlet Cinemark Cinemas 12 on Monday, December the 16th, in Hazlet, NJ. All assets used courtesy of Universal Pictures via official gallery.
