1917 (2019) Review

 

1917 (2019)

So, for months, I have heard about how good 1917 is and it was great to finally get to see this absolute masterpiece.

Set April 6th of 1917, the day the U.S. entered WW1, the movie follows Schofield and Blake as they race to deliver a letter in regards to a trap set by the Germans. Their success could mean saving nearly 1600 lives.

I want to start by saying that 1917 is a technical marvel unlike anything I have ever seen before. Coming from my background in broadcasting, what Sam Mendes was able to accomplish is unbelievable. His use of one takes, long ones at that, cannot be understated. It’s what honestly makes the film so visceral and real, in that it all seems like one huge take that just never ends. Now obviously, that’s just about impossible and there’s scenes where he cuts it, but one takes are hard enough as is, but having his entire film look and feel like one never ending take is mind boggling to me. The amount of planning and coordination it takes to pull that off is so impressive. And huge props to Roger Deakons, the cinematographer for 1917, he killed this. It was really such an interesting way of telling a story and what a story to be told.

The story is top-notch and gripping till the end, with the true horrors of WW1 shining through at all times. Coincidentally, I watched Peter Jackson’s documentary THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD, where he restored black and white and silent WW1 film to color and sound, and when I say that 1917 looked EXACTLY like that, I’m not joking in the slightest. It’s a visual masterpiece and is a very accurate representation of war and the dangers, horrors, heartbreak, and complete pandemonium that was ever present in the deadliest war in human existence.

Along with the visuals and story, were amazing performances by the entire cast. George MacKay is stellar and the supporting cast, which take up about 10 minutes in this 2 hour movie, are so impactful and amazing even in their brief appearances—Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, and my favorite, Andrew Scott.

1917 was incredible to watch and the cast and crew did something almost unheard of, so obviously...

10/10