1917 is One of the Best War Films of All Time

The Academy should just scoop up all the awards and one-by-one start throwing them at 1917.

After receiving three nominations at the Golden Globes, winning two for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director, 1917 has now been nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Have you gotten out of your seat and ran to a movie theater yet?

1917 takes place on April 6, 1917, during World War 1. Two soldiers, Blake and Schofield, have been given orders to deliver a message to another battalion that would stop over 1,600 men, one of which that is Blake’s brother, from walking into a trap set by the Germans. An epic, anxiety-inducing journey begins as we follow the soldiers on this impossible trek in what looks like one. continuous. shot.

That’s right. What is normally a small but delicious part of a film – A lengthly, dynamic scene that has no cuts or edits – is what this entire film is. The audience is right there with these two soldiers, seeing, hearing and feeling everything as they do. It is a theater experience that is completely immersive and terrifying and wonderful, all at the same time.

Director Sam Mendes took a chance by casting George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman, two “unknowns” as the lead roles (although, they will never be referred to that ever again after this film). Watch this clip below of George MacKay on Jimmy Fallon, where he talks about one of the most incredible scenes in the film and how it was shot.

The cast and crew spent 6 months rehearsing before Mendes ever called “Action!” With that type of pressure, there was no time for mistakes or else the entire scene would have to be reset. Here’s a tip to really appreciate the detail of this film: During some of the tracking shots where we are following the two main characters through the trenches, look at all the extras around them. Can we give each of them a mini-Oscar?

1917 will go down as one of the best war films of all time and is sure to win numerous awards at the Academy Awards next month. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this.

Score: 4.75/★★★★★

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