1917 is a 2019 epic war film directed by Sam Mendes. The film stars George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Richard Madden, Colin Firth, Andrew Scott and Benedict Cumberbatch. The film is based in part on a story told to Mendes by his grandfather, Alfred Mendes.
The film tells the story of two young British soldiers during World War I who are given a mission to call off an attack doomed to fail soon after the German head to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich in 1917.
This film’s effects, the cinematography, scenery, costumes and music is outstanding. This movie is hard-hitting, like a punch in the stomach. It starts out rather slow, then gradually picks up, but the majority of this film is action packed. It captures British troops during World War I, with such raw and shocking emotion. Everything about this motion picture is extraordinary. You feel the characters’ emotions. You get scared, nervous, angry and sad.
George MacKay is fantastic as Lance Corporal William Schofield. Dean Charles Chapman is great as Lance Corporal Tom Blake, though his character is short lived. Mark Strong does a fine job as Captain Smith, Andrew Scott is good as Lieutenant Leslie and Richard Madden is also good as Lieutenant Joseph Blake, though his part is brief.
Whether this film is really based on a true story or not, it is still magnificent. Even if the film is only partly factual or not true at all, it is still a realistic look at British soldiers during the First World War. It shows the extreme violence, the killing, the shooting and bombing, the deaths, the life of the troops. You gain knowledge of how it was during that time in history. This film portrays the horrors of the war perfectly.
True or not and at exactly two hours long, this is a very important war film, next to others like Schindler’s List and All Quiet on the Western Front. It is one that should be watched on the big screen, to get the full effect and take in every emotion. This gripping movie is not one to be missed. It isn’t the happiest film, but it isn’t the saddest either, it has its depressing moments and happier ones too. The ending could have been different in my opinion, instead of just Schofield looking at picture, the end, but that is really all I’d change, everything else is perfect. Powerful and moving. 18+ 4.5/5