The combination of director Sam Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins in 1917 results in an immersive, tension-filled experience that rivals Saving Private Ryan.
1917 is as horrific and full of tension as Saving Private Ryan, Dunkirk or Hacksaw Ridge, but accomplishes this task without the overwhelming violence on display in those war films. The cinematography, grounded performances, an evocative score from Thomas Newman and breathtaking production design result in a cinematic masterpiece and the best film of the year.
Some Spoilers follow. If you wish to avoid them, I’ve provided the review score here, so you can avoid finding out more info than you feel is necessary.
The World War I Story in 1917
Mendes and writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns make the wise decision to focus the story on the journey of two British soldiers. The eyes for this journey are Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Lance Corporal Schofield (George MacKay). From the moment the film begins with Schofield resting his head against a tree to the end of the film, the camera never leaves the duo’s side.
General Erinmore (Colin Firth) sends the two soldiers on a mission to deliver a message by dawn the next day. If the message fails to reach Col. MacKenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch), then 1,600 men will fall into a trap, one of those men being Blake’s brother. In order to accomplish the task, the tandem has to cross “no man’s land,” sneak through a french village as well as other obstacles in order to accomplish their mission.
Immersive Filmmaking
Choosing to dig actual trenches and the long takes designed to look like one long tracking shot actually transports you to 1917 leading to an entirely immersive experience.
Combining the production design headed up by Dennis Gassner with Deakins incredible skill with the camera lends to the realism on display throughout the journey. Every moment of this film is immersive and full of tension. Whether it’s Blake and Schofield slightly losing their footing while walking in mud or one of them getting stuck by a barbed-wire fence, there’s a feeling of tension that matches the heights of Saving Private Ryan. Once you add the score from Newman to the film, the movie reaches atmospheric heights.
The most exhilarating section of any movie comes in the French village called Écoust-Saint-Mein. Mendes and Deakin use the light emitting from flares at night that creates breathtaking shadows against the stone structures only to eventually give way to buildings engulfed in flame. It’s a beautiful, haunting scene the perfectly captures the overall tone of the film.
Grounded Performances Carry 1917 Onward
Firth, Cumberbatch, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong and Richard Maddon have small, but crucial roles in the film. Each of their appearances comes at just the right time in the film’s proceedings. Since the purpose of the mission is to prevent Col. MacKenzie from carrying out the attack, the film could have painted MacKenzie as an overly ambitious fool. Luckily, the film doesn’t take that trajectory. He’s simply acting on the information that he has at the current time. Once he’s presented with the message from General Erinmore with proof of the trap, he calls off the troops.
The scene after MacKenzie calls off the attack further illustrates the realistic story 1917 commits to telling. When someone overcomes tremendous odds to reach their destination, there’s often a tendency to draw attention to the accomplishment. However, 1917 doesn’t descend into hyperbole in the slightest. MacKenzie simply calls off the attack, motions that the injured journeymen should see to their wounds, then colorfully tells the messenger(s) to go away and that’s it, no overly indulgent accolades are provided. Scenes such as this demonstrate the overwhelming spirit of realism present throughout the movie.
The breakout performances by Chapman and MacKay shoulder the task of carrying the weight of the movie. MacKay, in particular, deserves much more recognition for the spirit of courage, honor and wisdom he instills in Schofield.
Wrap Up
Simply put, 1917 is a masterpiece. This is a film that deserves to be seen in theaters and should take home plenty of awards. What did you think of the World War I film?
The Review
1917 Review
PROS
- Mendes and Deakins collaboration is an award-winning combo
- Grounded portrayal of World War I
- The long take approach leads to total immersion into the film.
- Thomas Newman's score is up there with Joker's haunting score for the best of the year. 1917's soundtrack will stay on repeat for a long time to come.
CONS
- Nothing. This is as close to perfection as a movie can be.
