Courtesy of Universal Pictures
by Daniel Andrade
There have been numerous movies that have documented the horrors of war and have shown how it not only changes countries and policies but, most significantly, the lives of the brave soldiers risking their lives as well. While many of these movies display war as a series of explosions and gunfire, few movies take the time to display the quieter, anxiety-inducing moments in-between the violence. It’s often in these moments where we are reminded that many of the soldiers out there on the front lines, and even at times their superiors, are young, inexperienced, and terrified. 1917 is not only an incredible war movie, but a phenomenal film in general that is gripping, moving, and impactful, one that you will be thinking about long after the final scene.
One of the biggest features of this film that many were talking about was the way in which it was filmed, a method which made it seem like the movie was one uninterrupted, continuous shot. This is certainly worthy of praise and very impressive since that is no easy task to pull off. The movie flows very well, and the fact that the camera lingers at times on these characters and settings without cutting away really helps you connect with the film. It’s immersive and adds to the emotional impact of the story because you feel like you are right there with the soldiers, fighting, running, and hiding alongside them. From the big explosive setpieces to the more intimate moments, you have no choice but to keep your eyes glued on the screen, since looking away for even a second means you may miss an important detail. Director Sam Mendes (Spectre, Skyfall) does an incredible job of putting all of these pieces together into a cohesive and captivating movie.
Additionally, while there are certainly some gorgeous shots of the French countryside, including some hauntingly beautiful war-torn ruins lit by fire and eventually gunshots, there are also horrifying scenes where dead bodies and thousands of used up weapons casings are scattered all over the ground, and the characters don’t even have time to really process it, they simply have to deal with it and continue with their mission. It is unsettling but a gruesome reminder of how quickly soldiers to have to adapt and desensitize themselves to the violent realities of war. There’s a particular scene involving a river and cherry blossoms that exhibits this perfectly, blending tension, beauty, and horror in a powerful way.
The story itself is also compelling, thanks in large part to the terrific acting by its two leads, Dean-Charles Chapman (Game of Thrones) and George MacKay (The Boys Are Back, Ophelia). They have a natural chemistry together and play off of each other brilliantly. As mentioned earlier, they display the bravado that comes with being a young man at war when dealing with their fellow soldiers, but between the two of them, we are reminded that these are still young men who like to joke around with each other and who miss their families and loved ones back home. The two of them are ordered by General Erinmore, played by Colin Firth (The King’s Speech, the Kingsmen films, Love Actually, etc.), to hand-deliver a message across enemy lines to another battalion to prevent the loss of 1,600 lives. Though the area they are traveling through is relatively abandoned, it’s during these quiet moments, where we see the aftermath of the battle that took place not too long before, that I was on the edge of my seat, anxious and afraid of what could possibly be around the corner.
This is where the film truly shines, in making you feel so completely connected to the characters by sharing in their devastation, exhaustion, fear, and desperation to complete the mission. Every step along the way is perilous, there is never a moment where you truly feel calm and safe, and I think that’s the point of the film. Certainly, war is a time where soldiers never truly feel secure, and this movie elicits that ever-present sense of dread effectively.
CONCLUSION: 1917 is not just a film but an experience that must be seen in theaters to truly appreciate. Thanks to the marvel of editing and cinematography that makes it feel like an uninterrupted shot, the story feels completely immersive and takes you on a harrowing ride right alongside the main characters. It’s a tense, nerve-wracking experience that exposes the horrors of war in an utterly gripping way. Watch it in IMAX or in Dolby Cinema if you can, it will truly add to the overall impact of the film. This film easily has earned a spot in my list of some of my favorite films of all time.
FINAL SCORE: 5/5
Comments