1917 Review

The magnificent technical and cinematic achievements that writer/director Sam Mendes has managed to accomplish in his new WWI epic 1917 is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The tense and atmospheric visual storytelling stays emotionally driven and complex while continually finding increasingly inventive ways to be refreshing and exciting. The ambitious stylistic direction and editing gives the film a continuously shot appearance that helps elevate the purposely minimal story to riveting precipices that never introduce pieces of dialogue or exposition that feel forced or out of place. Many factors of how Mendes and crew decided to tackle the film could have easily caused disastrous issues throughout. However, Mendes proves that he can produce a staggering vision effortlessly. Beautifully acted and bound in breathtaking cinematography by industry legend Roger Deakins, 1917 is an undeniable spectacle that is as visceral as it is unforgettable.

Taking place on the desolate battlefields of WWI in April of 1917, the film follows two British soldiers – Lance Cpl. Schofield and Lance Cpl. Blake - as their given a seemingly impossible task. The two must cross over dangerous enemy territory to deliver an important message that could save the lives of 1,600 allied men. The urgency of the situation is already made clear, but to make matters more crucial, it is revealed that Blake’s older brother is part of the battalion that’s in danger.

What allows the narrative of 1917 to be so linear without fault is the consistently brilliant level of filmmaking exemplified. Even during the film's slower and more human moments, a staggering production design makes it impossible not to be invested in some way. The narrative and visual perspectives that Mendes introduce and expand on are so concentrated and remarkably moving that diluting them with action sequences or formulaic plot points would take away from their poignancy. The combination of Mendes' urgent and critical direction with Deakins breathtaking visual aptitudes ultimately conjures a unique war film that stands out amongst others like Dunkirk and Saving Private Ryan, an unconventional addition to the genre that highlights the valour and destruction of war in original and effective ways.

There's rarely a moment throughout 1917's minimalistic narrative that doesn't excel. The impeccable scope of the story brandishes personalities that feel organic more than fictional. The electric yet believable pacing forces fundamental interactions to last only seconds while prominent figures seem too busy with their agendas to help or listen to reason. The performances and chemistry from leads George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman embed genuine emotional resonance within their already likable and investing characters that are heightened by the urgency the story forces them to be under. Mendes' long and patient camera movements allow the staggeringly authentic sets and to breathe and add layers to the film's complexity. Every aspect of 1917's stride feels calculated and full of purpose, resulting in a cinematic experience that is creatively rich and masterfully executed.

Overall, Sam Mendes and Roger Deakins have conjured a stunning visual feast that compliments the simplistic yet wildly riveting narrative. It’s impossible to talk about the film without mentioning its staggering technical accomplishments, fashioning an unforgettable experience that indulges the senses and encapsulates the horrific and tense aspects of war through immersive and inventive ways.

Aesthetically astounding and emotionally sincere, 1917 is an incredible visual achievement that captures the heartbreaking imagery of war strikingly.

Produced By: Universal Pictures
Runtime: 110 minutes
Rating: R