1917 – ★★★★★

Certificate – 15
Directed By – Sam Mendes
Starring – George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Andrew Scott, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Mays, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq.
Running Time – 119 Minutes (1 Hour 59 Minutes)

After its massive Golden Globe win and BAFTA nomination, I went to see what all the fuss was about with 1917 and I wasn’t the only one as the screening room was packed to the point people were turned away.

So does 1917 live up to the hype?

What Is 1917 About?

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield (MacKay) and Black (Chapman) are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory to deliver a message that’ll stop an attack killing 1,600 soldiers – Blake’s own brother among them.

Is It Any Good?

This movie is an utter masterpiece.

Everything delivers from the heartfelt performances from both Chapman and especially MacKay, the direction of Mendes, Roger Deakins’ cinematography and finally, Thomas Newman’s score adds another level.

Returning to our two leads they carry the film and deliver some incredibly emotional moments that’ll raise your heart rate while also break your heart.

They’re helped by a fabulous supporting cast with the standouts being Scott, who has a Hot Priest moment, and Madden but the reason is a spoiler.

The film works because of another duo being Mendes and Deakins. The film is shot beautifully and the idea of following them in one continuous shot makes you feel you’re with these soldiers on this incredibly dangerous mission.

This reason alone is why YOU MUST see it on the biggest screen you possibly can and experience at the cinema.

Also what the filmmaker does regarding the making the warzone feels authentic with dead and decaying bodies of both human and animals everywhere the two lads go.

Finally, again Newman’s score plays with all your emotions and makes you lean forward to the edge of your seat. It’s worst when everything goes silent and you’re just waiting for something to happen.

It’s not all sombre, the film does do a decent job of injecting funny moments to help break the tension.

Anything Bad About The Film?

No, as I said this is an utter masterpiece of a movie.

Verdict

Everything this movie does hits and I can’t recommend it enough. From performances, direction, cinematography and music this movie will become a British classic in years to come.