1917

During the First World War, two young British soldiers are commissioned on an impossible mission: deliver a message deep into enemy territory that will save the lives of 1,600 men–including one of the soldiers’ brothers–from walking into a deadly trap. Director Sam Mendes (known for Skyfall and Spectre) teams up here with renowned cinematographer Roger Deakins (Blade Runner 2049, Fargo) to create a masterfully crafted experience. It appears to be filmed in one take, although you can tell where he cheats in cutting away. While this style of cinematography is certainly nothing new, Deakins fully immerses audiences in the horrors of war. We are not merely observers, but fellow travelers on this perilous journey with these two men.

It actually helps that two relative unknowns (Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay) were cast as the two soldiers that audiences follow across the battlefield for two hours, as we get some surprising character development, so that you genuinely care about them. There are also a few celebrity cameos from the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, and Mark Strong as commanding officers, although the focus is not on them.

The ticking-clock urgency is palpable throughout, giving the soldiers (and viewers) very few moments of reprieve. Lee Sandales’ set design is also amazing, adding to the sense of realism. From the grassy plains to the muddy, corpse-strewn trenches to the desolate bunkers, it’s captivating. Thomas Newman’s score effectively brings tension and even drama to the film. The music–or lack thereof–can make specific scenes surprisingly memorable.

1917 is reportedly based on stories that Mendes’ grandfather told him. I wonder, how much of that is true? It initially took me a bit to get adjusted to the one-take concept, but after the first few minutes, I was engaged in the drama, the action, and–surprisingly–the characters. This is a film that actually has a nice bit of emotional resonance to it, and the overall experience is very satisfying. Is this the best war movie ever? No, but it certainly achieves its mission well. What more could you want?

Rated R

1 hour, 59 minutes