1917 (2019)

Rating: 10/10 (10 January 2020)

A pure cinematic achievement. I was only born when the first The Lord of The Rings (2001) came into theaters and I truly believe I am feeling how the rest of the world did when they first saw Middle Earth.
1917 is a breathtaking, heart pulsing and technically outstanding film that based on its creation alone, deserves your attention. This film is beyond words, direction, cinematography, performance, editing, sound are all at the highest of qualities.
Recently knighted (and deservedly so) Sam Mendes has crafted a masterpiece, his magnum opus, a personal film for him that follows admittedly a simple story that follows war film beats that we are familiar with but the presentation of this beats are anything but simple.
The direction and creation of this film is beyond anything I've seen, it is a true experience. Roger Deakins (if he hasn't already) cements himself as the best cinematographer of all time, aided by editor Lee Smith's crafty tricks.
Sound is used superbly, at times it is loud, boisterous but Mendes knows how to use the nuance of sound and does so when needed. The costume and overall production is acute and precise with attention to detail being of upmost importance.
The score was great although I did find a lack of cohesiveness with it.
The performances are sublime, George MacKay proves himself yet again after star making turns in Pride (2014) and Captain Fantastic (2016). Dean Charles Chapman from Game of Thrones fame is great in his role but I believe he still has a way to go.
Strong nuanced support from Mark Strong (as usual), Daniel Mays, Andrew Scott, Adrian Scarborough Benedict Cumberbatch and Colin Firth. Whilst Richard Madden is the cherry on top appearing in the final scene.
Historically it was great to see Sikh soldiers (my own religion) after being omitted from Dunkirk (2017) despite their relevance in the events.
This film is just a great feat of filmmaking. At one point I cried purely because of how brilliantly this film was made. Sam Mendes has created a cinematic masterpiece, one that must be seen to be believed, I urge everyone to see it as it is some of the purest, brilliant and unbelievable filmmaking in recent memory.
It will be long before another film, let alone a war film leaves its audience the way it did mine. Heart racing literal hours after viewing, hands trembling but completely and utterly appreciative of the gifted filmmaking we bore witness to.
1917 is a gift to cinema.