A true story about bravery

Rating: Null/10 (21 May 2020)

The masterpiece '1917' is an intense co-production that presents us World War I, on 6 april 1917, on the endless battlefields of France, when Corporals Schofield and Blake are requested to complete a mission, to inform Colonel McKenzie, in charge of the Second Division, about a German military strategy that puts in danger the life of 1600 soldiers.
Passing among other soldiers, Schofield and Blake read letters from home and try to encourage themselves.
In trenches they notice something isn't alright, one of the soldiers telling them that General Erinmore wants to talk to them.
They enter fearfully the settlement and soon discover that Lieutenant Joseph, Blake's brother is alive in the Second Division and that Colonel McKenzie thinks that the enemy is retiring. Even so the aerial photos indicate that the next morning McKenzie's attack will be crushed. Schofield and Blake get the order to go to the Second Division, with a letter that contains an order to cancel the attack.
Begins the journey of the two Corporals, in this way building fastly the tension of the movie.
The endless trenches represent a way to salvation of hundred of soldiers, a way full of dangers and uncertainty.
On the road, Schofield begins to doubt about this journey and about himself, the doubt being like a sign of an ill omen.
Blake doesn't hesitate at all and is determined to save his brother, even when he sees other injured soldiers.
When they enter on enemy's territory, the suspense increases even more.
The backgrounds with human and horse corpses, razor wire, mosquitoes, mud, rats, gray skies and the profound Oscar-winning Sound Mixing design a visceral, vivid, post-apocalyptic and extremely tensed vision.
The Corporals are frightened by two aircrafts passing by, that prove to be allied.
On the front line, they notice that the enemy has left, but is not far.
Later, they enter underground, remaining rather surprised when they see the abandoned army post. They find a grenade which explodes, but succeed to go out.
Being wounded, Schofield regrets the journey. Even if Blake tells him that he can return, he doesn't give up.
Marching on the field, Blake explains the importance of the medal that Schofield gave away for a bottle of wine.
The scene at the abandoned farm is desolate, the cherry trees being severed. Still, being in bloom, denotes an image of hope.
Over the barn collapses an enemy aircraft putting the life of the Corporals at risk. They try to help the pilot, which stabs Blake, and Schofield shoots the pilot.
Blake dies and his last wish is his partner of voyage to find his brother.
The entire movie is shoot in one spectacular frame, a remarkable achievement in cinema.
Schofield gets the advice to not think too much at bad things. He is carryed with a truck until a collapsed bridge.
From this point the suspense is mastefully portrayed.
The nocturnal surreal imagery of the town in ruins has impressed me the most, alongside the sound editing, the scene being hallucinatory, from another era.
The fire is destructing, but like death, it could be a new beginning.
Schofield succeed to go out from the city full of enemies and jumps into the river. He reaches the Second Division.
Despite the fact that the attack has begun, the Corporal enters with bravery on the battlefield to arrive faster to McKenzie.
Making his way though soldiers, Schofield arrives at the Colonel in a race against the clock.
He succeeds to save the life of hundreds of soldiers.
Then he finds Lieutenant Blake and tells him about his brother.
The scene at the end shows Schofield looking with reconciliation at the picture of his wife.
All the 119 minutes of the movie made a good impression on me through the technical quality, backgrounds and mistery.