Moving, mesmerizing and magnificently constructed, "1917" is a monumental masterpiece.

Rating: 10/10 (15 February 2020)

After it won seven BAFTAs and garnered ten Academy Award nominations, I knew I had to see "1917." This World War 1 epic helmed by two-time "James Bond" director Sam Mendes, that's crafted to look like a single, unbroken two-hour-long shot (which has never been attempted with a film of this scale) sounded like something truly special. As I didn't want to miss out on seeing one of the most ambitious and colossal films to have been released over the last couple of years, I went to see "1917" with very high expectations... and I'm delighted to say that it surpassed every single one of them!
"1917" isn't just an astounding technical achievement; it's also a haunting, soul shaking and earth-shattering motion picture that completely immersed me within its horrific and desolate world. I was utterly captivated from the peaceful opening few seconds to the poignant and emotional climax, I was invested in the characters and I was blown-away by the calibre of filmmaking mastery on display. "1917" is exceptional and I can't wait to explain why.
Sir Sam Mendes directed "1917" brilliantly; he expertly balances the terror and brutality of war with the heartfelt human interactions that are at the core of the film, thus creating mournful moments alongside nail-biting set-pieces. It's astonishing because most of the first act of "1917" simply revolves around the two leads walking and talking before they encounter the next obstacle in their way, yet the film is never dull or slow.
Having worked on films such as "The Shawshank Redemption", "Skyfall" and "Blade Runner 2049", Roger Deakins has proved himself to be one of the greatest cinematographers in film history, so it's no surprise that "1917" is one of the most visually awe-inspiring movies that I've ever seen.
The decision to film this movie as if it were shot in one take isn't just a cheap gimmick, it causes the audience to become like an invisible third character in the narrative as they follow the two young soldiers across No Man's Land, over isolated farmland and through a decimated town. This technique gives the film an unflinching and in-your-face attitude towards the horrors of war, because as the camera never cuts away, the viewer can't escape from the grisly carnage on screen. The one-take effect also adds to the urgency and tension of "1917", as we experience the events of the plot in (mostly) real-time and see each sequence from the character's perspective.
But the visuals in "1917" don't just add the plot and characters, they're also breath-taking to look at. The sequence set within the burning town lit only by flares and flames is tremendous and the shot that's been prominent in the film's marketing of George MacKay's character sprinting through the charging soldiers is one of the most stunning and eye-widening images I've seen in a long time!
The performances in "1917" are fantastic. Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay as Lance Corporal Blake and Lance Corporal Schofield are terrific, they had the arduous task of carrying most of the film alone, but their believable chemistry and superb performances made me root for their characters and kept me riveted.
The other members of the cast, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Scott, Colin Firth and Mark Strong, all do a fine job, but they feel more like cameos than properly fleshed out performances.
An aspect of "1917" that I have to praise is Thomas Newman's phenomenal score. The music he composed for "Skyfall" is one of my favourite film scores of all time so I expected the soundtrack in "1917" to be great, which of course it was. The music heightens the mood of each scene, whether it be to enhance the aching sense of grief and despair felt by the characters or to increase the intensity of an action sequence. It's not necessarily a score I'd listen to in my everyday life, but there's no denying that Thomas Newman's Oscar nomination for "1917" was very well-deserved.
And finally, without giving anything away, the ending of "1917" was the absolute best way to conclude the story. A lot of classic war films (like "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and "The Great Escape") leave a bad taste in my mouth because they don't fully commit to a profound and down-beat conclusion. In those movies, most of the key characters are killed off before the credits roll with a triumphant and jolly orchestral theme playing, which completely undercuts the gravity of the film's message and tone. In "1917" however, the final scene is not an explosive battle sequence, but a quiet and distressing conversation followed by a dialogue-free moment in which only sombre music is heard. The filmmakers let the weight of the sacrifices made and the futility of war wash over the audience, so that instead of walking out of the cinema thinking about a nice cup of tea and a snack, the harrowing ordeal that millions of men went through just over a century ago stays with you long after the movie ends.
In conclusion, "1917" is one of the best films I've seen in months. It's an incredibly nerve-wracking experience with impeccable performances and some of the most staggeringly spectacular cinematography I've ever witnessed. It's a film that made me jump out of my seat, hold my breath and almost moved me to tears. "1917" thrilled me and left me completely shell-shocked; it's not just a movie, it's an event that every film-fan deserves to experience on the big screen. Drop whatever it is you're doing and see it right now!