a truly immersive experience

Rating: Null/10 (22 March 2020)

Operation Alberich is underway, and British aerial recon observes that the Imperial German Army has seemingly pulled back from their position on the Western Front. Knowing this to be a strategic withdrawal instead of a full-fledged retreat, two young enlisted men are tasked with a perilous mission to cross no man's land, go deep behind enemy lines, then deliver a crucial order to the Devonshire Regiment that will prevent a massacre. If director Sam Mendes wanted to pull viewers into the trenches of the first Great War then he succeeded with flying colors: amazing cinematography, stunning visual effects, and masterful direction with the use of long takes make you feel like you're right in the heart of it, and the realism (and sheer horror) of the battle scenes are overwhelming. A fantastic technical achievement, but startling and emotional as well, with characters you can accompany throughout the entire ordeal. ***Â½