*1917* - (Review Number 1,679) . Title : "In These Last 5 Hours"

Rating: 10/10 (7 February 2020)

L left my home around 12 pm today , to head ti the theater where this was playing. I'd been wanting to see it since it was released but was always sidetracked by something going on in my life.I arrived there before 1:00 and the movie started at 1:02.
I'm sure as most here may have felt before it began ... I had NO idea what to expect or what I was going to see. I've seen many a war movie in my life ,
from the black and white era to Saving Private Ryan and Fury in 2014. .....but (and I am not exaggerating) , this film has captured exactly every feeling, emotion, action of those made to fight in the truly nightmarish and holocaust like places that are the front lines and battlefields.
They have also fully captured the look of everything a military set up and used in this , World War 1 and future wars. The look is sad, scary,somber and in some cases as dark as war truly is. (Not speaking from any experience but I know this movie does not lie). The cinematography, yes, does pull that off perfectly , in my opinion.
As some already know the story is , two British soldiers are chosen to get a message to another regiment many miles across 'no man's land' ( where if the enemy spots you , you are likely to get shot and killed). The reason is, the Germans have retreated but it may be a trick. So they have to get there to warn them and find the brother of the younger soldier.
From the start, the bulk of the first half is filmed in 'real time'. following every move of these 2. Without giving anything away, there's a slight pause of darkness, then the real time pursuit continues. I was astounded at how steadily and perfectly the camera (cameras?) followed along.
Lastly, in an early morning scene in a village, the true look of war/night time battle is (once again) shown by (I can only call it astounding) visuals and cinematography. Usually a few hours after a film, I've forgotten most of what I've seen. In this case ....even if I never watched this film again (and I will) there is no way I will ever forget any of this.
Much like those who survives wars , they never forget either. World War 1 , for a long time after 1930's "All Quiet On The Western Front" , was very forgotten and thought by younger generations as 'not a serious war'. This movie , like Western Front, shows that is not the case. At 3:01 , my odyssey was over.
It was was just as violent and horrific as World War 2 or any war since then. I will not make any Oscar predictions here. Except to say , I'd be very pleased to see it placed among the the top pictures of the past.
Please , go see this ...I put no spoilers in here because ,feel , it is not boring and it's certainly something you will ever forget. Not everyone will feel the same but well, I can only recommend.