1917: A True War Experience

"Only the dead have ever seen the end of war." - Plato

At a time when I've been left frustrated with the current selection of half-assed, marketing-dominated films that are released in theaters (they know who they are), this movie reminded me why I love movies and why they are a very important part of today's culture.

I left this movie with a feeling that I have not felt in a long time. A feeling of true awe. This movie reminded me why movies are so important, as they have the power to capture history so that we may appreciate and learn from it. I love war movies, especially when they don't glorify the purpose of war, but instead focus on the soldiers themselves. We see humanity at its absolute worst. This movie showed true desperation in the face of impending danger, dragging you along as you feel like you've been thrown right into the thick of a war-torn wasteland. Too often is World War I overlooked, because it's not black and white like World War II is portrayed as. It was all shades of grey.

1917 was released nationwide this past Thursday and is a World War I epic directed by Sam Mendes (Director of Skyfall, American Beauty, and Road to Perdition). The story follows two young British soldiers as they are tasked with delivering a message to the front lines to call off an attack that will lead to trap set by the Germans. Simple? Yes. Epic? Hell yes.

The Most Realistic War Experience

The movie is captivating due to the fact that it is filmed to look like one continuous shot throughout the entire movie, as if it was one, continuous scene. This is a true technical achievement in cinema as you can never truly tell when and how they managed to blend two shots together to look like one. It also adds to the experience as you actually feel like you're on the mission with these two soldiers. You are following right behind them in real time. When they're resting, you'll find yourself checking over their shoulders for enemies. When they turn a corner, you're holding your breath wondering what or who will be around it. It gives you the experience of being an actual soldier in the brutal reality of World War I trench warfare.

The Cast

The performances were spectacular with George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman playing two underdog soldiers who are not particularly skilled in battle, but have an undeniable will power that will have you rooting for them all the while. I enjoyed the idea that the two leads were relatively unknowns because you see them as one of you, not like if they cast Tom Holland where I would clearly see Spider-Man instead of a average joe of a soldier. But don't worry about star power, because Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong, Richard Madden, and Benedict Cumberbatch bring plenty of that in the film.

The Cinematography Will Take Your Breath Away

Roger Deakins, you son of a bitch, you've done it again. The cinematography in this film is simply breathtaking. Paired with the challenge of the film looking like one long scene, Deakins shines with some of the most jaw-dropping shots I've ever seen. Two stand out the most, with one following our heroes running through a destroyed city at night, and another following them running through mortar fire. Both of which had me almost sweating at the edge of my seat. In my eyes, Roger Deakins has cemented himself as the greatest cinematographer of all time.

Good Luck Not Getting Emotional With The Soundtrack

Thomas Newman, you son of a bitch, you've done it again. Music has the power to make and break a film. Luckily, when Thomas Newman composes, you know you're going to be taken on an emotional roller coaster. The way the music slowly rises as danger becomes more and more imminent made me frantic. The ending scene in particular will leave you with chills as the score takes over the theater with a hauntingly beautiful tone that perfectly fits the atmosphere of the film. At one point, we hear an absolutely beautiful rendition of "The Wayfaring Stranger", a beautifully sad folk song from the early 19th century. Sung by a soldier to his battalion before battle, it left the entire theater in utter silence and awe as it was like he was singing directly to us.

Final Words

I must say, I knew I was going to enjoy this movie, but I did not expect to be as emotionally invested in it as I was. It did what movies were meant to do, and gave me a real experience of what history was like to those that suffered its worst mistakes. It gave us an idea of just what our grandfathers and great-grandfathers went through, and should make us relieved that the ugliness of those wars should never occur again. In war there are no winners, only widows.