In a race against the clock, two soldiers journey into enemy territory to deliver a message that could potentially save over a thousand troops in Sam Mendes’s 1917.
Full disclosure — I am not a huge fan of the war genre. I respect the filmmaking and the storytelling but, the genre isn’t my cup of tea.
However, after the huge wins at the 2020 Golden Globes, I felt compelled to see what everyone is raving about.
1917 is brilliantly crafted.
Yes, when you look at the story, it is very simplistic. However, the magnitude of the production, the rawness of the journey and the impressive use of the camera make 1917 so unforgettable.
Roger Deakins’s “single shot” cinematography creates intense and immersive environment that is nothing short of extraordinary.
I am a huge fan of “single shot” sequences and 1917 is a masterclass on how to accurately capture a story like it is unfolding in real time.
The amount of detail meticulously choreographed in each shot is astounding. The epic shot of George MacKay racing across the battle field as explosions are going off (what I have lovingly dubbed the male version of Wonder Woman‘s No Man’s Land sequence) had my jaw on the floor. If Deakin’s doesn’t win for cinematography at the Oscars, I will riot.
Overall, 1917 is unique and authentic. Plus it is the only other war movie besides Saving Private Ryan that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. That alone is saying something.
Final Thoughts: Believe the hype. 1917 is outstanding.
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