It’s easy for film directors to captivate audiences by glamorizing war with grand set pieces, huge battle scenes, and a larger-than-life hero conquering an evil foe. It’s much more difficult to capture the reality of battle, the grit and grime, and the basic struggle to survive.
In 1917, director Sam Mendes, of James Bond Skyfall and Spectre fame, pursues the latter — and to great success.
In this gripping war epic, Mendes substitutes eye-popping battles for the thrilling story of Lance Cpls. Blake and Schofield, two British soldiers fighting on the front lines in northern France during the spring of 1917. The two young men are tasked with delivering a message warning a battalion that it is walking into a German ambush. Failure to do so, British Gen. Erinmore (played by Colin Firth) warns, will lead to the deaths of 1,600 men, including Blake’s brother.
Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), chooses Schofield (George MacKay), to go with him on the perilous journey, which will require traversing World War I’s infamous no man’s land.
The story itself has a remarkably personal feel to it and is based on a “fragment” of a story Mendes’s grandfather, Alfred, told him as a child. It’s a simple plot, but one that pays homage to the regular soldier, the grunt, who puts his life on the line to accomplish what might seem like a simple task. Blake and Schofield aren’t door-kicking special operators. They are regular Joes forced to overcome their limitations to accomplish great things through sheer willpower.
Mendes captures the hopelessness of trench warfare with close-up shots that pull the audience down into the muck and mire with Blake and Schofield as they struggle to do basic tasks, such as traversing barbed wire or walking through sludge. Fans of Skyfall will be familiar with Mendes’s ability to make the seemingly mundane thrilling, especially with his use of music.
The cinematography in 1917 makes it feel as if you are right there beside Blake and Schofield as they trudge through mud, exchange fire with the enemy, and dodge artillery shells.
Adding to the gritty reality of the film are remarkably accurate uniforms and weapons. The production team mimics soldiers’ clothing down to the rough, woolen fabric. Small details such as a period-accurate insignia and Lee Enfield rifles are noticeable to the discerning history buff.
While highlighting the failures of officers,1917 pays respect to the struggles of the everyday soldier. Not every troop will raise the flag on Iwo Jima or receive the Medal of Honor. Most will do their duty with no expectation of special recognition, and for that, 1917 honorably commends them. The film opens on Christmas Day nationwide.
