1917 Movie Review

1917 (2019)

Rent 1917 on Amazon Video
Written by: Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Starring: Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays, Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden
Rated: R
Watch the trailer

Plot
April 6th, 1917. As a regiment assembles to wage war deep in enemy territory, two soldiers are assigned to race against time and deliver a message that will stop 1,600 men from walking straight into a deadly trap.

Verdict
This isn't a movie, it's an experience that looks like one continuous shot, but it's more than a gimmick. It's not just impressive on a technical level, it fits the story. Without cuts, we don't get a chance to take a breath, just like the soldiers on their mission. This an on the rails action movie and the camera is attached to that metaphorical cart the entire time. The writing pulls it together, creating a pacing with poignant and bold moments that provide an image of an unyielding war.
Watch it.

Review
I had wanted to see this in the theater, but didn't get to it. It's definitely worth the wait. Knowing this is a one shot makes you want to look for the seams, but I soon became immersed in the story. The technical aspect of this is daunting. From the timing to the stress on actors to get these long dialogs right. A one shot is a challenge. The scale of just the first 'scene' in the trench is impressive with many extras and continuous motion. There's so much happening at any one time, especially in the opening scenes. All of that had to be coordinated and timed. It doesn't give you a break, just like the soldiers don't get a break.

Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay play Blake and Schofield.

With no scene cuts you don't get to take a breath, it's intense. When you attempt a one shot, that can overshadow the story, but that doesn't happen  with 1917 due to he strength of story and planning. Birdman did a similar one shot and the technical aspect fit the artistic endeavor. Victoria did a true one shot with no tricks, but the movie lives in the shadow of the style because the movie doesn't offer much past the gimmick. Victoria's reason to exist in the shot. 1917 is a journey, and the one shot helps put the viewer in their shoes.

Heavy stakes from the start, but that's what this movie is with the set up for the action. Blake and Schofield have to relay a message to another battalion to call off their attack on the Germans. If they don't the battalion marches into a trap.

It's a hail mary as we see the soldiers creep through the front line and the harsh reality of war. Nothing is said, because nothing can be said. It's a war ravaged land full of craters and stripped trees, dead bodies abounding.

From the start you can tell this is a well made movie with impressive production. Despite continuous motion there are so many great shots. The action sets the tempo instead of cuts. Action swings from intense to light and the music drives that to a degree. I wonder what the experience would be without the soundtrack.

The movie provides bold choices.

Blake attacked by a German pilot is a harrowing moment. This is a scene that lacks the movement, but derives intensity from an emotional perspective. His face turns pale as we see blood spurting from the wound, Schofield scrambles to treat him.

I love the way this ended. We've been focused on saving a battalion, but there are people waiting back home for these soldiers. It's a poignant perspective and a great ending.

Behind the scenes footage of this movie is particularly impressive because the camera is always moving. Grips picking it off a crane, putting it onto another crane or onto the back of a jeep.
Scenes were planned so the length of trenches accommodated the duration of conversations. This movie requires a level of planning unlike any other movie. Would this movie impress without a one shot? Yes, but the one shot reinforces the story. Blake and Schofield have to move, and they simply can't stop. Neither does the camera.