Few war films manage to immerse their audience as completely as Sam Mendes’ 1917. Released in 2019 to widespread critical acclaim, this World War I epic distinguishes itself not only through its powerful storytelling and emotional depth but also through its groundbreaking cinematography, designed to make the entire film appear as if it unfolds in a single continuous shot. Beyond its technical mastery, 1917 is a deeply human story about duty, sacrifice, and survival, set amid one of history’s most devastating conflicts.
Plot Overview: A Mission Against Time
The film is set in April 1917, in the midst of the First World War, as the brutal conflict grinds on across the Western Front. Lance Corporals Tom Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Will Schofield (George MacKay) are given a near-impossible mission: deliver a message across enemy territory to the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, warning them to halt a planned assault that will lead them straight into a deadly German trap. The attack must be called off by dawn the next day — and 1,600 men, including Blake’s brother, will die if they fail.
With time running out, the two young soldiers set out from their trenches and journey through a war-ravaged landscape, navigating barbed wire, abandoned German fortifications, sniper fire, and the horrors of no man’s land. Their mission is as much a test of endurance and courage as it is a race against the clock.
A New Way to Experience War Cinema
From the outset, 1917 was conceived as more than just another war movie. Director Sam Mendes, inspired by stories told by his grandfather Alfred Mendes — a messenger during World War I — sought to create a film that would convey the immediacy, danger, and emotional intensity of a soldier’s experience on the front lines.
To achieve this, Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins (who won an Oscar for his work) employed a bold cinematic technique: the illusion of a single, continuous take. Although the film is composed of multiple long takes stitched seamlessly together, the effect is mesmerizing. Viewers follow Blake and Schofield in real time, with no cuts to offer respite, creating an unbroken sense of tension and immersion.
This technique transforms 1917 into an almost interactive experience. The audience is not just watching events unfold — they are thrust directly into the action, sharing the soldiers’ disorientation, fear, and urgency. Whether crawling through mud-filled trenches, stumbling through bombed-out towns, or sprinting across an exposed battlefield, the viewer is never allowed to look away.
Themes: Duty, Sacrifice, and the Human Cost of War
Beneath its technical brilliance, 1917 is a deeply thematic film that explores universal questions about war, humanity, and heroism.
1. Duty and Sacrifice
At its core, 1917 is about ordinary men performing extraordinary acts of bravery. Blake and Schofield are not generals or war heroes; they are young soldiers tasked with a mission that seems impossible. Their journey highlights the profound sense of duty that binds soldiers together — a duty not just to country or command, but to one another.
Blake’s motivation is deeply personal: his brother is among the soldiers who will walk into the German trap. Schofield, initially reluctant, demonstrates selflessness and resilience as the mission unfolds, even when faced with overwhelming odds. Their sacrifices underscore the countless untold stories of ordinary soldiers who risked everything during the Great War.
2. The Futility and Chaos of War
Mendes does not glorify war. The film portrays it as chaotic, senseless, and devastating. The Western Front is a landscape of ruin — dead horses rot in shell holes, fields are reduced to wastelands, and once-thriving towns lie in smoldering ruins. The film’s narrative reinforces the idea that in war, even the most carefully laid plans can unravel in an instant. Blake and Schofield’s mission is vital, but it is also a small thread in a vast, uncontrollable tapestry of destruction.
3. Brotherhood and Humanity Amid the Horror
The bond between Blake and Schofield anchors the story. Their friendship evolves under immense pressure, revealing moments of humor, compassion, and vulnerability amid the chaos. The film also shows glimpses of humanity from others — a French woman sheltering a baby, a fellow soldier sharing food and conversation — that shine all the brighter against the backdrop of violence. These moments remind the audience that even in humanity’s darkest hours, empathy and kindness endure.
A Masterclass in Cinematic Craft
The technical execution of 1917 is nothing short of remarkable. Roger Deakins’ cinematography immerses viewers in a meticulously crafted world that feels both real and dreamlike. Every frame is composed with precision: the eerie stillness of no man’s land, the claustrophobic terror of trench tunnels, the haunting beauty of a town engulfed in flames.
The “one-shot” approach heightens the immediacy of the story. Unlike traditional war films, which often cut between perspectives and locations, 1917 unfolds in a continuous, forward momentum. This mirrors the soldiers’ own experience: there is no pause, no escape, only the relentless push forward. The camera becomes a silent companion, moving with Blake and Schofield as if the audience were marching alongside them.
Thomas Newman’s score amplifies the tension, alternating between subtle, atmospheric tones and surging crescendos that match the rising stakes. The sound design, too, is visceral — the whine of bullets, the thunder of artillery, the quiet rustle of wind across an empty battlefield — pulling the viewer deeper into the world of 1917.
Performances That Anchor the Epic
While 1917 dazzles with its technical achievements, it is the performances of George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman that give the film its emotional weight.
Chapman imbues Blake with youthful optimism and determination. His character is the heart of the mission, driven by love for his brother and a deep sense of responsibility. MacKay delivers a physically and emotionally demanding performance as Schofield, whose journey from reluctant participant to unwavering soldier forms the film’s emotional core. His portrayal of exhaustion, fear, and resolve is both understated and deeply affecting.
Supporting performances by Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Richard Madden lend gravitas to the film without overshadowing its central duo. Their brief appearances serve to underscore the scale of the war effort and the many layers of command and sacrifice involved.
Historical Context and Realism
Though the story of 1917 is fictional, it is rooted in historical reality. The film draws inspiration from accounts of British soldiers tasked with delivering urgent messages across treacherous terrain during the war. Mendes’ own grandfather, Alfred Mendes, served as a messenger in the war — his stories of running through no man’s land under fire provided the emotional foundation for the film.
The depiction of trench warfare, military hierarchy, and the devastating impact of artillery and machine guns is meticulously researched and historically accurate. The film also captures the broader strategic shifts of 1917, as the German army executed a tactical withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line — a historical maneuver that forms the backdrop of the mission.
Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, 1917 was hailed as a modern masterpiece. Critics praised its technical innovation, immersive storytelling, and emotional resonance. The film received ten Academy Award nominations and won three, including Best Cinematography for Roger Deakins. It also won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director.
Beyond awards, 1917 revitalized interest in World War I cinema, a genre often overshadowed by World War II narratives. It brought the Great War to life for a new generation of viewers, emphasizing not just the historical scale of the conflict but the deeply personal experiences of those who lived — and died — within it.
Enduring Impact: A Testament to Human Resilience
What sets 1917 apart is its profound humanity. It is not a film about grand strategy or famous generals, but about two young men caught in the maelstrom of history. Their journey is harrowing and often heartbreaking, yet it is also deeply inspiring. It speaks to the courage and resilience of countless soldiers who undertook similar missions, often without recognition.
The film also invites reflection on the nature of war itself. It does not present heroism as a matter of victory or glory but as the determination to keep moving forward, even when the odds seem insurmountable. In this way, 1917 transcends its historical setting to deliver a universal message about endurance, sacrifice, and the fragile thread of hope that binds humanity together.
Conclusion
1917 is more than a war film — it is an immersive, emotional, and deeply human journey through one of history’s darkest chapters. Through its innovative cinematography, gripping performances, and thematic depth, it offers an experience that is both cinematic and visceral.
Sam Mendes’ vision, inspired by personal history and brought to life with technical brilliance, ensures that 1917 stands as one of the most powerful war films ever made. It is a tribute to the countless soldiers who risked everything for their comrades, a meditation on the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity, and a reminder of the enduring cost of war.
For audiences today, 1917 is not just a film to watch — it is a journey to live through, a story to feel deeply, and a piece of cinema that lingers long after the credits roll. In its relentless forward motion and unflinching portrayal of sacrifice, it captures the essence of what it meant to be a soldier in the Great War — and, more broadly, what it means to be human.
