A gripping war epic currently streaming on Netflix is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of the genre. Originally released in 2019, 1917 was co-written and directed by Sam Mendes, the acclaimed filmmaker behind American Beauty, Road to Perdition starring Tom Hanks, the war drama Jarhead, and the hugely successful James Bond instalments Skyfall and Spectre.
According to its synopsis, 1917 is set during World War I and follows two British soldiers, Lance Cpl. Schofield and Lance Cpl. Blake, as they are handed what appear to be near-impossible orders. In a desperate race against time, the pair must venture deep into enemy territory to deliver a crucial message that could potentially save the lives of 1,600 fellow soldiers — amongst them Blake’s own brother, , reports the Mirror.
While the principal and supporting characters appear to be entirely fictional, the storyline draws heavily from real events. The plot takes its inspiration from Operation Alberich, a German strategic withdrawal to the shorter and more defensible Hindenburg Line, which unfolded between February and March 1917.
The film claimed three Academy Awards from the 12 categories in which it received nominations, including a second Oscar for renowned cinematographer Roger Deakins.
Considerable debate has surrounded the technical craft behind the production, particularly its striking use of the ‘one shot’ method — though there are a handful of notable exceptions. Since its debut, audiences have lauded the film as one of the finest of its kind, drawing comparisons to other beloved cinematic masterpieces.
One viewer, sharing their opinion online, wrote: “This film is a phenomenon, and possibly one of the best (if not the best) films I have ever seen.
“People had said to me before I had watched it’s the next Saving Private Ryan and I was worried it wasn’t going to live up to the hype, but I needn’t have been concerned at all. There aren’t many films that have you gripped two minutes into the first scene, but this film had my undivided attention from beginning to end.”
Another enthusiast shared: “1917 is one of the greatest war movies of all time. The premise of the movie is amazing, the movie is visually mind blowing, it takes a different approach then any other war movie, and don’t even get me started on the cinema photography of this masterpiece. Totally worth watching if you’re a fan of war movies.”
In a similar vein, one viewer responded: “This epic war drama is a masterclass in filmmaking, showcasing incredible attention to detail and a remarkable level of craftsmanship.”
Following its addition to Netflix, a whole new wave of film enthusiasts have been revisiting the title repeatedly. As one viewer noted: “1917 is one of those films that leaves you in complete stunned silence as you watch it. Mendes never allows his audience to rest.”
1917 is streaming on Netflix.
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