1917 Is Being Hailed As The Best War Film Since Saving Private Ryan
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There are plenty of war films that have captured our attention over the years, whether highlighting the horrors of combat, analysing the psychological torment of warfare, or simply bringing history to life in vivid detail. It looks like there's a new must-see to add to the list: watch the trailer for 1917 below.
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Critics are absolutely raving about the film, which was directed by Sam Mendes, with some saying it's up there with the likes of Saving Private Ryan.
Set in northern France during the First World War, the film tells the story of two young British soldiers, named Schofield (played by George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman).
According to the synopsis, they're required to undertake "a seemingly impossible mission to deliver a message which will warn of an ambush during one of the skirmishes soon after the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich."
It continues: "The two recruits race against time, crossing enemy territory to deliver the warning and keep a British battalion of 1,600 men, which includes Blake's own brother, from walking into a deadly trap.
"The pair must give their all to accomplish their mission by surviving the war to end all wars."
In addition to MacKay and Chapman, the film boasts a strong cast, including Mark Strong (Kingsman and Sherlock Holmes), Andrew Scott (Fleabag), Richard Madden (Bodyguard and Game of Thrones) and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Reviews for the film have come back overwhelmingly positive.
The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw wrote: "This phantasmagoric first world war nightmare from the British director is ambitious and unshakeable storytelling. Sam Mendes's 1917 is an amazingly audacious film; as exciting as a heist movie, disturbing as a sci-fi nightmare."
Aaannnndddd that's your frontrunner!
'1917' is the best war film since SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. The cinematography of the year. The cinematography of the decade. Thomas Newman's orchestral masterpiece. Sam Mendes gift to cinema...and his family. Every ounce is powerful.#1917Movie pic.twitter.com/EiwCTthAX3
- Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) November 23, 2019
Leah Greenblatt from Entertainment Weekly said: "Legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins (No Country for Old Men, Fargo, Blade Runner 2049) effectively drops the viewer in the centre of the story and compels them to stay there, fully immersed in every muddy step, hunger pang, and rifle click."
Also lavishing praise on the movie, Forbes' Scott Mendelson added: "A visual knockout, a gripping war drama, a relentless action picture, a great 'video game movie not based on a video game' and an ironic inversion of The Lord of the Rings."
The film is slated for release on Christmas Day in the US so if you're bored of cutting the festive ham then duck into a cinema to check this one out because no doubt it will be an absolute banger.
But for the rest of the planet, we have to wait until at least 10 January 2020.
Rotten Tomatoes has already listed the film with a 90 percent rating - not bad at all.
Featured Image Credit: Universal Pictures
Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film
