There have been countless movies about war, since Hollywood first started making films. There are some that point out the horrors of war. There are many that glorify it. There are others that show heroism and bravery. 1917 does show the horrors and the bravery. It also shows fear, something always present, in the film, but hidden to a point.
Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) is summoned to see General Einmore, (Colin Firth). The general has a mission for him. He is to deliver a message to Colonel Mackenzie, (Benedict Cumberbatch). The message is an order to stop an attack by 1600 British soldiers, including Blake’s brother, Lt. Joseph Blake. Army intelligence has found out that the Germans have set a trap for the soldiers, and they will be massacred, if they advance. Corporal Blake is told to select a man to go with him, and to leave immediately. Blake chooses his best friend, Lance Corporal Schofield, (George MacKay), to accompany him on this dangerous mission. Schofield isn’t happy about being chosen, but goes.
The journey starts with the two soldiers having to navigate through the trenches. This confusion is shown very well by director Sam Menzies. The two are shown pushing and shoving irritated soldiers, coming the other way. They are told that the Germans have left the immediate area. This information proves to be inaccurate. The men take shelter in a bunker, and while there, it is shelled all around. Part of it collapses, falling on Corporal Schofield. He is buried by rubble, and dug out by Corporal Blake. Schofield is temporarily blinded, and needs to be led out by Blake. After they get out, they take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse. They don’t get a break. They witness a dogfight, and the German pilot crashes into a barn, which catches on fire. They pull the pilot from his burning plane. The nature of war being what is, the pilot attacks Blake. Unfortunately Blake is mortally wounded, and Schofield must continue alone. Despite the fact that films like this, always have dying scenes, Dean- Charles Chapman makes Corporal Blake’s final moments believable.
Corporal Schoefield encounters a company of troops headed to the front. He hitches a ride, but the truck gets stuck in the mud. He helps free the truck, but cant wait and leaves. While there, Schofield is consoled by an officer. He’s also told to move on from the death of his friend.
Once again alone in enemy territory, Schofield tries to cross over a destroyed bridge. He is fired upon by a sniper, and has to jump into the water. He avoids the bullets, and goes into the building, and kills the sniper. He is hit by a bullet, and knocked unconscious. He wakes up and is found by a German soldier. He strangles him and knocks out another one. Schofield discovers a mother and her child. He gives the child milk that he got from the farm and the mother patches him up. He stays until morning, and goes on his way. The corporal is fired on by German soldiers. He avoids their fire by jumping into a raging river. Corporal Schofield avoids drowning and comes upon soldiers, who are part of the company he’s trying to save. He’s directed to the front and avoids getting killed in the first wave. The corporal is thought to be crazy, but delivers the message. Men are spared but the colonel is jaundiced, knowing its only a temporary respite from death and human suffering. Corporal Schofield then frantically searches for Lt. Blake. He tells him the news about his brother. The corporal walks away and collapses under a tree, looking at the photo of his wife and child. His wife has written a note saying, Please come home to us.
Sam Menzies has given us a tale of two innocents who become men from the tragedy of war. They see war up close and personal, experiencing its horrifying effects. The fear becomes almost real, because of Sam Menzies efforts. His story keeps you watching. World War I was the second most devastating war in human history. It wasn’t a subject of films the way World War 2 was. Menzies does show the horrible conditions in the trenches; showing bloated bodies floating by and the mud and cramped conditions. He has made a statement, that resonates here and with other films about “The War to End All Wars”.
1917 achieves the affect of being there with the two soldiers on their odyssey through the hell of war. He has given filmgoers very intense gripping scenes. The scene with the most intensity is when Shofield is dodging sniper bullets, trying to cross the bridge. This movie doesn’t really lend itself to acting. It’s focus is more on the journey to save lives. George MacKay as Schofield does have some good moments in the film: the collapsing bunker and consoling his dying friend.
Sam Menzies has made this movie his own. The actors are placed in a horrific battlefield, created by the director. The well known actors, Benedict Cumberbatch and Colin Firth are given minor roles. His movie was filmed in one shot; giving the movie its feel and intensity. He’s done what every director wants to do. He’s achieved a film of dramatic intensity, that keeps audiences focused.