1917 (2019)

A relatively simple initial premise gives way to one of the best films of the last year.

Set entirely in one day in 1917, this film tells the story of two young corporals in the British Army, entrusted with what seems a simple enough task: deliver a message to another battalion.

Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) is summoned - along with his friend Lance Corporal Schofield (George MacKay) - to the quarters of General Erinmore (Colin Firth), and instructed to deliver a letter to a Colonel MacKenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch), with instructions to cancel a planned assault.

MacKenzie plans to send 1600 of his troops in a massive assault against the German forces in France at dawn the following day. But what he doesn’t know - but Erinmore does - is that it is a trap, and he will be sending all 1600 young men to certain death.

Blake is chosen due to the fact that his brother Lieutenant Joseph Blake (Richard Madden) is in the very same unit that will be storming the battlefield. Schofield is chosen due to the fact that Blake was instructed to take another soldier with him, and he was picked.

Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield (George MacKay).

Unfortunately, the very first thing they need to do is cross No Man’s Land, and enter what most believe to be German-occupied territory. Erinmore is convinced that the Germans aren’t there anymore, that they have retreated back several miles, so is sure the two soldiers will be quite safe. However, they aren’t so sure, but they must obey the command from their commanding officer.

As I have already mentioned, the entire film takes place in one day. In fact, the entire film takes place in one continuous camera shot (or at least it appears this way; of course, there are plenty of very clever invisible edits) that follows the action from beginning to end.

The screenplay, written by director Sam Mendes & Krysty Wilson-Cairns, is well-written, to say the least. The two main characters, in particular, are both very clearly defined, and filled with conflicts, both internal and external. The film also has plenty of twists and turns along the way, keeping you on the edge of your seat virtually from beginning to end.

Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), with Schofield (George MacKay) behind.

Thomas Newman’s score is impressive, using music almost exclusively in a psychological function, highlighting not only the thoughts and fears of the two young soldiers, but also the various moments of intensity of the plot from a more objective position.

It probably comes as no surprise that the cinematography is very good. Roger Deakins has done a magnificent job of capturing the action, and the use of the apparent single-shot works very well in this film (even better than this technique worked in Birdman). Deakins has a fantastic grasp of the use of light and dark, shadow and contrast, and uses them to full effect here. There are several points of the film that take place in near-darkness, and the use of light in various forms is very well done.

I must say something about Dennis Gassner’s production design here. The sets and locations are absolutely beautiful - beautiful in their design, that is; of course, they are incredibly bleak and stark in their appearance for the most part. From miles and miles of trenches to muddy fields to sprawling countryside, every single filming location has been expertly crafted and executed to transport the audience to another place and time.

Colonel MacKenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch).

The performances of the cast are - in a word - flawless. The two lead characters are definitely the standouts here, not least because they are alone on screen for the majority of the film. The supporting cast are all good too, but it is most definitely these two young performers who outshine all the rest.

Director Sam Mendes has made an absolutely amazing film here, one that is certain to pick up several nominations at this year’s Academy Awards. I wouldn’t be surprised if it even scored a nomination for Best Picture, nor would I be surprised if it won.

If you get the chance to see this on the big screen, take it; the visuals are stunning, and the film is a completely immersive experience that just begs to be seen on the big screen. However, if you miss out, don’t worry; I am sure the film will satisfy small-screen audiences, too.

10 out of 10.