Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay,
Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong,
Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden
"Time is the Enemy"
As far as war movies go, this Sam Mendes film has to be one of the simplest I've watched, so far. Yet it doesn't take away the fact that war is still an armed conflict between nations, innocent soldiers just following orders had to bear arms and heroically fight for their countries.
As the title suggests, it focuses on the first World War in France where British troops are preparing to go on an offensive attack against the Germans. General Erinmore (Colin Firth) receives news that the Nazis (Germans) are planning to ambush the British contingent. Yet there is no way, General Erinmore can warn them as their communication equipment are down from a night of endless fighting. He then orders two soldiers, Lance Cpl Blake and Lance Cpl Schofield to race against time, cross enemy territories, to convey this message to save an entire troop from being slaughtered. Among them, Blake's own older brother.
It is a daunting task and an impossible mission yet they have no choice but to follow General Erinmore's very urgent orders. Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield set off in broad daylight, making their way through the now abandoned enemy trenches, through no man's land, rotting with dead bodies, dead horses with rats feasting on the corpses. Yet after a tragic incident, Lance Cpl Schofield (George MacKay) is now alone to carry out the message. Does he make it on time? Is he able to shield his fellow 1,600 comrades from the trap? I won't reveal any more spoilers, better watch till the end.
The main cast is composed of two young actors whose inspiring performances will certainly boost their career. George MacKay layered his character with depth by his ashen faced, stoic demeanor. It also has cameo roles from well known British actors who gave some star quality to the movie.
This war drama is filled with intense sequences, as we follow the two soldiers journey into the unknown. Great aerial shots of monochromatic emptiness, of destruction and lost lives. You can almost smell the decaying flesh. Ewww. Some of the scenes were shot with a single frame, not the entire movie because that would be impossible. But these one shot sequences are visually attractive and added much appeal of this otherwise rather simple yet complex tale. A story of a relentless soldier whose tenacious fervor, never say die attitude lent a needed air of gravitas, saving "1917" from becoming just another war movie.
We tend to condemn wars but we also tend to forget soldiers fought valiantly, even losing their lives so we, the present and future generation would enjoy the freedom, we often take for granted. Kudos to Sam Mendes for giving us an emotionally well crafted and passionate chronicle which was narrated to him by his grandfather who fought in the first World War.
It is a daunting task and an impossible mission yet they have no choice but to follow General Erinmore's very urgent orders. Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield set off in broad daylight, making their way through the now abandoned enemy trenches, through no man's land, rotting with dead bodies, dead horses with rats feasting on the corpses. Yet after a tragic incident, Lance Cpl Schofield (George MacKay) is now alone to carry out the message. Does he make it on time? Is he able to shield his fellow 1,600 comrades from the trap? I won't reveal any more spoilers, better watch till the end.
The main cast is composed of two young actors whose inspiring performances will certainly boost their career. George MacKay layered his character with depth by his ashen faced, stoic demeanor. It also has cameo roles from well known British actors who gave some star quality to the movie.
This war drama is filled with intense sequences, as we follow the two soldiers journey into the unknown. Great aerial shots of monochromatic emptiness, of destruction and lost lives. You can almost smell the decaying flesh. Ewww. Some of the scenes were shot with a single frame, not the entire movie because that would be impossible. But these one shot sequences are visually attractive and added much appeal of this otherwise rather simple yet complex tale. A story of a relentless soldier whose tenacious fervor, never say die attitude lent a needed air of gravitas, saving "1917" from becoming just another war movie.
We tend to condemn wars but we also tend to forget soldiers fought valiantly, even losing their lives so we, the present and future generation would enjoy the freedom, we often take for granted. Kudos to Sam Mendes for giving us an emotionally well crafted and passionate chronicle which was narrated to him by his grandfather who fought in the first World War.
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