Movie 1917

By: Anton Massopust III

“There is only one way this war ends – Last Man Standing!”

1917 is a recent movie that was nominated for Best Picture in 2020. 1917 tells the story of two World War I British soldiers who are tasked with a mission to go across enemy lines to deliver a message to a colonel not to attack because military intelligence found out they were walking straight into an ambush. The enemies were waiting for them. One of the young men finds out his brother is in the troops slated for the attack, so the mission is double fold. The other soldier regrets going but ends up being the only man that can stop this attack from going through. The two soldiers’ journey through a hellish landscape including traps, trenches, craters, mud, rats, enemy soldiers, and fire. 

Like the Iliad and the Odyssey, the story of 1917 is a war story about the hero’s journey. He desperately tries to reach his goal to save lives. 

This entire movie was shot in one shot. In other words, no quick cuts, the cameras just kept rolling as the two actors had to stay in character for the shooting of the entire film.  It is though you’re traveling with them. 1917 has the same feel as Saving Private Ryan, it’s a first person view of every battle and every encounter that the soldiers go through. You experience what the soldiers are going through. There’s gorgeous cinematography and beautiful costumes. The writing is perfect. The soldiers talk the way soldiers talk. The use of sound editing gives you a feel like you’re in combat with the soldiers. 

There is also a small cameo by one of the best actors in England, Benedict Cumberbatch. 1917 is a great history lesson to teach kids about what combat was like during World War I and what sacrifice is all about. Many brave men and women had to go through all of this just to survive.

Is this movie better than Parasite (Best Picture Winner 2020)? That’s like comparing apples to oranges, but I think that it should have won best picture. It’s the struggle of the common man. It’s not just an average war picture, but definitely worth your time, both propelling and riveting. Give it a watch. It’s available on DVD, Blue-Ray and On Demand right now.