This WWI movie, co-written and directed by Sam Mendes (Kate Winslet’s ex-husband), won the 2020 Golden Globe Award for “Best Picture.” I liked the film and it’s a very good war movie, but I don’t think it’s in the same class as “Saving Private Ryan,” “Apocalypse Now,” or “Hacksaw Ridge.” The film will make my Top 20 for 2020, but not my Top 10. (I will be releasing these two lists next week!)
British Corporal Blake (Dean Charles Chapman) and his close friend, Corporal Schofield (George MacKay), are deployed in Northern France in an area where the Germans and the British are fighting to gain control. Another British company, only a few miles away, is planning to attack the Germans, who are in retreat. However, recent British intelligence has discovered that the retreat is a trap. The Germans have reinforcements and are in a much stronger position than the British General planning the attack realizes. Unfortunately, Blake’s brother is in this other company. The General of Blake’s company gives Blake the 24-hour mission of travelling about 9 miles to inform this company to call off the attack. If they don’t, it will be a massacre and about 1,600 British troops will die, including Blake’s brother. Blake selects Schofield to accompany him on this dangerous mission.
Blake and Schofield set out on their journey which is fraught with numerous dangers, among them explosions and Germans who have remained behind. The visual imagery is spectacular and cinematographer Roger Deakins should be nominated for an AA. (The film MUST be seen on the BS to appreciate the grandeur of it.) One gets a very visceral sense about the horrors of war. MacKay is great as Schofield and his performance is AAW.
So why doesn’t it make my Top 10, you may ask? The story is a straightforward but rather simple one, so it didn’t “capture” me nearly as much as the above war movies.
This WWI movie, co-written and directed by Sam Mendes (Kate Winslet's ex-husband), won the 2020 Golden Globe Award for "Best Picture." I liked the film and it's a very good war movie, but I don't think it's in the same class as "Saving Private Ryan," "Apocalypse Now,” or "Hacksaw Ridge." The film will make my Top 20 for 2020, but not my Top 10. (I will be releasing these two lists next week!) British Corporal Blake (Dean Charles Chapman) and his close friend, Corporal Schofield (George MacKay), are deployed in Northern France in an area where the Germans and the British are fighting to gain control. Another British company, only a few miles away, is planning to attack the Germans, who are in retreat. However, recent British intelligence has discovered that the retreat is a trap. The Germans have reinforcements and are in a much stronger position than the British General planning the attack realizes. Unfortunately, Blake's brother is in this other company. The General of Blake's company gives Blake the 24-hour mission of travelling about 9 miles to inform this company to call off the attack. If they don't, it will be a massacre and about 1,600 British troops will die, including Blake's brother. Blake selects Schofield to accompany him on this dangerous mission. Blake and Schofield set out on their journey which is fraught with numerous dangers, among them explosions and Germans who have remained behind. The visual imagery is spectacular and cinematographer Roger Deakins should be nominated for an AA. (The film MUST be seen on the BS to appreciate the grandeur of it.) One gets a very visceral sense about the horrors of war. MacKay is great as Schofield and his performance is AAW. So why doesn't it make my Top 10, you may ask? The story is a straightforward but rather simple one, so it didn't "capture" me nearly as much as the above war movies.
1917: A One-Day Journey Thru Hell!
1917: A One-Day Journey Thru Hell!
2020-01-26
David
80
8
Great Cinematography!
User Rating : No Ratings Yet !
8
