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Rarely do I find myself in awe of the technical execution of a film. "The Revenant" comes to mind, as does "No Country for Old Men." "1917" is not just a World War I film, it is also a visual and cinematic masterpiece that is not just the best film of the year by a mile, but also makes its mark as one of the best films ever made. The story, acting, and even music could have been stronger, but the spell cast by the camera is nothing short of breathtaking. Shot as one continuous scene, there was only one obvious camera cut in nearly two hours, and a couple of instances where trick editing could have occurred. The lack of cuts builds a tension and immersion into the journey of Corporals Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield (George MacKay). The journey is the most realistic, and meticulously crafted WWI story ever brought to life on screen.
Written by Sam Mendes based on stories told by his grandfather, the narrative immediately finds itself in "Saving Private Ryan" territory. The stark difference is there's no Tom Hanks or Matt Damon, and the ominous silence and lack of gratuitous violence is noticeable. George MacKay (deserves a Best Actor Oscar nomination) and Dean-Charles Chapman are two soldiers sent through no-man's land to deliver an urgent message to a Colonel about to go over the trenches with nearly 1,600 British soldiers. If they fail to deliver the message in time, the soldiers will be massacred. What we experience through the brilliant camera's lens is a race against both fear and time.
Roger Deakins has delivered a tour de force with his camerawork here. I would bet my life savings that he takes home his second Oscar, although he should have a half dozen by now. I will happily line up to see any project he works on opening night for the rest of his hopefully long career. He has made the Coen Brothers, Dennis Villenueve, and Sam Mendes the directors they are today.
The film has come out to a great deal of critical acclaim, hype, and even two Golden Globe awards, but it is a landmark film that should inspire a higher expectation of technical achievement for years or even generations to come. It's that good. Sam Mendes' ambition shows clearly, and he will reap the rewards for his efforts.
Last year, there was a documentary that stirred me. "They Shall not Grow Old" by Peter Jackson. He compiled archive footage and letters and brought them to life through color restoration, and it shone a light on WWI like never before. "1917" is the fiction, blockbuster answer to that documentary, and together they have done the Great War justice in ways never accomplished in the past (no offense to "All Quiet on the Western Front," "Paths of Glory," "Johnny Got his Gun," "War Horse," or "A Very Long Engagement").
Although rated R for realism, it is tastefully done in a way that can be appreciated by war film buffs and the squeamish alike. It's a mesmerizing trip back to 1917 France, and the attention to details is nothing short of stirring. This is what a two-hour cinematic experience is supposed to feel like. I applaud Sam Mendes and Roger Deakins and will cheer when they are rewarded with Oscars next month. 10/10.
