1917 (2019)

“They’re walking into a trap. Your orders are to deliver a message calling off tomorrow mornings attack, if you fail, it will be a massacre.” – General Erinmore

Number of Times Seen – 1 (2 Jan 2020)

Brief Synopsis – Two soldiers are sent on a mission across enemy lines in order to stop an attack before it happens.

My Take on it – This is a movie that I have been anticipating for months ever since I fist saw the trailer.

I had heard some great things about it from early reviews and made it a priority for me to find a way to see this film in the theater on opening day.

I have always been a fan of powerful war films that are in essence anti-war films and based on what I had heard about this film, I knew that it had the potential to join films like The Longest Day (1962), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Black Hawk Down (2001) and Platoon (1986) on the long list of spectacular films that present the harsh realism of war yet have a strong underlying message about war.

This film is stunning to watch from the very first shot and knowing that it is all shot in one continuous shot helps enhance the feeling.

The story is told in a very gripping way and the story is completely entrancing from start to finish.

The cinematography is superbly done and constantly makes the viewer feel as if they are right there with these characters as things play out.

The trek that they are sent on must go through very dangerous territory and the film makes things feel quite realistic the entire way through.

War is quite gruesome and this film doesn’t shy away from showing the very brutal nature of it all.

This isn’t a bloody film, but as the journey of these men progress, we get to see the way that bodies are strewn around and that alone shows the true nature of things.

The story is paced quite well and the feeling that this is all being told in real time enhances the impact and urgency of it all the entire time.

This helps make things even more engaging and enjoyable to watch as we see where the story leads.

This film’s story and plot are relatively simple ones yet they manage to make things so engrossing along the way that every small bit of information that we get along the way helps add so much to the way that this film is powerful and poignant in its message.

This IMHO is one of the very bets films of 2019 (if not TH best) and is also among one of the more powerful (anti) war films ever made due ti the way that the story is presented.

This is the kind of movie that is most effective on the big screen and I strongly recommend that if anyone has the opportunity, they should try and see this film (at least once) in the theater.

Bottom Line – Stunning film that is gripping and entrancing the whole way through. The cinematography is done extremely well and makes the viewer feel as if they are right there with these characters as they must cross very dangerous territory. The film does a superb job showing the gruesome nature of war without needing to be too graphic with blood yet they show the way that bodies are strewn all around throughout. The story moves along at a great pace and the real time aspect helps make things even more enjoyable and engaging to watch. The story is a simple one yet they find a way to tell it in a way that allows for the viewer to become so engrossed in all that is happening with makes the story even more impactful and poignant as things move along. This is one of the very best films of the year and is also one of the most powerful war films ever made due to the way that they choose to present things. This is a film that is most effective n the big screen and I suggest that if given the choice one should see it at least once in the theater. Highly Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Shot and edited to appear as a single long take that takes place in real time. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (10/10)