1917 (film)

1917 (film)
Name	1917
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Sam Mendes
Producer	Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Callum McDougall, Brian Oliver
Writer	Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Starring	George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch
Music	Thomas Newman
Cinematography	Roger Deakins
Editing	Lee Smith
Studio	DreamWorks Pictures, Reliance Entertainment, New Republic Pictures, Neal Street Productions, Amblin Partners
Distributor	Universal Pictures, Entertainment One
Released	2019, 12, 25, United States, 2020, 01, 10, United Kingdom
Runtime	119 minutes
Country	United Kingdom, United States
Language	English, French, German
Budget	$90–100 million
Gross	$384.6 million

1917 (film) is a 2019 epic war film directed and co-written by Sam Mendes. The film, which unfolds in a seemingly continuous shot, follows two young British Army soldiers during World War I on a desperate mission to prevent a massacre. It was inspired by stories told to Mendes by his grandfather, Alfred Mendes, and features cinematography by Roger Deakins and a score by Thomas Newman. The film was a major critical and commercial success, winning three Academy Awards including for Best Cinematography.

Plot

In April 1917, during the German spring offensive, two lance corporals in the British Expeditionary Force, Blake and Schofield, are given a critical mission by General Erinmore. They must cross no man's land and the recently abandoned German trenches to deliver a message to the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, calling off a planned attack on the Hindenburg Line that would walk into a German trap. Their journey takes them through the devastated landscapes of Northern France, including the ruins of Écoust-Saint-Mein, where they face constant peril from snipers, booby traps, and enemy patrols.

Cast

* George MacKay as Lance Corporal Schofield * Dean-Charles Chapman as Lance Corporal Blake * Mark Strong as Captain Smith * Andrew Scott as Lieutenant Leslie * Richard Madden as Lieutenant Joseph Blake * Claire Duburcq as Lauri * Colin Firth as General Erinmore * Benedict Cumberbatch as Colonel Mackenzie * Daniel Mays as Sergeant Sanders * Adrian Scarborough as Major Hepburn * Jamie Parker as Lieutenant Richards * Michael Jibson as Lieutenant Hutton * Nabhaan Rizwan as Sepoy Jondalar * Gerran Howell as Private Evans

Production

Development began in 2018, with Sam Mendes co-writing the script with Krysty Wilson-Cairns, drawing on his grandfather's experiences in the Battle of Passchendaele. The film is renowned for its technical achievement, being designed and shot by cinematographer Roger Deakins to appear as one continuous take, utilizing complex choreography and innovative camera rigs. Principal photography took place largely in England, with key locations including Salisbury Plain, the former Hankley Common MOD training area, and Shepperton Studios. The production design team, led by Dennis Gassner, meticulously recreated the Western Front trenches and the French countryside.

Release

The film had its world premiere in the United States on December 4, 2019, and began a limited theatrical run on December 25, 2019, before a wide release by Universal Pictures on January 10, 2020. Its UK release was handled by Entertainment One. A significant marketing element was its presentation in Dolby Cinema and IMAX formats to enhance the immersive, single-shot experience. It was later released for home video and on digital platforms by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

Reception

*1917* received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise directed at its direction, cinematography, score, sound design, and the performances of George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a 89% approval rating, with critics highlighting its technical prowess and emotional intensity. Major publications like The Guardian, The New York Times, and *Variety* lauded it as a landmark in the war film genre. The film was also a box office success, grossing over $384 million worldwide against a production budget of approximately $100 million.

Accolades

The film was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning three: Best Cinematography for Roger Deakins, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects. It also won two British Academy Film Awards for Best British Film and Best Cinematography, and received three Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director for Sam Mendes. Other notable nominations included the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film and the Producers Guild of America Award for Best Theatrical Motion Picture.

Category:2019 films Category:British war films Category:Films directed by Sam Mendes Category:Universal Pictures films