A closeup of 1917's poster at Cineplex Saint John.
Inspired by the stories told to him by his paternal grandfather, Sam Mendes, (Skyfall) crafts a harrowing, humanistic and sprawling tale of World War I, “The War to End All Wars.”
In the spring of 1917, British soldiers Schofield, (George MacKay, Captain Fantastic) and Blake, (Dean-Charles Chapman, Game of Thrones) are given a mission to deliver a message to the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment during Operation Alberich. The German forces feigned retreat at the Hindenburg Line and if the message is not delivered in time to call off the attack, the battalion would be slaughtered with Blake’s brother among them.
The film was shot by Mendes and cinematographer Roger Deakins, (Fargo, Blade Runner 2049) to appear as a nearly continuous shot as the young men race against the clock and make their way through enemy territory in Northern France.
A who’s-who of top-tier British actors, including Colin Firth, (The King’s Speech) Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) Richard Madden, (Rocketman), Andrew Scott, (Fleabag) and Mark Strong appear in small parts throughout the soldiers’ journey.
1917 won Best Picture – Drama while Mendes won Best Director at the 77th Golden Globes, and is currently nominated for nine awards at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA).
1917 is in theatres now.
