1917 (2019)

For 1917 Sam Mendes opted to use a technique that makes the whole film look as though it was filmed in one shot. Although it would be impossible to actually do the film in one shot the way it has been filmed means that the shots can be edited together to give this effect. This makes the film seamlessly cut between different scenarios and settings with ease, absorbing the audience and making viewers feel as though they are experiencing everything along with the characters in the scene.

At the start of the film two characters, Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield (George Mackay) are recruited to carry out a mission for the army. They have information that the Germans have retreated and that the British front line plan to attack at dawn. However the Germans planned this and have cut off communication between where Blake and Schofield are to where the front line is. Their task is to travel to the front line and deliver instructions to stand down from higher up in the army.

The film is full of emotion and draws the audience in. The film reminds us of the victims of war and those they love and how many of the soldiers had hope that the war would end, which is presented through Blake and Schofield as they have hope that they will make it to the front line, as they carry the knowledge that the Germans tactically retreating could end countless lives if they don't make it to the front line in time or if they become victims to the Germans themselves.

They both face the very real threat of not returning to their families, but this weighs heavier on Schofield as he has experienced much more of the war than Blake as he is older whereas Blake is relatively new to the army. We discover why Schofield feels strongly about this much later in the film, But we find out why Blake was chosen to undertake this mission very early on. We can see that Blake is naïve in face of war as he rushes straight into things while Schofield is trying to make sure he doesn't do anything idiotic that could get them killed, as this is war.

The music enhances and further dramatises the intense nature of the shots and works very well alongside the single shot, that runs through the whole film. The music helps the audience to feel what is happening in the film as well as watching it, and presents itself with ever greater emotion for the viewers to indulge in. This really ties the whole film together and makes it very worthwhile to watch, I recommend it highly.