A Harrowing and Lyrical Ode to the Chaos of War, Review of 1917

In the weeks leading up to the film’s release, the notion that the entirety of the film would be one unbroken shot (albeit with hidden edits) created a dialogue around the technical mastery that would be on display. This one-shot intensity, coupled with the fact that legendary director of photography Roger Deakins would be the driving force behind it, generated even more excitement about the sheer scope that would transfix the screen. However, even with the talent behind this unique method of filmmaking, I was skeptical of this “long take” method, as I thought that such a horrific period of human history would be relegated to surface level action that would only be emphasizing the grand scale of the war, not its implications on the human condition.

Yet, Sam Mendes’ use of this one-shot method brings a certain tenderness to the war drama in a way that hasn’t been seen before. As his camera swoops in front and behind his two protagonists charged with carrying out the insurmountable task of delivering a message through the German front line to British troops heading into certain death, he frequently gives us time to soak in the daily horrors every soldier faced in that brutish war. With those horrors at the forefront, he draws us into the humanity at the core of the main characters and the sense of duty they have. There is no bravura or manly showcase of strength, just a gliding lens that focuses on the minute to minute dangers our heroes face and the heavy emotions labelled on their muddied faces.

Mendes often juxtaposes the film’s showcases of horrors with a simultaneous beauty of the land it is taking place on. Characters walk through lush fields and rivers with petals falling next to their feet, as they walk over the decaying bodies of civilians, enemies, and allies. All of which are humans who have experienced the tumultuous conflict they are enduring. This contrast of beauty and terror perfectly encompasses the duality of the nature of that war. Just like every soldier caught in the tides of the First World War, our protagonists must wreak havoc on the bounty of the earth in the name of their country. As moments of solitude resurface during breaks in the conflict, they can’t help but see the surviving beauty in the land that shepherds the war. What makes these themes more powerful, is that Mendes and Deakins achieve their resonance entirely visually, as the audience is forced to come to terms with them personally.

While the poeticism and thematic nature of the film are on full display, Mendes’ “one shot” perfectly places us in the shoes of the characters, as we take in the beauty and horror of the French landscape as they experience it. This, in tandem with Deakin’s masterful cinematography and Randy Newman’s understated orchestral score, perfectly forces us to take on the heavy stakes of each action made by our heroes. With the lens always perched on the same level and field of view of the protagonists, there is a certain urgency and intimate scope the film accomplishes as it brings us into each muddy trench, desolate town, and heated firefight.

With the casting of George Mackay and Dean-Charles Chapman, as the two men whose journey we follow, their relative unknown status helps to further our immersion into the world as no Hollywood star is there to remind us that we’re watching a film. While these actors are not the largest of celebrities, it doesn’t mean that they provide poor performances. They don’t reinvent the wheel, but Mendes’ vision doesn’t warrant it, as he gets vivid reactionary performances that serve as a conduit for every soldier’s experience during the war. While this casting helps further both the vision and impact of the film, there is still star power featured in the supporting roles, as names like Benedict Cumberbatch and Colin Firth appear for short stints. These short moments end up hurting the film’s impact, as they serve as a reminder that a Hollywood production is in front of us. Yet, the scope of the film is mostly left intact during those scenes as Mendes’ direction continually focuses on what serves the story the best, which are the characters and the lush cinematography.

If there is going to be only one film you see this awards season, 1917 makes a great case for why it should be your choice. As it unflinchingly showcases the horror of the Great War in a lyrical and methodical way that stays with you long after the opulent last shot.

 

 

 

 

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