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The One Shot Wonder, 1917 (A Film Review)

Info Terkini | Saturday, 16 Jul 2022, 11:28 WIB

written by Sofia Aila

First time I’ve heard of this film was quite coincidental. For anyone who hasn’t known, I have been an admirer of both the actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Colin Firth, and as I was doing my daily dose of surfing the web for the on and abouts of the world, I came across Mr. Cumberbatch’s web page (God knows how) filled with announcements of a new film he was starring in, there I first heard of 1917.

Quickly, I went over YouTube and hover over the search bar to search up 1917. Turns out the trailer had been out for about 1 or 2 days and the most surprising thing was that it stars Colin Firth, Mark Strong and Andrew Scott (another actor I admire). Never have I clicked on a trailer so fast having had hilarious amounts of my favourite actors inside (yes, four is a lot), and the best bit was that the trailer itself was an outstanding cut about world war I, which is an adds my interest for the film because I was a pretty much a history enthusiast, let alone WWI. At that exact moment I knew that film was a jackpot, it left me with quite a lot of emotions such as happy, curious, excited and ecstatic. I knew I had to watch this film as fast as I can. Unfortunately, it took me a month to watch the film after the release, yes it was disappointing but at least I’m here now with a review one year later. Without further chit chat let’s begin the review of the Oscar-winning film “1917”.

Directed by Sam Mendes and cinematography by Roger Deakins, 1917 is about the journey of two soldiers, Scholfield and Blake ordered to deliver a message to the general in order to save 1,600 other soldiers from and attack. This film was the winner of 3 Oscars for “Best Cinematography”, “Best Sound Mixing” and “Best Visual Effects” at the Academy Awards. 1917 was most talked about for their cinematography, which was captivating in every second, it gave me a certain feel that I was going through the trenches with them. It’s not entirely shot in one take giving the fact that you’re working with the weather, which is pretty hard to deal with. It has multiple long takes put together flawlessly without looking like it was a cut at all, using opportunities in dark tunnels, people walking by, zooms on an object, or as simple as a water flowing, the directors took those cuts at a clever placement so it would look as natural as possible, and it worked!

The source of lighting was also a crucial importance in directing the film as it was said by an interview that the director wanted to use as much natural lighting as possible at shooting so it would look more organic, this is what makes the endless search for perfect weather one of the long parts of production. They also used clever ways to put in lighting at night time, like a fire at a building to make it seem realistic as it takes place in war but also gives a significant light to help the film-watchers see clearly in the dark, this was also used in a form of missiles and flares that was shot through the sky, lighting up the area.

Now let’s talk about the actors. Sam Mendes oddly wants the main characters, Schofield and Blake casted by “unknowns”, now who would’ve want their film made with such great efforts with a main cast who’s not a worldwide sensation? In this case, it doesn’t matter whether it’s an A-lister or an Oscar-winning celebrity, talent is the key. Sam Mendes wanted an approach to watchers by seeing the main characters as people going through war rather than getting their minds distracted by thinking that they aren’t real people but celebrity face, and the idea of it made an outstanding impact on how people view the story. The story itself was inspired by Sam Mendes’s grandfather, who like every other veterans have served their country at war.

These two characters were played by two incredibly talented actors, George Mackay as Schofield and Dean-Charles Chapman as Blake. Seeing them act reminded me that you don’t need to have a particular status of popularity to gain amazing opportunities, it’s what you do that matters. To me, both of them aren’t supposed to be called “unpopular” just because of their status quo but simply to be called “talented” as a person itself. And I must add that Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, Andrew Scott and Mark Strong did as extraordinary as usual, with each as a checkpoint to the soldiers, they give off important senses on what’s next to come.

And the last of the topic I wanted to discuss is the story itself. Written by Krysty Wilson-Cairns, who took a lot of research into war and also dug through some old journals and memoirs of those whose been to war. She’d spent all her days reading dozens of the accounts and once in a while, she’d find a poet. The “poets” who’ve poured all of their hearts and souls to their journals, filled with the atrocities of war and the many negative impacts it has on the human race.

Krysty’s first intention was never to inform the audience about how the battle of the Somme went, after all the film isn’t at all a history class. The film industry have got a keen spot on making war films, and they will always find a way to keep it compact and intimate to one situation, rarely telling the whole scale of war. For example, Dunkirk (2017), the story only revolves around multiple groups of person, which are the soldiers, the aviators, and the brave civilians enduring through the ocean on a rescue mission. The whole film showcase only several hours of the soldiers surviving before they were rescued. The goal is to capture the rising tension growing inside. Same happens to the movie Darkest Hour (2017) about Winston Churchill‘s endeavour on winning over the Germans. The movie only tells Winston’s time after Winston became the next British Prime Minister until his success on Operation Dynamo on Dunkirk. So back to where I was saying, it’s all about capturing the tension all the way to its victory, and I’ve got to say 1917 did an outstanding job. The story was only carried by two soldiers on their long and treacherous way to the Second Battalion. Its filled with heap-loads of heart stopping accidents and a never-ending stress fest (thank God I’ve watched it in the cinema, best way to get that 10/10 experience!).

It all circles down to the triumph of the human spirit, making their way through war no matter the circumstances, no matter the casualties and the missing souls leaving earth every second. These humans never stop charging through. 1917 was only a glimpse on what one in a million of those missions could’ve been. All the soldiers sent for those type of mission knew that their future is unclear, uncertain, but they’ll keep on moving not for the sake of their country, but for the men they’re about to save. The men who’s still got a chance to meet their families and a bright life ahead of them. And those men who’s been saved would also do the same for the next. It just keeps going. That’s how victorious our human spirits are.

That right there marks the end of my review! Thank you so much for those who’ve read through it, I know it’s a bit long but 1917 deserves every single appraisal it could get. ALSO I want to point out something. The ending scene of 1917 is the EXACT same shot it was with the first shot of the movie and I think that’s amazing, it shows the repetitive situation of war itself and its unceasing nightmare.