1917 is a gripping World War I movie from 2019 directed by Sam Mendes. It follows two young British soldiers, Lance Corporals Schofield played by George MacKay and Blake played by Dean-Charles Chapman, on a desperate mission across no man’s land to deliver a message that stops a deadly attack on 1,600 men in the 2nd Battalion.https://letterboxd.com/film/1917/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yvn5HvocwE
The story unfolds in what feels like one continuous shot, making every moment tense and real. General Erinmore gives Schofield and Blake the order because phone lines are cut and the Germans have retreated to a deeper line called the Hindenburg. The attack planned for dawn will fail into a trap, so they must warn Colonel Mackenzie to call it off.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yvn5HvocwE
They start at dusk, crossing trenches filled with rats and dead bodies. Blake explains the mission hits close to home because Mackenzie is his brother. They crawl through no man’s land under flares and sniper fire, then enter a German trench. Schofield sets off a trap that blows up a bunker, letting them move on.https://letterboxd.com/film/1917/
A German pilot crashes nearby. Blake helps him but the pilot shoots Blake before Schofield kills the pilot. Schofield buries Blake and takes his tags and ring, promising to deliver them to Blake’s mother and brother.https://letterboxd.com/film/1917/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yvn5HvocwE
Alone now, Schofield hitches a ride with a British battalion retreating and singing. He rests in the ruined town of Ecoust-Saint-Mein, lit by flares and fire. A French woman hides there with a baby. He gives her milk from his pack and promises to send help, but leaves to keep going.https://letterboxd.com/film/1917/
He escapes Germans by jumping into a river, losing his gear but swimming to the other side. Dawn breaks as he climbs a hill to the 2nd Battalion’s camp under cherry blossoms. Soldiers cheer the retreat news, but Schofield runs through to find Mackenzie amid attack preparations.https://letterboxd.com/film/1917/
Out of breath, Schofield hands over the orders. Mackenzie at first doubts them without confirmation, but Schofield insists on the general’s words and shows Blake’s tags. Mackenzie reads the message, stops the attack, and learns Blake died delivering it. He takes the tags and ring for closure.https://letterboxd.com/film/1917/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yvn5HvocwE
Schofield rests under a tree as the troops stand down. The film fades on his face, leaving the sense of one man’s survival amid massive loss. The ending shows the mission’s success at great cost, with Schofield carrying Blake’s memory forward.https://letterboxd.com/film/1917/
Sources
https://letterboxd.com/film/1917/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Yvn5HvocwE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_riot_of_1917
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8579674/news/
https://www.houstongrandopera.org
