| When you talk about Epic War Films they’re grand and mostly inspired or created from real world events. Sometimes half-fiction and the other half are based of real events.
There are times some of the film’s elements carry ‘what if’ scenarios. But 1917 is something else and it takes you right to the heart of the action in the thick of it and makes you feel what the main characters feel. It is based in part on an account told to Sam Mendes by his paternal grandfather, Alfred Mendes. The film tells the story of two young British soldiers during the First World War who are ordered to deliver a message calling off an attack doomed to fail soon after the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich in 1917. This message is especially important to one of the young soldiers, as his brother is taking part in the pending attack. Visually the film focuses on two characters Lance Corporals William Schofield, a veteran of the Somme, and Tom Blake, are ordered by General Erinmore to carry a message to Colonel Mackenzie of the Second Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, calling off a scheduled attack that would jeopardise the lives of 1,600 men, including Blake's brother Lieutenant Joseph Blake. |
It has an ensemble supporting cast and clearly an impressive film taking a single camera perspective from start to finish as you feel like ‘in the game’ or if you’re into video games as like being part of a first-person shooting game with a bit of an RPG (role playing game) that seems so natural with the flow of narrative based on how they shot the film is very immersive and edgy.
Filming was accomplished with long takes and elaborately choreographed moving camera shots to give the effect of two continuous takes. But for a viewer it feels like they only shot it with one camera and this takes the audience right into the thick of the visceral experience on how the two characters journey started and have experience the war that certainly horrifying seeing how the production put the film’s quality with how the First World War happened viewers get those little details more like Easter Eggs that doesn’t let you stop looking at the entirety of the movie.
It is a period film that certainly lets you know how war is difficult and sending a message as the messenger has all level of challenges just to get the information through the torn cities or difficult terrain where you see dead bodies all over the place. Back then certainly wasn’t easy-peasy to relay an important letter or document and how the story unravelled was quintessential how Schofield navigated through all that nightmarish places he end up and have seen how the Germans through at him.
Overall 1917 was a lot to take in how the war affects the characters more with Schofield dealing it alone in the middle act. Sam Mendes certainly made you feel that you are part of the story and the experience how war is a difficult place to live in. It would be harder back then when communication in sending a message means you have to go through hell or high water and that’s how challenging life back then, which gives you appreciation to the craft of how this film became one of the best and if you are not into seeing films like this see it for the human experience it is definitely a good one to catch before they replaced it this week in Manila.
"1917" is now playing in Philippine cinemas since 5 February 2020 distributed by Universal International Pictures in this country. Its also showing in Australia & New Zealand since 16 January 2020 (Australia) and 9 January 2020 (New Zealand) distributed by Paramount Pictures in Australia & New Zealand.
RATED: A+
NOTE: This film is still being screened publicly at Ortigas Cinema in Estancia Mall in the City of Pasig, Philippines. This is reviewed with a personal opinion without spoilers not for you to agree or disagree about the views written by the author but to gain insight on his perspective about the film.
No comments:
Post a Comment