STARRING: DEAN-CHARLES CHAPMAN, GEORGE MACKAY , DANIEL MAYS
DIRECTOR: Sam Mendes
DATE: JANUARY 10, 2020
As a regiment assembles to wage war deep in enemy territory, two soldiers are assigned to race against time and deliver a message that will stop 1,600 men from walking straight into a deadly trap.
On April 6, 1917, aerial reconnaissance observed that the German Army, which has pulled back from a division of the Western Front in Northern France, is not in departure but has made a strategic desertion to the new Hindenburg Line. In the British trenches, two young British soldiers, Lance Corporal Schofield (George MacKay) and Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) are ordered by General Erinmore (Colin Firth) to carry a message to Colonel Mackenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch) of the Second Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, calling off a scheduled attack that would endanger the lives of 1,600 soldiers, including Blake’s brother Lieutenant Joseph Blake (Richard Madden). Blake and Schofield are ordered to head on foot to that company in order to call off the attack before it can commence which is a journey that will force them to travel through enemy territory.
Schofield and Blake travel to the German’s abandoned trench. Scoping out the dugout, they discover a tunnel and proceed to invade. As they enter, they come across a life-threatening trap that could have ended Schofield’s life. Thankfully Blake saves him and they are free. Soon after, the soldiers discover an abandoned house, making sure that there are no enemies. As they are coming up with a plan, they witness two planes dogfighting and one plane is shot down. Blake and Schofield rescue the burning German pilot, but the pilot stabs Blake viciously as Schofield shoots him. Schofield comforts Blake as he dies, promising to achieve the mission and to write to Blake’s mother. Schofield collects Blake’s rings and dog tag, as well as Erinmore’s letter.
Schofield had a long journey ahead of him without his fellow soldier. He went through many obstacles and shooting engagements in order to reach his destination. When he finally arrives, he discovers that the attack has already begun. He tried to push his way through a crowded trench but realized he needed to take a shortcut to get to Colonel Mackenzie. In addition, when the first wave of soldiers begin shooting, Schofield runs across the trench to get Mackenzie to deliver the message.
After Schofield completed his assignment, he proceeded to approach Blake’s brother Joseph. Unfortunately, he had to inform his brother about what happened to him on the journey. Although Joseph was distraught, he was thankful for Schofield’s determination.
1917 is a film that enlightens the viewer on how the troops communicated with one another while showcasing the tribulations they experienced. This film allows the audience to gain insight into what soldiers went through and how important they are.
1917 receives 9 stars out of 10 stars.