Few understand the gravity of war and the loss of human life carried within it. Artists of every era have tried to depict the chaos of battle, but few succeed. Sam Mendes (Director/Co-writer) and Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Co-writer) deliver a worthy entry with their 2019 film 1917. Through their combined efforts, the duo depicts wartime chaos through a new lens. 

1917 follows British soldiers Blake and Schofield on their journey to deliver a message that could save 1600 lives. The task requires them to traverse an entire battle in a few hours to halt the march of their comrades into a trap. 

The film opens with Schofield and Blake resting underneath a tree. Silence fills the air until another soldier enters the frame. He informs Blake that their General needs to see him quickly. As they rush through the encampment, a feeling of unease begins to creep in. The calmness of the tree is gone, all that remains is the preparation of war. 

This scene establishes the chaos of war. Even while soldiers rest, many are being treated, in battle, or preparing for the next fight. There is no peace for these souls.

The camera is simultaneously the main character and an omniscient viewer. Cinematographer Roger Deakins shoots the film to seem like one continuous shot. This allows the audience to build a deeper connection with the characters. Viewers are forced to follow Blake and Schofield along their journey. They are just as uncertain of the next step as the two soldiers. 

           The mine scene encapsulates this sentiment perfectly. While the two men travel through the mine, the camera only shows a few steps ahead. The men’s steps are only visible to the audience and themselves. This makes the subsequent tripwire collapse much more jarring. The shock of the tripwire explosion is felt between the audience and men simultaneously. The fear is not theirs alone to bear.

 George MacKay as Lance Corporal William Schofield serves as the main perspective throughout the film. For a lesser actor, the task of shouldering the viewers’ constant pressure would have been too much. Knowing this, MacKay submits an outstanding performance full of suppressed fear and trauma. Without him, 1917 could fall victim to audience fatigue. 

  It is difficult to capture mass chaos in any medium. Film seems to be the prevailing medium to depicting stories or intense action and dynamic stories. Even among the numerous war film entries, Sam Mendes can capture attention through effective story progression, stellar performances, and creative cinematography. 1917 is sure to be a film revisited for years to come.