Film: 1917
Film Number: 8
Stars: 4.5
"What passing bells for these who die as cattle?"
(Anthem for Doomed Youth, Wilfred Owen)
I've just come from seeing 1917. I've got a large gin and tonic in front of me and I'm struggling to find the words to describe this film, other than it is incredible. Incredible, visceral, unreal, haunting and a cinematic masterpiece.
The movie was widely tipped to win the Oscar for best film. I can see why that's is was the case - it won nearly every BAFTA and Golden Globe award out there. Sam Mendes' direction is flawless. He was nominated in the best director category. He didn't get it, but you can see why he was nominated.
1917 was nominated for ten Oscars. It won three - for Cinematography, Visual Effects and Sound Editing. It could have easily won in every section it was up for. Easily. This movie is stunning.
But this is not an easy movie to watch by any standards. It is a long poem of a film. This is the lovechild of a cinematographer with the poetry of Wilfred Owen. It exemplifies the horror, the pity and the utter pointlessness of war.
The premise of the movie is quite simple. April 6, 1917. Two corporals are asked to travel over No Man's Land to deliver a message to an isolated battalion to call off a pending battle. The movie follows them as they are subjected to horror after horror as they make their way to deliver the message.
Simple. Not so much.
I'll be honest. I was considering walking out of this film, not because it was bad, but because is was so intense. The long shot format is incredibly effective, taking you with the boys through their travels across No-Man's Land and into the French countryside and into the trenches. It's overpowering in places - a lot of places. I'm very glad I stayed, but I found it difficult - not the realistic depictions of war, but the constant feeling of suspense and dread. The score, which was also nominated for an Oscar is helps to build the drama.
My other thought, though this film is not about a real event, was based on numerous events which could have happened on in France in 1917. Having read my great-uncle's war records and being a bit of a War History nerd, you know that this film shows a lot of truth. And seeing this, you wonder why there was ever another war. It's just horrible what went on in World War One. The film pulls no punches.
This film also shows the politics of the army - something you would never wish to encounter in modern life. There are some fine cameos from some of England's best actors - Andrew Scott, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Mays and Richard Madden to name a few. But the film is stolen by George Mackay and Dean-Charles Chapman, who play the two corporals sent on this seemingly impossible task.
I'm glad I've seen this, but couldn't see it again. It was far too intense a film for my gentle nature. As a piece of film making, however, it is extraordinary
Today's Song:
Film Number: 8
Stars: 4.5
"What passing bells for these who die as cattle?"
(Anthem for Doomed Youth, Wilfred Owen)
I've just come from seeing 1917. I've got a large gin and tonic in front of me and I'm struggling to find the words to describe this film, other than it is incredible. Incredible, visceral, unreal, haunting and a cinematic masterpiece.
The movie was widely tipped to win the Oscar for best film. I can see why that's is was the case - it won nearly every BAFTA and Golden Globe award out there. Sam Mendes' direction is flawless. He was nominated in the best director category. He didn't get it, but you can see why he was nominated.
1917 was nominated for ten Oscars. It won three - for Cinematography, Visual Effects and Sound Editing. It could have easily won in every section it was up for. Easily. This movie is stunning.
But this is not an easy movie to watch by any standards. It is a long poem of a film. This is the lovechild of a cinematographer with the poetry of Wilfred Owen. It exemplifies the horror, the pity and the utter pointlessness of war.
The premise of the movie is quite simple. April 6, 1917. Two corporals are asked to travel over No Man's Land to deliver a message to an isolated battalion to call off a pending battle. The movie follows them as they are subjected to horror after horror as they make their way to deliver the message.
Simple. Not so much.
I'll be honest. I was considering walking out of this film, not because it was bad, but because is was so intense. The long shot format is incredibly effective, taking you with the boys through their travels across No-Man's Land and into the French countryside and into the trenches. It's overpowering in places - a lot of places. I'm very glad I stayed, but I found it difficult - not the realistic depictions of war, but the constant feeling of suspense and dread. The score, which was also nominated for an Oscar is helps to build the drama.
My other thought, though this film is not about a real event, was based on numerous events which could have happened on in France in 1917. Having read my great-uncle's war records and being a bit of a War History nerd, you know that this film shows a lot of truth. And seeing this, you wonder why there was ever another war. It's just horrible what went on in World War One. The film pulls no punches.
This film also shows the politics of the army - something you would never wish to encounter in modern life. There are some fine cameos from some of England's best actors - Andrew Scott, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Mays and Richard Madden to name a few. But the film is stolen by George Mackay and Dean-Charles Chapman, who play the two corporals sent on this seemingly impossible task.
I'm glad I've seen this, but couldn't see it again. It was far too intense a film for my gentle nature. As a piece of film making, however, it is extraordinary
Today's Song:
No comments:
Post a Comment