I have wanted to hang out with the cool kids, Darren and Sarah, doing their Film Fridays but it is a rare day when I watch a movie. Normally, I watch British panel shows or standup bits and specials.

The last movie I watched before 1917 was months ago, and it was Grease because the BF had never seen it! We were grooving out to the Bee Gees, which I’m convinced is the best music to listen to at the gym, when the movie came up. I’m surprised his artsy-artsy ass agreed to it. (Love you, dear!)

Anyway, I’ve been wanting to watch 1917 ever since it got good reviews (as the movie trailer did not sell it to me), and this week I finally did it because my life has become filled with simply too much reading. I know! How is this possible, you say? But truly, I now read all day, and while it is a passion, I am only human (well, that’s what the Mothership tells me to say).

And as a homo sapien, I need treats and rest in the form of moving pictures. Enter 1917. So, so good. One of the top war movies ever. Visually beautiful. Sam Mendes co-wrote (with Krysty Wilson-Cairns) and directed this one-shot juggernaut of a film.

Based in part on an account told to Sam Mendes by his paternal grandfather, Alfred Mendes, the movie chronicles the story of two young British soldiers in the spring of 1917 at a critical point during World War I.

Whoowee, ‘ol girl Krysty’s Glassglow accent…

I almost regret showing this video, not because it isn’t great, but because if you haven’t seen it, I want you to be surprised by how stunning it is. The colors, the set, the nature, and yes, that one-shot camera work does make you feel like you are there.

At times I felt like I was playing a first-person shooter video game, too. But it also felt like a horror film because I didn’t know what was going to happen next. And the cast…

Purrrrr.

You could argue that Andrew Scott (not pictured), Richard Madden, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, and Benedict Cumberbatch were a distraction because of their fame, but I would argue that it was enjoyable seeing them in these roles.

The movie also follows Joseph Campbell’s A Hero’s Journey framework found in myths, legends, and great stories from around the world. This, no doubt, has launched the movie into a timeless tale of men trying to do the impossible for a greater good.

What did you think? Did you see 1917?

35 replies on “🎥 Film Fridays – 1917”

  1. 1917 Was great, especially the unique continuous shot style employed. But, one of the greatest war movies? For me, nowhere close to Saving Private Ryan, Cold Mountain, Midway and the likes of movies them. Even War Horse was a better WWI movie. I love 1917 as a film and appreciate what was done in/with it. Its just that in my opinion there have been many better “war movies”.

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    1. Ha! No way. Let’s agree to disagree. Saving Ryan’s Privates? 😛 The beach scene was superb, but afterwards it’s Tom Hanks and his celebrity buddies (the guy from Cheers, really?) making a film.

      Now, I’m not saying there aren’t other auh-mazing war films, but for me, this was in my top greatest war films.

      I was raised on Vietnam movies so I’ve seen enough violence and atrocities.

      Cinematically 1917’s so rich and vivid, it feels different, and it’s from a POV that, as an American, I don’t normally xp.

      It’s also just about one thing, not a romance, not another back story or something else. I’ve read plenty of excellent books that do this. But I’ll check out Midway and War Horse. Thanks!

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    1. Yeah, I have not gone to the movies in ages. I have to admit that I don’t enjoy the experience in Thailand. Esp in a non-tourist town, many films are dubbed by the same 9 actors I’ve heard for decades. 😀

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  4. Yes! I was glad I caught this in theaters. It was cinematically stunning, I don’t know if I’ve seen such a film with the colors! (The explosion of orange during the fire bombs!) And an emotional roller coaster too. I won’t say more for fear of spoiling. Congrats on joining the cool kids’ movie club! 😀

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    1. 😀 Hahahaha. Yes, even the browns were beautiful. I was very tense while I watched it and I can’t remember the last time a movie made me feel that way.

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  6. Welcome to the cool kids’ club, Lani!😉
    I haven’t seen 1917 yet but your post makes me want to right now! Despite the subject being rather depressive I actually like reading and watching WW concerning stories. Have you seen Birdsong? I think that’s one of the best, Eddie Redmayne is just amazing in it. (Well he’s usually amazing no matter what part he decides to play.)
    And by the way – I love Scottish accents too. 😉
    And changing the subject almost completely and abruptly – now I want to watch Grease!! 😁

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    1. Thanks it feels great to be here 😀 What kind of drinks and snacks do you have?

      I’m finding WWII or WWI material to help me put things in perspective actually. I love learning history and comparing it to how far we’ve come. I think it also takes me out of my head, if that makes sense.

      I’ll check out Birdsong, thanks.

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  7. Great movie review–really makes me want to see it. Also, I love a close POV in fiction, which I think the directors were trying to do with this 1917, so I think it’d be compelling, as an entertainment and maybe as a writing teaching-tool. Or, maybe I could just let my hair down and watch a movie! I don’t do that enough. Right now, my husband and I are watching the Polish Dekalog series of films–some hit, some miss, all fairly heavy. After, I should watch Grease! Somehow I skipped that one–I know, for shame!

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    1. I haven’t heard about the Polish Dekalogs. I’ll have to remember to look it up.

      Yeah, Grease, so much fun!

      As writers it’s natural to want to deconstruct films and stories. That certainly was not my intent and I made the larger comparison to Joseph Campbell afterwards. Although what clued me in was this one scene – I knew it was the hero being tempted to not complete his task.

      Cheers!

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  8. Just like you, I haven’t watched a movie in months. It’s weird that I never have the patience to sit through anything longer than 30mins. 🙈 Thought I’d catch up on my movie watching during the lockdown but I haven’t watched a single movie yet. 1917 sounds promising though and the starcast is so good looking! Will definitely add this to my watchlist.

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    1. It’s funny. I’ve never been a movie buff. Oh sure, I’ve gone through movie marathons or phases, but those are rare. The original Star Wars Trilogy with friends in college. BBC historical romances when I felt isolated in Ecuador.

      But yeah, I got to be the mood. It’s funny, I tell myself I don’t like the commitment, but then I’ll watch a TV show one after the other. I don’t like to watch something until halfway and then try to cont it the next day. I don’t know what my problem is 😛

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  9. I haven’t seen 1917 and wasn’t quite sure if I wanted to. I’ve recently been researching my family history and know quite a lot about the stories of four of our young men who served in WWI around the same time the movie’s set. Three of them died and it feels very close to the bone for me right now. I think time might help; and maybe watching it on a small screen.

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    1. Yes, I find myself pulled out of my head, too much thinking, etc, when I get engrossed with stories and real life events. It might help, but I don’t know. But that’s interesting that you were able to uncover four past family members from this time period. Family genealogy is forever fascinating to me.

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      1. New Zealand and Australia have amazingly good military records for WWI, so we have the complete service histories of various great uncles, grandfathers, etc. The British records are patchy (lots were destroyed in WWII bombings), so my great grandfather’s war history is a bit of black hole, despite the fact that he survived (not entirely intact) and only died in 1970.

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      2. Isn’t that interesting? I never knew about the records. I did read about a Jewish woman trying to find the family of the German who rescued her grandmother (or mother) during WWII, and although there is a whole library dedicated to records, she is having an impossible time locating the man.

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      3. That’s sad, but quite common I think. Records were often not complete at the time they were made, and so much has been lost over time.

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  10. I don’t watch movies at home. I prefer watching something at dinnertime that lasts under an hour. But I do like to go out to a movie with someone now and then and then discuss it afterwards. I think my most recent movie was JoJo Rabbit. If you haven’t seen it, you really should. It’s good in so many ways. And so original. I’ve heard 1917 was good, but haven’t seen it yet.

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation! Interesting that you don’t watch movies at home. I think most folks these days prefer to the theater.

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  11. Haven’t seen it but I’ve heard good things about it. Thanks for sharing your perspective on it with us! The colors and the shooting style sound interesting. Also… *hands you a cool kids club badge 😎*

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  12. “And as a homo sapien, I need treats and rest in the form of moving pictures.” Lol. That made me laugh. I have not seen it, but those are definitely some of my favorite actors and it looks amazing! I’ll need to watch it! ❤

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  13. I haven’t watched it yet. I was hoping to catch it before the movie houses closed because I feel it would be better watched on the big screen. Now it’s going to have to wait until I’m in in the mood to catch it on Amazon. It’ll be a day when I crave watching a movie that peaks my curiosity. It seems like it would hold my interest long enough to find out if the two guys made it. Guess one who knew me might say that I prefer happy endings, and 1917 might just give me that. I know it’s a war movie, but it seems to also be about mission, and purpose. Resolve, and courage. Even though the award shows will be hard-pressed to decide what to credit in 2021, I imagine 1917 will be in the running for sure.

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    1. Hi Jen, I prefer happy endings myself too 🙂 It’s a visually stunning war movie and I did like the simple plot and camera work. It does touch upon those themes you mentioned as well. I didn’t really think about it that way but daring to do the impossible for the good of many is courageous! It’s a 2019 film so it was nominated for ten 92nd academy awards! among others … here’s link if you’re interested https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1917_(2019_film)#Critical_response

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  14. I really enjoyed this movie. While the plot isn’t anything new or groundbreaking, the cinematography is stunning. When the two soldiers are traversing that battlefield, the filming was just… exquisite! The entire movie felt like a continuous scene. I also had the sensation I was playing a video game (especially when the main characters look around the area and see an old bed, a doll, a dismantled gun, etc..). Attention to detail was excellent.

    I’m glad you enjoyed it :). I think dedicating a night to movies is a fantastic idea. Parasite is on my list!

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    1. Hey you. It’s nice to hear from you. How ya doing? Glad you like the recommendation. I’ve got to put out more!

      Parasite is on my list, but his other movies I hear are even better! Cheers.

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  15. I can’t believe I missed this (WP reader idiosyncracies here too). Thank you for joining us!
    I have not seen this and, like Sarah, I am not sure I want to just yet. Though your review does tempt me greatly!

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    1. I’m glad you did. Figured you were busy and it wasn’t personal 😛

      I really enjoyed it. I still stand by it being one the best war films.

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