1917 reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@SirCumference31]

Does anyone else watch Mark's reviews after they've seen the film? I don't like to see them beforehand in case they spoil the film (even though I know he's always careful) but I'm often interested to see what he thinks after I've seen the film.

[@Benniboy93]

Yep!

[@Cinephileofmany]

notnek12 I do!

[@Ketraar]

Yes after most films I watch his reviews, especially if its a good one.

[@widM_]

everytime. I watch reviews after movie, not before.

[@akshayhere]

Always

[@09jimmer]

I love watching films at home, but trust me please, if ever there was a movie that truly needed to be seen at a cinema, it's this. Treat yourself, go and be stunned watching this at a big screen.

[@robertparks3373]

THIS!!!

[@wingwalker007]

Meh, just watched it... band of brothers, saving private Ryan and hacksaw ridge all wipe the floor with it. It’s worth a watch once, but it’s certainly not Oscar worthy

[@knotknown847]

Thank goodness losers like you stay home

[@sneesus98]

@@wingwalker007 man I thought hacksaw ridge was a cheesy kids movie, what have I missed that you would say it's on the level of band of Brothers

[@BlillyGGY]

Been twice now, not been to cinema for a long time but this was so worth it!

[@Advent3546]

That scene in the town with the light coming in and out: chefs kiss

[@fergonfiction6889]

aljanat5 don’t smoke crack

[@vooveks]

@aljanat5 Is this one of those trivia questions? I wrote blah blah blah Who am I? Or are you, as suggested by another commenter, on crack? I'd like the answer to both questions please as I'm currently assuming it's the latter.

[@MrSinfold]

Sam Mendes wrote the script with Krysty Wilson-Cairns .

[@anonymouspeacefulperson6199]

FergOnFiction don’t leave an innocent child illegally drugged by doctors to suffer and tell them they have delusions by eating a Sainsbury’s pizza with drug poisoning or refuse them in A and E thinking it is self inflicted! New test! Workplace testing by a pathologist!!!!! A referral to prescribed medication, and media awareness to all in the country! Buy a testing kit! I am putting a stop to coffee induced heart attacks 14 Nov 1995! Stroke 29 Jan 2015 and Martin Linda 2019! If I find any more! It’s curtains for the perpetrators and a prosecution!

[@anonymouspeacefulperson6199]

aljanat5 yes! It’s a tragedy the autistic child sat on the bus needing that positive father figure struggling at school with other kids and teachers bullying her along with the mother in need of protection from unscrupulous men.

[@Rockkieran7]

I am so proud to have been involved in this as one of the soldiers in the over the top shot! Can’t wait to see it soon!

[@paulopie1541]

I thought you were particularly good.

[@Rockkieran7]

Paul Opie 😂 thanks , I feel like I carried the rifle really well

[@tomgaffney4779]

how did you get cast

[@Rockkieran7]

Tom GAFFNEY I actually saw an add on Facebook about a WW1 film needing extras and just applied, had no idea it was gonna be on this scale!

[@jpaxonreyes]

Just saw it. You were marvelous.

[@somanytakennames]

*Spoilers* That initial 15-20 minute sequence when they go over the top, across no mans land, into the german trench culminating with the trip wire going off and having to escape was a pure masterclass in building and releasing tension. The rest of the film is very good but that was the standout moment for me.

[@alanpennie8013]

@@seandomhnallosullivan2544 That was my favourite scene. Absolutely awesome. My next favourite was probably the hymn singing mentioned by Mark.

[@alanpennie8013]

@@seandomhnallosullivan2544 And it was an unexpected grace note. It appeared he was due to arrive at his destination but I had no idea he would do it by responding to singing.

[@Harryhas26]

Agreed

[@goodial]

The no man’s land scene was also my favourite, you could feel and see the cruelty of war. I felt it lost quite some tension after the pilot scene. After that I feel like the one shot style does not always work, also because they thought at the beginning that it might take them around 6-8 hours to get there (if I remember it correctly), but it all felt so close to each other ... From song to the end I really liked it a lot again though ...

[@direnova6284]

After about 2/3 minutes into the film I turned to my mate and said "I already know this is going to be amazing". It just had this sense of confidence and tone, I don't know enough about the in's and out's of movie making to explain why but it had the feel of a classic from the very first moment.

[@Jackobee231]

The cinematography is out of this world.

[@RivalStudiosSnO]

next level

[@videolad3057]

@aljanat5 Why you lie?

[@finchman7654]

@@videolad3057 he's quoting, not actually saying he did all that😂🤘😂🤘

[@videolad3057]

@@finchman7654 Who is he quoting?

[@Jackobee231]

@@questioneverything8301 why because it's not your typical Hollywood action movie with lots of explosions? (edit) wait, we're you being sarcastic?

[@bindon4]

just come out of cinema. WOW. If you're in any doubt about watching this film - stop. Just go see it. I cried my eyes out and jumped out of my skin, was horrified and moved. What a film!

[@Nevergiveup-du9jm]

Its that good ?

[@bindon4]

@@Nevergiveup-du9jm yep! My 97 year old Dad who watched it with me (who saw active combat in WW2 and beyond, (obvs not WW1)) said it was the best depiction of actual combat he'd ever seen!

[@bindon4]

...he was crying...

[@Nevergiveup-du9jm]

@@bindon4 wowsers. Thanks for the review. Cant wait...best regards to your dad.

[@Buddyguy1988]

Was amazing but I wanted a little action... I know I know it’s not about that.. but it was the best set up ever for any war movie... still he could have used his rifle more than one time

[@Albatross-365]

You know a film's had an impact when nobody moves immediately to get out of their seat when the credits start. There was one shot at dawn when you had the blue of the dawn and the orange of the fire which almost had me saying "Wow" out loud. Deakins should be a shoe-in for cinematography awards.

[@timy9197]

Chris Kent This movie must have a common effect on people because that’s exactly what happened in the theater I was in

[@questioneverything8301]

They were all asleep from boredom

[@mooregh6501]

David James lol wtf, that’s the point. It’s a war movie. It supposed to be dull.

[@questioneverything8301]

@@mooregh6501 So dull is good and fun to watch?

[@somanytakennames]

@@davidjames579 It doesn't matter how many times you try and reference Essex, it still won't be clever nor funny.

[@cswoody879]

I saw it a few hours ago, it is amazing, a very intense but rewarding, moving experience. Visually stunning.

[@2009hobbes]

Just got back home from seeing this at the BFI IMAX. I love films, but often don't see them at the cinema and sometimes regret having missed the 'big screen experience' when I finally get round to seeing them on a tv screen. I am SO GLAD I made the effort to see this one. If you are interested in 1917, please, please do yourself a favour and watch it on the biggest screen you can. This might sound a bit over the top, but it's one of the most profound cinematic experiences I've had. It's absolutely breathtaking. Go see.

[@spartanhoplite3753]

I saw it at the BFI a couple days ago. It worked so fantastically on such a massive screen, I was absorbed into the film completely

[@tonyfreeman3683]

Couldn’t agree more, watched it on IMAX two days ago, I’m still blown away by it. Stunning, stunning experience.

[@Stevefarcue]

If Hollywood want to cut down on lost revenue due to illegal streaming, the onus is on them to make films such as 1917 - films that are immersive, powerful, and that demand to be experienced on a big screen in a dark room. 1917 should be nominated for many awards and in a just world, it would win whatever it is nominated for.

[@jacksongreen2683]

i legit just came here after illigeally streaming it lol

[@David-no7zi]

Agree 100% - after so much crap coming out at the cinema this was a great reminder at how powerful movies can be.

[@jkm4154]

X Smacky What website i’ve watched it Cinema but i wanna watch it online again

[@flashcracker1]

Very powerful and moving film. The sets are incredible. Best seen in cinema with big screen and good sounds.

[@coggers410]

Just seen it. It’s a work of art! I need a few hours to recover and digest. Quite how the young men of the day coped I do not know. We lost an entire generation like this.

[@furdiebant]

Coggers it must have been horrible. That certainly came across.

[@jordizee]

They coped because they weren't feminised like today's men.

[@georger64]

I do want to see it, but want to pick the right day for it. I have read a good many books about the Great War, some of which really got to me. G. J. Meyer gets pretty graphic sometimes in A World Undone. At one point he finishes with (I‘m quoting this from memory here) “at the height of western civilisation, millions of young men died in cold, wet holes in the ground, which they had dug with their own hands”, and there I just burst into tears.

[@coggers410]

Interesting feedback! I think you must see this on the big screen for the full impact. The attention to detail is breathtaking and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be on the edge of your seat the entire 1hr 45mins. I’’m already grabbing another couple of mates to go back to see it again. My next visit to Brookwood Military Cemetery will be all the more moving as a result.

[@jesuswasasausage9262]

jordizee they coped because they had to cope or be shot by their own side.

[@candyman5912]

I've just seen the movie. What a film. If a masterpiece is informative, intelligent, clever & gripping from start to finish. Not to mention deeply moving, then 1917 is a masterpiece. It's the 1st World War movie, from the British perspective, that I've been waiting for.

[@billgordon6489]

This film only requires one viewing, it’s not entertaining it’s a memorial. I had to sit in the cinema for some time after it had finished to compose myself. It doesn’t need awards either, it’s above them.

[@leegoodison]

That's why igo to the movies. To see an epic like 1917.......go and see it.

[@broonie6808]

Brilliant fim. Superbly done. George MacKay deserves huge acting credit for his role.

[@leifjohnson617]

Just came back from seeing "1917." An amazing film! Compelling in every way. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in either good movies or the history of World War I. Up there with "Paths of Glory."

[@SirCumference31]

I thought it was a brilliant film. The only criticism from me would be seeing Benedict Cumberbatch pop up near the end of the film. This may sound silly but I was so deep into the story that seeing a famous actor like that interrupted the flow a bit. Casting an unknown for that role would have been better IMO.

[@colinbaker3916]

notnek12 You had Colin Firth at the start, and other well known actors like Daniel Mays, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong and Richard Madden in fleeting moments. In a sense, 1917 was similar to the Hurt Locker, which featured Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes and David Morse.

notnek12 Craig Wood *”1917” is a White Supremacist Hitler-Worshipping & Evil Movie for Racists!!* It tells the story of a heroic-messenger who runs over-the-top and into enemy gunfire, to deliver messages that might save thousands of his comrades. *So basically... it’s a biopic about Hitler during WWI, who:* *1.* did this exact same job, *2.* won the top military award for his heroism and bravery *3.* likely would’ve experienced most of what the guy in the movie does. Honestly 1917 is the most *Facist, Neo-Nazi, Hate-Filled, White Supremacist, Evil, Hitler-Worshipping, RACIST* Movie that I’ve ever seen!! *It should be banned from ALL cinemas!*

[@酎ハイ飲んだらいい感じ]

Ok now watch it again after the one-shot-movie gimmick's hype died down and you may realize this movie is full of unrealistic conveniences and lazy storytelling that take you out of it.

[@edsanderson]

George MacKay should be nominated for an Oscar

[@furdiebant]

Ed Sanderson excellent performance!

[@simonstones1918]

Travis Spazz no one acted that well in the film. The star was the director 👍

[@srae1971]

He was incredible. Such a beautifully subtle performance. It's easy for something like that to get overlooked when so much of the rest of the film is so mind blowing, but he was just so so good. I wish he was getting more attention for it.

[@colinbaker3916]

IncredibleGoliath Around a year ago Rami Malek was an unknown.

[@jomurphy1654]

Absolutely! Just cannot understand why he wasn't! A stunningly nuanced performance, deeply moving.

[@mrjonnyburkecovers]

I felt genuinely overwhelmed by this movie. A work of art. I could barely speak to my wife after for fear of my emotions escaping! Very powerful and wonderfully acted and shot.

[@adamwalkeraw]

I cried, it was very powerful, i think it was the fact people really went thru it, war must just be the most insane thing to experience

[@schpleeb]

That shot when he wakes up with the flares going off is one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. The whole thing is just superb. Visually and emotionally the most striking thing I’ve seen in years

[@rmoalxa]

Looking forward to seeing 1917 this coming week. I'll have my great grandfather in mind when I see it, he fought in ww1 and was mustard gassed at the Somme. They will never be forgotten.

[@rmoalxa]

@@grrr.9998 what?

[@jackryder-sw9rk]

Well he might have been gassed, but not with Mustard Gas, it wasn't used until 1917. A small amount of Phosgene & Chlorine was used. What unit was he in?

[@rmoalxa]

@@jackryder-sw9rk gordon Highlanders, my dad said he was mustard gassed but maybe he is wrong.

[@jackryder-sw9rk]

@@rmoalxa probably chlorine then, bless him. I don't think we could survive what they endured, respect to your Grandad.

[@jamiegpersonal]

@@jackryder-sw9rk The allies didn't use mustard agent until 1917 but the German army used it as early as 1915.

[@andrews527]

That quasi-religious moment of song has its roots in Kubrick's WW I film, Paths of Glory. That apart, great film.

[@bmarkyt132]

Just seen it. Worth watching but not quite as good as I was expecting if I’m honest. Perhaps needed more central characters and story, I’m not sure what it is. It could just be that it’s being over hyped like many movies these days. Certainly grateful for those who fought that horrendous war. Some good scenes and great sets.

[@johnny7s1]

bmarkyt132 well said, very overhyped but yes, some great scenes. First half of the movie was great!

[@daranphilipson1025]

Extraordinary film deserves all the plaudits it receives.

[@siren858]

Just saw this a few hours ago and I'm still reeling from the experience! Great review as usual, thank you and I nearly jumped out of my seat too!!!

[@VultureClone]

The visuals and music in that scene with the light from the burning church. I literally had my mouth hanging open and nearly cried. I don't think I've ever been close to weeping for beautiful cinematography + music alone. It was such an incredible experience to see in the cinema.

[@mikepanick9362]

Great to see Mark actually excited about a movie! It’s been awhile.

[@GrrMeister]

*My Father in Law (Alfred Collington S/N 38605 RGA) lost his leg at Liévin (Near Lens) in 1917 and this brings back those terrible times.*

[@isabellamorris7902]

I'm going to be crucified for this but I didn't like this film much at all. I found the one-shot thing really gimmicky and it took me right out of the drama (though Kermode is making me think twice about that, to be fair). I also thought it was best when it was being really surreal, because otherwise it felt incredibly by-the-numbers. But maybe I'm just an idiot

[@onthetrail506]

See my thoughts above. You are not alone. We will be in a very tiny minority but I thought this movie was very poor.

[@isabellamorris7902]

@@onthetrail506 I'm glad I'm not the only one! I found it to be very mediocre despite being technically competent... also the one-shot style of the film was very strange given the need to artificially compress an 8 hour journey into a 2 hour film. Very odd!

[@onthetrail506]

@@isabellamorris7902 I am normally not especially interested in reviews and opinions but I really am dumbfounded by the reaction to this movie. So much so I feel like I should be asking whether I am being harsh but on reflection I really can't find many redeeming features to enjoy during this experience. The plot and raw feel that everyone else seems to love and worship leaves me cold for its contrived and controlled delivery. The 'one-shot' thing sounded so interesting before but once in that style constantly it loses what I guess it was intended for. But I am still glad I saw it on the big screen.

[@onthetrail506]

@Fred Bloggs Spot on Fred, there is so much wrong with this plot and the more I think about it the more it falls apart. I feel that the one-shot style would have worked if it had been solely aimed at the hero character and some normal film making had also been used. The end for me is such a terrible conclusion. I would have even preferred a cheesy ending where the brother tells him to go get something to eat and he replies with "do you have any milk?".

[@harri7416]

​@Fred Bloggs Yep, lots of holes in the story line. Advancing behind enemy lines without cover? Pure suicide regardless of whether the Germans 'had all left'.

[@wktodd]

Saw this recently in Braintree with a perfect audience , silent throughout . The film itself is a take of various peoples experience of the war , taking one down the communication trench to the front lines, in a foreshortened journey . One of the best war films I've seen about WW1

[@אביבהטל-ר3ע]

I was reminded of Dante’s Divine Comedy, while watching the Odissey of the two young soldiers through scenes of purgatory and hell. The fact that there was only a short respite at the end, and the knowledge that more of the horrors are awaiting was almost unbearable. The best movie I have seen in the last ten years.

[@mez7736]

What an absolutely extraordinary film this is. I simply sat in stunned silence at the end, with such admiration for those brave souls who gave their lives for a future they would never themselves see, with tears flowing down my cheeks. This film is the most incredible cinema experience I've had in my 41 years. Truly exceptional. Bravo! 👏👏👏

[@MrAshwinChauhan]

OMG ! Best war film I've seen since Saving Private Ryan. Astonishing !!!

[@paladinbob1236]

waiting for this review...as i have my christmas vouchers to spend...and i think this is where i will spend them :D

[@IKIGAIofficial]

very immersive experience.

[@christnumber2]

Amazing film. The one shot camera can take a bit of getting used to, but it really adds to your sense of feeling like you're with them on their journey. On a side note probably the worst thing watching it was Naga Muschetty from BBC Breakfast sat behind me at the screening and didn't shut up talking to her co-presenter. Total lack of self awareness and slightly spoilt it somewhat!

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Could have been worse, could have been Piers and Susanna :-)

[@CDStoner]

Why didn't you give her the British SHHHHH

[@davidgould5708]

I cant remember the last cinema experience i had that compared to this. The cinema was quite full but it was dead silent throughout. It was like we were all trying to be repectful of what we were witnessing. As good a piece of cinema you'll ever witness.

[@christopherjones8096]

I agree with Mark and will say to anyone wanting to see it: just go and see it. It’s not like any ‘war film’ I’ve ever seen (even Dunkirk feels quite different) and there are many moments in it that are real stark reminders that these stories from WW1&2 should continue to be told. I was blown away and gasped many times, the cinematography is stunning and I really felt like I was there with the main characters. (Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden and Andrew Scott all gave great performances too).

[@renegadeoffunk32]

The scene in the house. Speechless.

[@mufoloolofum5851]

I saw this film last night. It is a memorial to the soldiers who fought and died (and survived) the 14-18 war, to which 100 years later we are only now able to become a true witness to. It does not flinch from telling you the truth, and leaves a very profound impression. Not a single person in the cinema moved from their seats for several minutes until the end credits finished last night. Whilst there is much to admire in the direction, cinematography etc - it is irrelevant - this film is beyond awards.

[@michaelweston409]

The movie captures the horror of war. Bodies strewn upon the battlefield. The anxiety driven feeling of danger around every corner. The cinematography made me feel like I was a third soldier quietly coming along for the journey. The power of music really captured fine moments for me.

[@pdcrmr]

So visceral: I found myself ducking when the characters ducked and trying to peek around corners to find the danger. Wonderfully done!

[@alanpennie8013]

I was craning my neck too at times.

[@inko123]

This needs to win 'Best Editing', I couldn't tell where all the cuts took place.

[@derrickwilliams1210]

I think during dark scenes and during certain explosions but yeah it was definitely seamless!

[@goodial]

You sometimes have trees or other elements going in front of the actors, that is an easy place to cut, or moments like an explosion, probably also when moving down to see just the hands might be easy or also when just seeing the airplanes in the sky. At the beginning when they are walking in the trench the two main actors are often only seen from behind, which makes me think that they also might have had cuts there. Some cuts are also going to be CGI ...

[@rpark44]

Just saw 1917 today. Amazing on several levels. Cinematography is amazing...I don't know how they shot many scenes. Overt messages, of course, about the atrocities of war and the responsibility of duty are there. But am I wrong to think there was a more subtle, but overall more important, message about the importance of family, punctuated throughout the film and emphasized in the night scene with the baby? (No spoilers!) It makes me wonder what is Corporal Schofield's back story, more specifically what is/was his relationship like with his mother....as I believe this adds to his sense of duty to see his mission through. This may not be a movie everyone finds entertaining, but how anyone could give the movie a negative review is beyond me.

[@wonkylommiter6364]

Again, dont read if you don't want to spoil the film please, but the way he basically gives away all of his edible stuff to the woman with the baby, seeing this as a greater need, without a care for whether he may need it later himself struck me, and the fragile location of where she was, so close to such hell stuck with me, and must have been so common as towns and cities were taken by the enemy.

[@davew1234]

Mark Kermode, you’re a treasure.

[@daviddurkan23]

Mark is at his best when he is beautifully describing movies rather than giving his actual personal opinion on them

[@rosswalker3457]

Enjoyed the whole experience , very touching emotional , very realistic .

[@essexlad8151]

BBC rocking the 480p like it's 2003

[@lions1729]

Just watched this & it’s nothing short of a bloody masterpiece. A beautifully shot nightmare with an atmosphere beyond belief.

[@abcdefghi2749]

This movie has everything. Its profound, enlightening, has well developed characters, it immerses the audience and makes you feel like you're in the trenches with all the characters and is incredibly moving and intense. The messages conveyed are nuanced yet subtle but also profound. This movie is a great road and psychological war thriller film. It's a modern classic and one of the best war films that I've ever seen as well as one of the best movies of the year. This masterpiece is filmmaking at it's finest.

[@bmg2507]

I though so as well as a working class man. So much so I want to go sign up and sacrafice myself for my country if not with my life at least my mind with a dose of PTSD and guilt and anger at having been manipulated by the corrupt state and films like this.

[@chungshiuliau431]

Simply a Masterpiece !! Bravo !! Best movie I have ever seen in this decade ! An instant classic ! Powerful ! Deeply touching ! Beautiful ! I am going to see this movie again next week. - Movie fan from Hong Kong.

[@maxsfax9707]

Just say the movie, my first thought after it ended was, “I know we’ve been into 2020 for 10 days already, but that was the most beautiful movie of the decade.”.

[@devout666]

Morning after a late showing at a Bluewater cinema. Haven't been to the pictures for ages and thought the ticket prices were so expensive! However when you see a film like it's worth every penny. The music is amazing. More films like this and I'd go more often.

[@otcr]

*spoilers* It’s all beautiful shot but,.....there are some scenes that put me off. After crossing no-mans land and reaching the farm a British convoy suddenly appears. I mean, how? And these guys are the only two who can warn the troops? A pilot who is saved from a horrible death decides to stab one of his saviers in the gut? German bad, British good. What a cliché. And crossing the bridge, fully exposed, he gets shot at by a sniper. Who has an hour to aim and take the shot. And misses over and over again. How could the german miss? The messenger takes a random shot and hits the german. Really? The town sequence was weird. The woman, the baby (looked quite well fed) and again getting shot at a million times and all misses.

[@msavli1069]

I would just like to reply on the German pilot. I dont think he did it cause he was evil. Just imagine : you were just shot down by british planes, you're in incredible pain, and you suddenly realize that there is a brit right next to you. Same people that were just trying to kill you. I think he just instinctly reacted. Blake was stupid and as a consequence he died that horrible death.

[@cholericmelancholic3599]

@@msavli1069 why would they risk their own lives to pull him out of the plane if they planned on killing him? I get what you're saying about him reacting instinctively however the net result is still "Bosch - bad"

[@cholericmelancholic3599]

Thanks - these were some of my many gripes with this film.

[@kllk12ful]

If you're wondering why Schofield didn't notice the trucks at the farm it was due to shock/trauma over losing his best friend so he wouldn't have noticed the trucks coming no matter what As for why Blake wanted to help the pilot it was due to his innocence he didn't know any better he was just a new recruit he didn't she the pilot as the 'Hun' he saw the enemy pilot as a human being who was badly wounded and only wanted to help the pilot

[@carolebodey9542]

Saw this movie yesterday and thought it was amazing !! I was braced for horrific scenes but I only cried twice ! A masterpiece - go see it !!

[@ruminatingreaper1850]

Looks fantastic. Can't wait to see it in cinemas.

[@RivalStudiosSnO]

truly great film

[@justincase4812]

More than one cinema?

[@ruminatingreaper1850]

@@justincase4812 OK, not literally more than one cinema. Well, depends on if I go to rewatch it in other cinemas or not, which I might because the film was amazing

[@justincase4812]

@@ruminatingreaper1850 Maybe even better experience in another theater.

[@hyperdeath84]

This film will be an instant classic. It excels at every level and sticks with you. This should be shown in schools; it’s that impactful at showing what that conflict was like and what it must’ve been like to experience it.

[@beijingbond]

Brilliant film. BUT......why didn't the Royal Flying Corp drop a cannister containing the message ????

[@Jimbo-qd5zz]

Speckled Jim?

[@Jimbo-qd5zz]

Blackadder had eaten it

[@bb_b3808]

Or giant eagles.

[@bb_b3808]

Dropping messages was a thing...so it was because there were no planes available

[@fdsdh1]

It's not all that easy to tell who's who in a plane, messengers would have been a perfectly legitimate means of communication in 1917.

[@khonhlo1476]

So apparently there is a controversy with this film not including women or minority. The woman and baby in the basement, the Indian Sikh soldier in the truck or the African French soldiers preparing food/supplies in the backgrounds does not count since it's only focus on two white soldiers experience through the war in a 24 hours time span.

[@PatchGuilf]

Is there anywhere where Mark does talk more in depth, spoilers and all and longer than 5mins allowed on 5 Live? I'd like to hear him actually get stuck into a discussion on things more than the swift review format

[@rodeoclowngreg]

"One sequence in which something appears to be happening a long way away, and then almost unnoticed is happening very very close" - which scene is he talking about here?

[@MrQuimDosMontes]

the german plane which get's shot down

[@odw_99]

I saw the film yesterday, but what was he talking about at 1:50? Which scene was it? (In as broad terms as you can tell me so you don’t spoil it haha)

[@odw_99]

shabtronic ah thanks okay I remember now that makes sense

[@blackvegetable563]

Saw this last week, I’m sorry but I found it very predictable with little of the horror of the trenches shown, the trench scenes were very good,but as a WW1 film I’m afraid it’s not in the same league as All quite on the western front & Paths of Glory. IMHO.

[@myeffulgenthairyballssay9358]

I used to Watch Mark Kermode on TV in the 1990's when I was a teenager. I remember when he presented the Top 100 movies back then, voted by the British public in some survey or other. When Star Wars (1977) won, I cheered at the TV and he was so pissed off! LMAO! Ah well. It's nice to see he's still going.

[@alisonlee3314]

The quiff and the velvet collar. Aging gently with him.

[@TheMarkyMarx]

Brilliant review of an absolute masterpiece by Mendes.

[@fakeigniz13]

Biggest flaw for me, never felt the mission would fail. Huge part of that was, "I haven't seen that bit in the trailer yet"

[@casualsuede]

Who says the mission was a complete success? It wasn't.

[@wyntonlinaman9805]

They didn’t succeed, the whole first wave died

[@calvinlaw7790]

I too wish I hadn’t seen the trailers. However I have to say that final run by Schofield still packed a punch because having it alongside Thomas Newman’s score was just splendid.

[@bb_b3808]

...and in any case it didn't matter. A week, a month later they'd be ordered on a hopeless attack; the colonel (Fotheringhay Bandersnatch) said as much

[@alanpennie8013]

@@bb_b3808 He did. Cuthbert Banjax was in a grumpy mood. But a win is a win.

[@brachiator1]

Sam Mendes and Christopher Nolan seem to be playing a game of cinematic tennis, hitting out films that are challenges, one to the other. Dunkirk v 1917. And Nolan's upcoming film has hints of a time jumping James Bond film.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Mendes did The English Patient, and Interstellar was a test of Patience.

[@USSSaville]

ChubbyChecker182 The late Anthony Minghella directed The English Patient.

[@renegadeoffunk32]

For me, this movie landed 10x harder than Dunkirk.

[@Mosh-f5b]

They use the same editor too Lee Smith

[@andrewattenboroughtwothumb4697]

this is an incredible movie and incredible cinematography IMAX quality and incredible shots love it a Great War movie about ww1

[@GordonjSmith1]

Very often you review films (very well) but there is nothing to 'get me' to see it. The films I want to watch 'deliver a different experience', from your review, and previous comments, I look forward to seeing this. Thank you.

[@niallh4194]

I am very disappointed I didn't like it. It seemed right up my alley,had a great director, story, cinematographer, composer and cast at the helm but I just felt it was missing something. I didn't feel engaged enough in the story, didn't feel any tension at all in the film or felt connected with the characters. Moreso disappointed that I am not feeling the same way everyone else did because the way people are talking about it are what got me excited.

[@rjj-us4px]

agree completely. I was really missing any emotional investment in the leads, not asking for full saving private ryan pour your heart out emotion, but they just felt completely blank to me. found it hard to care specifically about their journey in context of the war.

[@alanpennie8013]

Sometimes a film just doesn't work for an audience member. Film is beautiful illusion and sometimes the trick doesn't work.

[@AllotmentGrowHow]

I can't wait to see it, going on Monday...

[@petehill8885]

how on earth did the letter stay dry?

[@aryankaushik93]

Lol

[@ChubbyChecker182]

I saw it today, and I certainly enjoyed it, but was a little disappointed overrall. Some fantastic scenes and cinematography. Deakins really is an artist. Very good first and last 20 minutes, but that middle hour just seemed to have a lot of flabbiness to its story, albeit very beautifully presented flabbiness. It reminded me very much of The Revenant from a few years ago. When folk see it that comparison may make more sense. It's certainly not a typical war movie. In a way I found the One Shot thing was used in a distracting way here as it is not 'real time', it's actually over about 20 hours I think. This adds to the 'cleverness' of the direction.and techniques used I guess, but to me just felt rather odd in places. I enjoyed it as an 'experience' and definitely needs to be seen on a big screen, and let it's One ShotNess wash over you, but it's not in my top ten of '2019 Oscar" releases. Oh and I loved Dunkirk, and think that is a level or two above 1917.

[@spartanhoplite3753]

Christopher Nolan is a good director for people who like bland award bait films with obvious choices

[@kevtb874]

Why is nobody comparing this to The Revenant? Feels like a spiritual companion. From the long shots. The beautiful and haunting landscapes. The brutality. The man on a mission.

[@kevtb874]

@@whoknew2273 actually agree with you. Revenant had more character. This felt run of the mill. Well shot, but run of the mill story and characters.

[@liamedwards8394]

Loved being an extra in this film, I done a review of my experience on my youtube channel.

[@iconicshrubbery]

The imagery stays in one's mind; the burning, the devastation, the Hun efficiency, unexplainable events, past and present, and in general the implied violence.

[@tomburton8239]

So... a General personally briefs two Lance Corporals (NCOs) on a task to intercept a Battalion. Have I missed something? Isn’t this an absolutely incredibly absurd plot? Surreal. In practice a General wouldn’t talk to an NCO, let alone give then direct orders. Wouldn’t the General’s staff officers instruct a commissioned officer, by paper order or phone (if the lines were ok) to take a patrol of about 6 men to do the job. The line about the NCOs’ personal links wouldn’t have mattered at all. And the fact that it’s a Battalion they’re intercepting is important - that’s a very substantial force and their loss might have cost the General his job. And 1,600 men is a overly large Battalion? Weren’t they about 1,000 incl. all support staff? Or did they expand by 1917? Yes, individual soldiers used as messengers were a universal feature of WW1. But this is a fantasy plot?

[@tomburton8239]

David James The Sam Mendes’ grandfather story I saw went “... he told us of being tasked to carry a single message through no man's land in dusk in the winter of 1916”. As I said in my original post, this sort of task was common in WW1, when telegraph wires to forward units were cut by shell fire. But it’s nothing like the plot of this film.

[@jeffreymiller9438]

they said it was two battalions.

[@tomburton8239]

David James Yes, I’d say a Lieutenant (i.e. commissioned officer) plus an experienced NCO and, say, four other ranks.

[@fingerspaul9567]

Am off to see it next week and expect to be disappointed with the plot. You are right with your comments on the passing of orders and formation numbers. In 1917 1600 men would be 3 under-strength battalions forming a brigade. Generally a battalion was about 1000 but only about 700 went into the line. In 1917 those numbers were generous and were even less in 1918 It is hard to see how any brigade could get behind enemy lines and not have drawn a massive counter-attack or how having done that can then be going forward into a trap. From the previews I have seen there appear to be a number of things that don't ring true and I will have to see if they spoil the film. Anyone with a reasonable knowledge of WW1 in 1917 will know that there were no " Behind Enemy lines" and standing up in broad daylight was a suicidal idea. In reality trench lines didn't move much until 1918 and were never dug in straight lines and both lines were protected by belts of wire. Attacks started with massive bombardments to blast that wire even if they were reduced to give the tanks a chance. Runners went back across No Mans Land in response to immediate emergencies and not six hours before an attack. Is there any mention of what part of 1917 this is set in? Against all this the cinematography promises to be incredible which is what I want to see and I am hoping it does enough to enable me to forget the plot. It promises to be an interesting experience.

[@kllk12ful]

Runners were either sent in pairs or by themselves to deliver messages between units

[@laurenx2354]

Please review jojo rabbit mark!! Can’t say that last review was fantastic

[@davidcoleman757]

The cinematography is stunning and the set-pieces are by turns haunting and edge-of-the-seat exciting. Several people below remarked about the realism of the gun shots. I thought the audio was astounding. Where the film fell down for me was the WW1 context and detail. This is essentially a quest movie set in the trenches, yet it was never made clear where on the front they were. There were very dramatic changes in landscape over what must have been a relatively short distance. Also, some of the dialogue grated and didn't sound 'period'. Don't get me wrong - it's a masterful piece of film-making that needs to be seen on a big screen with a decent sound system.

[@renegadeoffunk32]

Roger Deakins and Sam Mendes. Its like they spent 10 years building the continuous set and locations, then walked out into a field next to two sleeping characters and yelled "andddd......ACTION".

[@kennyramsey4555]

I know exactly what scene Mark is talking about that initially seems far away. Incredible!

[@bane431-v8j]

I have seen the movie, but I don't know what he is referring to.

[@B6kmd]

@@bane431-v8j The plane sequence I believe.

[@kavehafra5752]

This is a pseudo-war movie no trench warfare only total of 5 Germans throughout the movie, endless walk through the trenches, copycat of Galipoli and so on. I almost walkedout waiting for real drama but saw nothing short of melodrama suchas the scene with the French girl and her baby how nice he happened to have milk! I g8ve this movie C

[@alanpennie8013]

No one cares.

[@alanpennie8013]

O but everyone was a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing will never be done.

[@danieloneill9560]

What does he mean by 'it becomes metaphysical'?

[@fontainejohn]

Literally some of the most astounding scenes i've ever seen in a film.

[@TheDreamingJune]

I watched it the other day and I'm still processing some of the scenes. The real standout to me was the night window scene with the beacons of light coming in. Some truly breathtaking cinematography.

[@fontainejohn]

@@TheDreamingJune That scene was just astonishing

[@essxm22]

A truly wonderful film. Must be seen on a big screen. A scene towards the end will go down in cinematic history. Epic

[@citizenphaid]

One thing I found odd was the white trenches. Never new they were that colour or was it a reference to memorial in the chalk hill cross in south east England.

[@skyblazeeterno]

Probably a rewriting of historical facts so the film doesn't look 59 shades of mud and blood

[@spartanhoplite3753]

Giles Bovis yes they liked to create trenches in white chalky soil because it was soft so the trenches could be created quickly and repaired quickly. So the trenches at the start are normal soil and at the end the trenches that have been dug quickly are in chalk soil. Nice detail really.

[@JamesMorfa]

I almost didn't go and see this at the cinema... But I'm so glad I did. I don't think I'd have enjoyed it as much if I'd seen it on a tiny laptop or a television screen but it was extraordinary, in a word... Not perfect (I don't think the continuous shot thing worked all that well in certain places) but still an amazing watch.

[@robpfeifer4954]

The death scene of the boy was the most realistic death scene ive ever seen, it was real

[@amberhasanaccount]

It was awful. You could almost imagine yourself being there because the acting was THAT good!

[@louisfell1646]

I'm sorry that scene was let down by poor acting it took me out of the emotion because the line delivery was so poor

[@spartanhoplite3753]

Louis Fell I thought the death scene was incredibly realistic.

[@louisfell1646]

SpartanHoplite the traits of it were there, forgetting where he was etc and the script showed panic. The execution for me was laughable and me and my partner turned to face each other almost laughing. Bearing in mind we both cry at the slightest excuse in films so it’s not even like we are cynical

[@GibsHD]

480p? what is this 1917?

[@Sludgee9]

Just when I thought all hope for film was lost, I saw Joker. Couldn't believe how awesome it was. Thought, "yep, that's the last decent movie i'll ever see" . Saw this Yesterday, had no idea it was a film, knew nothing about it. And now i almost think it's better than Joker. It was amazing, so incredibly well shot, so real, so engrossing, you feel as if you're in a real war-nothing about it feels fake. Marvellous movie. One of the greats for sure. 10/10. WOW.

[@liammcelroy5685]

KB if you like Joker you’re gonna love Taxi Driver

[@spartanhoplite3753]

KB it’s far far better than joker

[@andresnavarro5978]

I actually think it's a little better than joker i only wish it was longer

[@Laufield]

I watched movie 1917. I really love that movie. It’s amazing! The best WW1 history movie ever! I will buy 1917 blu ray 4K ultra HD release date

[@paulharris8983]

4 years later and it’s a masterpiece.

[@46metube]

This film has more holes than an artillery attack. The praise that's been lauded on it are indescribably ludicrous. The cliché of the German soldier's who aren't very good at shooting - er, but the English lads are - are a joke and embarrassing. The issue of the letter/order being delivered in pristine condition is laughable. The 'running along the top of the trench scene in one final heroic push when all others are falling down all about' is nothing short of absurd. Maybe it was aimed at 5 year olds? Maybe it would have been better if Rupert the Bear had taken the lead? It would have then been somewhat believable.

[@grayforester]

4:35 Mark begins to describe a brand of spirituality I think of as uniquely British, in the plain singing of hymns by groups of strangers.

[@richyp1461]

See the film earlier today. Very good and well made.

[@martingardener90]

Why were there two American International tractors in the German abandoned artillery position and none of the 2nd Devons had a Devonshire accent ?

[@martingardener90]

@Mustafa Leak True but I doubt the US was exporting then to Germany at that time!

[@mattduckworth1757]

Anyone know which bit Kermode is talking about something very far away and then suddenly happening very closely?

[@jimpierce5086]

Haven't seen the film yet, but I saw a clip that was released where the two characters witness a dogfight in the far distance and then suddenly they're in danger. Just an assumption though! Like I said I've yet to watch it

[@Hortster]

@@jimpierce5086 yeah I'm pretty sure this is the scene. I saw the film yesterday and thought it was great!

[@alanpennie8013]

@@jimpierce5086 Yes. It's the plane crash. Pretty terrifying.

[@Flypidge]

I watched this on Saturday in IMAX and I have to say the first 45-60 minutes blew me away, the way its shot is something of absolute beauty. The costume design the acting was great. I wasnt as impressed with the middle of the film (after the plane crash) but the ending was good. Seriously that first 45 minutes from a technical stand point was one of the best things I've seen in any film.