A gripping and critically acclaimed war film is now streaming free on BBC iPlayer for a limited period. The Oscar and BAFTA-winning film follows two young British soldiers racing deep behind enemy lines to deliver a message that could halt a doomed offensive and spare more than a thousand lives.
What is 1917 about?
The story begins on April 6, 1917. Allied commanders discover they are being drawn into a lethal trap. Aerial surveillance has uncovered that German forces are executing a tactical withdrawal from the Western Front. Mistakenly believing the Germans are in retreat, a British battalion due to launch an attack the following morning will instead walk straight into an ambush. With field telephone lines severed and no alternative means of alerting their imperilled comrades, two young soldiers, Lance Corporals Will Schofield and Tom Blake (portrayed by George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman), are tasked with delivering a vital message. Under orders from General Erinmore (Colin Firth), they must venture into enemy territory to locate the battalion of 1,600 soldiers - including Blake's brother (Game of Thrones' Richard Madden) - and halt the impending attack.
Was 1917 shot in a single take?
The film's cinematography stands as one of 1917's most striking features. Cinematographer Roger Deakins employed cinematic wizardry to create the illusion that the two-hour war drama unfolds in one continuous shot. The smooth transitions were accomplished through explosions, passing troops, and objects blocking the camera's view. The film's lengthiest uninterrupted sequence is the eight-and-a-half minute opening scene.
Is 1917 based on real events?
While the narrative is fictional, it drew inspiration from Mendes' grandfather's wartime experiences. The director told Radio 1: "There was one particular story he told us about carrying a message across no man's land alone at dusk. I couldn't let go of that one image. I thought: What if we develop that into a single journey of more epic proportions?"
What critics thought
The response to 1917 was largely positive. Critics lauded the war epic's absorbing nature, gripping narrative, and technical brilliance. It holds an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The website's critical consensus, drawn from over 400 reviews, states: "Hard-hitting, immersive, and an impressive technical achievement, 1917 captures the trench warfare of World War I with raw, startling immediacy." The film scooped Best Film, Best Director and Outstanding British Film at the BAFTAs, along with Oscars for Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects. Rolling Stone hailed it as "one of the best war films of all time", while the Observer drew comparisons to a genre classic: "Every war is hell, no matter when it was fought, but 1917, which is about a war far removed from contemporary reality, turns out to be the best war picture since Saving Private Ryan." Film critic Candice McMillan noted its broader appeal beyond typical genre enthusiasts: "Sam Mendes' quiet WWI epic 1917 is a cinematic masterpiece, a near perfect war film that appeals to even those of us who don't particularly enjoy war movies." One audience reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes put it simply: "A masterpiece of cinema." However, not everybody is convinced. Despite being many viewers' go-to war film, some critics have dismissed 1917 as gimmicky, with flat characters and a one-dimensional storyline.
1917 is available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer for one month.
