The Oscar and BAFTA-winning war film 1917 is now streaming free on BBC iPlayer, but viewers have just 14 days to watch it before it is removed. Directed by Sir Sam Mendes, the film is renowned for its innovative cinematography, which makes it appear as one continuous take.
Set during World War I, the story follows two young British soldiers, Will Schofield and Tom Blake, played by George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman. They are tasked with delivering a critical message across enemy territory to prevent a battalion of 1,600 men, including Blake's brother, from walking into a German trap.
The film's technical brilliance earned it Oscars for Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects, as well as BAFTAs for Best Film, Best Director, and Outstanding British Film. Critics have praised it as one of the best war films of the 21st century, with an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Although the story is fictional, it was inspired by the wartime experiences of Mendes' grandfather. The director recalled a story about carrying a message across no man's land at dusk, which he developed into the film's epic single-journey narrative.
