1917 is a war film directed by Sam Mendes and released in cinemas in January 2020. Broadcast on France 2, it is an immersive work set at the height of the First World War. Written by Sam Mendes with Krysty Wilson-Cairns, the film stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman as two British soldiers on an urgent and perilous mission. The film's staging, conceived as a single sequence shot, plunges the viewer right into the heart of the action. The cinematography by cinematographer Roger Deakins is equally impressive.
1917 will be broadcast on France 2 from Sunday June 22, 2025 at 9:10pm.
Discover the trailer for 1917, a race against time in the trenches of the First World War.
Synopsis: Caught up in the turmoil of the First World War, Schofield and Blake, two young British soldiers, find themselves assigned a mission that is virtually impossible. Carrying a message that could prevent a devastating attack and the deaths of hundreds of soldiers, including Blake's brother, they embark on a race against time behind enemy lines.
1917 is aimed primarily at viewers interested in historical films, re-enactments of major conflicts, and cinematographic works with a strong technical component. The film's staging, conceived as an uninterrupted sequence shot, places it in the tradition of ambitious productions such as Gravity or Birdman, while at the same time following in the tradition of realistic war films such as Saving Private Ryan, Paths of Glory or War Horse. The film may also appeal to those who enjoyed Un long dimanche de fiançailles, for its depiction of the frontline and the human stakes of conflict.
1917 was shot in the UK at various locations, including Salisbury Plain, a quarry in Oxfordshire and the Govan docks in Glasgow. Sam Mendes opted for a continuous narrative of long takes, invisibly spliced together to enhance the immersive experience. Filming required the construction of 1.5 km of trenches and the use of the ALEXA Mini LF camera, specially developed to meet the project's mobility constraints. The film has a budget of around $100 million.
The idea for the film was born of wartime memories recounted to Sam Mendes by his grandfather. To anchor the story in a credible historical reality, the team enlisted the help of military technical advisors and historians. Costumes were meticulously designed by Jacqueline Durran and David Crossman from period photographs. Paul Biddiss, a former soldier, supervised the preparation of the actors, familiarizing them with the movements, equipment and living conditions of soldiers. The cast also includes Mark Strong, Richard Madden, Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch, all familiar with major international productions.
With 1917, Sam Mendes delivers a work designed to plunge viewers into the daily lives of soldiers in the Great War. Supported by immersive direction, a solid cast and precise historical reconstruction, this war film emphasizes the urgency of the mission and the human stakes of the conflict. This tense, immersive tale should hold the attention of fans of history, military reconstitution and great cinematic spectacles.
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