1917

Two young British soldiers in the height of the First World War are given a brutal mission, to reach a distant unit and deliver a message that could stop an attack threatening hundreds of their comrades. Time is cruel and every mile of ruined landscape seems to pull them toward disaster. They slip through bombed towns, cross cratered fields, and skirt along shattered trenches and barbed wire, facing snipers, gas and the constant threat of sudden death. The task tests their stamina and trust as the clock ticks toward a day that must not end in tragedy ever. The film follows their refusal to abandon the mission despite overwhelming odds, revealing how courage and endurance shape a stubborn, perilous ordeal.

Directed by Sam Mendes from an original screenplay co written with Krysty Wilson-Cairns, 1917 aims to put viewers beside the soldiers as they move through a battlefield. The 2019 release is celebrated for its technical ambition, immersive staging, and production values that recreate a living, vivid war zone.

The film earned about 385 million dollars worldwide, demonstrating strong global appeal for a tense war drama driven by a single mission. Its immersive staging and brisk runtime helped it stand out during crowded release windows and award season.

It won three Academy Awards for Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Mixing, highlighting its technical mastery and ambition. Roger Deakins accepted the cinematography prize, while the film’s effects and sound teams earned lasting industry recognition and a lasting place in Oscar history.

Its influence goes beyond trophies. The film popularized a near seamless long take that heightens tension and realism, reshaping how audiences experience combat on screen. Critics and filmmakers cite its craftsmanship as a benchmark for motion, light and sound, with echoes in contemporary war scenes and production design.