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One-take fits all in tense war tale
Sense of danger for duo is palpable
1917 DVD/Sky Store ●●●●○
Many movies have adopted the one- take shooting style — some properly adhering to it and others using gimmickry to create the illusion — to varying degrees of success.
Sam Mendes’ First World War-set 1917 is the biggest and most mainstream flick to adopt the technique.
The simple story — penned by Mendes and Glasgow- born Krysty Wilson-Cairns — follows young British soldiers Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Lance Corporal Schofield (George MacKay) as they face a treacherous mission to deliver a message deep into the heart of enemy territory.
It’s easy to accuse Mendes of using the one-take method to disguise the lack of story stretched across two hours, but that would be a false assumption.
1917 is a terrifically tense trip that, with you never quite sure what lurks around the corners of the trenches and tunnels the lead duo navigate, often feels like a horror movie.
Because Chapman and MacKay — both great — are relative unknowns, their fate remains uncertain right until the end, which only adds to the danger.
The film’s star power is supplied by its supporting cast of familiar British faces and while most of them bring the expected gravitas, you could make a drinking game out of guessing who will be the next big name to drop in and pass on their wisdom.
Mendes and legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins plant you right in the middle of war with retina-scorching visuals.
The aftermath of one attack is genuinely unsettling and you can feel the heat coming off the fiery landscapes.
The sound design – led by Thomas Newman’s imposing score – really racks up r the suspense.
I’ve not always been a fan of war movies but 1917 grabbed me from the off and never let go.
● What are your thoughts on 1917? How does it compare to other war films? And what are your favourite flicks from the genre?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
Alistair McIntosh got in touch to say: “I watched the film Night Hunter on Netflix recently and it was very good.”