It’s odd to think about just how many war films there are in the world. Yet, we as a culture keep coming back to them time and time again. We can’t help thinking that’s, at least in part, because war itself is a supremely human experience that brings out both the best and worst in our species. Now, Sam Mendes — the director of Skyfall — is taking a deep dive back into to the First World War with his latest release, 1917.
Set at the height of WWI, 1917 takes place over the course of just a single day — during which a pair of young British infantrymen are tasked with delivering a message across enemy territory to help stop a devastating attack against hundreds of soldiers, with the brother of one of the men amongst them. And while the story and cinematography look to be enough to get us into the theater, it helps that the cast is bolstered by a wealth of top-notch actors — including Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden, and many more. Set for a release this Christmas, 1917 is measuring up to be a beautiful and brutal period piece that may very well end up in contention for an Oscar or two.
