One Of The Best War Movies Of The 21st Century Is A Must-Watch Now It's On Netflix (2024)

One of the best war movies of the 21st century has now landed on Netflix and deserves to be on everyone's watchlist, regardless of whether they have previously seen the film. As Netflix continues to grow its repository of both original and acquired content, it consistently brings both critically acclaimed and commercially successful titles to a wider audience. Not everything that lands on Netflix is guaranteed to succeed, even if it garnered fame and acclaim on its initial release elsewhere.

However, a lot of times, forgotten movies and television shows get a second chance at reaching new audiences as soon as they are available for streaming on the platform. Among all the new films and shows Netflix has added to its library is a remarkable war movie that stands out in the genre because of its exceptional storytelling and brilliant filming style. When it first premiered in theaters 4 years ago, the movie was also honored with 10 Academy Award nominations and three wins.

1917 Is Now On Netflix - What The Movie Is About

1971 Is A One-Of-A-Kind War Movie

Directed by Academy Award Winning director Sam Mendes, 1917's storyline begins on April 6, 1917, on a battlefield in Northern France. It follows the journey of Lance Corporal Tom Blake, who, along with his best friend, Lance Corporal Will Schofield, is ordered to deliver an urgent message to Colonel MacKenzie, the leader of another regiment. The mission is time-bound as the message must be delivered before dawn the next day. What further raises the stakes for the two soldiers is that they must cross no man's land and pass enemy soldiers to be able to reach MacKenzie.

The message includes a warning to MacKenzie, asking him and his men to back off from their attack since the Germans have been waiting for them and have strategized the perfect ambush. If the message is not delivered on time, close to 1600 men could die, with one of them being Tom Blake's own brother. Realizing the urgency of their mission, the two soldiers set out on the perilous journey through enemy territory, testing their courage and devotion to saving their compatriots.

1917 Is A Truly Harrowing, Brilliant War Movie That Understands World War 1

1917 Takes An Unbiased Look At The Tragedies Of War

On paper, 1917's storyline is simple: it walks through the journey of a soldier across war-ridden territories. However, what makes the movie truly harrowing is how realistically it portrays war. Instead of glamorizing war and nationalism, the film highlights the grim reality of trench warfare and those involved in it during World War I. When Sam Mendes was asked about his inspiration for the war movie, he said he memorialized his grandfather's tales of the war while penning it down.

However, the more one watches the film, the more one realizes that, instead of merely being an individual's account of war, 1917 serves as a reminder of the collective struggles and tragedies faced by thousands of real-life soldiers. Through Lance Corporal Tom Blake's eyes, 1917 not only gives a glimpse of the action on the battlefield and the physical dangers one experiences during war but also the emotional and mental toll it takes on a soldier. While 1917's realistic action and immersive cinematography make it a technical marvel, it is its performances and poignant storytelling that truly make it one of the best World War I movies.

1917 Is One Of The Best-Shot War Movies Ever Made

1917 One-Shot Filming Approach Immerses A Viewer Into Its Action

Director Sam Mendes and his DP Roger Deakins filmed 1917 in such a way that it looks like the entire film unfolds in one continuous shot. This gives the illusion that 1917's events are happening in real-time, further immersing viewers in its gripping World War I action and drama. The continuous shot approach also makes audiences aware of the sense of immediacy experienced by its two main characters and, in many ways, makes 1917 more of a thriller that does not play by the conventional rules of the war movie genre.

Every shot in the Sam Mendes movie is further complimented by Thomas Newman’s powerful score, which is perfectly woven into the fabric of the film. Lee Smith’s brilliant editing and Roger Deakins’ astonishing cinematography for the film also play a crucial role in selling its one-shot experience. All in all, 1917 will go down in history as one of the most stirring war movies ever made and can, fortunately, now be appreciated by more viewers since it is available on Netflix for streaming.

1917

R

Drama

Biography

Set against the backdrop of war-torn France during WWI, 1917 is directed by Sam Mendes and stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman as two young British soldiers tasked with delivering a dangerous message to stop an attack that could the lives of thousands of other soldiers at risk. The film uses long takes to make it appear that the entire narrative takes place over the course of two continuous shots. Mark Strong, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch also star.

Director

Sam Mendes

Release Date

December 25, 2019

Studio(s)

Universal Pictures

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

Writers

Sam Mendes , Krysty Wilson-Cairns

Cast

Colin Firth , Teresa Mahoney , Andrew Scott , Dean-Charles Chapman , Gerran Howell , Richard Madden , Daniel Mays , Benedict Cumberbatch , Adrian Scarborough , Mark Strong , George MacKay

Runtime

119 minutes

Budget

$100 million