1917 (WWI movie)
Discussion
I'm not too concerned with plot holes (if they're even that, films usually need to take a few perfectly understandable shortcuts, even more so in a film where you're literally with the lead character every step of the way and almost all in real time) but I did find the 'stars' a bit distracting.
Having relatively little known actors in the lead roles really pulled me in, but then 'oh hey, it's the guy from Fleabag' etc etc, seems like they padded out all the small leadership roles with famous people for the hell of it. Again, probably understandable to get the film financed, but jarring all the same.
Having relatively little known actors in the lead roles really pulled me in, but then 'oh hey, it's the guy from Fleabag' etc etc, seems like they padded out all the small leadership roles with famous people for the hell of it. Again, probably understandable to get the film financed, but jarring all the same.
I caught the matinee at my local this morning. This is one film more than most that should be seen on the big screen. Of course there were plot holes and technical shortcuts of you are looking for them, because it is a Holywood film afterall. However, for me the suspension of disbelief was very effective, and I felt like I was there the whole way (well, apart from the river jump sequence).
It portrays powerful subject matter very well, and while this particular story might be make-believe, it showed a seemingly very real snapshot of how life was for millions of soldiers during the Great War, and for that I can forgive any failings or inaccuracies pointed out by the nit-pickers. Lest We Forget.
It portrays powerful subject matter very well, and while this particular story might be make-believe, it showed a seemingly very real snapshot of how life was for millions of soldiers during the Great War, and for that I can forgive any failings or inaccuracies pointed out by the nit-pickers. Lest We Forget.
I saw an early afternoon showing yesterday in the US. A nearly full house and yes as others said a lot of older folks in there. It must have been too much for one old boy as he started choking on his popcorn, literally. They had to ask for medical assistance. Fortunately all sorted. Anyway, a good film, not great and I would agree with some of the other comments.
10 minutes of how 1917 was filmed. Some amazing techniques involving unhooking the camera from crane and then hooking it on to another one, whilst still running.
Do not watch until you've seen the film itself!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMBnvz-dEXw
Do not watch until you've seen the film itself!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMBnvz-dEXw
Went with another couple at lunchtime , well produced without doubt and the wives enjoyed it but matey boy and myself left the cinema feeling a little underwhelmed after all the hype . Not too sure what we were expecting , I felt it akin to those one of those frustrating dreams where everything you're trying is just that bit out of reach . Good but not great , sorry to buck the trend on this one , meh .
fttm said:
Went with another couple at lunchtime , well produced without doubt and the wives enjoyed it but matey boy and myself left the cinema feeling a little underwhelmed after all the hype . Not too sure what we were expecting , I felt it akin to those one of those frustrating dreams where everything you're trying is just that bit out of reach . Good but not great , sorry to buck the trend on this one , meh .
Totally agree. Both myself and wife left feeling there was something missing. Your explanation sums it up perfectly. 
Adam B said:
Thought it was excellent
Was there really areas of meadows and grass so close to the frontline? I had imagined it was miles and miles if unrelenting mud, craters, bog and bodies
At a guess I'd say the Defence Infrastructure Organisation wouldn't let them destroy Salisbury Plain with muddy craters. And with the filming technique they used, I think it would have put too many obstacles in the way of camera vehicles, and also meant leaving wheeltracks behind in the mud in shot. Much of the Plain is rare/protected habitat too.Was there really areas of meadows and grass so close to the frontline? I had imagined it was miles and miles if unrelenting mud, craters, bog and bodies
In 1993 I was part of an exercise (I think it was Ex First Crusade) that was a huge exercise at Brigade level, with thousands of vehicles and troops on the Plain. It took some parts of Salisbury Plain out of use for years while it recovered, and I don't think they've done anything on such a scale since. As much as you'd think the army had a free pass to wreck the Plain in the name of training, they don't. It's a very closely managed activity, by DIO and Landmarc, and I'm pretty certain that any filming up there would come with a strict set of limitations as to what they were actually allowed to do on-set.
I took it as a series of stories, in a compressed time frame and geography for the practicality of the "single shot" style.
The story line doesn't matter really. It's just the scaffolding holding up a series of images and events from WW1.
Everything from the mundane, to plane crashes. Empathy and death side by side as well as futility and hope.
I thought it was excellent.
The story line doesn't matter really. It's just the scaffolding holding up a series of images and events from WW1.
Everything from the mundane, to plane crashes. Empathy and death side by side as well as futility and hope.
I thought it was excellent.
yellowjack said:
At a guess I'd say the Defence Infrastructure Organisation wouldn't let them destroy Salisbury Plain with muddy craters. And with the filming technique they used, I think it would have put too many obstacles in the way of camera vehicles, and also meant leaving wheeltracks behind in the mud in shot. Much of the Plain is rare/protected habitat too.
In 1993 I was part of an exercise (I think it was Ex First Crusade) that was a huge exercise at Brigade level, with thousands of vehicles and troops on the Plain. It took some parts of Salisbury Plain out of use for years while it recovered, and I don't think they've done anything on such a scale since. As much as you'd think the army had a free pass to wreck the Plain in the name of training, they don't. It's a very closely managed activity, by DIO and Landmarc, and I'm pretty certain that any filming up there would come with a strict set of limitations as to what they were actually allowed to do on-set.
thanks - interesting back groundIn 1993 I was part of an exercise (I think it was Ex First Crusade) that was a huge exercise at Brigade level, with thousands of vehicles and troops on the Plain. It took some parts of Salisbury Plain out of use for years while it recovered, and I don't think they've done anything on such a scale since. As much as you'd think the army had a free pass to wreck the Plain in the name of training, they don't. It's a very closely managed activity, by DIO and Landmarc, and I'm pretty certain that any filming up there would come with a strict set of limitations as to what they were actually allowed to do on-set.
it was more a historical fact question, presumably they could have CGI'd the endless muddy background if so inclined
I don't think it's actually that unrealistic to have greenery not too far back from the front lines. I have read a few accounts where there were fields not too far back from the lines. Some of the lines did not move for years so it was only really the front lines being shelled constantly. I think we have a slightly skewed view of the trenches from a modern perspective that makes as picture a hellish mud scape stretching for mile upon mile but it does not quite match the reality.
Anyway saw this in IMAX and have to say it look superb. Very immersive. I did find I did not have much of an emotional response to it though. Very good but a little empty.
Anyway saw this in IMAX and have to say it look superb. Very immersive. I did find I did not have much of an emotional response to it though. Very good but a little empty.
I live on the edge of the Plain, almost applied for an extra spot but it was quite a time commitment. As I recall they had a lot of pushback just to dig the trenches as there were concerns about uncovering remains, so they were very very limited in how much they could disturb as it all had to be surveyed.
fttm said:
Went with another couple at lunchtime , well produced without doubt and the wives enjoyed it but matey boy and myself left the cinema feeling a little underwhelmed after all the hype . Not too sure what we were expecting , I felt it akin to those one of those frustrating dreams where everything you're trying is just that bit out of reach . Good but not great , sorry to buck the trend on this one , meh .
Expectation has been the undoing of many a movie experience!ukaskew said:
I live on the edge of the Plain, almost applied for an extra spot but it was quite a time commitment. As I recall they had a lot of pushback just to dig the trenches as there were concerns about uncovering remains, so they were very very limited in how much they could disturb as it all had to be surveyed.
Think that’s more to do with protecting the environment and not disturbing any unexploded ordnance than uncovering “remains”.Crossflow Kid said:
ukaskew said:
I live on the edge of the Plain, almost applied for an extra spot but it was quite a time commitment. As I recall they had a lot of pushback just to dig the trenches as there were concerns about uncovering remains, so they were very very limited in how much they could disturb as it all had to be surveyed.
Think that’s more to do with protecting the environment and not disturbing any unexploded ordnance than uncovering “remains”.The local pub did very well out of the filming!
dvb70 said:
I don't think it's actually that unrealistic to have greenery not too far back from the front lines. I have read a few accounts where there were fields not too far back from the lines. Some of the lines did not move for years so it was only really the front lines being shelled constantly. I think we have a slightly skewed view of the trenches from a modern perspective that makes as picture a hellish mud scape stretching for mile upon mile but it does not quite match the reality.
thats what I suspected, thanksGassing Station | TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff