1917: A One-Take Masterpiece

Rating: 7.9/10

An example of a cinematic masterpiece, 1917 thrills with its intricate directing, acting, and camera work in a film designed to look like one shot.

Highlights: 

• Great score

• Thrilling

• Incredible directing

Lowlights: 

• One POC and one woman

• Felt long

• Very intense

There were many impressive aspects of 1917 -- thrilling plot, engaging actors, and impressive directing, to name a few -- that would have made it a standout film even if it wasn't produced to look as though it was all shot in one take, an impressive feat. Notice that I say produced: the film was actually shot in many takes, the longest being nine minutes, and then engineered to flow seamlessly. However, this simply speaks to the intensive planning and attention to detail that went into the making of 1917. The camera work was excellent, and I've never seen a movie that so realistically transports you into the action. The intense pressure on both the characters on screen and the actors involved paid off, as 1917 is a rare film of both cinematic and dramatic splendor.

Did you watch the movie? Do you want more? Check out more details about the making of 1917. Matthew Wilkinson's ScreenRant article "10 Things About The Making Of 1917 That You Never Knew" talks more about the incredible planning and directing that went into the film while Insider's YouTube video "How '1917' Was Filmed To Look Like One Shot" shows exactly how the camera work was done.

Watch the trailer!