‘Nearly perfect’ World War I movie now streaming on Netflix

A war film deemed ‘nearly perfect’ by viewers has been made available to stream on Netflix in the UK.

Directed by James Bond helmsman Sam Mendes, the film stars George MacKay as one of two soldiers charged with delivering a critical message to another battalion, forcing them to cross no-man’s-land to complete the task.

The film takes its title from the year it is set – 1917, during the later stages of World War I.

Following in the footsteps of Saving Private Ryan and Dunkirk, it captured audiences’ attention with its startling approach to the genre.

Shot as though in one take (actually 30 shots stitched together by cinematographer Roger Deakins) it throws the viewers into the trenches of frontline France.

The film has recently been added to Netflix’s streaming catalogue in the UK, allowing viewers to experience 1917 all over again.

1917 currently boasts a score of 88% fresh on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, from both critics and users.

This includes Washington Blade, who called it ‘technically dazzling and emotionally devastating,’ while Ready Steady Cut described it as ‘a stunning cinematic achievement.’

Writing for The Observer, Mark Kermode praises its ‘steel-trap visceral efficiency,’ singling out its quieter, more low-key moments as the ones which really ‘pack a punch.’

Deeming it ‘Oscar worthy,’ Metro’s Perrie Edwards described the one-shot approach as ‘stitched together like some perfect French tapestry.’

1917 has found similar praise from home viewers too – including Reddit user vpac22, who called it ‘a nearly perfect movie.’

Ajw6745 said that it was ‘masterfully shot, edited, and acted,’ joining letsgopablo and other Redditors in singling it out as ‘some of Roger Deakins’ best work.’

In addition to MacKay as Lance Corporal Schofield, the film also stars Dean-Charles Chapman as his brother-in-arms, Lance Corporal Blake.

They head up an impressive cast which features performances from Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Following its release, 1917 went on to sweep up seven awards at that year’s Baftas, including the coveted Best Film.

Nominated for 10 Oscars, it took home three – Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects.

However, it ultimately lost out on Best Picture to Parasite, in a historic win for South Korean director Boon Jong Ho.

The film is made all the more powerful for its grounding in reality, being based on the experiences of Sam Mendes’ grandfather, Alfred.

‘I had a story that was a fragment told to me by my grandfather – it’s the story of a messenger who has a message to carry,’ Sam told The Times.

‘It lodged with me as a child, this story, or this fragment, and obviously I’ve enlarged it and changed it significantly. But it has that at its core.’

In his speech at that year’s Golden Globes, Mendes paid tribute to his grandfather, dedicating the gong to Alfred himself.

‘He signed up for the First World War, he was aged 17. And I hope he’s looking down on us,’ the Skyfall director said in an emotional acceptance speech.

‘And I fervently hope it never, ever happens again.’

1917 is streaming on Netflix UK now.

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