1917 (DVD Format) [2019]

Great film and price

A great movie 🎥. Looks awesome on 4K .

I first saw this movie when it was released earlier in the year. As a history-fanatic I was thrilled to see and ‘experience’ this immersive, edge-of-your-seat movie. It’s cast, strong storyline, historically accuracy and fantastic cinematics transport you straight to the era. So it did not disappoint. If you ask me, 1917 is great and momentous, one of the best movies of the past few decades.I will buy most of the movies that are close to my heart and over time I will see them a couple times again. Somewhow I wasn’t looking forward to it to see 1917 again. As I remembered it as an intense viewing experience.Still, I bought the 4k version on disc. And now we watched it with our daughter aged 11 as she is about to have a project about WW1 at school. And she has already read a few books about the topic. There are some gruesome, realistic scenes, but it was borderline alright for her and she actually though it a very good, impressive movie.The movie gives a first hand account of a soldier’s day at the front while he is on a dangerous mission behind the line. As you will have heard, the movie appears as if it is all done in a single shot, which in itself is very clever. I found it less tense than my initial viewing in cinema. Perhaps in the comfort of my home I was a little less drawn in, even though the 4k version is beautiful, with super sharp, deep coloured images that jump from my screen. I buy most my movies in HD format on Prime these days in order to gradually clear out cupboard space. But I wanted to make an exception for this master piece and bought the actual disc, also because it wasn’t yet available in 4K format on Prime.While viewing it at home it now it seemed shorter and it struck me that I almost exactly recalled every second, so I must have been super engaged when I saw it first cinema. Seeing it again made me appreciate the detail and superb acting even more. As well as a few well-timed subtleties, like the fact that we don’t know the main characters name until the end, we that don’t know his motivations and background until the last scene. All very well done. It brings an original, very appealing storyline and new perspective on the more standard trench-war, over-the-ridge WW1 movies. I found it interesting as well that the movie depicts the day that the US joins in the war although there is no reference to that.One thing I found slightly distracting are the brief appearances of several British super stars of acting. On the other hand, I thought that in particular Mark Strong(surprisingly) but also Andrew Scott and Colin Firth absolutely slammed it, though a few more very famous actors are included as well. Of course there is nothing but praise for how well the two lead actors, George Mackay and Dean Charles Chapman perform.So, to conclude this a non-typical war movie that was very well executed on all fronts and an instant classic therefore. I can only thank director Sam Mendes for this. An easy five-star rating. Also I liked it far more than Dunkirk, another fairly recent war movie blockbuster, where I massively struggled with the convoluted timeline despite the strong cinematic graphics and historical scenery.I know a fair amount about the complex topic of WW1 but I’m by no means an expert. For those who want to learn more about the conflict in a digital wanner; I would recommend Dan Carlings 14-hour (!) ‘Blue Print for Armageddon’ podcasts on the conflict, brilliant.

A movie about World War one. Unlike most British historical dramas this is inspired by real things, rather than based on them. So it's nothing if not different.Two British soldiers are given a mission. To take orders to another unit. Telling them to call off an attack because they will run into a trap if it goes ahead, and lots will die. A perilous journey awaits. Will they be in time?1917 attempts to show what it was like for those in the conflict. And to convey this via what appears to be one single long long take. It isn't actually one, but it's done so it looks like it might be. It's very clever in this respect.World War One was a horrible and wasteful affair, even by the standard of conflict. A fact it doesn't hurt to be reminded of. This film does a good job of that.This is a very good cinematic experience. But it's just not quite at that.Because:1: Emotional depth. It's a pretty simple story ultimately, and it doesn't actually stick in the mind for as long as you might expect after seeing it. Unlike some of the films it was up against for best picture at the Oscars.2: The long take. It's really well done when you're seeing what is happening behind the lead characters. But when you see what lies ahead of them, it feels like you're watching a video game unfolding.3: Celebrity cameos. Some of these are rather hamfisted in how the actor in question is introduced.4: The biggest problem for me. The score. Horribly intrusive. Soldiers creeping across no man's land towards trenches that may or may not still be occupied by the enemy did not have orchestral music blaring out at the same time. I think the film is trying to use music to convey how the characters are feeling, which is a fair idea. But that spoiled that moment for me. And one other scene later on.Some may wish to be aware that one scene has subtitles. Which can't be turned off. That doesn't bother me at all. But it does get to some people. Thus I mention it. Because that is what reviews are supposed to do.So it's very good. And worth watching at least once. But just not quite a five star experience.Languages and subtitles on the dvd are:Languages: Castilian Spanish. English.Subtitles: Castilian Spanish. English.The back of the box just says English. But I have checked the disc and it does have Castilian as well. It also has English audio captions.Extras:A commentary from Sam Mendes, the Director/co-writer.A commentary from the director of photography.The weight of the world: Sam Mendes. Four mins about the genesis and writing of the film. Some interesting insights in this.Allied forces; Making 1917. Twelve mins about the production. Also some interesting moments.The score of 1917. Four mins about the music. None of this one really stuck in my mind.

(A full in-depth review of 1917 can be found on my own film & TV review site - link in my Amazon profile!)I had the privilege of watching 1917 in the cinema and it absolutely blew me away. I'll try to keep this brief since I've already written a full review you can find through the link in my Amazon profile, but 1917 was far and away my favourite film of 2019. It's one of the most visceral war films I've ever seen, with the one-shot style proving an exceptionally good fit for a film of this genre. I can understand anyone who might've seen it as gimmicky, but I implore you to give it a chance because it absolutely works and has some of the most incredible shots of any film in the last few years. George MacKay is a wonderful lead who carries the film from start to finish. 1917 puts you through the whole gambit of emotions, with moments that will stun you with their technical proficiency, moments that will put you on edge, and moments that will bring you to tears. I'm not sure it's possible to capture a truly authentic experience of either World War in film, but 1917 comes about as close to it as I could expect. If you've yet to watch this, pick it up and rectify that immediately.