Yahoo Movies Sam Mendes' 1917 is a surprise Oscar frontrunner with rave reviews
Sam Mendes' war epic 1917 has emerged as a surprise Oscar frontrunner after receiving rave reviews – but could it bump the likes of Joker or The Irishman out of the running?
Directed by Mendes (Skyfall, Spectre) and co-written by him and Krysty Wilson-Cairns, the film stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman as two young soldiers who are tasked with going behind enemy lines to deliver a message that could help save 1,600 men. Benedict Cumberbatch also stars as a military leader.
Like Alejandro González Iñárritu's Oscar-winning film Birdman, 1917 is filmed as one continuous shot by director of photography Roger Deakins, so you're never given a moment's rest from the drama.
And clearly, it's struck a chord with critics and those who have attended early screenings of the film.
The Hollywood Reporter's Scott Feinberg was clearly overwhelmed, as he tweeted: "Mendes' excellent 1917 joins the race: Almost unfathomable that cinematographer Deakins and production designer Gassner don't win second Oscars and composer Newman doesn't win Oscar #1. Pic, director, original screenplay noms almost certain, wins possible. Acting noms possible."
Describing it as an 'Oscar frontrunner', critic Clayton Davis wrote: "1917 is the best war film since SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. The cinematography of the year. The cinematography of the decade. Thomas Newman's orchestral masterpiece. Sam Mendes gift to cinema...and his family. Every ounce is powerful."
Meanwhile, Baby Driver and Hot Fuzz director Edgar Wright added: "1917 is a thrilling, immersive, emotional journey into the heart of war. It's exceptional on a technical level, yet frequently stunning in its simplicity. Sam Mendes & DP Roger Deakin (along with their crew) created a hypnotic cinema experience that is both riveting & moving."
Check out more of the early reactions below.
Aaannnndddd that's your frontrunner!
'1917' is the best war film since SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. The cinematography of the year. The cinematography of the decade. Thomas Newman's orchestral masterpiece. Sam Mendes gift to cinema...and his family. Every ounce is powerful.#1917Movie pic.twitter.com/EiwCTthAX3— Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) November 23, 2019
Mendes’ excellent 1917 joins the race: Almost unfathomable that cinematographer Deakins and production designer Gassner don’t win second Oscars and composer Newman doesn’t win Oscar #1. Pic, director, original screenplay noms almost certain, wins possible. Acting noms possible. pic.twitter.com/H4sIizPUxP
— Scott Feinberg (@ScottFeinberg) November 24, 2019
‘1917’ is a thrilling, immersive, emotional journey into the heart of war. It’s exceptional on a technical level, yet frequently stunning in its simplicity. Sam Mendes & DP Roger Deakin (along with their crew) created a hypnotic cinema experience that is both riveting & moving. pic.twitter.com/qCrdquwdqC
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) November 17, 2019
1917 is THE technical achievement of 2019. We’re with these men through every footstep & it’s unlike any war film you’ve ever seen before. Epic & tense direction by Sam Mendes, emotional & exhilarating music from Thomas Newman & an all timer from cinematographer Roger Deakins. pic.twitter.com/L0C7hKxR6C
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) November 23, 2019
#1917 is a tremendous piece of filmmaking. Bold in its storytelling, masterful in its execution- it's thrilling & emotional & I could not take my eyes off the screen from the second it began to the second it ended. The very definition of a film you MUST see on the big screen. Wow pic.twitter.com/KNO7Rp92TG
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 23, 2019
1917 is a masterful study of suspense, artistry, and timing. I’m in awe of how Sam Mendes and Roger Deakins pulled it off. Definite nominations for picture, director, cinematography, and design. Possibly score and sound editing too. A major wow. pic.twitter.com/XXBjJRrgnN
— Dave Karger (@davekarger) November 23, 2019
1917 will be released in the US on December 25, 2019, with a UK release following on January 10, 2020.
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