Acclaimed World War I Film Now Available on Amazon Prime
1917 stands as one of the most celebrated war movies of recent years, earning 10 Oscar nominations and boasting a star-studded cast with Andrew Scott, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Madden, and George MacKay. Viewers can now stream this gripping epic on Amazon Prime Video.
Gripping Plot and Innovative Filming
Sam Mendes directs this 2019 British production set amid World War I. It centers on Lance Cpl. Schofield (George MacKay) and Lance Cpl. Blake (Richard Madden), who race across enemy territory to deliver a vital message. Their mission aims to halt an ambush that threatens 1,600 soldiers, including Blake’s brother.
Backed by a $90-100 million budget, the film uses extended long takes to mimic two seamless shots, drawing audiences into the unrelenting tension.
Global Success and Stellar Reviews
The production surpasses $446 million in worldwide box office earnings, celebrated for its groundbreaking visuals, sound design, and immersive storytelling. Rotten Tomatoes reports an 88% approval rating from both critics and audiences.
Wenlei Ma hails it as “an immersive, visceral and meticulously crafted film that has the emotional stakes to match.” Sara Michelle Fetters shares she “couldn’t take [her] eyes off the screen.” Adam Graham describes it as “a tense, unnerving ride that accomplishes its goal of translating the first-person experience of war better than any war movies that have come before it. It’s a level up.”
Cath Clarke deems it “tremendously moving,” while Max Weiss praises the “swift and heart-pounding” action. Fans agree, with one viewer calling it a “cinematic masterpiece” and another noting it has “absolutely no downsides.” Comments label it “one of the best war movies of all time,” leaving audiences breathless.
Award Wins and Recognitions
1917 claims 163 nominations and 72 victories, including three Oscars for Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects. It secures seven BAFTAs, such as Best Film and Best Direction, two Golden Globes, and the Outstanding Directing honor at the 72nd Directors Guild of America Awards.
Director Sam Mendes’ Inspiration
Mendes bases the story on accounts from his grandfather, a Western Front messenger. “I made the movie in a way that wants the audience to feel like it happened yesterday,” he explains. “It’s a contemporary film… that enriches people’s understanding of what these men went through, because it was extraordinary and terrible.”
Mendes recounts the challenges of the continuous-shot technique: “Pretty much every day at some point, I was left thinking: ‘Why have I done this myself?’ It would be so much easier to make this in a conventional way. But when you get the shot and these are long, long takes, it’s so exhilarating and so exciting that you want to do it again.”
His acclaimed resume features the Oscar-winning American Beauty, James Bond entries Skyfall and Spectre, and the 2025 Hamnet adaptation.
Stream 1917 on Amazon Prime Video to experience this technical marvel and emotional powerhouse.
