:1917 (2019 film)#Music

On 6 April 1917, aerial reconnaissance has observed that the Imperial German Army, which has pulled back from a sector of the Western Front in northern France, is not in retreat—as had been supposed—but has made a strategic withdrawal to the new Hindenburg Line, where they are waiting to overwhelm the British with artillery. In the British trenches, with field telephone lines cut, two young British lance corporals, William Schofield, a veteran of the Somme, and Tom Blake, are ordered by General Erinmore to carry a message to Colonel Mackenzie of the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, calling off a scheduled attack the next morning that would jeopardise the lives of 1,600 men, including Blake's brother Joseph, a lieutenant.

Because travelling behind their own lines would take longer, Schofield and Blake cut across no man's land to reach the abandoned German trenches, but Schofield injures his left hand along the way. In an underground barracks, they discover a tripwire set by the Germans, which is promptly triggered by a rat; the explosion almost kills Schofield, but Blake saves him, and the two escape. They arrive at an abandoned farmhouse, where a German plane crashed after being shot down in a dogfight with Allied aircraft. Schofield and Blake save the burned pilot from the wreck and attempts to help the pilot, but the pilot turns on them. Schofield is able to shoot the pilot dead, but not before he fatally stabs Blake in the abdomen. Realising his wounds are too severe to treat in time, Schofield comforts Blake as he dies from blood loss, promising to complete the mission and to write to Blake's mother. Taking Blake's rings and dog tag, as well as Erinmore's letter, he is picked up by a passing British unit who have noticed the smoke from the burning plane.

A destroyed canal bridge near Écoust-Saint-Mein prevents the British lorries from crossing, and Schofield chooses to part with them. He uses what is left of the bridge to cross alone, and comes under fire from a sniper. Exchanging shots, Schofield wounds the sniper and advances, whereupon he and the sniper shoot each other simultaneously; the sniper is killed, while Schofield is struck in the helmet and knocked unconscious. He awakens at night and makes his way through the flare-lit ruins of the town. After evading a German soldier, he discovers a French woman hiding with a presumably orphaned infant. She treats his wounds, and he gives her his canned food and milk from the farm. Despite her pleas, Schofield leaves, after hearing the chimes of a nearby clock and realising that time is running out. Encountering German soldiers, he strangles one and escapes pursuit by jumping into a river. The river carries him while the cherry blossoms fall. He is swept over a waterfall before reaching the riverbank. In the forest, he finds D Company of the 2nd Devons, which is to form the last wave of the attack. As the company starts to move toward the front, Schofield tries to reach Colonel Mackenzie.

Realising that the trenches are too crowded for him to make it to Mackenzie in time, Schofield goes "over the top" and sprints on the open battlefield parallel to the British trench line, just as the infantry begins its charge. He forces his way in to meet Mackenzie, who reluctantly reads the message and calls off the attack. Schofield looks for Blake's brother, and finds him; he was among the first wave and is bloodied but unharmed. Schofield informs Joseph of his mission and of Tom's death, passing on Tom's rings and dog tag. Joseph is deeply upset about his brother but thanks Schofield for his efforts. Schofield asks for permission to write to their mother about Tom's heroics, to which Joseph agrees. Exhausted, Schofield sits under a nearby tree and looks at photographs of his family; on the back of one of them is the message Come back to us.

{{Multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=275

| image1 = GeorgeMackaySept2013TIFF.jpg

| image2 = Dean-Charles Chapman.jpg

| footer = George MacKay (left) and Dean-Charles Chapman (right) play the lead roles of William Schofield and Tom Blake.

}}

{{cast list|

• George MacKay as Lance Corporal William "Will" Schofield
• Dean-Charles Chapman as Lance Corporal Thomas "Tom" Blake
• Mark Strong as Captain Smith
• Andrew Scott as Lieutenant Leslie
• Richard Madden as Lieutenant Joseph Blake
• Claire Duburcq as Lauri
• Colin Firth as General Erinmore
• Benedict Cumberbatch as Colonel Mackenzie
• Daniel Mays as Sergeant Sanders
• Adrian Scarborough as Major Hepburn
• Jamie Parker as Lieutenant Richards
• Pip Carter as Lieutenant Gordon
• Michael Jibson as Lieutenant Hutton
• Richard McCabe as Colonel Collins
• Justin Edwards as Captain Ivins
• Nabhaan Rizwan as Sepoy Jondalar
• Billy Postlethwaite as PCO Harvey
• Gerran Howell as Private Parry
• John Hollingsworth as Sergeant Guthrie
• Jack Shalloo as Private Seymour
• Paul Tinto as NCO Baker
• Anson Boon as Private Cook
• Tommy French as Private Butler
• Gabriel Akuwudike as Private Buchanan
• Kenny Fullwood as Private Rossi
• Spike Leighton as Private Kilgour
• Elliot Edusah as Private Grey

}}

{{Multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=340

| image1 = Sam Mendes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 2013 (cropped).jpg

| image2 = Roger Deakins Feb-2011 02 (cropped).jpg

| footer = Director, co-writer and co-producer Sam Mendes (left) and cinematographer Roger Deakins

}}

Amblin Partners were announced to have acquired the project in a heated competitive situation on 18 June 2018, that included financial commitment and worldwide distribution rights to the project, with Sam Mendes directing and co-writing the screenplay alongside Krysty Wilson-Cairns; Universal Pictures would serve as domestic distributor under their overall deal with Amblin, among the other parties interested in acquiring the project were Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures and New Regency.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/sam-mendes-wwi-film-1917-amblin-partners-james-bond-steven-spielberg-american-beauty-1202412492/ |title=Amblin, Sam Mendes Set WWI Drama '1917' As His First Directing Effort Since James Bond Pics 'Spectre' & 'Skyfall' |first=Mike Jr|last=Fleming |date=18 June 2018 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331080932/https://deadline.com/2018/06/sam-mendes-wwi-film-1917-amblin-partners-james-bond-steven-spielberg-american-beauty-1202412492/ |archive-date=31 March 2019 |url-status=live }} Tom Holland was reported to be pushing for a lead role in the film in September 2018 but ultimately was not involved as he was contractually obligated to do reshoots for Chaos Walking in April 2019.{{cite web |url=https://discussingfilm.net/2020/01/20/tom-holland-may-have-almost-starred-in-1917/ |title=Tom Holland May Have Almost Starred In '1917' |last=Slavin |first=Michael |website=discussingfilm.net |date=20 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315230749/https://discussingfilm.net/2020/01/20/tom-holland-may-have-almost-starred-in-1917/ |archive-date=15 March 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/tom-holland-sam-mendes-1917-cast/ |title=Tom Holland In Talks To Star In Sam Mendes' WWI Drama 1917 |last=Zinski |first=Dan |date=5 September 2018 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404044343/https://screenrant.com/tom-holland-sam-mendes-1917-cast/ |archive-date=4 April 2019 |url-status=live }} In October 2018, Roger Deakins was set to reunite with Mendes as cinematographer.{{cite web |url=https://thegww.com/oscar-winning-blade-runner-2049-cinematographer-roger-deakins-might-reunite-with-sam-mendes-for-wwi-movie-1917/ |title=Oscar-Winning 'Blade Runner 2049' Cinematographer Roger Deakins Might Reunite With Sam Mendes For WWI Movie '1917' |last=Marc |first=Christopher |date=24 October 2018 |access-date=7 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404044310/https://thegww.com/oscar-winning-blade-runner-2049-cinematographer-roger-deakins-might-reunite-with-sam-mendes-for-wwi-movie-1917/ |archive-date=4 April 2019 |url-status=live }} George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman entered negotiations to star that same month.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/sam-mendes-wwi-1917-george-mackay-dean-charles-chapman-game-of-thrones-amblin-steven-spielberg-1202489850/|title=George MacKay, 'GOT's Dean-Charles Chapman In Talks For Leads In Sam Mendes WWI Pic '1917'|first=Mike Jr|last=Fleming|date=26 October 2018|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404060038/https://deadline.com/2018/10/sam-mendes-wwi-1917-george-mackay-dean-charles-chapman-game-of-thrones-amblin-steven-spielberg-1202489850/|archive-date=4 April 2019|url-status=live}} Thomas Newman was hired to compose the score in March 2019.{{cite web|url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2019/03/06/thomas-newman-to-score-sam-mendes-1917/|title=Thomas Newman to Score Sam Mendes' '1917'|website=Film Music Reporter|access-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404044306/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2019/03/06/thomas-newman-to-score-sam-mendes-1917/|archive-date=4 April 2019|url-status=live}} That same month, Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Richard Madden, Andrew Scott, Daniel Mays, Adrian Scarborough, Jamie Parker, Nabhaan Rizwan, and Claire Duburcq joined the cast in supporting roles.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/colin-firth-benedict-cumberbatch-join-sam-mendes-wwi-movie-1917-1197679|title=Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch Join Sam Mendes' WWI Movie '1917'|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Mia|last=Galuppo|date=28 March 2019|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328130756/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/colin-firth-benedict-cumberbatch-join-sam-mendes-wwi-movie-1917-1197679|archive-date=28 March 2019|url-status=live}}

In August 2019, Mendes stated that the film shows "the story of a messenger who has a message to carry."{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Matthew |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/sam-mendes-s-film-1917-is-a-personal-battle-k2tttqwn7 |title=Mendes epic is a personal battle |work=The Times |date=7 August 2019 |access-date=14 January 2021 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608152605/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sam-mendes-s-film-1917-is-a-personal-battle-k2tttqwn7 |url-access=limited }} In December 2019, Mendes stated that the writing involved some risk-taking: "I took a calculated gamble, and I'm pleased I did because of the energy you get just from driving forward (in the narrative), in a war that was fundamentally about paralysis and stasis." The ideas for a script, which Mendes wrote with Krysty Wilson-Cairns, came from the story that Mendes's grandfather, Alfred Mendes, a native of Trinidad who was a messenger for the British on the Western Front, had told him.{{cite web|author=Vick, Karl|magazine=Time|title=Sam Mendes on Taking World War I Out of the Trenches and Into the Theater in 1917|url=https://time.com/5743259/1917-movie-sam-mendes/|language=en|location=New York City|date=3 December 2019|archive-date=3 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203212633/https://time.com/5743259/1917-movie-sam-mendes/}}

Roger Deakins was the cinematographer for the film, reuniting with Mendes for their fourth collaboration, having first worked together on Jarhead in 2005. Filming was accomplished with long takes and elaborately choreographed moving camera shots to give the effect of two continuous takes.{{cite web|author=Libbey, Dirk|date=15 January 2020|title=Why 1917 Director Sam Mendes Broke The One Shot Format For That Scene|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2488548/why-1917-director-sam-mendes-broke-the-one-shot-format-for-that-scene|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115230818/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2488548/why-1917-director-sam-mendes-broke-the-one-shot-format-for-that-scene|archive-date=15 January 2020|access-date=11 February 2020|work=CinemaBlend|location=Portland, Oregon|language=en}}{{cite web|author=Sims, David|date=3 January 2020|title=1917 Is a Visual Feat and a Bad Movie|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2020/01/1917-review/604318/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103162231/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2020/01/1917-review/604318/|archive-date=3 January 2020|access-date=11 February 2020|magazine=The Atlantic}} Although many media accounts have referred to the story as being told in only one shot,{{cite web |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |date=30 September 2019 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/new-1917-video-shows-how-movie-appears-as-one-continuous-take-1244229 |title=New Video Shows How Sam Mendes, Roger Deakins Shot '1917' to Appear as One Continuous Take |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=30 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930215822/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/new-1917-video-shows-how-movie-appears-as-one-continuous-take-1244229 |archive-date=30 September 2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Evangelista |first=Chris |date=30 September 2019 |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1917-featurette/ |title='1917' Featurette Teases a War Epic Told in One Continuous Shot |work=Slash Film |access-date=30 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930215823/https://www.slashfilm.com/1917-featurette/ |archive-date=30 September 2019 |url-status=live }} the screen does cut to black one hour and six minutes into the film, when Schofield is knocked unconscious, and fades in upon his regaining consciousness after night has fallen.{{cite web|author=Hertz, Barry|date=26 December 2019|title=Let's talk about 1917's 'one-shot' conceit, and the line between gimmick and greatness|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/article-lets-talk-about-1917s-one-shot-conceit-and-the-line-between/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101010412/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/article-lets-talk-about-1917s-one-shot-conceit-and-the-line-between/|archive-date=1 January 2020|access-date=11 February 2020|location=Toronto|language=en|newspaper=Globe and Mail}} Mendes explained, "It was to do with the fact that I wanted the movie to go from afternoon to dusk, and then from night into dawn. I wanted it to be in two movements...I wanted to take it somewhere more like a hallucination. Somewhere more surreal, almost dream-like. And horrifying too".

1917 was the first film to be shot with the Arri Alexa Mini LF digital cinema camera. Deakins wanted to use a camera with a large format image sensor, but thought that the original Alexa LF was too large and heavy to capture the intimate shots he wanted. Arri provided him with a prototype of the Mini LF two months before filming was set to begin, and two more cameras a week before.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-roger-deakins-used-alexa-mini-lf-camera-1917-2020-1|last=Guerrasio|first=Jason|work=Business Insider|title=The camera Roger Deakins used to shoot Oscar-nominated '1917' was the first of its kind. Here's the inside story of the Arri ALEXA Mini LF.|date=24 January 2020|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125042416/https://www.businessinsider.com/how-roger-deakins-used-alexa-mini-lf-camera-1917-2020-1|archive-date=25 January 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://ascmag.com/articles/lives-under-siege-the-goldfinch-and-1917|title=Lives Under Siege: The Goldfinch and 1917|last=Bosley|first=Rachael|work=American Cinematographer|publisher=American Society of Cinematographers|date=13 January 2020|access-date=10 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228083250/https://ascmag.com/articles/lives-under-siege-the-goldfinch-and-1917|archive-date=28 February 2020|url-status=live}} His lenses were Arri Signature Primes, of which he used three focal lengths: a 40 mm lens for most of the film, a wider 35 mm for scenes in the tunnels and bunkers, to emphasise feelings of claustrophobia, and a narrower 47 mm in the river, "to lose some of the background".{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpCD67BEjiA|date=11 February 2020|title=ARRI Interview: The immersive camera movement of "1917"|location=YouTube|publisher=ARRIChannel|time=3:25|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227111245/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpCD67BEjiA|archive-date=27 February 2020|url-status=live}}

Filming began on 1 April 2019{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} and continued through June 2019 in Wiltshire, Hankley Common in Surrey and Govan, as well as at Shepperton Studios.{{cite web|url=https://www.spirefm.co.uk/news/local-news/2773576/chance-to-star-in-hollywood-movie-filming-in-wiltshire/|title=Chance to star in Hollywood movie filming in Wiltshire|date=4 January 2019|publisher=Spire FM|access-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404024121/https://www.spirefm.co.uk/news/local-news/2773576/chance-to-star-in-hollywood-movie-filming-in-wiltshire/|archive-date=4 April 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.eagleradio.co.uk/news/local-news/2809037/world-war-one-film-to-begin-production-on-hankley-common/|title=World War One film to begin production on Hankley Common|date=18 February 2019|website=Eagle Radio|access-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404024121/https://www.eagleradio.co.uk/news/local-news/2809037/world-war-one-film-to-begin-production-on-hankley-common/|archive-date=4 April 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-47296111|title=Spielberg movie wants to film in Glasgow|first=Claire|last=Diamond|date=19 February 2019|access-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404025619/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-47296111|archive-date=4 April 2019|url-status=live|work=BBC News}}{{cite web|url=https://hnentertainment.co/exclusive-sam-mendes-1917-adds-skyfall-blade-runner-2049-production-designer-and-atonement-art-director-confirmed-to-shoot-at-shepperton-studios/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Sam Mendes' '1917' Adds 'Skyfall/Blade Runner 2049' Production Designer and 'Atonement' Art Director – Confirmed To Shoot At Shepperton Studios|first=Christopher|last=Marc|date=11 December 2018|access-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402054551/https://hnentertainment.co/exclusive-sam-mendes-1917-adds-skyfall-blade-runner-2049-production-designer-and-atonement-art-director-confirmed-to-shoot-at-shepperton-studios/|archive-date=2 April 2019|url-status=live}} Concern was raised about filming on Salisbury Plain by conservationists who felt the production could disturb potentially undiscovered remains, requesting a survey before any set construction began.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/feb/06/spielberg-and-mendes-stonehenge-war-film-plans-hit-by-locals-objections|title=Spielberg and Mendes Stonehenge war film plans hit by locals' objections|first=Andrew|last=Pulver|date=6 February 2019|access-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402105038/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/feb/06/spielberg-and-mendes-stonehenge-war-film-plans-hit-by-locals-objections|archive-date=2 April 2019|url-status=live|newspaper=The Guardian}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/sam-mendes-1917-nears-production-mark-strong-colin-firth-benedict-cumberbatch-more-join-cast-1202584246/|title=Sam Mendes' '1917' Nears Production: Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch & More Join Cast|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=28 March 2019|access-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328131205/https://deadline.com/2019/03/sam-mendes-1917-nears-production-mark-strong-colin-firth-benedict-cumberbatch-more-join-cast-1202584246/|archive-date=28 March 2019|url-status=live}} Some shots required the use of as many as 500 background extras.

Sections of the film were also shot near Low Force, on the River Tees, Teesdale in June 2019, a reference to river Styx. The production staff had to install signs warning walkers in the area not to be alarmed at the artificial bodies and body parts strewn around the site.{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/17730262.spielbergs-new-drama-filmed-in-teesdale-warns-of-prosthetic-bodies/|title=Spielberg's new drama filmed in Teesdale warns of prosthetic bodies|date=26 June 2019|work=The Northern Echo|url-status=live|editor-last=Chapman|editor-first=Hannah|page=6|issn=2043-0442|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115144432/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/17730262.spielbergs-new-drama-filmed-in-teesdale-warns-of-prosthetic-bodies/|archive-date=15 January 2020}} For the scenes on the river, the cast and crew were assisted by a local outdoor adventure provider for safety and stunts.{{cite web |title=Shooting 1917 on Location on the River Tees |url=https://keswickadventures.co.uk/blog/shooting-1917-location-river-tees/ |website=Keswick Adventures |date=8 June 2020 |access-date=8 June 2020 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114013250/https://keswickadventures.co.uk/blog/shooting-1917-location-river-tees/ |url-status=live }}

File:1917 Schofield Run scene.webm

The filming of the film's climax, called by many the "Schofield Run", required extensive pre-production, and took two days to shoot with George MacKay as Schofield running about 300 meters amidst explosions and over 500 extras as soldiers during every take. Crew members on set, including two grips, had to dress as soldiers and pass in front of the lens as the camera pulled back in order to get the "complex choreography" of the scene executed properly. On preparing for the scene, MacKay recalled that "...Sam gave me a lovely note ... He said, as much as there's desperation and it's intense and what he's running to is so serious, there's almost a euphoria to it as well. It's this kind of utter release." During the second take, MacKay knocked into two extras as soldiers mid-run and continued to run after doing so, a moment that was not scripted. This take made it into the finished film and MacKay was not seriously injured as a result. MacKay described how they actually worked in the scene, saying "As soon as the collisions happened, they felt inevitable. There's a grace to the run, but there's also a reality to the fact that he got knocked about on the way." It was not until after filming that MacKay saw the impact that the scene would have upon himself and audiences when he saw the completed film on the screen. "To be honest, I cried...", said MacKay about the results, "...I don't usually get that emotional watching something I've been involved in because I'm more objective, but I found it so moving." In conclusion, MacKay described the shot as a "reflection of the entire film", while going on to say that "It's a very simple journey through massive difficulty, but there's the notion that it has to get done ... It's something that will always be with me."{{cite web|author=Fretts, Bruce|date=28 January 2020|title=How the Star of '1917' Pulled Off That Thrilling Final Run|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/28/movies/george-mackay-1917-trench-run.html|work=The New York Times |access-date=11 June 2022}}

{{Main|1917 (soundtrack){{!}}1917 (soundtrack)}}

{{Infobox album

| name = 1917 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

| type = film

| artist = Thomas Newman

| caption =

| alt =

| released = 20 December 2019

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio = Abbey Road

| genre = Orchestral

| length = 1:17:08

| label = Amblin Partners{{efn|Listed under Storyteller Distribution Co., LLC.}}
Sony Classical

| producer = * Bill Bernstein

• Thomas Newman

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

The soundtrack album of the film was released on 20 December 2019. The score was composed by Thomas Newman, the regular collaborator to Mendes. It was nominated for best original score at the Academy Awards.{{cite web |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2019/11/27/1917-soundtrack-details/ |title=1917 Soundtrack Details |work=Film Music Reporter |access-date=15 January 2021 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029190620/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2019/11/27/1917-soundtrack-details/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Pentreath |first1=Rosie |title=1917 film soundtrack: who wrote it and how can I listen? |url=https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/film-tv/1917-soundtrack-thomas-newman/ |access-date=27 December 2020 |date=28 January 2020 |publisher=Classic FM |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114013251/https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/periods-genres/film-tv/1917-soundtrack-thomas-newman/ |url-status=live }}

{{Track listing

| headline = Track listing

| total_length = 1:17:08

| title1 = 1917

| length1 = 1:17

| title2 = Up the Down Trench

| length2 = 6:19

| title3 = {{lang|he-Latn|Gehenna|italic=no}}

| length3 = 3:34

| title4 = A Scrap of Ribbon

| length4 = 6:29

| title5 = The Night Window

| length5 = 3:41

| title6 = The {{lang|fr|Boche|italic=no}}

| length6 = 3:21

| title7 = Tripwire

| length7 = 1:40

| title8 = A Bit of Tin

| length8 = 2:02

| title9 = Lockhouse

| length9 = 4:04

| title10 = Blake and Schofield

| length10 = 4:20

| title11 = Milk

| length11 = 10:10

| title12 = {{lang|fr|Écoust-Saint-Mein|italic=no}}

| length12 = 2:36

| title13 = {{lang|fr|Les Arbres|italic=no}}

| length13 = 3:36

| title14 = {{lang|de|Engländer|italic=no}}

| length14 = 4:29

| title15 = The Rapids

| length15 = 1:29

| title16 = {{lang|fr|Croisilles|italic=no}} Wood

| length16 = 2:06

| title17 = Sixteen Hundred Men

| length17 = 6:32

| title18 = Mentions in Dispatches

| length18 = 3:44

| title19 = Come Back to Us

| length19 = 5:39

| description =

}}

{{Infobox single

| name = I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger (From the Film 1917)

| type = Single

| artist = Jos Slovick

| cover =

| caption =

| alt =

| released = 7 February 2020

| recorded = 2019

| venue =

| studio = Abbey Road Studios

| genre = Orchestral

| length = 4:09

| label = Amblin Partners{{efn|Listed under Storyteller Distribution Co., LLC.}}
Sony Classical

| producer = * Bill Bernstein

• Thomas Newman

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title =

| next_year =

}}

The soundtrack does not include the rendition of the American folk song The Wayfaring Stranger by Jos Slovick.{{cite web |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/news/music/1917-soundtrack-wayfaring-stranger-song/ |publisher=Smooth Radio |title=What is the 'Wayfaring Stranger' song in the woods? |access-date=12 June 2020}} In early 2020, a Change.org petition collected over 2,500 signatures to urge film producers Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures to release a full studio version of Slovick's performance. Subsequently, Sony Classical Records released an EP of the song on 7 February on Amazon and streaming platforms.{{cite web |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2020/02/07/jos-slovicks-i-am-a-poor-wayfaring-stranger-from-sam-mendes-1917-released/ |work=Film Music Reporter |title=Jos Slovick's 'I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger' from Sam Mendes' 1917 Released |access-date=9 August 2021}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Track listing

| extra_column = Artist

| total_length = 13:47

| title1 = I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger (From 1917 (A Cappella))

| extra1 = Jos Slovick

| length1 = 4:09

| title2 = I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger (From 1917)

| extra2 = Jos Slovick & Craig Leon

| length2 = 4:49

| title3 = I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger (Original Lyrics)

| extra3 = Jos Slovick & Craig Leon

| length3 = 4:49

| description =

}}

The film premiered on 4 December 2019 at the 2019 Royal Film Performance in London, an event held in aid of the Film & TV Charity.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/sam-mendes-1917-world-premiere-uk-royal-film-performance-charity-events-1202771313/|title=Sam Mendes War Movie '1917' To World Premiere As UK Royal Charity Event|first=Tom|last=Grater|date=29 October 2019|access-date=21 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105064409/https://deadline.com/2019/10/sam-mendes-1917-world-premiere-uk-royal-film-performance-charity-events-1202771313/|archive-date=5 November 2019|url-status=live}} It was released in limited theatres in the United States on 25 December 2019, before going to wide release on 10 January 2020, shortly before the widespread lockdown of theatres internationally in response to the heightening COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |last1=Pulver |first1=Andrew |last2=Sweney |first2=Mark |date=5 January 2021 |title=Battlefield drama 1917 wins 2020 UK box office in pandemic-struck year |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/05/battlefield-drama-1917-wins-2020-uk-box-office-in-pandemic-struck-year |url-status=live |access-date=27 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129011826/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/05/battlefield-drama-1917-wins-2020-uk-box-office-in-pandemic-struck-year |archive-date=29 November 2022}} The studio spent an estimated $115 million on prints and advertisements promoting the film. The film was specially formatted for IMAX at the expanded aspect ratio of 1.9:1.{{cite news |title=1917 – IMAX Exclusive Artwork Released |url=https://www.theartsshelf.com/2019/12/19/1917-imax-exclusive-artwork-released/#:~:text=Specially%20formatted%20for%20IMAX%20cinemas,picture%20than%20any%20other%20cinema. |access-date=27 December 2020 |date=19 December 2019 |via=www.theartsshelf.com |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114013336/https://www.theartsshelf.com/2019/12/19/1917-imax-exclusive-artwork-released/#:~:text=Specially%20formatted%20for%20IMAX%20cinemas,picture%20than%20any%20other%20cinema. |url-status=live }} 1917 was released on Digital HD on 10 March 2020 and was released by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment on DVD, Blu-ray, and Ultra HD Blu-ray on 24 March 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/9515/1917 |title=1917 DVD Release Date |website=DVDs Release Dates |language=en |access-date=21 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116093027/https://www.dvdsreleasedates.com/movies/9515/1917 |archive-date=16 January 2020 |url-status=live }}

1917 grossed $159.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $286.8 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $446 million, against a production budget of $90–100 million. Deadline Hollywood calculated the net profit of the film to be $77{{nbsp}}million.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/04/1917-movie-box-office-profit-2019-sam-mendes-oscars-1202907411/|title=WWI Epic '1917' Entrenched At No. 19 In Deadline's 2019 Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=14 April 2019|access-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415221004/https://deadline.com/2020/04/1917-movie-box-office-profit-2019-sam-mendes-oscars-1202907411/|archive-date=15 April 2020|url-status=live}}

In the US, the film made $251,000 on its first day of limited release.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-christmas-box-office-little-women-spies-in-disguise-1202816735/ |title='Rise of Skywalker' Rings Up Second Best Christmas Ever With $32M+; 'Little Women' $6M+; 'Spies in Disguise' Near $5M |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=26 December 2019 |access-date=26 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226005009/https://deadline.com/2019/12/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-christmas-box-office-little-women-spies-in-disguise-1202816735/ |archive-date=26 December 2019 |url-status=live }} It went on to have a limited opening weekend of $570,000, and a five-day gross of $1 million, for an average of $91,636 per-venue.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/clemency-neon-just-mercy-warner-bros-1917-universal-specialty-box-office-1202818143/ |title='1917', 'Just Mercy' And 'Clemency' Open Strong In Limited Debuts Over Busy Holiday Weekend – Specialty Box Office |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=29 December 2019 |access-date=29 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229231925/https://deadline.com/2019/12/clemency-neon-just-mercy-warner-bros-1917-universal-specialty-box-office-1202818143/ |archive-date=29 December 2019 |url-status=live }} The film would go on to make a total of $2.7 million over its 15 days of limited release. It then expanded wide on 10 January, making $14 million on its first day, including $3.25 million from Thursday night previews. It went on to gross $36.5 million for the weekend (beating the original projections of $25 million), becoming the first film to dethrone Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker at the box office.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/box-office-1917-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-like-a-boss-1202826743/ |title='1917' Great $37M, 'Like A Boss' Bests 'Just Mercy' For 4th With $10M; Why Kristen Stewart's 'Underwater' Went Kerplunk – Update |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=13 January 2020 |access-date=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108115508/https://deadline.com/2020/01/box-office-1917-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-like-a-boss-1202826743/ |archive-date=8 November 2020 |url-status=live }} In its second weekend of wide release the film made $22 million (and $26.8 million over the four-day Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday), finishing third behind Bad Boys for Life and Dolittle.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/bad-boys-for-life-dolittle-1917-weekend-box-office-1202833726/|title='Bad Boys For Life' So Great With $100M+ Worldwide; 'Dolittle' Still A Dud With $57M+ Global – Box Office Update|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|access-date=20 January 2020|date=19 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200120213703/https://deadline.com/2020/01/bad-boys-for-life-dolittle-1917-weekend-box-office-1202833726/|archive-date=20 January 2020|url-status=live}} It then made $15.8 million and $9.7 million the following two weekends, remaining in second both times.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/bad-boys-for-life-the-gentleman-the-turning-weekend-box-office-1202840184/|title='Bad Boys For Life' & '1917' Shooting Past $100M; 'The Turning' Slammed With Second 'F' Of 2020 e|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|access-date=26 January 2020|date=24 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124220809/https://deadline.com/2020/01/bad-boys-for-life-the-gentleman-the-turning-weekend-box-office-1202840184/|archive-date=24 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/gretel-hansel-finds-475k-the-rhythm-section-offbeat-with-235k-thursday-night-previews-1202847821/|title='Bad Boys For Life' Scores Over Super Bowl Weekend With $17M+; 'Rhythm Section' Is A Mess|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|access-date=2 February 2020|date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201142145/https://deadline.com/2020/01/gretel-hansel-finds-475k-the-rhythm-section-offbeat-with-235k-thursday-night-previews-1202847821/|archive-date=1 February 2020|url-status=live}} During the four-day-weekend of the Academy Awards, the film made $9.3 million.{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/birds-of-prey-weekend-box-office-margot-robbie-1202853768/ |title=How 'Birds of Prey' Went Astray With $33M+ Opening |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=9 February 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=9 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200208173530/https://deadline.com/2020/02/birds-of-prey-weekend-box-office-margot-robbie-1202853768/ |archive-date=8 February 2020 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/sonic-the-hedgehog-birds-of-prey-will-ferrell-downhill-valentines-day-box-office-1202860119/ |title=' 'Sonic The Hedgehog' Runs Faster With 4-Day Of $68M |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=16 February 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=16 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215000134/https://deadline.com/2020/02/sonic-the-hedgehog-birds-of-prey-will-ferrell-downhill-valentines-day-box-office-1202860119/ |archive-date=15 February 2020 |url-status=live }}

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's critical consensus reads, "Hard-hitting, immersive, and an impressive technical achievement, 1917 captures the trench warfare of World War I with raw, startling immediacy."{{cite Rotten Tomatoes|id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |type=m|title=1917|access-date={{RT data|access date|df=dmy}} |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218204038/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1917_2019 |archive-date=18 December 2019 |url-status=live}} Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 78 out of 100 based on 57 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.{{cite Metacritic |id=1917 |type=movie |title=1917 |access-date=15 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209233718/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/1917 |archive-date=9 December 2019 |url-status=live}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale, and PostTrak reported it received an average four and a half out of five from viewers it surveyed, with 69% saying they would definitely recommend it.

Several critics named the film among the best of 2019, including Kate Erbland of IndieWire{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/feature/best-actors-film-2019-1202196240/ |title=The 15 Best Film Performances By Actors in 2019 |first1=Eric |last1=Kohn |first2=Anne |last2=Thompson |first3=Kate |last3=Erbland |first4=David |last4=Ehrlich |first5=Tambay A. |last5=Obenson |first6=Christian |last6=Blauvelt |date=11 December 2019 |access-date=10 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218224855/https://www.indiewire.com/feature/best-actors-film-2019-1202196240/ |archive-date=18 December 2019 |url-status=live }} and Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/hollywood-reporter-film-critics-pick-25-best-performances-year-1262565/item/awkwafina-farewell-25-best-performances-year-1262567|title=Awkwafina – Hollywood Reporter Film Critics Pick the 25 Best Performances of the Year|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=16 December 2019 |access-date=10 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110222447/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/hollywood-reporter-film-critics-pick-25-best-performances-year-1262565/item/awkwafina-farewell-25-best-performances-year-1262567|archive-date=10 January 2020|url-status=live}} Writing for the Hindustan Times, Rohan Naahar stated, "I can only imagine the effect 1917 will have on audiences that aren't familiar with the techniques Sam Mendes and Roger Deakins are about to unleash upon them."{{cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/1917-movie-review-sam-mendes-directs-one-of-the-best-war-movies-of-all-time-will-leave-you-stunned-in-your-seat/story-1UQ7En7Ao6y7PqyjrqqnmI.html |title=1917 movie review: Sam Mendes directs one of the best war movies of all time, will leave you stunned in your seat |website=Hindustan Times|date=17 January 2020 |access-date=20 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119185854/https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/1917-movie-review-sam-mendes-directs-one-of-the-best-war-movies-of-all-time-will-leave-you-stunned-in-your-seat/story-1UQ7En7Ao6y7PqyjrqqnmI.html |archive-date=19 January 2020 |url-status=live }} In his review for NPR, Justin Chang was less positive. He agreed the film was a "mind-boggling technical achievement" but did not think it was that spectacular overall, as Mendes's style with its impression of a continuous take "can be as distracting as it is immersive".{{cite news |last1=Chang |first1=Justin |author-link1=Justin Chang |title='1917' Is A Mind-Boggling Technological Achievement — But Not A Great Film |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/01/15/796609685/1917-is-a-mind-boggling-technological-achievement-but-not-a-great-film |access-date=18 January 2020 |work=Fresh Air |publisher=NPR |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118031653/https://www.npr.org/2020/01/15/796609685/1917-is-a-mind-boggling-technological-achievement-but-not-a-great-film |archive-date=18 January 2020 |url-status=live }}

Manohla Dargis of The New York Times called the film, "A carefully organized and sanitized war picture [...] that turns one of the most catastrophic episodes in modern times into an exercise in preening showmanship".{{cite news |last1=Dargis |first1=Manohla |title='1917' Review: Paths of Technical Glory |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/24/movies/1917-review.html |access-date=2 April 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=24 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129105921/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/24/movies/1917-review.html |archive-date=29 January 2020 |url-status=live }} Alison Willmore of Vulture compared it unfavourably to the war film Dunkirk, writing, "The artifice of the aesthetic premise overwhelms any of the film's other intentions."{{cite news |last1=Willmore |first1=Alison |title=1917 Is More Filmmaking Stunt Than Movie |url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/movie-review-sam-mendess-world-war-i-movie-1917.html |access-date=2 April 2020 |work=Vulture |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426130556/https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/movie-review-sam-mendess-world-war-i-movie-1917.html |archive-date=26 April 2020 |url-status=live }}

Meilan Solly of the Smithsonian said "the film has more than fulfilled this goal (elevate World War I cinema to a previously unseen level of visibility), wowing audiences with both its stunning visuals and portrayal of an oft-overlooked chapter of military lore".{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Smithsonian |last2=Solly |first2=Meilan |title=The True History Behind the '1917' Movie |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/true-history-behind-1917-movie-180973800/ |access-date=16 August 2024|website=Smithsonian Magazine}}

In 2023, Parade included the film on its list of the "50 Best War Movies of All Time".{{cite web | url=https://parade.com/1039834/npond/best-war-movies/ | title=50 Best War Movies of All Time | date=8 October 2023 }}

{{Main|List of accolades received by 1917 (2019 film){{!}}List of accolades received by 1917 (2019 film)}}

1917 received ten nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards, winning for Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-01-13/oscar-nominations-2020-joker-irishman-1917-netflix|title='Joker' tops this year's Oscar nominations, with '1917,' 'Irishman,' 'Once Upon a Time' close behind|date=13 January 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|first=Josh|last=Rottenberg|language=en-US|access-date=13 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113155142/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-01-13/oscar-nominations-2020-joker-irishman-1917-netflix|archive-date=13 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |last1=Snierson |first1=Dan |title=Oscars 2020: See the complete winners list |url=https://ew.com/oscars/2020/02/09/oscars-2020-winners-list/ |access-date=15 January 2021 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=10 March 2020 |archive-date=2 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202222029/https://ew.com/oscars/2020/02/09/oscars-2020-winners-list/ |url-status=live }} It received three nominations at the 77th Golden Globe Awards and won two awards: for Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/golden-globes-2020-all-the-winners-from-last-night-joker-chernobyl-joaquin-phoenix/|title=Golden Globes 2020: The full winners list|last=Bisset|first=Jennifer|website=CNET|date=5 January 2020|access-date=9 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106070941/https://www.cnet.com/google-amp/news/golden-globes-2020-the-full-winners-list-joker-chernobyl-joaquin-phoenix/|archive-date=6 January 2020|url-status=live}} It also received eight nominations at the 25th Critics' Choice Awards, winning three awards, including Best Director,{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/awards/critics-choice-the-irishman-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-lead-movie-nominations-1203428878/|title=Critics' Choice: 'The Irishman,' 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' Lead Movie Nominations|work=Variety|first1=Marc|last1=Malkin|date=8 December 2019|access-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209013912/https://variety.com/2019/film/awards/critics-choice-the-irishman-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-lead-movie-nominations-1203428878/|archive-date=9 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2020/01/12/critics-choice-awards-2020-full-winners-list/4450633002/ |title=Critics' Choice Awards 2020: The complete winners list |access-date=15 January 2021 |work=USA Today |date=13 January 2020 |archive-date=29 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429122912/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2020/01/12/critics-choice-awards-2020-full-winners-list/4450633002/ |url-status=live }} and nine nominations at the 73rd British Academy Film Awards, winning the most awards – seven, including Best Film, Best Director and Outstanding British film.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bafta-awards-2020-nominations-unveiled-1267114|title=BAFTA Nominations: 'Joker' Leads the Pack|last=Ritman|first=Alex|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=6 January 2020|access-date=7 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107092213/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bafta-awards-2020-nominations-unveiled-1267114|archive-date=7 January 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/feb/02/baftas-2020-sam-mendes-and-1917-emerge-victorious-with-seven-awards|title=Baftas 2020: Sam Mendes and 1917 emerge victorious with seven awards|last=Brown|first=Mark|website=The Guardian|date=2 February 2020|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214061323/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/feb/02/baftas-2020-sam-mendes-and-1917-emerge-victorious-with-seven-awards|archive-date=14 February 2020|url-status=live}} It was chosen by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute as one of the top ten films of the year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/irishman-tops-national-board-review-2019-honorees-full-list-1259206|title='The Irishman' Named Best Film by National Board of Review|date=3 December 2019|first=Hilary|last=Lewis|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=4 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205014534/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/irishman-tops-national-board-review-2019-honorees-full-list-1259206|archive-date=5 December 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.afi.com/news/afi-awards-2019-honorees-announced/|title=AFI AWARDS 2019 Honorees Announced|website=American Film Institute|language=en|access-date=4 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210160159/https://www.afi.com/news/afi-awards-2019-honorees-announced/|archive-date=10 December 2019|url-status=live}}

File:Sherwood Foresters following up Germans near Brie March 1917 IWM Q 1863.jpg in France, March 1917]]

The film was inspired by Operation Alberich, a German withdrawal to new positions on the shorter and more easily defended Hindenburg Line that took place between 9 February and 20 March 1917.{{cite news |title=Operation Alberich, the campaign that inspired Sam Mendes' 1917 |url=https://www.history.co.uk/article/operation-alberich-the-campaign-that-inspired-sam-mendes-1917 |work=History.co.uk |access-date=12 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321035448/https://www.history.co.uk/article/operation-alberich-the-campaign-that-inspired-sam-mendes-1917 |archive-date=21 March 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pvhbvgAACAAJ|title=The First World War: The War to End All Wars |last1=Simkins |first1=P. |last2=Jukes |first2=G. |last3=Hickey |first3=M. |publisher=Osprey |pages = 111–119|year=2003 |location=Oxford |isbn=978-1-84176-738-3|access-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116003126/https://books.google.com/books?id=pvhbvgAACAAJ&dq=isbn%3A9781841767383&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiyt5iqmZ_uAhXTLqYKHfelAIgQ6AEwAHoECAAQAg|archive-date=January 16, 2021|url-status=live}} However, the main and supporting characters all appear to be fictional.{{cite news |title=1917 was Inspired by a True Story Sam Mendes' Grandfather Told to Him |url=http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/1917/ |work=History vs. Hollywood |access-date=12 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210230905/http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/1917/ |archive-date=10 February 2020 |url-status=live }}

Contrary to the film's depiction, the number of black soldiers serving directly in the British Army itself was unknown but negligible, as the black population in Britain at the time remained small. Instead, the majority of black troops who participated in the British war effort served in their own colonial regiments from Africa and the West Indies.{{cite news |title=Experiences of colonial troops |url=https://www.bl.uk/world-war-one/articles/colonial-troops |work=British Library |date=29 January 2014 |access-date=14 November 2020 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114013257/https://www.bl.uk/world-war-one/articles/colonial-troops |url-status=live }} Over 15,000 men from the British West Indies enlisted in the military during the First World War, and by 1915 they were organised into the British West Indies Regiment.{{cite news |title=Fact-checking 1917: how historically accurate is Sam Mendes's First World War film? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/1917-fact-checking-how-historically-accurate-sam-mendes-war-movie/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=10 February 2020 |access-date=12 February 2020 |archive-date=10 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210095202/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/1917-fact-checking-how-historically-accurate-sam-mendes-war-movie/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-6RACwAAQBAJ&pg=PA97 |title=Colonial Soldiers in Europe, 1914–1945: "Aliens in Uniform" in Wartime Societies |pages=97–102 |date=22 December 2015 |isbn=9781317330981 |last1=Storm |first1=Eric |last2=Tuma |first2=Ali Al |publisher=Routledge |access-date=6 October 2020 |archive-date=20 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120045625/https://books.google.com/books?id=-6RACwAAQBAJ&pg=PA97 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=How accurate is Sam Mendes's film, 1917? |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/how-accurate-is-sam-mendess-film-1917-8mtbrbfkv |work=The Times |date=6 January 2020 |access-date=12 February 2020 |archive-date=12 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212140046/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-accurate-is-sam-mendess-film-1917-8mtbrbfkv |url-access=limited }} The regiment served in the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I, including the Sinai and Palestine campaign and the Mesopotamian campaign.{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of World War I |first1=Spencer |last1=Tucker |first2=Priscilla Mary |last2=Roberts |page=508}}{{Cite journal|last=Quiroga|first=Stefan Aguirre|date=2019|title=Race, Battlefield 1 and the White Mythic Space of the First World War.|url=https://raei.ua.es/article/view/2018-n31-race-battlefield-1-and-the-white-mythic-space-of-the-first-world-war|journal=Alicante Journal of English Studies|volume=31|pages=187–193|access-date=23 October 2020|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114013255/https://raei.ua.es/article/view/2018-n31-race-battlefield-1-and-the-white-mythic-space-of-the-first-world-war|url-status=live}}

However, Sam Mendes’s paternal grandfather, Alfred Mendes (who was from the West Indies and partly inspired the story) did serve in a regular regiment (Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own)).Reinhard W. Sander (ed.), From Trinidad: An Anthology of Early West Indian Writing, Hodder & Stoughton, 1978, p. 307. Indian Sikhs would also have served in their own regiments as part of the British Indian Army, not as individuals in the ranks of British regiments and corps. By the end of 1915, the Indian infantry formations had been withdrawn from the Western Front and sent to the Middle East.some Indian cavalry units continued to serve on the Western Front until 1918 - see Indian Army during World War I{{cite news |last1=Omissi|first1=Dr David|title=India and the Western Front |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/india_wwone_01.shtml |website=BBC History |access-date=12 February 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128100932/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/india_wwone_01.shtml |url-status=live }}

The film has been praised for its historical accuracy and attention to detail: "The level of detail in kit, activity, parlance, and customs of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) is admirable".{{Cite web |title=Truth in the Telling: A Review of 1917 {{!}} The Western Front Association |url=https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/truth-in-the-telling-a-review-of-1917/ |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=www.westernfrontassociation.com}}

The military historian Jeremy Banning praises the film, saying parts of it are brilliantly executed, but he was critical of the military tactics portrayed in the film, writing "It made no sense, as the film depicts, to have some battalions nine miles beyond the former German line and others seemingly unaware of whether this line was manned [...] As for the assault by the Devons, no unit would attack without adequate artillery support".{{cite news |last=Banning|first=Jeremy|title="A staggering tour de force – but an opportunity missed": a historian's review of the film 1917 |url=https://www.historyextra.com/period/first-world-war/1917-film-historian-review-real-history-ww1-what-happened-how-plausible-accurate/ |work=HistoryExtra |date=14 January 2020 |access-date=12 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114165244/https://www.historyextra.com/period/first-world-war/1917-film-historian-review-real-history-ww1-what-happened-how-plausible-accurate/ |url-access=registration|archive-date=14 January 2020 |url-status=live }}

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