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War drama

1917 (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

1917 (2019) movie poster

1917 is a 2019 war drama directed by Sam Mendes, starring George MacKay as Lance Corporal Schofield, Dean-Charles Chapman and Colin Firth. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $446.1 million worldwide on a $95 million budget. It won 3 Oscars, including Cinematography and Sound Mixing, and 16 awards in all. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.2/10.

IMDb rating
8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$446.1M
Oscars won
3
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1917 (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Director
Sam Mendes
Genres
Drama , War
Original language
English
Budget
$95M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is 1917 About?

The premise of 1917 without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

During the First World War, British soldiers Schofield and Blake are given a critical mission. They must cross enemy territory to deliver a vital message that could save the lives of 1,600 men. Facing dangerous landscapes and the brutal realities of combat, the pair race against time, forging a bond as they confront the perilous journey and the heavy responsibility placed upon them.

1917 Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • world war one
  • year 1917
  • long take
  • 24 hour time span
  • race against time
  • dangerous mission
  • british soldier
  • no man's land
  • trench warfare
  • british military
  • british army
  • trench
+38 more
  • death
  • abandoned farm
  • mud
  • collapsed bridge
  • rat
  • cherry blossom
  • dead horse
  • dead body
  • tactical retreat
  • battlefield
  • burning church
  • baby
  • sitting under a tree
  • no opening credits
  • milk
  • based on true story
  • year as title
  • explosion
  • military uniform
  • german soldier
  • war wound
  • war violence
  • airplane
  • airplane crash
  • stabbing
  • river rapids
  • waterfall
  • photograph
  • stabbed in the stomach
  • barbed wire
  • chase
  • song
  • sniper
  • tripwire
  • tunnel
  • behind enemy lines
  • man on fire
  • biplane
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Cast & crew

1917 Cast & Characters

George MacKay leads the cast as Lance Corporal Schofield, with Dean-Charles Chapman as Lance Corporal Blake and Colin Firth as General Erinmore. Directed by Sam Mendes; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Sam Mendes

More films directed by Sam Mendes, best-rated first: American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Revolutionary Road and Away We Go.

Full filmography
Ratings

1917 Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave 1917 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 8.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 80/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

80 /100

1917 Echo Score Breakdown

The film demonstrates remarkable technical ambition and immersive artistry that define its primary appeal. Critics and viewers alike emphasize the continuous long-take presentation as a striking cinematic feat, complemented by meticulous production craft and fluid camera movement. While some responses reference the narrative’s simplicity and occasional emotional restraint, the cohesive execution maintains audience engagement. Ultimately, the balance of tension, visual precision, and measured pacing coalesces into a compelling cinematic experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    The film excels in its unified long-take approach, delivering seamless visual transitions and meticulous production design. Observers frequently note the immersive single-take illusion and consistent framing that sustain tension throughout. The cinematography’s careful composition and fluid camera movements underscore the narrative’s urgency. Overall, the art and craft are executed with precision, creating a cohesive aesthetic showcase.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    In terms of character depth and emotional resonance, the performances provide measured intensity but sometimes feel underdeveloped. Many viewers acknowledge the central duo’s chemistry and nuanced acting in key moments of vulnerability. However, tertiary figures receive minimal development, and the film’s focus on visual momentum occasionally limits deeper empathy. The net effect is an engaging yet occasionally restrained portrayal of personal stakes.

  • Story & Flow 70

    When it comes to plot coherence and pacing, the narrative’s streamlined structure offers direct engagement but lacks substantial complexity. Reviews praise the focused mission-driven storyline for sustaining momentum, while some note that the simplistic approach limits thematic exploration. The measured pacing in quieter sequences allows for reflective pauses, though a few slow stretches may reduce overall suspense. The story remains accessible but does not venture into profound territory.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Regarding sensory experience, the film’s sound design and musical score reinforce its immersive quality through strategic crescendos and ambient effects. The visual style employs a desaturated palette and naturalistic lighting, enhancing authenticity and visceral impact. Observers highlight the clarity of environmental sounds and the cohesion between audio and image. Together, these elements form a resonant sensory atmosphere that bolsters the film’s emotional intensity.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch value, the striking technical execution and immersive cinematography hold strong appeal for repeated viewings. Viewers often revisit the fluid long-take sequences to appreciate their complexity, and the visual coherence invites further analysis of framing choices. However, the straightforward narrative and limited character development may reduce incentive for multiple screenings. Overall, the film offers moderate replay potential driven primarily by its aesthetic achievements.

Plot

1917 Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in 1917 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

At the height of World War I in April 1917, two young British soldiers, Lance Corporal Will Schofield (George MacKay) and Lance Corporal Tom Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), receive a critical mission directly from General Erinmore (Colin Firth). They must deliver a message to the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, effectively calling off their planned attack on the German forces. The Germans have tricked the Allies into thinking they are retreating, setting up formidable defenses along the Hindenburg Line, which is laden with artillery and traps designed to ambush the battalion of 1,600 men, including Blake’s brother Lieutenant Joseph Blake (Richard Madden). With no functioning phone lines, this urgent task falls squarely on the shoulders of Schofield and Blake.

Full summary

The whole story of 1917, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

1917 Box Office & Budget

1917 grossed $446.1 million worldwide on a $95 million budget, 4.7 times what it cost. $159.2 million came from the US and Canada and $286.8 million (64%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$446.1M

4.7× its budget

US & Canada
$159.2M
International
$286.8M
Budget
$95M
US & Canada 36% Rest of the world 64%
Awards

1917 Awards & Nominations

1917 won 3 Oscars, including Cinematography and Sound Mixing, and 16 awards in all. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 2020, with 7 wins from 9 nominations.

16 wins34 nominations7 ceremonies

Show all 7 ceremonies
Videos

1917 Trailers & Videos

23 videos: 4 trailers, 4 clips, 14 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 23 videos
Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer 2
  • Trailer 1917 - Trailer HD
  • Trailer Official Trailer 3
  • Clip 1917 Exclusive Movie Clip - Running Through Ruins (2019) | Movieclips Coming Soon
Quiz

How Well Do You Know 1917?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What unique filming technique is used throughout the movie 1917?

Cars

Cars in 1917

8 cars on screen, including the 1917 AEC Y-Type and the Ford Model T.

All 8 cars
  • 1917 AEC Y-Type in 1917 1917 AEC Y-Type Minor role
  • Ford Model T in 1917 Ford Model T Minor role
  • Ford Model T in 1917 Ford Model T Background role
  • Ford Model T in 1917 Ford Model T Background role
Details

1917 Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “일구일칠” and “一九一七”.

Also known as
  • 일구일칠
  • 一九一七
  • 1917:逆战救兵
  • One Nine One Seven
  • Taistelulähetit - 1917
  • 1917 命をかけた伝令
  • 1917:逆戰救兵
  • 1917: Speranță și moarte
  • Thế Chiến 1917
  • ۱۹۱۷

Seen 1917?

FAQ

1917 FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of 1917, each answered in a sentence.

How long is 1917?

1917 runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was 1917 released?

1917 was released on December 25, 2019.

Who directed 1917?

1917 was directed by Sam Mendes.

More films by Sam Mendes

Who is in the cast of 1917?

1917 stars George MacKay as Lance Corporal Schofield, Dean-Charles Chapman as Lance Corporal Blake and Colin Firth as General Erinmore, among 20 credited actors.

How much did 1917 make at the box office?

1917 grossed $446.1 million worldwide ($159.2 million domestic, $286.8 million international) on a budget of $95 million.

How is 1917 rated?

1917 has 8.2/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 80% on TMDB.

What awards did 1917 win?

1917 won 16 awards from 34 nominations, including Best Cinematography at the BAFTA 2020.

Does 1917 have a post-credit scene?

No. 1917 has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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