1917 (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
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.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 59m (119 min)
- Director
- Sam Mendes
- Original language
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English
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Budget
- $95M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
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 Show fewer
- 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
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.
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Director Sam Mendes
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George MacKay as Lance Corporal Schofield -
Dean-Charles Chapman as Lance Corporal Blake -
Colin Firth as General Erinmore -
Pip Carter as Lieutenant Gordon
Also Starring in 1917
· 16 more- Richard Madden
- Andrew Scott Lieutenant Leslie
- Mark Strong Captain Smith
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Daniel Mays Sergeant Sanders
- Adrian Scarborough
- John Hollingworth
- Chris Walley
- Gabriel Akuwudike Private Buchanan
- Gerran Howell Private Parry
- Josef Davies Private Stokes
- Paul Tinto NCO Baker
- Teresa Mahoney
- Nabhaan Rizwan
- Andy Apollo Sergeant Miller
- William Postlethwaite
More from Sam Mendes
More films directed by Sam Mendes, best-rated first: American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Revolutionary Road and Away We Go.
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).
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.
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IMDb 8.2 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 88% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 88%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 78 Metascore
User score 8.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 80% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 4.1 /5
16K ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 4.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
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
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.
Worldwide gross
$446.1M
4.7× its budget
- US & Canada
- $159.2M
- International
- $286.8M
- Budget
- $95M
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
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Saturn Awards 2021 2 nominations- Nominated Best Action / Adventure Film Release
- Nominated Best Film Music
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BAFTA 2020 7 wins · 9 nominations- Won Best Cinematography
- Won Best Direction – Sam Mendes
- Won Best Film – Sam Mendes
- Won Best Production Design
- Won Best Sound
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Oscars 2020 3 wins · 10 nominations- Won Cinematography
- Won Sound Mixing
- Won Visual Effects
- Nominated Best Picture
- Nominated Directing – Sam Mendes
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Critics' Choice 2020 3 wins · 8 nominations- Won Best Cinematography
- Won Best Director – Sam Mendes
- Won Best Editing – Lauren Lee Smith
- Nominated Best Action Movie
- Nominated Best Picture
Show all 7 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Golden Globes 2020 2 wins · 3 nominations- Won Best Director – Sam Mendes
- Won Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Nominated Best Original Score
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DGA Awards 2020 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Feature Film – Sam Mendes
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Artios Awards 2020 1 nomination- Nominated Big Budget – Drama
1917 Trailers & Videos
23 videos: 4 trailers, 4 clips, 14 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.
- Trailer Official Trailer 2
- Trailer 1917 - Trailer HD
- Trailer Official Trailer 3
- Clip 1917 Exclusive Movie Clip - Running Through Ruins (2019) | Movieclips Coming Soon
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What unique filming technique is used throughout the movie 1917?
Cars in 1917
8 cars on screen, including the 1917 AEC Y-Type and the Ford Model T.
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1917 AEC Y-Type Minor role -
Ford Model T Minor role -
Ford Model T Background role -
Ford Model T Background role
1917 Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “일구일칠” and “一九一七”.
- Also known as
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- 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?
Movies Like 1917
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Trench, All Quiet on the Western Front and Westfront 1918.
Articles About 1917
3 articles about 1917. The latest: “The Impact of Film Schools on the Movie Industry”.
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Film Industry -
HistoryRediscovering Classic Film Techniques in Modern Cinema
Explore how classic film techniques are being brilliantly reinvented in modern cinema, enriching storytelling and captivating audiences anew. 14 min read -
HistoryThe Evolution of War Movies: From Propaganda to Realism
Explore the transformative journey of war movies from propagandistic origins to realistic portrayals, reflecting societal changes and technological advancements, in our blog post "The Evolution of War Movies: From Propaganda to Realism." 10 min read
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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