1917 2019

Drama

War

Box Office

$446M

Runtime

119 min

Language

English

Directed by

Sam Mendes

Made by

Universal Pictures

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for 1917 (2019). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

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.

Despite Schofield’s desire to wait until dark to set off, Blake’s urgency to save his brother pushes them to depart immediately, setting off on a trek of 9 miles that should take at most 6 to 8 hours. They begin their perilous journey from a trench commanded by Lieutenant Leslie ([Andrew Scott]), who, skeptical of Erinmore’s assessment, warns them that it may be a trap but provides them the safest route across No Man’s Land.

As they traverse the dangerous terrain, Schofield suffers an injury to his left hand while navigating through barbed wire. Their exploration of abandoned German trenches reveals a horrifying trap; an explosion triggered by a rat nearly takes Schofield’s life, but Blake acts swiftly to save him. Their adventure leads them to a deserted farmhouse where they rescue a downed German pilot trapped in the wreckage. Amidst the chaos, however, tragedy strikes when the pilot stabs Blake, leading Schofield to shoot the assailant and rush to comfort his dying friend, promising to complete the mission and inform Blake’s mother of his bravery.

Eventually, Schofield is picked up by a British unit led by Captain Smith ([Mark Strong]), who warns him of the callous nature of some men under fire, fearful that Colonel Mackenzie ([Benedict Cumberbatch]) may refuse to halt the impending attack. A shattered canal bridge near Ecoust-Saint-Mein complicates matters further, forcing Schofield to continue alone. He encounters hostile fire from a sniper, resulting in a tense standoff that leaves him unconscious after being hit in the helmet.

Upon waking at night, Schofield navigates through eerily illuminated ruins, before meeting a French woman with a baby who offers to help him. Despite her urgings, he realizes that time is not on his side and ventures onward. In a desperate act of survival, he kills a German soldier and narrowly escapes by jumping into a river, carried away by the current until he finds himself free from danger.

With dawn approaching, Schofield finally reaches the 2nd Battalion, only to discover that the attack is already underway. He desperately seeks out Colonel Mackenzie, pushing through a throng of soldiers to deliver the message. As chaos erupts around him and the infantry rushes into battle, Schofield manages to reach Mackenzie, who begrudgingly cancels the assault after reading the urgent letter.

In the aftermath, Schofield finds Joseph and, struggling with the weight of his revelations, relays the heartbreaking news of Tom’s death, returning his brother’s rings and dog tags. Even amidst their grief, Joseph expresses gratitude for Schofield’s efforts. Exhausted, Schofield takes a moment to rest under a tree, reflecting on his family as he contemplates the profound message written on a photograph’s back: > “Come back to us.”

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of 1917 (2019) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Receiving the Mission

In April 1917, amidst the chaos of World War I, Lance Corporals Will Schofield and Tom Blake meet with General Erinmore. They receive a critical mission to deliver an urgent message to the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, calling off a planned attack against the Germans, who have devised a trap.

April 1917

Departure from the Trench

Despite the uncertainty around the mission, Blake’s urgency to save his brother drives them to depart immediately rather than wait for darkness. The two soldiers leave a trench commanded by Lieutenant Leslie, embarking on their perilous journey across No Man's Land.

Trench

Injury in the Barbed Wire

As they navigate through the treacherous terrain, Schofield sustains an injury to his left hand while maneuvering through barbed wire. This injury serves as an early indication of the dangers that lie ahead on their mission.

No Man's Land

Discovering the Trap

The soldiers explore abandoned German trenches and unknowingly trigger a trap. An explosion nearly takes Schofield's life but Blake acts swiftly to save him, showcasing the camaraderie and urgency of their mission.

German Trenches

Rescuing the German Pilot

While taking refuge in a deserted farmhouse, Schofield and Blake discover a downed German pilot trapped in the wreckage. They attempt to be humane in the midst of war, but tragedy strikes when the pilot fatally stabs Blake.

Farmhouse

Comforting a Dying Friend

In the aftermath of the violent encounter, Schofield comforts the dying Blake, who urges him to complete the mission. Schofield promises to inform Blake’s mother of his bravery, highlighting the personal sacrifices made by soldiers.

Encounters with Captain Smith

Schofield encounters a British unit led by Captain Smith, who warns him about the relentless nature of Colonel Mackenzie’s orders. This moment underscores the urgency of delivering the message amidst the imminent attack.

The Canal Bridge

As Schofield continues on, a shattered canal bridge near Ecoust-Saint-Mein obstructs his path. Alone and faced with further challenges, he must navigate through a war-torn landscape that constantly tests his resolve.

Ecoust-Saint-Mein

Sniper Attack

Schofield finds himself under fire from a hidden sniper, leading to a tense standoff. The encounter leaves him unconscious after being hit in the helmet, demonstrating the constant peril of war.

Meeting the French Woman

Upon awakening at night, Schofield meets a French woman with a baby who offers assistance. Although she tries to help him, Schofield realizes that he cannot delay further, showing his determination to fulfill the mission.

Desperate Survival

In a critical moment, Schofield kills a German soldier in self-defense and narrowly escapes by leaping into a river. This harrowing escape reinforces the reality of his fight for survival amid the turmoil of war.

River

Reaching the 2nd Battalion

With dawn approaching, Schofield finally arrives at the 2nd Battalion's location, only to find the attack has already commenced. Frantically, he searches for Colonel Mackenzie to deliver the urgent message that could save lives.

Delivering the Message

Amidst the chaos of battle, Schofield pushes through soldiers to reach Colonel Mackenzie. He finally delivers the message, which leads Mackenzie to reluctantly call off the assault, averting a potential massacre.

Heartbreaking News

After the battle, Schofield locates Joseph Blake and delivers the devastating news of Tom's death. He hands over Blake's rings and dog tags, deepening the emotional weight of their sacrifice.

Reflecting on Sacrifice

Exhausted and emotionally drained, Schofield rests under a tree, contemplating the profound message on a photograph. The words remind him of the personal stakes in war, reflecting on the lives lost and the hope of returning home.

Characters

Explore all characters from 1917 (2019). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Lance Corporal Will Schofield

Will Schofield is a resilient and determined soldier tasked with a harrowing mission. His journey tests not only his physical endurance but his emotional strength as he faces the horrors and choices of war. Schofield embodies the essence of duty and loss, carrying the weight of his friend’s fate and the broader consequences of their actions.

🪖 Soldier ⚔️ Brave

Lance Corporal Tom Blake

Tom Blake is portrayed as impulsive yet deeply loyal, driven by the urgency to save his brother. His tragic fate highlights the fragility of life in wartime, serving as a catalyst for Schofield’s actions. Blake's character reflects the youthful idealism contrasted against the stark brutality of World War I.

🪖 Soldier 💔 Sacrifice

General Erinmore

General Erinmore is a commanding presence who represents the high-stakes decision-making of military leadership during the war. His orders set the plot in motion, emphasizing the complexities of strategy amid chaos. His belief in Schofield and Blake's mission underscores the reliance on individual courage in the face of dire circumstances.

🪖 Leader 📜 Orders

Lieutenant Joseph Blake

Lieutenant Joseph Blake is a symbolic character whose fate weighs heavily on Tom and Schofield. His role emphasizes the personal stakes embedded within the broader war narrative. Through the bond between brothers, his impact resonates throughout the film, reminding viewers of the heart-wrenching losses faced by families.

🪖 Soldier 💔 Family

Captain Smith

Captain Smith is a pragmatic figure who serves as a reality check for Schofield. He represents the fearful, harsh realities faced by soldiers in battle and the moral complexities that accompany leadership. His insights add depth to the understanding of military operations and human resilience.

🪖 Leader 🔍 Caution

Setting

Learn where and when 1917 (2019) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

April 1917

April 1917 was a crucial time during World War I, marked by intense battles and high casualties. This period witnessed a desperate need for tactical maneuvers, as armies scrambled for advantage. The psychological toll on soldiers was immense, amplified by uncertainty and urgency in the face of imminent danger.

Location

No Man's Land, Ecoust-Saint-Mein, German Trenches, Abandoned Farmhouse

The film takes place during the chaotic and desperate landscapes of World War I, specifically traversing through No Man's Land, a treacherous expanse filled with barbed wire and remnants of war. The abandoned farmhouse serves as a haunt of despair where tragic events unfold. Ecoust-Saint-Mein, with its shattered canal bridge, symbolizes the crumbling structure of hope amidst the conflict.

🪖 Battlefield 🌄 Landscape

Themes

Discover the main themes in 1917 (2019). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

⚔️

Bravery

Bravery is a central theme of '1917', illustrated through the relentless determination of Schofield and Blake as they embark on a perilous mission. Their courage shines through the hopelessness of war, showcasing the lengths they will go to save lives. The film portrays how bravery manifests in both grand gestures and quiet resolutions.

💔

Sacrifice

The theme of sacrifice permeates the narrative, as characters are faced with choices that challenge their morals and loyalties. Blake's ultimate sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the costs of war, impacting Schofield deeply as he carries the burden of duty. The film illustrates how personal loss reverberates through the lives of those left behind.

⏳

Time

Time is depicted as a relentless force, adding urgency to the characters' mission. The pressure of ticking clocks amplifies the stakes, urging them to navigate dangers swiftly. As Schofield reflects on his past and the bonds with family, time also becomes a bittersweet reminder of what is lost amidst the chaos.

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