
1917
April 6th, 1917. As an infantry battalion assembles to wage war deep in enemy territory, two soldiers are assigned to race against time and deliver a message that will stop 1,600 men from walking straight into a deadly trap.
Directed by Sam Mendes · Action · Drama · War · 119 min · 2020
Trailer
Director
Sam Mendes
Writer
Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Studio
DreamWorks Pictures / Reliance Entertainment / New Republic Pictures / Mogambo / Neal Street Productions / Amblin Partners
Release
10 Jan 2020
Runtime
119 min
Genres
Action, Drama, War
Full Plot
April 1917, the Western Front. Two British soldiers are sent to deliver an urgent message to an isolated regiment. If the message is not received in time the regiment will walk into a trap and be massacred. To get to the regiment they will need to cross through enemy territory. Time is of the essence and the journey will be fraught with danger.
Cast & Characters
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $100.0M, 1917 has grossed $446.1M worldwide — about 4.5x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Did You Know that the film's cinematographer, Roger Deakins, reunited with director Sam Mendes for their fourth collaboration?
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
The movie was shot using a camera with a large format image sensor, specifically the Arri Alexa Mini LF digital cinema camera.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
277 extras were used in some scenes, and crew members had to dress as soldiers to pass in front of the lens during complex choreography shots.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
The film's climax, "The Schofield Run", required two days to shoot and involved extensive pre-production with over 500 extras.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Critical Assessment
1917 holds 8.2/10 on IMDb (769,457 votes), 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of August 4, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.2/10 on IMDb (769,457 votes), 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 1917's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
1917 holds a 88% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is 1917's IMDb rating?+
1917 has a 8.2/10 rating on IMDb from 769,457 votes.
What is 1917's Metacritic score?+
1917 has a Metascore of 78/100 on Metacritic.
Is 1917 good? What are critics saying?+
1917 holds 8.2/10 on IMDb (769,457 votes), 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78/100 on Metacritic.
How long is 1917?+
1917 has a runtime of 119 min.
Who directed 1917?+
1917 was directed by Sam Mendes.
Where can I watch 1917?+
1917 is available to stream, rent, or buy on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Sky Store, BFI Player.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public reaction to "1917" is mixed, with some praising its visual effects and performances, while others are left speechless by its brevity and technical complexity. Many have struggled to fully appreciate the film's one-shot approach, which has become a point of contention for some critics. Others have commended Mendes' bold direction and George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman's performances as key strengths.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
I really wanted to give this film five stars, but there is a curious introspection that prevents me from calling it perfection. Nevertheless, ‘1917’ is a brilliant piece of art, and clearly a personal project for Sam Mendes. Blending groundbreaking technology with detailed produc…
SWITCH. · 9/10Without a doubt, cinematically this is a visual tour de force. The one-shot approach becomes a distraction, at times, especially when one ponders "how did they do that?", but generally not enough to take away the wow factor. The story, and dialogue, not to mention logic are the r…
Finally yesterday I was able to experience 1917 and I ended up doing it at IMAX, something I didn't plan on, but after seeing it there, I can say this film deserves to be seen and heard in an IMAX room to remember why movies still need to be lived on a big screen. The visual odys…
Luis_989 · 8/10**_Although partly a technical showcase rather than a story, it's still a terrific Great War movie_** >_In the newspapers you read: "Peacefully they rest on the spot where they have bled and suffered, while the guns roar over their graves, taking vengeance for their heroic death"…
Stephen Campbell · 8/10If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com Let me just take a deep breath... Wait, one more... Uff, I have no idea how I survived this IMAX screening of 1917. Usually, I don't delve deep into technical stuff since most people…
Manuel São Bento · 9/10"Director Sam Mendes employs distinctive but extraordinary shots in the first person during the two-hour footage, which makes the production work in many different ways. Although it sometimes results too shaky, it is thanks to George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman's performances…
The Peruvian Post · 8/10Very well made war-drama all in a one-shot like format. Performance from George MacKay who I guess if nothing else could follow in the footsteps of Tom Cruise for his all-out running ability. Joking aside, really enjoyed this film which manages to provide enough character develop…
JPV852 · 9/10When it comes to impressive achievements in filmmaking, “1917” deserves to be near the top of the conversation. This war film, which unfolds in two hours of real time, is shot to appear as one continuous take. Thankfully, it is so much more than just a technical gimmick. The show…
I see that a lot is made of the technique they use to film this movie in one continuous shot, and it is very interesting, but I must confess I am not a student of film, merely a viewer. So you will find no critiques of the director or editor or that sort of technical detail. I li…
Peter McGinn · 9/10I think this film with very great shot. also the actors was very good. But the story didn't appeal to me. haha
Liam1125 · 7/10Excellent original film. It truly sucks you in straight from the very first scene until the last. There's nothing predictable in this well thought out and very tense (soon to be) classic.
Trazbor O'Gukguk · 7/10An incredible journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat, albeit without many surprises.
tmdb92312096 · 7/10Beautifully shot. Music was superb. Premise interesting. Acting was good. But I've never yelled at a characters complete incompetence as much as I did this one. The Schofield dolt just stumbles around in a stupor the whole time doing just about everything he can wrong and it's ba…
stackkorora · 2/10_**A horrific tour through hell on earth during WW1**_ After the curious German retreat to the Hindenburg Line during Operation Alberich, two British soldiers (George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman) are sent several miles into enemy territory to call off a doomed offensive. Rele…
Wuchak · 8/101917 is on the of the best war films in cinema history. The plot is very basic, but the script is so strong that the it really does not matter. It is a individual journey of our two characters with the focus on perseverance rather than large scale war spectacles. It is very intim…
Nathan · 10/10**A superb, credible war film without vain heroism, which shows us the harshness of war and its inhumanity.** This film was the hit of 2019, and for good reason: it was directed by Sam Mendes, with a script based on his grandfather's war story and a huge production, of the highes…
Filipe Manuel Neto · 10/10Eh, so-so. Just really didn't care about the film, including the death of one of the main characters. Maybe I'm just not a huge World War I guy since the second one tends to result in more enjoyment for me.
rsanek · 6/10really gorgeous scenery and impressive cinematography - I really enjoyed the almost dystopian feel/aesthetic a lot of the scenes had and the running scene will always be iconic but otherwise kinda average if im being honest
claristo · 7/10
From the trailer's comments
Director: Something’s missing. Director: *adds ticking* Perfect.
@فاطمه-ض5م7ب · 4577 likes2016 - Hacksaw Ridge 2017 - Dunkirk 2018 - 12 Strong 2019 - 1917 and Midway 2020: Raid of Area 51
@user-zk8nm4tm1y · 4212 likesDreamWorks Logo: appears Me: "From the guys who brought you Shrek"
@yonatanmoritz · 4201 likesBritish General: Takes 0.5 inches of land and only loses 1,600 men British General: I see this as an absolute win
@kevray · 2121 likesNolan to Mendes: ok, you can look, but change something Mendes: *makes 1917*
@edkraken7011 · 792 likes“You have a brother in the second battalion.” “Yes, sir. Joffrey of House Baratheon. Is he...?” “Alive....unfortunately.”
@amygdalaghoul · 2075 likes2016 - Hacksaw Ridge 2017 - Dunkirk 2018 - 12 Strong 2019 - 1917 and Midway I hope we get more war movies every year.
@Freddiewil689 · 2697 likesThe real question remains: will the enemy be reinforced with an airship or an armored train?
@jackblurr8402 · 1630 likes





















