1917 poster

1917

IMDb8.2/10RT Critics88%Metacritic78/100

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

Dean-Charles Chapman

Lance Corporal Thomas "Tom" Blake

Dean-Charles Chapman
George MacKay

Lance Corporal William "Will" Schofield

George MacKay
Daniel Mays

Sergeant Sanders

Daniel Mays
CS

Captain Smith

Mark Strong
LL

Lieutenant Leslie

Andrew Scott
LJ

Lieutenant Joseph Blake

Richard Madden
GE

General Erinmore

Colin Firth
CM

Colonel Mackenzie

Benedict Cumberbatch
MH

Major Hepburn

Adrian Scarborough
LR

Lieutenant Richards

Jamie Parker
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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

IMDb
8.2/10
RT Critics
88%
Metacritic
78/100

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

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Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.

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AI Verdict

AI-generated

Based 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

AI Summary — from fan reviews & trailer comments

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. · 9/10
  • Without 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"…

  • If 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…

  • "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…

  • Very 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 · 9/10
  • When 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 · 9/10
  • I think this film with very great shot. also the actors was very good. But the story didn't appeal to me. haha

    Liam1125 · 7/10
  • Excellent 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.

  • An incredible journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat, albeit without many surprises.

    tmdb92312096 · 7/10
  • Beautifully 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 · 8/10
  • 1917 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…

  • Eh, 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 · 6/10
  • really 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 likes
  • 2016 - Hacksaw Ridge 2017 - Dunkirk 2018 - 12 Strong 2019 - 1917 and Midway 2020: Raid of Area 51

    @user-zk8nm4tm1y · 4212 likes
  • DreamWorks Logo: appears Me: "From the guys who brought you Shrek"

    @yonatanmoritz · 4201 likes
  • British General: Takes 0.5 inches of land and only loses 1,600 men British General: I see this as an absolute win

    @kevray · 2121 likes
  • Nolan 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 likes
  • 2016 - Hacksaw Ridge 2017 - Dunkirk 2018 - 12 Strong 2019 - 1917 and Midway I hope we get more war movies every year.

    @Freddiewil689 · 2697 likes
  • The real question remains: will the enemy be reinforced with an airship or an armored train?

    @jackblurr8402 · 1630 likes
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