Movies about war have been part of the film industry since WWI. Most of the older war movies tend to glorify war, but there are definitely ones that show the true nature of war. Saving Private Ryan, directed by Steven Spielberg, is one of the best examples of this. This WWII movie was one of the first war movies to show the horror of the battlefield.

There is no question that WWII movies have taken over, and the WWI movies have been left in the dust.

Last Christmas, 1917 was released. Directed by Sam Mendes, the story is about two British soldiers who are sent on a nearly impossible mission to save 1,600 of their fellow men from death.

The entire movie was filmed to appear as one continuous shot. The film, shot in real-time makes it really feels like you are traveling the same path. You begin with Lance Cpl. Schofield waking up early in the morning and immediately getting orders to meet with General Erinmore.

They are given their mission and instantly start off on their many mile journey.

The cinematography in the film is impeccable. Roger Deakins, the cinematographer for the film, did amazing work. Filming the entire 1 hour and 50 minute movie to appear as one shot is unique and breathtaking.   While watching the movie, especially in theaters, you don’t feel you are watching. Instead you feel as if you are with them, experiencing the true horrors of the trenches in WWI.

There are many big name actors who could have played the roles of Lance Cpl. Blake and Lance Cpl. Schofield, but Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay perform it perfectly.

Instead of portraying the perfect soldier, they play the real soldier. They are young adults, fighting in one of the most horrific and brutal wars ever.  Of course, they would show fear and anger and stress.

What makes 1917 one of the best war movies to ever be produced is it shows that war is something to make you cry and something to make you feel disturbed.

While the film is beautiful and amazing, you walk away with that deep feeling of sorrow and disturbance.

War movies shouldn’t glorify war. They shouldn’t glorify death.

1917 does none of this. Instead, it tells a story, one of the two soldiers who are brought closer by the war and their mission to save 1,600 of their other brothers.

At times the movie makes you jump with fear, and other times makes your eyes teary with the sad elements.

1917 was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Picture, and it completely deserved it. Sometimes the movies we need to see are the ones that aren’t happy or light. It is the ones that have us leaving the theater saying “wow.”