Why the unique cinematography of ‘1917’ should be replicated

Whenever a popular form of entertainment offers a new approach or something that isn’t done regularly, it always captures the interest of viewers or players – this has been seen particularly through various online entertainment, newer approaches to delivering the same content has been done well through sites like these which are attracting newer players in gaming with a changing audience with a changing genre and offer something completely new. But movies tend to do very much the same, although there are different styles, it isn’t often something very different occurs.

Having recently been added to popular streaming services, this period piece set in 1917 and following two soldiers in a race against time to deliver a message to prevent 1,600 men walking into a deadly trap – on the face of it, a run of the mill war time movie, but the difference comes in the cinematography. Director Sam Mendes certainly had a very specific goal in mind, one long continuous shot that shows the journey of the two young soldiers throughout the movie with only one break in the long cut with an unconscious moment for the main actor – although there are invisible edits throughout, it is done masterfully to show how well done this approach can be.

It isn’t common though, it’s certainly a labour of love in the way that it is filmed and not a realistic approach for many filmmakers, but for period pieces, it is a cinematography approach that should certainly be replicated – with continuity in mind and how many period pieces that could greatly benefit from this, it could be an approach that not only provides a more immersed view, but also a chance to show off the hard work that goes into period pieces  through landscapes, clothing, and everything in between, where cuts and heavy editing can sometimes take away from this experience.

It’s a movie worth checking out, for war buffs it may not be perfect, and for period buffs there may be small discrepancies, but being brought all together into one release it works very well and something worth checking out even if just for the cinematography alone and will open up opportunities for how well this could’ve been done in other big shows, or other big movies.

It’s unlikely an approach that will catch on in a big way, but an enjoyable experience, and may invoke a reaction that traditional filmmaking and traditional cinematography may be unable to offer and with it being a deeply moving experience for some, it makes a great period drama to watch, and something very well worth checking out now it is available on live streaming if not yet done.