So… I did it. I was so impressed that a day later, I went to see “1917” again. Doing so greatly expanded my appreciation of this movie. The first viewing was an inescapable and immersive edge-of-your-seat roller coaster ride of incredible scale, all taking place within two continuous blocks of time, and all from a single-camera point of view. The second viewing was specifically to allow me a chance to focus predominately on the act and art of film making. The sound, sets, action, costumes, stunning effects, and ‘single shot’ style of production required a second viewing to fully appreciate, if even recognize, how much is going on and what went into creating this as the experience it becomes.
Seeing this a second time allowed me to remove the ‘Tarantino’ element of tension, suspense and uncertainty from my viewing experience. This time, I consciously watched for the cuts. This time, I paid full attention to the fact that every magnitude of detail, in all of the scenery – war-torn countryside, abandoned mines, body strewn fields – was meticulously crafted and put in place in order to convey breathtaking realism. That alone is a phenomenal accomplish.
The strategic use of sound throughout was equally impressive. Few consider it when watching a movie, but the sounds within a film don’t just get picked up while filming, they are methodically considered and embedded in post-production in order to enhance the realism with overlapping background sounds, accentuating something as simple as climbing in mud through barbed wire, or escaping from the confines of a collapsing cave. A crew of talented people had to put all of that sound in place, after the fact.
The writing is spectacular. Watching it a second time gave me a chance to consider the screenplay, and all the various scenes and situations that came and went throughout a real-time single-shot film. The acting was particularly stunning as well. Not just that of the main characters, but all of the seemingly hundreds of extras, all likely playing various parts throughout the film. The acting and the interplay between the characters seemed richer the second time around. I gained a deeper appreciation for each character, small and large. I had time to enjoy the story in greater detail, and I got to dissect all of the nuances that went into creating this cinematic masterpiece as well.
Between the bookended opening and closing scenes of a soldier resting against a tree, eyes closed, beside a field…, we travel alongside them to witness their experience seemingly first hand. Every conscious moment of the series of events that transpire throughout an unimaginable journey is one we feel involved in.
This marks a new milestone in movie making. This kind of experience is going to catch on, and spread quickly. Single camera aspects throughout films will contribute to the next wave of cinematography and production. Virtual reality concepts are working their way into film. Going to the movies can take you through a true-to-live experience wherein the attendees are less passive viewers, and more like participants in the story.