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Characters & Themes

1917 (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 119 min · English
Echo score 80
JustWatch #3,599 65
Directed by
Sam Mendes
Starring
George MacKay, Benedict Cumberbatch, Teresa Mahoney, Richard Madden, Mark Strong, Adrian Scarborough
Budget
$95M

During the First World War, British soldiers Schofield and Blake are given a critical mission. They must cross enemy territory to deliver a vital message that could save the lives of 1,600 men. Facing dangerous landscapes and the brutal realities of combat, the pair race against time, forging a bond as they confront the perilous journey and the heavy responsibility placed upon them.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like 1917
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch 1917 (2019)

Where can you watch 1917? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Netflix, Netflix Standard and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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5 main characters · contains spoilers

1917 Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of 1917 (2019), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Lance Corporal Will Schofield

    played by George MacKay

    Will Schofield is a resilient and determined soldier tasked with a harrowing mission. His journey tests not only his physical endurance but his emotional strength as he faces the horrors and choices of war. Schofield embodies the essence of duty and loss, carrying the weight of his friend’s fate and the broader consequences of their actions.

    • 🪖 Soldier
    • ⚔️ Brave
  • Lance Corporal Tom Blake

    played by Dean-Charles Chapman

    Tom Blake is portrayed as impulsive yet deeply loyal, driven by the urgency to save his brother. His tragic fate highlights the fragility of life in wartime, serving as a catalyst for Schofield’s actions. Blake's character reflects the youthful idealism contrasted against the stark brutality of World War I.

    • 🪖 Soldier
    • 💔 Sacrifice
  • General Erinmore

    played by Colin Firth

    General Erinmore is a commanding presence who represents the high-stakes decision-making of military leadership during the war. His orders set the plot in motion, emphasizing the complexities of strategy amid chaos. His belief in Schofield and Blake's mission underscores the reliance on individual courage in the face of dire circumstances.

    • 🪖 Leader
    • 📜 Orders
  • Lieutenant Joseph Blake

    played by Richard Madden

    Lieutenant Joseph Blake is a symbolic character whose fate weighs heavily on Tom and Schofield. His role emphasizes the personal stakes embedded within the broader war narrative. Through the bond between brothers, his impact resonates throughout the film, reminding viewers of the heart-wrenching losses faced by families.

    • 🪖 Soldier
    • 💔 Family
  • Captain Smith

    played by Mark Strong

    Captain Smith is a pragmatic figure who serves as a reality check for Schofield. He represents the fearful, harsh realities faced by soldiers in battle and the moral complexities that accompany leadership. His insights add depth to the understanding of military operations and human resilience.

    • 🪖 Leader
    • 🔍 Caution

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:50

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Setting

Where and When Does 1917 Take Place?

The setting of 1917 (2019): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

April 1917

April 1917 was a crucial time during World War I, marked by intense battles and high casualties. This period witnessed a desperate need for tactical maneuvers, as armies scrambled for advantage. The psychological toll on soldiers was immense, amplified by uncertainty and urgency in the face of imminent danger.

Location

No Man's Land, Ecoust-Saint-Mein, German Trenches, Abandoned Farmhouse

The film takes place during the chaotic and desperate landscapes of World War I, specifically traversing through No Man's Land, a treacherous expanse filled with barbed wire and remnants of war. The abandoned farmhouse serves as a haunt of despair where tragic events unfold. Ecoust-Saint-Mein, with its shattered canal bridge, symbolizes the crumbling structure of hope amidst the conflict.

  • 🪖 Battlefield
  • 🌄 Landscape

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:50

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3 major themes

1917 Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is 1917 (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Bravery

    Bravery is a central theme of '1917', illustrated through the relentless determination of Schofield and Blake as they embark on a perilous mission. Their courage shines through the hopelessness of war, showcasing the lengths they will go to save lives. The film portrays how bravery manifests in both grand gestures and quiet resolutions.

  • Sacrifice

    The theme of sacrifice permeates the narrative, as characters are faced with choices that challenge their morals and loyalties. Blake's ultimate sacrifice serves as a poignant reminder of the costs of war, impacting Schofield deeply as he carries the burden of duty. The film illustrates how personal loss reverberates through the lives of those left behind.

  • Time

    Time is depicted as a relentless force, adding urgency to the characters' mission. The pressure of ticking clocks amplifies the stakes, urging them to navigate dangers swiftly. As Schofield reflects on his past and the bonds with family, time also becomes a bittersweet reminder of what is lost amidst the chaos.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:50

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Character & theme questions

1917 Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about 1917 (2019): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the story take place?

The film is set along the Western Front during World War I, primarily in the desolate expanse of No Man's Land between the British and German trenches. The soldiers also traverse German trenches, an abandoned farmhouse, and the ruined French village of Ecoust-Saint-Mein with its shattered canal bridge.

  • western front
  • no man's land
  • trenches
  • ww1 setting
  • ecoust-saint-mein
Q2

When is the movie set?

The film takes place in April 1917, during the height of World War I. This was a period of intense battles and extremely high casualties, particularly on the Western Front where the war had reached a deadly stalemate.

  • april 1917
  • world war 1
  • ww1
  • time period
  • western front 1917
Q3

What does the movie say about bravery?

The film portrays bravery as both grand gestures and quiet resolutions. Schofield and Blake show courage through their relentless determination to complete a seemingly impossible mission, not through heroic speeches but through perseverance despite overwhelming hopelessness and fear.

  • bravery
  • courage
  • war heroism
  • brave soldiers
Q4

What role does sacrifice play in the story?

Sacrifice is a central theme that permeates the narrative as characters face impossible moral choices. Blake's ultimate sacrifice becomes a pivotal moment that deeply impacts Schofield, illustrating how personal loss in war reverberates through those left behind and transforms the survivor.

  • sacrifice
  • death
  • loss
  • war cost
  • character death
Q5

Who are the main characters?

The two protagonists are Lance Corporal Will Schofield and Lance Corporal Tom Blake, British soldiers given a critical mission. Other key figures include General Erinmore who orders the mission, Captain Smith who provides reality checks along the way, and Lieutenant Joseph Blake, Tom's brother whose fate drives much of the urgency.

  • schofield
  • tom blake
  • main characters
  • cast
  • general erinmore
Q6

What motivates Schofield?

Schofield is motivated by duty and the weight of his friend's fate. His journey tests both his physical endurance and emotional strength as he faces the horrors of war while carrying the burden of completing the mission and honoring the sacrifice of his companion.

  • schofield motivation
  • duty
  • loyalty
  • war soldier motivation
Q7

What motivates Tom Blake?

Tom Blake is driven by deep loyalty and urgency to save his brother, Lieutenant Joseph Blake, who is among the 1,600 men whose lives depend on the message. His character reflects youthful idealism contrasted against the brutal realities of World War I.

  • tom blake
  • brother
  • joseph blake
  • loyalty
  • save brother
Q8

What is No Man's Land like in the movie?

No Man's Land is depicted as a treacherous expanse filled with barbed wire, craters, and remnants of war. It is a chaotic and desperate landscape that the soldiers must cross, representing both the physical danger and the psychological toll of WWI combat.

  • no man's land
  • barbed wire
  • war landscape
  • battlefield
Q9

How is time used as a theme in the movie?

Time is portrayed as a relentless force that creates urgent stakes throughout the film. The ticking clock amplifies danger and drives the characters to navigate perils swiftly. For Schofield, time also becomes a bittersweet reminder of what is lost amid the chaos, reflecting on his past and family.

  • time
  • clock
  • urgency
  • deadline
  • race against time
Q10

What kind of movie is 1917?

1917 is a war drama that emphasizes high tension, grim atmosphere, and a race-against-time structure. The film is known for its immersive, nearly real-time presentation that creates intense viewer investment. The emotional weight is heavy, depicting war's brutality with pervasive death and minimal humor or romance.

  • war drama
  • intense
  • thriller
  • emotional
  • bittersweet ending

Movie threads

More Movies Like 1917, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes 1917 tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with a tense race against time like 1917

High-stakes journeys where every second counts and failure is not an option. If you liked the relentless, high-stakes urgency of 1917, you'll find similar tension in these movies. This collection features stories built around a desperate mission against the clock, where the pacing is fast and the consequences are dire. Discover other films that capture the same feeling of an exhausting, high-anxiety journey.

  • urgent
  • anxious
  • exhausting
  • high-stakes
  • suspenseful
  • tense
  • Tone: tense, urgent, anxious
  • Pacing: fast, propulsive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a linear, goal-oriented structure centered on a single, critical objective. Characters are driven by an urgent deadline, facing a series of escalating challenges that test their endurance and resolve. The plot is straightforward but intensely focused, creating a seamless and immersive experience of a pressure-cooker scenario.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared foundation of a high-pressure mission with a strict time limit. They exhibit similar fast pacing, high intensity, and a tense tone that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The emotional core often revolves around survival, duty, and the immense weight of responsibility.

Grim war movies with a heavy emotional weight like 1917

Sobering portrayals of combat that focus on survival and the human cost. For viewers who appreciated the somber, realistic depiction of World War I in 1917, this list collects similarly heavy war dramas. These movies share a grim tone, high emotional weight, and a focus on the human experience of combat. Find other films that explore the brutality of war, the bonds of brotherhood, and profound themes of sacrifice.

  • grim
  • somber
  • claustrophobic
  • brutal
  • hopeful
  • exhausting
  • Tone: grim, somber, bleak
  • Pacing: steady, immersive
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative often follows a small group or individual through a dangerous landscape, using their journey to expose the futility and brutality of conflict. Character arcs are defined by trauma, loss, and the struggle to retain humanity. Endings are typically bittersweet or bleak, highlighting the personal cost rather than a clear victory.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their immersive, gritty portrayal of war, a heavy emotional weight, and a somber, often hopeless atmosphere. They prioritize the sensory and emotional experience of combat over complex plotting, creating a powerful and exhausting viewing experience centered on themes of survival and duty.

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Movies Like 1917

Similar movies to 1917: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Every angle

1917 (2019) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about 1917 in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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