Find out how much of Sam Mendes’s WW1 epic is a true tale – and what was invented for the film.
Much like Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, Sam Mendes’s 1917 thrusts viewers in the heart of war using innovative filming techniques.
While Nolan’s World War II flick depicts Operation Dynamo and the events that took place in the French town, Mendes’s takes us back to the Great War and focuses on two young British soldiers who must deliver warning of an impending German ambush that could save thousands of lives.
Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay play Blake and Schofield, the messengers tasked with traversing the active front. Filmed to look like one take, the movie went on to win Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects at the 92nd Academy Awards.
But did this extraordinary mission this really take place? Here’s everything you need to know about the accuracy of 1917.
Is 1917 a true story?
In short: sort of. In a bit longer: 1917 is loosely based on a story Mendes was told by his grandfather – Alfred H Mendes, who served in the war – as a child.
During the conflict, Alfred was awarded a Military Medal for volunteering as a runner during 1917’s Battle of Poelcappelle, weaving through machine gun fire to deliver messages.
Writing in his memoirs, Autobiography of Alfred H Mendes 1897-1991, Alfred recalls: “In spite of the snipers, the machine-gunners and the shells, I arrived back at C Company’s shell hole without a scratch but with a series of hair-raising experiences that would keep my grand and great-grandchildren enthralled for nights on end.”
“The story of 1917 was inspired not only by my own family history, but also by many others,” Mendes confirmed to The Times about the film.
The film’s setting is well-grounded in history, taking place on April 6th 1917 during Operation Alberich, the German plan to retreat to the fortified Hindenberg line.
To counter this operation, allied troops had to rely on runners to pass on key communications. Although there were some telephone lines across the Western front, officers had to mostly rely on messengers, be it human or pigeon.
Interestingly, it was also on April 6th 1917 that the USA formally entered the war, battling the Germans and the Central Powers.
Are Blake and Schofield in 1917 based on real people?
No. Although both characters are loosely based on Mendes’ grandfather, both were invented for the film. All other characters – like those played by Colin Firth, Andrew Scott and Benedict Cumberbatch – were also not real soldiers.
“The movie is a fiction based on a fact, like all of my favourite war literature movies. Like Apocalypse Now and All Quiet on the Western Front. These are historically accurate but the characters are creations,” Mendes previously told Deadline.
“The characters George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman play are not my grandfather. But the spirit of what he told me and the central idea of a man carrying a message wouldn’t leave me. It just clung on in there somehow, for the last 50 years.”
1917 is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on.
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