The viewing public apparently can't get enough of English directors crafting grand, widescreen war stories. And seeing the trailer for Sam Mendes upcoming WW1 epic 1917, it's hard to argue with them.
The Skyfall director is planning to drop audiences into the thick of the first World War, following two British soldiers as they cross enemy territory to deliver a crucial message. Everything from the color scheme to the score brings to mind Christopher Nolan's similarly tense war drama, Dunkirk, and that seems to be by design, as Mendes brought in Dunkirk's editor Lee Smith to handle the editing of the film.
1917 has pedigree all over it, with Mendes pulling the Coen Brothers resident cinematographer Roger Deakins to add some of his period drama magic to the movie. His characteristically stunning shots are on full display here. As for the actual soldiers at the heart of the story, Mendes enlisted George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman (known around London for Billy Elliot and around the world as Game of Thrones' soft-hearted King Tommen) as his two lead soldiers. The pair will be surrounded by a who's who of British thespians including Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch.
1917 is due out on December 25, just in time for Oscar season. Take a look at the trailer up top.
