Appearance
1917
Directed by Sam Mendes, 1917 (2019) is a technical marvel and a deeply personal war epic inspired by the stories told to Mendes by his grandfather. The film follows two young British soldiers, Schofield (George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), who are given a seemingly impossible mission: to cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly ambush on 1,600 men, including Blake's own brother.
The film is famously shot and edited to appear as one continuous, unbroken take. This immersive "one-shot" technique, captured by legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins, pulls the audience directly into the harrowing journey through trenches, No Man's Land, and decimated French villages.
Locations
To achieve the long, continuous takes and specific lighting requirements, the production utilized vast outdoor locations across the United Kingdom, often digging miles of actual trenches.
Bovingdon Airfield, Hertfordshire
The sprawling British trenches and the terrifying expanse of No Man's Land were constructed at Bovingdon Airfield. The production team spent months digging intricate trench systems that had to be mathematically precise to match the timing of the actors' movements and the script's dialogue. Map Location
Govan Graving Docks, Glasgow
The decimated ruins of the French town of Écoust, where Schofield navigates a nightmarish landscape of flares and snipers, was filmed at the Govan Graving Docks in Glasgow. The industrial, derelict setting provided a haunting skeletal structure for the set designers to build the burning town. Map Location
Low Force Waterfall, River Tees
The sequence where Schofield is swept down a churning river and over a waterfall was filmed at Low Force on the River Tees in County Durham. While the actor performed many of the water scenes, the production utilized safety divers and specialized rigs to navigate the powerful currents of the Tees. Map Location
Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire
The film’s breathtaking climax, featuring Schofield’s desperate sprint across a battlefield as the British infantry begins their charge, was filmed on Salisbury Plain. This vast military training area allowed the production to coordinate hundreds of extras and large-scale explosions for the film's most famous wide shot.
Hankley Common, Surrey
The scenes featuring the abandoned German barracks and the crater-filled landscape leading away from the British lines were filmed at Hankley Common. The area is a well-known filming location due to its varied terrain and "wasteland" appearance, perfect for a Great War battlefield. Map Location
Shepperton Studios, Surrey
While the film is celebrated for its outdoor realism, certain interior sequences and complex technical rehearsals were conducted at Shepperton Studios. The studio served as the logistical base for the massive production throughout the shoot. Map Location
Ad Support
Director
Sam Mendes
Cast
George MacKay
Dean-Charles Chapman
Mark Strong
Andrew Scott
Richard Madden
Colin Firth
Benedict Cumberbatch
IMDB
Contact Us
For any errors contact us at filmsetseeker@protonmail.me