The 1930 original is an exercise in magisterial technique. You watch it and marvel how it was put together.
Whether the technique fits the script – most films fail at this – has always been an issue for your reviewer, and as we’re talking about WWI films, the pointless 1917 (2019) is an infuriating venture into needless aesthetics.
Sadly, I hated this movie. It was the definition of mawkish and naive, the soldiers wee gullible pups with identikit snarling chops, marching about with big gormless grins on their proposed way to Paris. It was embarrassing to view. NO ONE behaves like this, and indoctrination isn’t that effective.
The score – annoying drums for no reason, interrupting the drama which could have been – was not good at all.
I also found it funny how the teacher looks the exact same as the Wilhelm II verbal-shagger from the Lewis Milestone corker – pathetic!
It’s a truly rubbish movie, a veritable Pick ‘n’ Mix of cliches and embarrassing reworkings of tropes from far superior fare.
I lost a lot of interest in all developments and contemplated my next viewing of Paths of Glory (1957).
Don’t bother with this.
Wanderings and ... wonderings. 