'1917' (2020)

*Contains minor spoilers*

Movies shot using one continuous take are not altogether common, with 'Birdman' the most recent notable example of using such a technique, but even then it barely commands any attention. However, in this gripping World War I masterpiece, it is the centre of the movie as master camerawork follow the trials and tribulations of two young Lance Corporals.

Lance Corporal Blake (Dean Charles-Chapman) and Lance Corporal Schofield (George MacKay) are tasked with getting an urgent message to another Batallion with 1,600 lives on the line; a message sarcastically rubbished with a wonderful cameo from Andrew Scott (Spectre, Black Mirror, Fleabag) as a suicide mission.

"Do me a favour, when you get shot, throw us the flare back. We need them."

This movie does not shy away from the gruesome nature of the Great War. The pair of soldiers, the naïve Blake and the more battle-hardened Schofield, face their worst nightmares; a particularly awful moment being Schofield stumbling and putting his hand inside a long dead soldier's insides.

We quite literally follow them, sometimes in first-person and occasionally branching out to show the horror that awaits in front of their eyes including an array of mutilated bodies, copious amounts of rats and later on, the burning city of Ecoust-Saint-Mein, the location for one of the more poignant scenes in an otherwise hideous backdrop.

The camera work makes this movie. Usually, the unsung heroes of Hollywood have been largely credited with their marvellous work here, and rightly so. As a viewer, you feel like you're travelling with them, sat on the edge of your seat amongst sniper fire and overhead aircraft. You're desperate for both of them to make it.

Two moments in this film however stood out for me. The first being at a pivotal point where Lance Corporal Blake meets a hugely sad end, stabbed to death off-screen by a German fighter pilot who crash landed near them as the two Brits tried to help him. This is made all the more painful by the fact Blake's brother is in the Batallion they are trying to stop.

Second of all came not much later as Schofield stumbles across another Batallion, one of whom has an Asian private, adding the much-needed reminder that soldiers of all races and creeds helped the British cause, even back in the early 20th century.

As viewers, we are immersed in the action but also alienated by the world, taking every step of this torturous journey with the pair, jumping at every explosion and gunshot. When the action takes a step back, you are lured into a false sense of security before the brutality kicks in again, providing a journey leaving you as breathless and exhausted as Schofield by the end.

There are also more noteworthy cameos from big names such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong and Colin Firth providing excellent additions to a film already appraised by the big name award ceremonies. It has gained 10 Oscar nominations as I type this, including the coveted Best Picture.

If you're the squeamish type, take care in witnessing some of the more unspeakable scenes throughout this 8-mile journey, but it will be worth it to see MacKay's face as he realises he has reached his final destination. The ensuing sprint across the minefield - widely shown in trailers - is one of the most difficult yet inspiring pictures in recent history and will leave you aghast, especially as you already know it is a massive trap set by the Germans.

Sam Mendes - recently given a Knighthood - has to take a lot of the credit as well, meticulously planning every minute detail to the nth degree, resulting in what a must see for any film fan.

9/10.