10 Reasons 1917 Should Win Best Picture At The Oscars 2020

9. Side-Lining Big Names

This film’s advertising predominantly presented big names such as; Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, but ultimately used them very little. Indeed, each big name is on screen for a maximum of 2 to 3 minutes in a 2-hour film.

Instead Mendes focuses the film on the two young actors playing Blake and Schofield. Despite Dean-Charles Chapman having played Tommen in Game of Thrones, this is both their first real blockbuster production.

However, Mendes’ trust in his two leads is well founded, they both turn in fantastic performances with a great deal of nuance. In giving them this chance, Mendes allows two up and coming actors to demonstrate their abilities on the global stage.

But that’s not all, as this decision can also be interpreted as being symbolic. By placing the big names in the positions of commanding officers and the young blood as foot soldiers, it can be seen to represent the structure of the war itself. A war that saw young men used as cannon fodder for the supposedly more important generals who were safe and sound a long way from the front line.

In doing this Mendes adds yet give another layer to story, making the two men’s plight even more prevalent as their actions aren’t motivated by choice but by orders.