10 Reasons 1917 Should Win Best Picture At The Oscars 2020

3. The Emotional Investment

1917 also packs an incredibly emotional punch, which is largely down to the performances. The two leads; George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman are excellent in this film. They convey a wide range of emotion despite the vast majority of the acting involved being physical rather than dialogue driven. MacKay in particular manages to express indescribable grief in an extended shot solely of his face without out shedding a tear or saying a word.

You really connect and sympathies with them. So much so, that when Schofield claws his way out of a river near the films end, you will be begging for someone to give the guy a break.

The camera work also goes a long way to increase the emotional impact. This is especially true in the money shot used in the trailer of Schofield running along the top of a trench, which sees the camera start in a close up and then slowly elevate away from the character.

This shows he audience the scale and devastation of the battlefield and just how insurmountable Schofield’s task seems. You are on the edge of your seat from beginning to end and are desperate for him to survive and complete his mission.

The emotional investment of this film is overwhelming and is yet another massive tick in the box, as to why 1917 should win Best Picture.