10 War Films Where The Villain Kills The Hero
8. 1917 (2019)
In one of the best-shot war films ever produced, 1917 offers us a heroic death in the form of a red herring.
Throughout all of the trailers and build-up to the release of the film, it was widely expected that Dean-Charles Chapman would take the starring role as Lance Corporal Thomas "Tom" Blake, whilst George MacKay as Lance Corporal William "Will" Schofield would simply be his companion.
Tom and Will are given a very important task: they must reach the Second Battalion in the trenches to warn them of an incoming surprise assault that could cause the loss of around 1,600 men.
Worse yet, they only have until the following morning.
The duo set out immediately, travelling across no man's land and through abandoned trenches to reach their goal.
In a small village they must pass through, they come across an injured German pilot. Whilst fetching water, Will turns to see the German stabbing Tom.
After killing the German, Tom bleeds out in Will's arms, leaving him to complete their mission alone.
Seeing as this occurred just part-way through the film, this came as a huge shock to all viewers.