20 More So-Called Happy Movie Endings That Absolutely Aren't

As far as war movies go, there are few that force their audience to immerse themselves in the story quite like 1917. This is a result of it being designed to look like two continuous shots in real time, as Lance Corporals Blake and Schofield (Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay) crossed German-occupied territory to save an entire regimen of British soldiers.

The company in question was the 2nd Devons, who were stationed in Northern France and had been given false information that would see them walk straight into a trap. A massacre of 1,600 men.

Blake and Schofield headed out to stop the slaughter with a crucial message, and though Blake died along the way, Schofield reached Colonel Mackenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch) and got the attack called off. The lives of hundreds of men were saved, thanks to Schofield's heroism and the sacrifice of Blake.

However, Schofield didn't get there until after the first wave of the 2nd Devons were sent over the top to their unnecessary deaths. The story also raises questions about the British Army's communication, about their strategy, and how they could become so easily and simply misled by the enemy. Even Mackenzie conceded that ultimately the events changed nothing, as new orders to attack would likely come within the week, with the end of the war coming only with the last man standing. Schofield may have brought those men as little as seven more days of breathing.