The final trailer for Universal's 1917 is here, and it emphasizes its place as a major awards contender. With only a week to go until 1917's limited release, Universal is increasing its marketing and likely won't let up until the film goes wide on January 10. The thriller follows two British soldiers (George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman) in World War I who are tasked with a vital mission: to cross enemy lines and deliver a message that will prevent an attack. If they fail, over a thousand men will die - including one of the soldiers' brother.
Sam Mendes (Skyfall) directed and co-wrote the film along with Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Penny Dreadful). Early reactions and reviews of 1917 immediately declared it an Oscar contender, especially for its cinematography (which is made to look like one single take) and other technical achievements. It received three Golden Globe nominations (something the new trailer notes): Best Motion Picture (Drama), Best Director, and Best Original Score.
1917 will be released in select cities on December 25. Exactly one week before its debut, Universal has released the last trailer. It has no shortage of heart-stopping shots, including one moment where the two soldiers are caught in an explosion. Check out the final trailer for 1917 below:
The cast also includes Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch. In addition to showcasing the thrills and intensity of the action, the new trailer highlights the critical praise the film has received. The end of the year is always a busy time for critical darlings fighting for awards and audience attention. 1917 stands out as being extremely well-reviewed, currently sporting a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of this writing. That positive reception, plus the reputation of Mendes and the actors involved, will likely boost 1917 to box office success.
1917 already has the distinction of being featured on the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute's Best of 2019 lists. It will almost certainly be nominated for several Oscars, with Best Cinematography and Best Picture looking especially likely. Mendes is also one of the front runners for Best Director. Oscar nominations won't be revealed until January 13, so for now it's still speculation. However, based on the buzz it has been getting as well as Oscars past (Mendes has won Best Director before, and war films tend to be recognized), expect 1917 to make an impact. It looks like an epic adventure that will leave audiences on the edge of their seat, and it won't be long before said audiences can see it.
Source: Universal
