5 Movies to Watch after Sam Mendes' 1917

Are you still thinking about 1917, directed by Sam Mendes? Try one of these films to fill your need for a related film.

If you want to see how accurately the war time setting was rendered: 

Try They Shall Not Grow Old (2018), directed by Peter Jackson. Using the best technology available, Peter Jackson meticulously combed through archived footage from the Imperial War Museum to create this documentary. Improving the quality and adding sound effects and sometime recorded transcripts of the speeches used, this is World War I, like you've never seen it. At one point, they transform instantly from the quality we have grown accustomed to into the product Jackson was able to create, and it's like going from black and white to color in the Wizard of Oz. Highly recommended, even if you aren't a war buff. Once you watch this documentary, you will be much more impressed by the set design of 1917. The trenches are instantly recognizable.

If you want to see another iconic "one shot" film:

Try Rope (1948), directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This was the first film to use the editing technique of the appearance of one unbroken shot. Shot in real time, this psychological crime thriller centers on Brandon and Phillip, two college chums who strangle their mutual friend David at the beginning of the film. Brandon, the more aggressive of the pair then chooses to up the ante by hosting a dinner party, during which he will serve the meal on top of the chest containing the body of the deceased. Also in attendance is their old college professor, who Brandon most wants to impress. It's a taut thriller, rather than a war movie, and the cuts aren't hidden well, but it's become somewhat a cult classic for fans of Hitchcock's work.

If you love the trope of a man facing impossible odds during wartime:

Try Lawrence of Arabia (1962), directed by David Lean. Okay, full disclosure, this is one of my favorite movies of all time, so I recommend it often. This film is more epic in scope, it's longer, and it's a biopic, but it's also set during World War I and has some impressive battle scenes. In one of the most thrilling sequences, Lawrence leads the Bedouins to cross the Nefud Desert as part of a raid on Aqaba, an occupied city. Crossing the desert is a smart strategy, the cannons are bolted in place facing the ocean, but crossing the desert is considered impossible. Lawrence challenges them to try anyway. While some complain this movie is too long, I find it glorious, and it's a great snow day film. You can ready my full review of Lawrence here, if you desire.

If you want more George MacKay:

Try Ophelia (2019), directed by Claire McCarthy. In this gorgeous Shakespeare adaptation, the tragedy of Hamlet is told from Ophelia's perspective, adding a new spin to the proceedings. Daisy Ridley plays Ophelia, while MacKay plays a dreamy Hamlet, so his eyes and acting are on full display.

If you love a clever story setup:

Try No Man's Land (2001), directed by Danis Tanovic. This Bosnian war time film won the Academy War for Foreign Language Picture. Set during the Bosnian War, two soldiers from opposite sides find themselves trapped in the same trench between the two armies. The movie is a more humorous take, and is often compared to Dr. Strangelove, MASH, or Catch-22. The soldiers began to converse, but the two armies aren't sure how to resolve the situation. The quirky setup allow for a darkly humorous film that pokes fun of the bureaucracy often present in military decision-making.

Bonus footage: The crossing No Man's Land scene from Wonder Woman (2017) still gets me and is available on YouTube.