1917 - Calling Off the Attack Scene

In a heart-wrenching and pivotal scene from the epic war film 1917, Schofield, played by the brilliant George MacKay, finally reaches his destination after a harrowing journey through the trenches and battlefields of World War I. Desperate to deliver a crucial message that could save the lives of 1,600 men, including his friend's brother, Schofield forces his way into a meeting with the commanding officer, Colonel Mackenzie, portrayed by the incomparable Benedict Cumberbatch. As Mackenzie reads the urgent orders from high command, a flicker of resignation crosses his face, and he reluctantly makes the decision to call off the impending attack. With the mission accomplished but his heart heavy, Schofield musters the courage to inquire about the whereabouts of Lieutenant Joseph Blake, the younger brother of his fallen comrade, Tom.

1917 is a gripping and immersive war drama that follows the perilous journey of two young British soldiers, Schofield and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman), tasked with delivering a critical message deep within enemy territory. Set against the backdrop of the First World War, the film unfolds in real-time, as the two men navigate the treacherous landscape of the Western Front, facing unimaginable dangers and confronting the horrors of war at every turn. As they race against time to prevent a disastrous offensive that could claim countless lives, Schofield and Blake must rely on their wits, courage, and the bonds of friendship to see them through. Directed with stunning visual prowess by Sam Mendes and filmed to appear as one continuous shot, 1917 is a technical marvel that immerses viewers in the visceral reality of war, capturing the chaos, camaraderie, and sacrifice of those who fought on the front lines. With its powerful performances, masterful cinematography, and emotionally resonant storytelling, 1917 stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Credits: © 2019 Universal Pictures. 1917.
#BingeSociety #1917 #Battlefield

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[captainmorgan]

"Now fuck off, Lance Corporal."
Most realistic line of the movie.

[SRFriso]

One really neat thing about this movie: the two leads are played by actors who were virtually unknown to the general audience, but has a load of minor characters played big big Hollywood names, Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch. This lends them an immediate sense of gravitas as characters, and it immediately makes you take them seriously.

[novemberguy]

If you pay close attention at 1:00 you can hear one of the soldier yell "twenty second". The order to stand down is declared by the major at 1:19. ONE second before the charge. If that's not tension idk what is

[Professor-fcvc]

He was absolutely right though. The generals would call off attacks one day, only for them to go over the top the next. It really goes to show that despite the insane journey that lead our main character through to here was basically pointless. The men he saved that day would likely die tomorrow at the orders of the man who saved them.

[dorrin]

Mackenzie wasn't a bloodthirsty glory hound. He'd been fighting the war since 1914. He'd seen his men get killed and maimed. He just wanted the damn war to be over and thought he had a chance to make it happen.

[TXninenine]

That advice the officer gave Schofield earlier in the movie to “make sure there are witnesses when you deliver the letter” was spot on. As we can see here, MacKenzie would have almost certainly dismissed Schofield without hesitation (letter or no letter) had there been nobody else with him in the room at the time.

[authority]

I think the most tragic thing about this movie is how ultimately irrelevant this was when one takes the whole war into consideration. The movie is amazing, very epic and it portrays how two men save thousands of lives. But then you remember this was just one battle on one front of a war that raged for four years and where millions died. The movie shows how tremendous their deed was while, with the context, making the sheer scope of the whole war become unimaginable to us.

[TheAlphaDingo]

Loved this plot twist - you're led to believe the Colonel Mackenzie is one of those old school soldiers who wants glory regardless of the cost or losses to his men but in fact he's a veteran who's seen too much senseless slaughter firsthand and just wanted the war to end but realises the commands on both sides are stubborn, illogical and uncaring to the suffering "there's only one way this war ends - last man standing". He wanted so desperately to end it with one attack but realised the cycle would continue "hope is a dangerous thing". Love how you only really see his scar until the camera pans close after he's read the letter and called off the attack. He's just as broken and suffered as much as the others around him. Brilliant scene in a brilliant movie.

[adamk]

"Hope is a dangerous thing"
damn, that is a good quote

[philippeschockweiler]

2:27 : So underrated and powerful: as a veteran Major, Hepburn waits for Schofield to give him a moment of peace and humanity, no salute, no ranks, just a sincere humane "well done lad" telling Schofield that he sees not only the uniform. but the individual human being.

[dorrin]

Me watching this movie: "Whoa. This is incredible. The way it's edited to make it look like one continuous shot is amazing. The sets and effects are spot-on, and... Hey! Is that Benedict Cumberbatch?"

[pohhpeb]

0:33 the atmosphere drooped when schofield said "they planned this sir" changed the colonels mind from hope of ending the war to dire and utter realization that he had been played was amazing and all the soilders hearing the attack was off while schofield was running through the trench must have been petrified with a choice attack or dont

[MindfulnessGamer]

Cumberbatch does such a good job at playing an intimidating character. You can really feel his presence in the room.

[chickendrawsdogs]

I never thought I would breathe such relief at a simple line like "Stand them down."

[earlmichaelmangabat]

Dr. Strange did not see the future on this one.

[davidmurray]

Schofield will most likely get told off by his RSM for losing his rifle and kit when he gets back to his battalion. He doesn't appear to be wounded sufficiently to escape that.

[GermanHockey]

I like the small details on Colonel Mackenzie's uniform, his campaign and medal ribbons worn on the right of chest tell a unique story; he was a veteran of the 2nd Anglo-Boer War in South Africa as he was awarded the King's South Africa and Queen's South Africa medals, along with a Distinguished Service Order Medal, and the King George V Coronation Medal. He was more than likely in South Africa from 1899-1902 (Queen's South Africa), and after 1902 (King's South Africa Medal). A character such as this saw action when the water-cooled machinegun was still a new concept to the battlefield. I just find subtle designs like this all the more interesting when they're implemented into historical films.

[kaboomkieboom]

Knowing that first wave that charged is most likely dead is chilling. Yeah it sucks you couldn’t save them, but you just saved an entire army from being wiped out.

[foxdie]

The look on L.C. Schofield's face when the attack gets called off...it's almost like he can't believe it worked.

[steveN]

I remember in the cinema seeing this for the first time, I was SO relieved when he said "stand them down" ! Thought for all the world that he was going to proceed with the attack !