The hero’s journey. One we are all familiar with. The hero sets out on an adventure during which they must defeat great evil and overcome seemingly endless trials. He is, of course, victorious and returns home forever transformed by the journey. This narrative has been used endlessly throughout literature and film. Dante’s The Divine Comedy is a well-known example of this. This is an allegory about the journey to the afterlife, much like a certain film I rewatched recently.
1917 (2019) is what I consider to be one of the greatest cinematic achievements of the last decade. As I sat there and watched, I couldn’t help but compare Scoffield’s journey to that of a hero’s journey through the afterlife. Let me explain.
*Spoilers ahead*
In summary, the film takes place during World War I and is about two British soldiers– Lance Cpl. Schofield and Lance Cpl. Blake– who are tasked with the seemingly impossible mission of delivering a message across enemy territory. Time is the enemy. This message, if delivered in time, could potentially save 1,600 of their comrades. Including Lance Cpl. Blake’s older brother.
Schofield takes the audience along with him through the trenches, into the depths of hell, and out through the other side, a metaphorical paradise or heaven.
The second half of the film, Schofield finds himself awaking in what would appear to be hell on earth. Flairs burst out in pale light above the city of Acoust. They cast eerie shadows over what remains of the broken city. All while a church is being devoured by a horde of angry flames, a particularly symbolic image. The sight is similar to that of hell, or what one might imagine hell to be like. Schofield must make his way through the hellish landscape. He is chased by faceless, silhouetted figures all the way until he makes his way to a river.
He jumps headlong into the river and is quickly swept away by its current. The chaos quickly dissolves. Trees bordering the river drop petals into the water and over Schofield’s head. It is all very serene, which is then contrasted by imagery of dead french soldiers piled up in the river. Schofield must use them as a bridge to get to land. The soldiers could be seen as souls who tried to escape the treacheries of hell, but were not permitted to leave due to lack of penitence or faith.
He stumbles to shore and begins to walk through the woods. One can see the weight of his exhaustion as he stumbles across a new landscape. Then suddenly, an angelic voice can be heard. Schofield is drawn towards the sound. It is like that of a siren call.
Schofield continues onward to the source of the song. There is a large circle of soldiers gathered in the quiet of the forest. Quiet except for that of the angel. This leads me to believe this is symbolic of the second part of Schofield’s journey through the afterlife. All these souls (or soldiers) are about to prove their bravery and valor in order to become worthy of entering paradise. They are midway through their journey. They made it through hell, but the time has come for them to prepare for the battle to come. Similarly, Schofield must prove his own worthiness by completing his mission. His personal challenge still remains and if he is to ever lay eyes on Paradise, he must succeed.
Schofield runs across a field of battle, risking his own life. He does so without hesitation and overcomes his challenge– to deliver a message of retreat to General MacKenzie– thereby, successfully saving the lives of nearly 2,000. Still, his journey through purgatory is not yet complete, for he must find Blake’s older brother and deliver the news of his brother’s passing, along with a few tokens to remember him by. Lieutenant Blake shakes Schofield’s hand, a symbol of acceptance.
This handshake symbolizes the opening of Heaven’s gates to Schofield. Upon entry, he lays upon a tree in a field of grass. A similar image to that of the Field of Reeds in Egyptian mythology. Schofield looks upon the picture of a woman that we can assume is his love. He finds peace in this moment, and we know he has made it to paradise. Metaphorically, of course.
- AL
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Comments
All I can say is - wow. This is one of my favorite films in the last few years and I loved the ties you made to philosophy, mythology, and religion that are subtly woven into the intricate art of storytelling through cinematography and screenplay. It really opens a new perspective to how stories can hold value in both the timeless aesthetics and imagery unique to the artistic creators while holding true to historical settings they are set in. Can’t wait for more!
Woah, added to my watchlist immediately. Your passion for this artform makes me appreciate it so much more. Can't wait to see what you'll do next
I want to be able to have this level of analysis and intertextual inferences. You’re teaching me how to better interact and engage with films. I cannot wait to see what else you put out on future reviews.
I remember seeing the trailer for this movie! I never saw it but I could “image” it while reading your review. You led me on a mini-trailer through your exposition and analysis of the film. I appreciated the constant tie-back to purgatory and the journey Schofield was on. I enjoy your appreciation for the subtle and the thematic elements of the work. Nice review!