1917
April 1917, the Western Front. Two British soldiers are sent to deliver an urgent message to an isolated regiment. If the message is not received in time the regiment will walk into a trap and be massacred. To get to the regiment they will need to cross through enemy territory. Time is of the essence and the journey will be fraught with danger.
Despite a considerable budget of $100.0M, 1917 became a financial success, earning $446.1M worldwide—a 346% return.
3 Oscars. 135 wins & 200 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
1917 (2019) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative design, characteristic of Sam Mendes's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 59 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.1, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Lance Corporal William Schofield
Lance Corporal Tom Blake
General Erinmore
Captain Smith
Colonel Mackenzie
French Woman
Main Cast & Characters
Lance Corporal William Schofield
Played by George MacKay
A quiet, dutiful British soldier tasked with delivering a critical message across enemy territory to prevent a deadly ambush.
Lance Corporal Tom Blake
Played by Dean-Charles Chapman
An optimistic and driven soldier racing to save his brother's battalion, partnered with Schofield on the mission.
General Erinmore
Played by Colin Firth
The commanding officer who assigns Blake and Schofield their mission to prevent the attack.
Captain Smith
Played by Mark Strong
A weary, cynical officer who provides guidance and warnings to Schofield during his journey.
Colonel Mackenzie
Played by Benedict Cumberbatch
The stubborn, glory-seeking commander of the 2nd Battalion who must be convinced to call off the attack.
French Woman
Played by Claire Duburcq
A frightened French woman hiding with a baby in the ruins of a town, representing innocence amid devastation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Schofield and Blake rest under a tree in a meadow behind the trenches. The calm before the storm - two soldiers in a moment of peace during WWI.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when The mission is revealed: cross No Man's Land to call off an attack on 1,600 men walking into a German trap. Blake's brother is among them. They must go now.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Schofield and Blake climb out of the trench and cross into No Man's Land. The active choice to leave safety and enter enemy territory - there is no turning back., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 43% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Blake dies in Schofield's arms. False defeat: Schofield has lost his companion and now must continue the mission alone. The stakes are raised - it's personal now., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Schofield is knocked unconscious in the burning town of Écoust. Wakes in darkness surrounded by fire and flares. The "whiff of death" - he nearly dies and everything seems lost., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 85 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 71% of the runtime. The desperate sprint along the front line during the charge. Schofield races against time, dodging soldiers and explosions, to reach Colonel MacKenzie and deliver the message., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
1917's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping 1917 against these established plot points, we can identify how Sam Mendes utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish 1917 within the action genre.
Sam Mendes's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Sam Mendes films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.5, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. 1917 takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Sam Mendes filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Sam Mendes analyses, see Spectre, Revolutionary Road and Jarhead.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Schofield and Blake rest under a tree in a meadow behind the trenches. The calm before the storm - two soldiers in a moment of peace during WWI.
Theme
General Erinmore tells them "Time is the enemy" - the central tension of the film. The race against time to save lives becomes the thematic core.
Worldbuilding
Establishing the trenches, the war-torn landscape, the chain of command, and the relationship between Schofield and Blake. We learn Blake has a brother in the threatened battalion.
Disruption
The mission is revealed: cross No Man's Land to call off an attack on 1,600 men walking into a German trap. Blake's brother is among them. They must go now.
Resistance
Preparation and initial journey through the British trenches, receiving advice and supplies. They debate the danger ahead. Officers provide guidance on the route and what to expect.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Schofield and Blake climb out of the trench and cross into No Man's Land. The active choice to leave safety and enter enemy territory - there is no turning back.
Mirror World
They encounter a dead German pilot who attacks them. Blake is mortally wounded trying to help. The theme of humanity vs. duty, mercy vs. survival is embodied in this tragic moment.
Premise
Journey through No Man's Land, abandoned German trenches, booby traps, and devastated landscape. The "promise of the premise" - the immersive WWI experience the audience came for.
Midpoint
Blake dies in Schofield's arms. False defeat: Schofield has lost his companion and now must continue the mission alone. The stakes are raised - it's personal now.
Opposition
Schofield continues alone through increasingly dangerous territory: German-occupied town, sniper attacks, bridge collapse, river rapids. Everything gets harder without Blake.
Collapse
Schofield is knocked unconscious in the burning town of Écoust. Wakes in darkness surrounded by fire and flares. The "whiff of death" - he nearly dies and everything seems lost.
Crisis
Schofield escapes the burning town, floats down river, processes his trauma. A moment of grace as he hears singing from British soldiers - a reminder of what he's fighting for.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The desperate sprint along the front line during the charge. Schofield races against time, dodging soldiers and explosions, to reach Colonel MacKenzie and deliver the message.