Set in and around a faded old cinema in an English coastal town in the early 1980s, it follows Hilary (Olivia Colman) a cinema manager struggling with her mental health, and Stephen (Micheal Ward), a new employee who longs to escape this provincial town in which he faces daily adversity.

Both Hilary and Stephen find a sense of belonging through their unlikely and tender relationship and come to experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community.

Written and directed by Sam Mendes, Empire of Light stars Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, Tom Brooke, Tanya Moodie, Hannah Onslow, Crystal Clarke, with Toby Jones and Colin Firth.

The film is produced by Sam Mendes and Pippa Harris’ Neal Street Productions, in partnership with Searchlight Pictures.
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Set in an English seaside town in the early 1980s, EMPIRE OF LIGHT is a powerful and poignant story about human connection and the magic of cinema from Academy Award® winning director Sam Mendes.

EMPIRE OF LIGHT features a stellar cast led by Academy Award winner Olivia Colman, BAFTA winner Micheal Ward, Tom Brooke, Tanya Moodie, Hannah Onslow, Crystal Clarke, with Toby Jones, and Academy Award winner Colin Firth.

The film is produced by Sam Mendes and Pippa Harris’ Neal Street Productions, in partnership with Searchlight Pictures. The film will release in Australian cinemas on February 2, 2023.
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The feeling lingers that they started with an overall direction for the Craig films but ended up taking too many diversions along the way. Some of the reveals are far from the surprise the filmmakers intended. Also extending the realism and casting Bond as more human and less the gadget guy has worked with only half of the four films. This sombre realism worked well with Casino Royale and Skyfall, less so with Quantum of Solace and Spectre.

Even though Craig is contracted for one more film in the franchise, there is a feeling of finality that is hard to shake. It starts with the opening credits that make far too many references to previous characters and extends to the more than ample number of scenes when Bond just seems resigned to his fate. Can’t the guy ever catch a break?

In a strange way, the film demands another viewing as you get over the slightly disappointing way the story unfolds first time around. There might be some detail or nuance that becomes apparent second time around that will make the experience richer. It also might be in the producers interest to agree to Craig’s stated preference to call it a day after the forth. Here’s to hoping that they are brave enough to really shake up the franchise with both storyline and casting next time around.

Rob Hudson
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The set design feels absolutely authentic, as does the costume design and make-up artistry. The film score also hits just the right notes. It is never cloy or overly intrusive and succeeds at keeping you on edge the entire time. Cinematographer Roger Deakins also continues his amazing run with Mendes with some of his most nuanced work to date.

The story was inspired by a tale told to Mendes by his paternal grandfather, Alfred Mendes. It involves the almost impossible journey by two young British soldiers, Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield (George MacKay) through enemy territory to the front lines. This was done to warn of an impending military action that would have ended in disaster.

Taking full advantage of what is offered by the modern cinema experience, with its big sound and big screen, 1917 is the art of film at its highest level. Many have stated that all war films are anti-war films and this work provides a strong statement to that axiom. So many died horribly in those sodden trenches during World War One for what ultimately amounted to just lines drawn in the sand.

Rob Hudson
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The Palace Cinemas from 5:45pm for a pre-tasting event of Oatley Fine Wines, before receiving a glass of your choice from Robert Oatley Signature Series, with the screening commencing at 6.15pm.

Sam Mendes has ambitiously, with the help of veteran cinematographer Roger Deakins (BLADE RUNNER 2049), crafted an on-screen experience that pulls audiences into a visceral battlefield to tell a story of brotherhood, sacrifice and liberty.

The spectacle of this film is met harmoniously with attention to character and story that makes this a true cinematic achievement not to be missed.

Palace James Street
Thursday 9 January
5.45pm for 6.15pm

Palace Barracks
Thursday 9 January
5.45pm for 6.15pm

Head to www.palacecinemas.com.au for more information and to book tickets

Sam Mendes, the Oscar®-winning director of Skyfall, Spectre and American Beauty, brings his singular vision to his World War I epic, 1917.

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield (Captain Fantastic’s George MacKay) and Blake (Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman) are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers—Blake’s own brother among them.

1917 will be released in Australian cinemas January 9.
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To enter this great competition simply fill out the form below. Please note – these tickets are for a specific event only and can not be exchanged or refunded. The winners will need to be available on January 5, 2020 at 3:30pm in Brisbane to be able to attend this event at Event Cinemas Indooroopilly.

1917 Competition

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Competition will be drawn 3 January 2020, winners will be notified by email.

Far from home in a landscape strewn with threats two young soldiers face their darkest fears and embark on a journey behind enemy lines to deliver a message that could not only save their brother, but an entire battalion on the unforgiving fields of war

1917 will be released in Australian cinemas January 16, 2020.
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“There is no better way to tell this story than with one continuous shot.”

Step behind the scenes of 1917 with Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins and the film’s stars.

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield (Captain Fantastic’s George MacKay) and Blake (Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman) are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers—Blake’s own brother among them.

1917 is directed by Sam Mendes, who wrote the screenplay with Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Showtime’s Penny Dreadful). The film is produced by Mendes and Pippa Harris (co-executive producer, Revolutionary Road; executive producer, Away We Go) for their Neal Street Productions, Jayne-Ann Tenggren (co-producer, The Rhythm Section; associate producer, Spectre), Callum McDougall (executive producer, Mary Poppins Returns,Skyfall) and Brian Oliver (executive producer, Rocketman; Black Swan).

In cinemas January 16, 2020.
www.1917.com.au

The film follows two young British soldiers (Captain Fantastic’s George MacKay; Game of Thrones’ Dean-Charles Chapman) on a single day at the height of World War I.

Joining MacKay and Chapman are Mark Strong (The Imitation Game, Zero Dark Thirty), Andrew Scott (Spectre, Sherlock), Richard Madden (BBC’s Bodyguard, Cinderella), Daniel Mays (Fisherman’s Friends, Rogue One), Adrian Scarborough (The Madness of King George, Christopher Robin), Jamie Parker (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Nabhaan Rizwan (Informer), Claire Duburcq, with Colin Firth (The King’s Speech, the Bridget Jones franchise) and Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game, Doctor Strange).

Mendes, who will direct and wrote the screenplay with Krysty Wilson-Cairns (Penny Dreadful) produces the filmwith Pippa Harris (Revolutionary Road, Away We Go)—his partner at Neal Street Productions—along with Jayne-Ann Tenggren (Spectre, the upcoming The Rhythm Section) and Callum McDougall (Mary Poppins Returns, Skyfall). Co-producing is Michael Lerman. The film will begin principal photography next week, shooting on location in England and Scotland.

The creative team helping to bring this story to the screen includes cinematographer Roger Deakins (Blade Runner 2049, Skyfall); production designer Dennis Gassner (Bugsy, Road to Perdition); costume designer Jacqueline Durran (Anna Karenina, Darkest Hour); editor Lee Smith (Dunkirk, The Dark Knight); and composer Thomas Newman, who has created the scores for six previous Mendes films, including Skyfall, Road to Perdition and American Beauty.

The film is being produced by Neal Street Productions for DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Pictures, and will be released in the US by Universal Pictures on December 25, 2019. Universal and Amblin Partners will distribute the film internationally, with eOne distributing on behalf of Amblin in the U.K.

1917 marks a reunion for Mendes and DreamWorks Pictures. The British director made his first feature, American Beauty, under the DreamWorks label, followed by two other productions—Road to Perdition and Revolutionary Road.

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