History Buffs: 1917 

I think it's worth mentioning that as they cross "No-man's Land", Schofield gouges his hand on barbwire. He then immediately plunges his hand into a decaying chest cavity of some soldier in a crater. Even though he survives that day, his chances of infection are staggering. Penicillin wouldn't be discovered for nearly a decade, and Schofield would likely have become a casualty of disease soon after this battle.

Hey guys, just want to say sorry for having to re-upload this review. The last video started doing well but then got age restricted, which severely hindered its views and seachability. I spent the last two weeks trying to resolve the issue with RU-vid but to no avail. So, I've had to heavily censor the video and this seems to have done the trick. I also wish to thank each and every one of you who expressed their condolences for my father's passing. The amount of support I read in the comments and the sheer volume of them was overwhelming. It pains me to have to take down the original video because of the age restriction but please don't think your comments weren't appreciated. They were! My father was extremely proud of History Buffs and would brag about it to anyone who'd listen. He would have been humbled by the thousands of comments directed at him. But he also wouldn't have been surprised. He held you all in very high regard and would read to me many comments you've left over the years. Whenever I was frustrated about the making of a video or some behind the scenes drama, he'd remind me that the vast majority of you like the content I make. That the stresses that go into making a video are worth it. On behalf of my family and I, thank you.

The scene with the young lady and the orphaned child was taken directly from an interview with Great War veteran Henry Richard Tobin based on his own experiences in 1914. He’d met a couple of girls in a destroyed town they were passing through, one of whom had a child who needed feeding. Henry had recently emptied his water bottle and filled it with cows milk on a nearby farm, so when the lady explained the child needed milk he handed over the bottle. He said “I think even the baby was surprised”. This was by far my favourite scene in the film for that reason.

What got me about 1917 was how it was setting up that Blake was the main character. His brother was in the Devon’s, he had the letter, he was leading them, and the camera almost focused on him. Then in an instant, off camera, he is stabbed, and you see him bleeding out before your eyes. I definitely wasn’t expecting it at all, and as Nick Hodges said, it portrays the utter unpredictability and choas of this war

Man the scene with Blake’s brother is brutal. Richard Madden’s reaction kills me every time.

A cool detail about this movie is the casting, most of the commanders and generals are famous actors (Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth) While the Privates and lower ranks are relatively unknown actors.

Gandalf's famous line "You shall not pass!" was written by Tolkien, (A WWI veteran himself) to honor Verdun

Small point regarding the letter, it wasn't in a blood soaked pocket. The letter was in his top pocket and Blake was stabbed in the lower abdomen. The blood is on Blake and Schofields hands and he is handling the letter on the outside of it and so it would be completely fine... until he was in the river. A phenominal film and the tension music and scene of him going over the top was one of the best experiences I've ever had in an Imax or any cinema.

This is another terrific video, Nick. I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. I am certain that the work you are doing honors his memory.

I'm so sorry about your father. My own father (a military veteran) passed away last May, so I'm intimately familiar with what you and your family are going through. May you be blessed with fond memories to help you deal with the grief.

Once more, I wish to express my condolences for you loss Nick. While none of us have known him as well as you, I think I speak for the vast majority of viewers when I say that I'm sure he was very proud of your work, considering how his love for history, music, and film had inspired yours. Though his passing may still hurt in the coming days and months and years, take comfort in the belief that his love for history, music, and film lives on in you and the work you have done and continue to do. Also, I had an idea for the possible next episode for History Buffs since we're on the topic of the First World War. Since "1917" covered the British side of the conflict, I feel it may be necessary to show the German side with "All Quiet on the Western Front", with special focus on the historical events in the last few months on the Western Front. Since there are three adaptations of the novel by Erich Marie Remarque (the first being the 1930 black-and-white film, the second being the 1979 made-for-television film, and the third being the 2022 Netflix film), it might be tough to choose which adaptation would serve as the basis for your review, especially with copyright claims surrounding each of those films, so you can choose which version you're comfortable with. This is just a suggestion and it's ultimately your decision on which event and film you may cover in the next episode.

This movie felt like 5 whole scenes. I love the continous flow of the scene, as in, it never cuts - the camera just flows from one scene into the next

After this came out a couple of weeks ago I went and watched 1917 again. This movie was awesome even though aspects of the locations weren't accurate

My condolences for your father, Nick. I'm deeply sorry for your loss. If you need to take time away from RU-vid to grieve, we at the History Buffs community understand. Losing a parent sucks, no matter how old you are. I know your dad would have been proud of you releasing yet another great video.

Nick, my deepest condolences for your father. I as well recently lost my father. He was a history teacher for more than 40 years. He sought the truth of history and not mere “facts” that are taught today. Likewise, I began my journey into historical accounts from primary sources as well as deep study of books written about events from the past. As a brother from across the pond, I say cheers to you, mate, and I lift this pint in memory of our fathers! Thanks for your videos!

I was seriously surprised when I first saw the movie that they never mention how infected Scho’s injured hand would be after all the stuff it’s touched

Movies like this remind me of my Great Grandfather who was a British soldier in World War 1, he was a professional soldier before the war and was in the original expeditionary force in 1914, he fought on the western front, in Africa and Aden in modern day Yeman. Before he went on to fight at Gallipoli and was wounded four seperate times, including losing a finger. And another time a shell which unfortunately ended the life of his best friend. After that he went back to the western front and fought at the Somme at some point he was wounded again and discharged from his Regiment. I'm not sure what was going on in his mind as he went and joined another Regiment and his first action in this new Regiment was at Passchendale in 1917, the preliminary bombardment for that went on for 2 weeks involving 4.5 million shells, or in another way 4 shells a second, every second for 2 weeks. After the bombardment and they had gone over the top his Regiment was being held up by a machine gun nest, he was tasked with leading a small group of 4 soldiers in a raid that was able to successfully capture the Machine gun nest, and he was awarded the Military Medal for taking out the German machine gun nest. He survived the rest of the war ending the war on the Italian front, but he was definitely emotionally scarred. He would drink heavily and after the war he broke his Military Medal in two and chucked it in the bin. Luckily his wife was able to take it out later on and save it, so we still have it today.

To address Jon's question about the legibility of the letter. Schofield is shown putting the letter in a waterproof tin after he takes it from Blake. This tin shows up again at the end of the movie when Schofield pulls out the photo of his family.

Ive never lost a parent, but my wife and I have lost a child. Its a pain that doesnt go away. My heartfelt sympathies to you and your family.

I would like to mention: I absolutely love the fact that you used ambient sounds from Battlefield 1, which is a game set in World War 1. The second War Story, Friends in High Places, has a level in which you play on the ground, trying to get back to friendly lines after being shot down. The audio of men screaming or even groaning in pain comes from that level, as does the machine gun fire in the distance.

I'm so sorry for your loss Nick, losing family is one of the hardest things you go through. He sounds like he was a great man and father, I hope you have others you can turn to in this time. Please be well.

I found this film haunting, and it stuck with me for about a week after I watched it. Very thought provoking and makes you think about the nature of war, and the cost it takes out of everyone unlucky enough to find themselves in a war.

Another thing I noticed is that the film ends with almost the same frame it starts with, Schofield resting on a tree, sadly missing blake. I looked into it further and i believe the hole in the tree is supposed to represent the loss, or something missing in schofield.

Our condolences. I hope he knew how neat his son is, and I hope he knew how much your work has meant to us all.

In my mind, killing off the brother was the best move the directer could have made. Not only for the death of thim, and showing how quick and unsuspeting it can come, but because it gives the final scene. In many war movies we see men dieing left and right, extras, and exepcially with WW1 where wave after wave was just sent into the meat grinder, haveing a scene which showes the emotional tall those tactics had on those left alive is, in my mind, brutally honest and brilliant.

Just saw this was dedicated to your father. So sorry for your loss. Your videos are a great testament to the love of history your father instilled in you.

I saw 1917 on opening day and went back for a second go the following day. I loved every minute of it. My sincerest condolences for you and your family. I am so sorry for your loss.

Cheers to your pops! It was my father who led me down the path of military history as well and I showed him this page and he got all giddy. Sorry for your loss, glad his memory lives on in each one of these videos you post.

My condolences for your loss. The passing of a parent is without a doubt the hardest moment of our human lives. But we all shall be together again for there truly is an afterlife. 1917 is without a doubt a masterpiece when it comes to war films. Great respect to British soldiers! Through-out history you guys fight with a deep sense of Chivalry, Decorum, and Class even though you too go through hell in war. My Late Grandfather (Mom’s side) fought in World War One (he was Latvian under the Czarist Russia Occupation of Latvia.) My late Father was a vet from World War Two. They would on occasion discuss their horrific war experiences. I remember my Grandfather getting visibly upset and in an angry tone saying “You guys had it easy, way too easy. We experienced HELL on Earth.” Even though my father's experiences sounded like other hell to me. I often wondered what my Grandfather experienced since other than on rare occasions he would not talk about it choosing to leave it in the past. It’s thanks to movies such as 1917 and All Quiet On the Western Front. We get a sense of that hell. May ALL of those soldiers rest in peace and may we never forget the senselessness of War and the other insanity it is!

Nick, I’m so sorry for your loss. I just lost my dad too. He was a fan of Old Westerns and historic fiction films. Happy belated Father’s Day to you and yours! 👨‍👦

This movie is one of those historical films that seem to have found that elusive "sweet spot," the perfect mix of the historical accuracy, and making a cinematically exciting and visually pleasing story. It's quite accurate to the WWI timeframe, a good slice of what it would have been like then, but keeps a great pace and plenty to keep you invested, and some of the most beautiful cinematography I've seen. For me, as a gunsmith and student of firearm history, I noticed one detail that really impressed me: Scho and Blake are carrying Lee-Enfield no.1 Mk III bolt action rifles and when they're just about to head out, you see Scho take a 5 round stripper clip of cartridges into his rifle. He later fires more than 5 times at the German sniper and some think the filmmakers goofed here, but what he was actually doing was topping off his rifle's ammunition. The Lee-Enfield (SMLE) held 10 rounds in a fixed box magazine, and soldiers of that time would keep 5 rounds in the rifle at all times at the front (in case you needed to defend yourself in a surprise attack), but not add the SECOND 5 round stripper clip unless it was just before a planned attack or mission, so that they could avoid over stressing the spring in the rifles magazine that the full 10 rounds loaded would do over time. And, if you count, they actually kept track during filming and he doesn't fire more than 10 shots! For a Hollywood movie, that's pretty impressive. That's what I love about 1917: every time I watch it I notice a new small detail that had escaped me before. The few inaccuracies (such as the river) really were to keep the tension ramped up and be visually exciting, and doesn't hamper my enjoyment of it. 👍

Something I commented on in the OG video too - out of all of the attacks during the Battle of Arras, only the Battle of Vimy Ridge, fought by four Canadian divisions and one British division, was actually successful. Shame we never got a film about it, since the Canadians were essentially the early versions of the German Sturmtruppen.

One of the best channels on RU-vid. The definition of Quality over Quantity. Keep up the brilliant work!!

Is it possible that they tweak the dates and times just slightly so that descendants can’t point to a moment in film and say that the death of their loved one has been trivialized? There’s always the ability of a filmmaker to say, “well, not really, see?” No help as regards the river drama. Inconceivable to look at this film and go, “I dunno, it’s kinda dull, should we add an exciting river-rapids escape, to, ya know, kick it up a notch?”

My condolences to you and your family. My father: Michael R. Frappier December 25 1951-June 19 2023 He loved your channel. You did alot of his favorite movies.

I'm so glad that you're back with another video. It's been a while. I know it takes a lot of hard work to make these, and I'm glad you've come up with another one again!

I'm sorry to hear about your father Nick. Thank you for all the great content you have provided over the years and wish you good luck for the future.

I'm sorry for the loss of your father. I lost mine last month on the 12th of June. Memorializing him at the beginning of this episode is an awesome thing to have done.

Thank u for re uploading this, never give up!

Its been a long while since I've watched this channel and it's great to see the quality is still high, sorry for your loss, also i would like to recommend a look at the 1963 film "55 days in Peking" on the Boxer rebellion for a video

4 months later and I know Nick won't see this. Still, shout out to Stuart Hodges. You raised a hell of a son so you must have been a hell of dad. Should we all be so lucky to walk your path and inspire our kids to walk their own path to success 🍻 Rest easy knowing you did a good job, Stuart.

Man.... A sincere sorry that the old man passed.... I can only tell you this, that he must be prouder than ever to have such a dedicated and wonderful son like you around..... And it may not ever get easy, but it will get easier, cheers mate..... Thanks for all the wonderful videos over the years, and thanks for what is to come i'm sure in the near future that'll continue to be top notch content...!

This is one of my favorite war films. The cinematography is breathtaking. You really feel like you are there. It’s a heartbreaking, tense, beautiful film. Even just seeing clips brought tears to my eyes.

I'm so Sorry for your loss May your dad Rest in peace🙏 Thank you so much for the passion you put in your videos, as a fellow lover of history i gove you a virtual hug, keep going Nick and thank you again for the awesome content you give us 🤗

Great tribute to your father, Nick. My friend passed away last year whom went with me to see this movie in the theater. Great movie, great video as always.

I just had the 1 year anniversary of losing my father and it gets no easier. I miss my hero. Condolences, Nick.

I'm very sorry to hear about your Dad, Nick. I've admired your videos for some time and I'm always interested to see a new one. I offer my sincere condolences.

Discovered your channel yesterday, binge watched about a dozen episodes, outstanding content subbed cheers

The pilot scene bugs me since the pilots had a code of honour and were unlikeky to sneak stab someone who just saved them. My great grandfather was a pilot for the flying corp

Nick, watched it the first time and wanted to make sure I commented again. We both lost our fathers around the same time and I want to wish you all the support I can dude. Your channel has always been a joy for me. Thanks you for what you do.

Thanks again for doing this review, Nick!

Nick I absolutely love your channel. Your appreciation of history and enthusiastic presentations are infectious and fun to watch. Keep up the great work!!

So sorry to hear about your father Nick. If he’s anything like you he was a passionate man who inspired those around him. Thanks for your hard work as always.

Thank you for another wonderful video. My heart goes out to you and your family, I'm sure they are all proud of the work you accomplish!

I was waiting for this episode! I was a background extra in this movie. I have to say, filming that charge scene was the most fun ever

God this movie always makes me cry, especially the end. My brother and I have been through a lot, and it breaks my heart to think of either of us receiving word that the other had died.

I think the best part is the beginning and ending of the movie. Both depict Schofield sleeping against a tree. It gave me the feeling that this was just another day for him. That next week he may have to do something similar again. That the war was unending

Im so sorry about you’re father, I hope your family was doing okay, and thank you this was an amazing video

Sorry for your recent loss. Prayers for you and your family.

I wish the best for you and your family! Sorry to hear about your father's passing. I can only imagine the toll that has taken on you. Best of luck dealing with the grief! We're all here for you

I feel like censorship weirdly makes the imagery more horrifying.

Great quality as always - thank you

My sincere condolences, Nick. Losing a parent is terribly painful & I hope you & your families pain is easing a little. (I have only just seen this video, but your post touched me & I felt compelled to acknowledge your father's passing)

Something rather major that could be considered an inaccuracy (but is most definitely a plot hole) is the lack of carrier pigeons. I understand why they aren't mentioned, because the movie has to happen, but this issue could have been easily rectified during the briefing scene with Colin Firth. He mentions that the Germans have cut the telegram lines, and could have also had a line saying "And our messenger pigeon coop was hit by a stray shell" or something like that. It just seems odd that they account for one major mode of communication but not the other.

Thank you so much, Nick, for all these videos and my heart breaks for your family. Knowing your father was so outwardly proud of his son is so comforting and wholesome. Thanks for being with us, Nick

Love the content as always! Sorry for your loss.

I put the scene out of my head about the brother. "He was a good man, always telling funny stories" legit broke me.

I’m really glad your back man! This is easily one of the best RU-vid channels when it comes to both movies and history. I’m sorry about your father Nick.

Thank you for re-uploading!! I would like to suggest Hacksaw Ridge and Unbroken for possible future videos. While they are not one hundred percent accurate, they tell the true stories beautifully! Thank you for all the hard work on these videos!!

My great grandfather served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1917, just in time for the Battle of Vimy Ridge. This battle holds a significant place in Canadian history, as this was the first battle where the CEF fought as a single group, granddad went on to participate in Passchendaele, where he described the battle as the open pit to hell. Granddad was one of the lucky ones to make it back home, sadly, he would tell us that he had to pass by the homes of his dead friends, the tragedy was so hard for him to bear, granddad moved his family from Hamilton to Ottawa, where our family remains to this day. I offer my condolences to your dad, he would be proud of the strapping lad you are today Nick, History Buffs is my goto channel for history, so I trust you will continue to give us all top tier content.

Re-watching again!! Thank you so much for this video

Your dad fathered a wonderfuly knowledgeable son, I can only imagine how proud of you he was Nick, I can only imagine the sorrow and hope that everyone in your life has come together to support you. God bless you Nick!

I loved this movie. It completely drew me into the story. My condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father.

You're doing a fine job, Nick ! Thank you for your videos !

sorry for your loss. wonderful video as always!

Hello there Nick! I love watching your videos and always feel more knowledgeable after I’ve watched them! I was wondering if you would ever do a review on the movie “The Lost Battalion”? While yes it is a very low budget movie, and in my opinion very underrated, I would love to see you pick into it and tell us more about the events that the movie depicts!

Rule #1: If you jump in a river in a movie, you will encounter a waterfall. I'm surprised he didn't have to fight a crocodile.

I'm sorry for your loss, Nick. I've followed you for years and I've always appreciated your work.

Hey mate, I have really enjoyed your content over the last couple of years, especially as someone that had 6 years of History focused education at University. I just wanted to drop a comment giving my condolences for the loss of your father. He seems to have raised a charismatic and intelligent son. May he rest in peace.

Really sorry about your loss Nick🙏🏼 Thank you for all that you do

Sorry for your loss my guy. It's very hard losing a parent. Thanks for the awesome video!

Sorry for the inconvenience, dude. Always appreciate the videos.

Watching review a second time after the reupload. Its still awesome! :)

I love this movie as an engaging war movie, but i enjoy it even more when i see it as a piece of art.

Thank you for reuploading this video, it's a shame that it got age restricted. My condolences on your father's passing, it's wonderful to hear that he was so proud of you and your channel's following.

So sorry for your loss Nick.. love your channel

I re-watched the entire episode, love you're content p.s. sorry about your loss

Im so sorry for the loss of your father, sir. Hope you are doing well, man!!!

This Nick lost his mother in August. My condolences on your loss. Great video. Noticed that Blake’s brother was the lead in Bodyguard. Great show.

Your videos alone made me go watch alot of these movies for the first time. Thank you

I know that a stranger's condolences don't really mean all that much, but you have mine in regards to your dad. We all carry more of our fathers in ourselves than we give the old bastard credit for!

Sorry about the original Steve. But the video was great. Your research and analysts makes the movie worth watching and understand why it was filmed the it did. Keep it up. My condolences to your father's passing.

I adore the cinematography in this film and so many other things, but my favourite part about it, is that we barely know or learn anything about Schofield throughout, the biggest bit of background we get on him, is at the very end. There’s something about how we only witness his drive that makes it so much more impactful.

My sympathies for your loss, Nick. Seeing this film in theaters (one of the few I saw in theaters months before the pandemic broke out) was actually a father-son moment, as I went to see it with my dad.

Another ww1 movie I enjoyed some number of years ago was "The Lost Battalion" surprisingly good but doesn't get mentioned too often, if you haven't yet would you consider this idea for a future video?

This was a great movie and im proud of my brother for his part in making the epic scenes of massed soldiers that bit more real. This is also a comment for the algorithm to help re-boost this amazing video

That was a smooth ass transition to a sponsor Nick-I can't even be mad lmao. But condolences on your Father. 💜

Its a really interesting feeling how the main character is the most important person in the trench and within a blink of a eye, is just another solider out of the 1,600. Its really cool and unique.

I'd love to see a review of "All Quiet On The Western Front"

Do all quiet on the Western Front (2022)