1917 - Characters & Cast

Initially, Schofield is motivated by a soldier's duty. After witnessing Blake's death, his motivation becomes deeply personal: to fulfill his promise to Blake to save his brother and write to their mother. The reveal of his family at the end shows his ultimate, hidden motivation was the hope of returning home to them.

Schofield begins the film as a jaded and pragmatic veteran of the Somme, more cautious and world-weary than his companion. Initially, he is motivated purely by duty. After Blake's death, however, Schofield undergoes a transformation, adopting his friend's sense of personal urgency and determination. He evolves from a cynical survivor into a determined hero, driven by a promise to his friend and the underlying hope of returning to his own family.

Blake's primary motivation is clear from the outset: to save his brother, Lieutenant Joseph Blake, who is among the 1,600 men set to walk into the German trap. This personal connection fuels his urgency and courage.

Blake is more optimistic, affable, and emotionally open than Schofield. He is good with stories and maps and is immediately driven by the personal stake of saving his brother. His idealism and comparative naivete are contrasted with Schofield's experience. Though his journey is cut short, his goodness and sense of purpose are passed on to Schofield, becoming the catalyst for Schofield's heroic actions in the second half of the film.

Mackenzie is motivated by a desperate desire to break the stalemate and achieve a victory, believing his attack is the chance to finally push the Germans back. He states, "I hoped today might be a good day. Hope is a dangerous thing," revealing his weariness and his conviction that stopping now would be a greater folly than attacking.

Colonel Mackenzie represents the weary, and perhaps misguided, desperation of command. He is not a villain but a man worn down by the war's stalemate, who clings to the hope of a decisive victory, making him initially resistant to Schofield's message. His character doesn't have an arc so much as he serves as the final, human obstacle Schofield must overcome, embodying the institutional inertia that perpetuates the conflict. He is bitter and believes victory is the only way out.

His motivation is to help a fellow soldier and see that the right thing is done. He recognizes the importance of Schofield's mission and does what he can to aid him, showing a weary but unbroken sense of duty and humanity.

Captain Smith appears briefly but serves a crucial role as a calm, wise, and compassionate figure in the chaos. He gives Schofield a ride and offers him practical advice: "make sure there are witnesses" when he delivers the message, acknowledging that some officers just want the fight. He represents seasoned leadership and empathy, providing Schofield with a moment of respite and crucial guidance before he continues his journey alone.