1917: How Sam Mendes’ grandfather inspired First World War epic

Sam Mendes has revealed that his grandfather was the inspiration behind him writing his first-ever screenplay.

The Bond director, who is also known for his stage direction, decided to write a film script after remembering a story told to him by his grandfather while he was still a boy.

Alfred Mendes was an acclaimed Trinidadian novelist who spent two years on the Belgian Front after volunteering to fight for Britain.

Speaking on Variety's podcast, Mendes said: “I had a story that was a fragment told me by my grandfather, who fought in the First World War.”

“It’s the story of a messenger who has a message to carry. And that’s all I can say. It lodged with me as a child, this story or this fragment, and obviously I’ve enlarged it and changed it significantly. But it has that at its core.”

The first trailer for 1917 was released last week.

Set in the trenches of the First World War, the film follows a young soldier's attempt to call off an attack and save the life of his brother in another battalion.

It features a starry ensemble cast including Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong and Bodyguard's Richard Madden.

"There is only one way this war ends: last man standing," says Cumberbatch in the new trailer.

The script for 1917 is co-written with young Scottish screenwriter Krysty Wilson-Cairns, whose other credits include gothic TV drama Penny Dreadful and Shaun of the Dead director Edgar Wright's forthcoming comedy Last Night in Soho.

1917 is set for release in UK and Irish cinemas from January 10, 2020.