Here’s 2020’s first dispatch from the crossroads of faith and media:

“1917” opens nationwide Friday (1/10) but is already a Golden Globe Award winner (Best Picture – Drama) and a box office smash.

From Forbes:

$52,383. That’s how much 1917 made per theater from Dec. 27-29 when the film made its U.S. debut. From just 11 theaters, the film pulled in $576,216 on its first weekend and just over $1 million during its first week.

But guess what? That’s actually not the number that should blow your mind. It’s this one: $56,154. That’s how much 1917 made per theater on the following weekend from the same amount of venues. The film actually upped its weekend revenue by 7% to $617,697, bringing the Sam Mendes film’s 12-day total to a whopping $2.3 million from just 11 theaters.

The World War I-based epic is also, perhaps, the first classic film of this new decade with the Military Times calling it “unquestionably one of the most impressive and innovative war films ever made.” Beyond its financial and cinematic achievement, the movie is also winning praise for its heartfelt portrayal of human heroism and decency even amid almost unbelievable horror. War is hell but people are, fundamentally, good.

Here’s a synopsis of 1917 followed by a fascinating featurette on the making of the movie:

Synopsis: 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. Starring: George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman, Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch. Written by: Sam Mendes and Krysty Wilson-Cairns. Directed by Sam Mandes. Rated R for violence, some disturbing images, and language.

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11