First World War epic 1917 swept the board at the Baftas and is odds-on to do the same at the Oscars on Sunday.
But its star, George MacKay, says its success hasn’t yet changed his life — apart from making him travel more. In the film, directed by Sir Sam Mendes, the actor plays one of two soldiers sent on a mission across no man’s land to halt a doomed British attack.
MacKay, left, said he had been stopped in the street by fans saying “lovely things” about the film, “but my life hasn’t changed much”. He added: “Other than I am doing lots and lots of travelling and moving around a lot. So that is the biggest shift so far. I am getting used to living out of a suitcase at the minute.”
The 27-year-old Londoner has previously starred in Pride and Sunshine On Leith. He also won critical acclaim for roles at The Young Vic and The Old Vic. He said: “I couldn’t have dreamt up 1917 until it happened, so it is hard to say what is next.”
MacKay also revealed his performance in the film was partly inspired by a trip to the Imperial War Museum. As part of his research he visited its First World War Galleries, which include more than 1,300 objects such as weapons, uniforms and diaries kept by ordinary soldiers.
Academy Awards 2020: Oscars Nominations – In pictures
1/29
Best Film: 1917
2/29
Best Film: Joker
3/29
Best Film: Little Women
4/29
Best Film: The Irishman
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5/29
Best Film: Parasite
6/29
Best Film: Marriage Story
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7/29
Best Film: Ford v. Ferrari
AP
8/29
Best Film: Jojo Rabbit
9/29
Best Film: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
10/29
Best Actor: Antonio Banderas in Pain & Glory
11/29
Best Actor: Jonathan Pryce in The Two Popes
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Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
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Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix in Joker
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Best Actor: Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story
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Best Actress: Scarlett Johansson for Marriage Story
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16/29
Best Actress: Cynthia Erivo in Harriet
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Best Actress: Renee Zellweger in Judy
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Best Actress: Charlize Theron in Bombshell
Lionsgate
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Best Actress Saoirse Ronan in Little Women
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Best Supporting Actress: Scarlett Johansson in Jojo Rabbi
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Best Supporting Actress: Margot Robbie in Bombshell
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Best Supporting Actress: Florence Pugh in Little Women
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Best Supporting Actress: Kathy Bates in Richard Jewell
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Best Supporting Actress: Laura Dern in Marriage Story
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Best Supporting Actor: Anthony Hopkins in The Two Popes
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Best Supporting Actor: Al Pacino in The Irishman
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Best Supporting Actor: Tom Hanks in A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood
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Best Supporting Actor: Joe Pesci in The Irishman
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Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
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Best Film: 1917
2/29
Best Film: Joker
3/29
Best Film: Little Women
4/29
Best Film: The Irishman
Netflix
5/29
Best Film: Parasite
6/29
Best Film: Marriage Story
Netflix
7/29
Best Film: Ford v. Ferrari
AP
8/29
Best Film: Jojo Rabbit
9/29
Best Film: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
10/29
Best Actor: Antonio Banderas in Pain & Glory
11/29
Best Actor: Jonathan Pryce in The Two Popes
12/29
Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
13/29
Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix in Joker
14/29
Best Actor: Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story
15/29
Best Actress: Scarlett Johansson for Marriage Story
SplashNews.com
16/29
Best Actress: Cynthia Erivo in Harriet
17/29
Best Actress: Renee Zellweger in Judy
18/29
Best Actress: Charlize Theron in Bombshell
Lionsgate
19/29
Best Actress Saoirse Ronan in Little Women
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Best Supporting Actress: Scarlett Johansson in Jojo Rabbi
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Best Supporting Actress: Margot Robbie in Bombshell
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Best Supporting Actress: Florence Pugh in Little Women
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Best Supporting Actress: Kathy Bates in Richard Jewell
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Best Supporting Actress: Laura Dern in Marriage Story
Netflix
25/29
Best Supporting Actor: Anthony Hopkins in The Two Popes
Netflix
26/29
Best Supporting Actor: Al Pacino in The Irishman
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27/29
Best Supporting Actor: Tom Hanks in A Beautiful Day In the Neighborhood
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Best Supporting Actor: Joe Pesci in The Irishman
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Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
He said: “It is the most incredible exhibition. It was the first place I went. The wealth of information is absolutely amazing and the way it explains the war and the politics on a large scale and on a small scale was so insightful.”
MacKay’s co-star Dean-Charles Chapman said he was still getting used to the attention. “The one thing I cannot get used to is the jet lag. I am constantly like: ‘What is going on? Is it morning?’
“To do this with George, he is the nicest bloke I have ever met. And now, he is my favourite actor. He is phenomenal. He is like a brother, we have been through so much.”
The film is favourite to win the best picture Oscar, with Sir Sam tipped to be named best director. Other British stars with nominations include Cynthia Erivo, for best actress, and Florence Pugh, for best supporting actress.