General Erinmore briefs two young soldiers, Blake and Schofield, on a perilous mission to deliver a message across enemy lines. He reveals that the German retreat is a trap and that Blake's brother is among the sixteen hundred men walking into a massacre if they fail.
ERINMORE: Don’t get your hopes up. It appears to be a strategic withdrawal. They seem to have created a new line, nine miles back here, by the looks of it.
ERINMORE: Colonel Mackenzie is in command of the 2nd. He sent word yesterday morning that he was going after the retreating Germans. He is convinced he has them on the run - that if he can break their…
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Format: Monologue · Genre: Drama · Source: 1917 · Author: Barry Luc · Characters: Erinmore
This intense monologue from the Academy Award-winning film 1917 features General Erinmore briefing two young soldiers on a critical mission. The scene meticulously outlines the devastating implications of a German strategic withdrawal, revealing it to be a trap designed to ambush Allied forces. Erinmore's delivery is charged with the weight of impending doom, as he tasks the soldiers with delivering a message that could avert a massive loss of life.
General Erinmore is presented as a burdened yet resolute authority figure. His primary objective is to convey the extreme urgency and danger of the situation to his young subordinates, ensuring they grasp the life-or-death stakes involved. He embodies a weary intelligence, acutely aware of the horrors of war but driven by a desperate hope to mitigate them. This character requires an actor to project gravitas and moral fortitude, tempered by a palpable sense of responsibility.
This monologue is excellent for auditions due to its clear arc, high stakes, and demonstrative emotional range. It allows an actor to showcase their ability to command a scene, convey complex information under pressure, and subtly reveal the immense burden of leadership. The narrative builds effectively, culminating in a powerful revelation that directly impacts one of the listeners, providing a strong emotional punch.
This piece is ideally suited for male actors in the middle-aged range who can command the stage with authority and gravitas. It's particularly effective for those looking to be cast as military personnel, mentors, or other impactful authority figures. The material also lends itself well to actors who can portray a sense of weary experience and intelligent conviction, making it suitable for both agent showcases and self-tape submissions.
Focus on Erinmore's underlying desperation to be understood, rather than merely presenting facts. Allow the weight of the information he imparts to subtly affect your pace and vocal intensity, particularly when revealing the true nature of the German withdrawal and the personal connection to one of the soldiers. Consider the physical gestures of a military leader, using the map and aerial photographs as natural anchor points for your performance and to draw the imaginary recipients into the narrative.