It was directed and produced by Sam Mendes, who wrote the screenplay with Krysty Wilson-Cairns. The movie stars George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman, with Mark Strong, Andrew Scott, Richard Madden, Claire Duburcq, Colin Firth, and Benedict Cumberbatch in supporting roles. The movie is inspired by a story told to Mendes by his paternal grandfather, Alfred Mendes, about his time serving in World War I. 