After the BAFTAs, many movie enthusiasts find it relatively safe to predict that Sam Mendez’s 1917 is a shoo-in for several of the Oscars it is nominated for, including the coveted Best Picture; 1917 dominated the BAFTAs, pulling in seven prizes total. Although it is easy to take this as a strong indicator of success at the Oscars, previous years have proven that this isn’t a guarantee. In fact, the last five years the BAFTA Best Film winner did not take Best Picture at the Oscars. This leaves room for debate for who will take home the prize this Sunday.

Mendez’s competition this year includes critically acclaimed films from rivals Tarantino and Scorsese. However, despite their brilliant films, 1917 is set apart by its brilliant camera work and thrilling effect on the viewer. One of the most notable aspects of this work is that it was shot to look as though the whole movie is completed in a single take. This style has been known to impress the Academy; Birdman, shot using the same technique, won Best Picture only five years ago. While this effect may not be original, it is heavily expanded upon through the course of the movie as we follow our protagonist through a series of harrowing tasks as he struggles to deliver his message. The viewer is sucked into not only the story, but begins to identify with the protagonist himself as we watch bullets whiz past as through they too are fighting our way through a battlefield.

It is this aspect that sets 1917 apart from contenders such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and assures fans that this year’s Best Picture will be awarded to 1917.