MILITARY veterans are invited to a special free breakfast ahead of a screening of acclaimed new film 1917 at The Light Cinema in Bradford.

The film, which won two Golden Globes this week for Best Picture and Director, is directed by Sam Mendes and was inspired by his grandfather’s experiences as a lance corporal in the First World War.

The film follows two young solders, Lance Corporal Tom Blake and Lance Corporal William Schofield, on a daring mission through enemy territory in April, 1917 to prevent the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment being led into a trap set by the Germans. If the two soldiers don’t make it in time, two 2nd Devons battalions - a total of 1,600 men - will be killed.

Shot in ‘real-time’, 1917 is described as “visceral, gut-wrenching film-making” and takes audiences into the trenches with the characters, as bullets pierce the air and blood seeps into swathes of thick mud.

Other scenes follow a sprint across No Man’s Land, littered with fallen horses, and a journey in a truck crammed with troops. The star-studded cast includes Colin Firth, Andrew Scott, Mark Strong, Benedict Cumberbatch and Richard Madden.

The British film has been nominated for several Baftas - including two Best Film categories, Best Director, Score and Cinematography - and looks set to do well at the Oscars in February. Sam Mendes won the Best Director Oscar for 1999 film American Beauty and has since directed James Bond films Skyfall and Spectre.

The 1917 film is released nationwide on Friday, and The Light Cinema in Bradford city centre is putting on a free breakfast for veterans who would like to attend a 12.30pm general screening.

They must take some proof, if possible, that they have served in the armed forces. While the breakfast is free, they will be required to buy a ticket for the film.

“The breakfast will be at 11.30am, it will be pastries and bacon sandwiches with tea and coffee,” said deputy manager Julie Monks. “This film is getting a lot of praise, it looks breathtaking and thought-provoking, and has done so well at the Golden Globes. We thought it would be nice to invite veterans along to see it, and make it a bit special for them with a breakfast.”

Julie has contacted the Royal British Legion, Age UK and Bradford World War 1 Group about the screening, and says the invitation is open to veterans around the district.

To accompany the film, the WW1 Group plans to present an exhibition at the cinema, featuring images of the First World War and information about the Bradford Pals and other regiments. The display boards, which are set to be at the cinema over the weekend, also focus on the global nature of the 1914-1918 conflict.

“People from every community in Bradford will have links to World War 1,” said group president Tricia Restorick. “Men and women from all backgrounds are represented in the exhibition.”

* Veterans are invited to attend the breakfast at The Light Cinema on Broadway, Bradford, on Friday at 11.30am. No pre-booking is required.

* For more information visit lightcinemas.co.uk