Andrew Scott, Richard Madden and Sam Mendes lead the red carpet arrivals at the 1917 premiere in London

Andrew Scott, Richard Madden and Sam Mendes led the red carpet tonight for the premiere and Royal Film Performance of war drama 1917.

The movie - which boasts an all-star ensemble cast including Benedict Cumberbatch, Scott and Madden - sees two young First World War soldiers handed the seemingly impossible mission of carrying a message to a battalion who are heading into a trap.

Schofield (Captain Fantastic’s George MacKay) and Blake (Game of Thrones actor Dean-Charles Chapman) face a race against time to save the men - who include Blake’s own brother.

The premiere of one of the most hotly-anticipated films of the year was held at the Odeon in London's Leicester Square.

Speaking on the red carpet, Scott said he was "keen as mustard" to see the film.

"I haven't seen it yet," he told red carpet host Rick Edwards. "I'm as excited as anybody to see the movie.

"This is my third venture with Mr Mendes, we worked together on Spectre and we did a play in New York before, so it was really Sam, but also this extremely innovative way of making the film."

It was previously revealed that the film will play as one continuous shot, rather than consist of cutaways and transitions.

Asked how the filming techniques affected his acting, Scott said: "It's pretty daunting. You have to get it right. Usually you rely on pickups or editing if you make a mistake. So it's a bit like live theatre which a lot of the actors in the movie are experienced with. It was thrilling."

Royal guests The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall also attended the event, which is being held in support of The Film and TV Charity.

1917 has been tipped for several awards and critics have suggested it could be a frontrunner for the coveted Best Picture accolade at the Oscars.

Mendes - who also won praise for James Bond film Skyfall - is also believed to be a contender for the Best Director gong.

1917 is directed by Mendes, who wrote the screenplay with Krysty Wilson-Cairns.

The film is produced by Mendes and Pippa Harris for their Neal Street Productions, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Callum McDougall and Brian Oliver.

Watch a video from the red carpet above now.