Darkest Hour (2017)
Genre: War / Biography
Duration: 114 minuten
Country:
United Kingdom / United States
Directed by: Joe Wright
Stars: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James
IMDb score:
7,4 (246.827)
Releasedate: 22 November 2017
Darkest Hour plot
"Never never never surrender"
'Darkest Hour' takes a look at the life of Winston Churchill. Within days of becoming Britain's prime minister, he faces a daunting task: sign a peace treaty with Nazi Germany or fight for a nation's ideals and freedom. When the Germans are busy occupying Western Europe, Churchill, despite resistance from his own party, makes an attempt to change the course of world history.
Social Media
Actors and actresses
Winston Churchill
Clemmie
King George VI
Elizabeth Layton
Neville Chamberlain
Viscount Halifax
Sir John Simon
Sir Anthony Eden
Clement Atlee
General Ismay
Reviews & comments
Macmanus
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- 13726 messages
- 3732 votes
Usual Suspect
Last film I had yet to see of the Best Picture Oscar nominations. And unfortunately it is what I expected. Typical Oscar movie. Fortunately, the film chooses wisely not to follow Churchill his entire life, but a pivotal moment in his career. Wright still wants to work reasonably well visually. Tight pans still make it fine to behold. Style sometimes seems to get lost during the film. Sometimes there are suddenly very ugly shots in it. Churchill standing in front of his bed when the King comes. Apparently Churchill wasn't that big and they wanted to make a little Lord of the Rings like shot. But it didn't look like it. That may also be a bit unfortunate with true stories. People are so pleased with the truthfulness of the characters that it sometimes seems as if you sometimes lose sight of telling a compelling story.
Because the film seemed to be heading for a 3 star for a long time until one of the worst scenes ever in an Oscar movie came on the screen. The subway scene. God all mighty, that one was bad. I can hardly describe how agonizing that scene was. Acting was abysmal from the normal peeps. But also how they say their names and that Uncle Tom can also give some answers. Even Jebus Spielberg would not have dared this.
Don't understand what people were thinking there. half a point off for this school play. Oldman is on a roll, but I'm a bigger fan of natural acting instead of technically good acting.
2.5 stars.
Translated from Dutch · View original
blurp194
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- 6015 messages
- 4496 votes
An ode to Churchill.
Historically, there is very little of it, I'm afraid - without going into all the details, and that is not really necessary because the summary is already too romanticized. But maybe Churchill's person deserves that too. Still, it kind of feels like a missed opportunity, and I'd really like to see a really totally uber-nerd version of this piece of history - just to find out what it was all about. A documentary in 52 parts seems to me very suitable for that - there is probably a lot to tell.
And that is perhaps the value of this film, precisely that it encourages you to become curious about what really happened. The genius role of Oldman helps a lot for that, and the beautifully timed way in which the story is told too. Nice roles also for Lily James (although I don't believe much of that either, especially the family relationship was really not something of that time) and Ben Mendelsohn (even Churchill would not have been so rude in the presence of the king).
A long time ago I read one of the parts of Churchill's memoirs. Maybe I'll look it up again.
Translated from Dutch · View original
JJ_D
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- 3847 messages
- 1374 votes
Reportedly, a biopic should provide in-depth insight. 'Darkest Hour', unfortunately, is anything but. The film most resembles a Hollywood attempt at glorification, but of what? Of blind patriotism? Of spilling other people's blood against your better judgement? After all, surely not of defending universal values such as democracy, freedom and equality?
Strangely, Winston Churchill is portrayed as a doubting, apparently demented eccentric who against all odds makes the right guess that ultimately turned history upside down. Is that in itself meritorious? It's worth a discussion, or at least a consideration. One that director Joe Wright doesn't make.
Apart from the sugary soundtrack and the sentimental narrative fringes, the lack of clarity is above all the most disturbing. Why was Churchill's candidacy actually supported by the opposition? What exactly happened during the Gallipoli Campaign during the First World War? How did Prime Minister and King relate to each other, and why? You have to figure it all out yourself afterwards. Can't be the intention, right?
2.75*
Translated from Dutch · View original
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