Review of Churchill (2017) by Michael B — 06 Dec 2017

Bland. Mostly about an old, angry man who keeps butting into other people's business. That's my take. Normally, I don't kibitz about details in movies. I just try to enjoy the story. However, in this case it's difficult not to.

This is a WW2 drama that takes place at the highest levels of government, concerning the largest, most important military operation in history. It's told by a cut-rate budget production. Dignitaries enter and leave major headquarters, and the slobs they have posted as sentries don't know how to comport themselves, and in some cases don't even come to attention when the Prime Minister passes by! The headquarters looks like it was staffed at the level of a Sears store going thru a major layoff.

There's hardly anyone there the day before D Day! The extras that play parts as misc. troops, look like extras playing misc. troops. No two wear their head gear alike.Their new off the rack uniforms look like new off the rack uniforms.

They need haircuts. The scene where Churchill visits the Montgomery and his troops before they depart looks like it was filmed at a weekend meeting of the local reenactors group. There are a few tents, a few vehicles, and a few troops, who look as pumped up for war as an office staff who's been told about a mandatory EEO class after lunch! And then there are the actors portraying the military leaders! If it weren't for the fact that the other characters keep referring to the one playing Eisenhower by name, you wouldn't even know it was supposed to be Ike.

There was one scene, at least, that hit a poignant note - the scene where King George emphasizes that despite their love of country, he and Churchill have a duty at home, and not in the invasion force.

The reason I emphasize the sloppiness of the production is that many movie goers do not have the story of that period imprinted on them like those who lived it, and we Baby Boomers who were brought up with the story thru school, first hand accounts by those who lived it, and the movies produced during and immediately after the war.

If you were unfamiliar with the story of WW2, you could find yourself wondering "Who are these people and what is going on? All I see is an angry old man.".