Review of Darkest Hour (2017) by Joseph M — 23 Dec 2017

If Gary Oldman doesn't get an Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill then God is clearly not watching American cinema as He should be doing. Amazing performance. The casting of all roles, small and large in this film was perfect. Lily James as his secretary and Kristen Scott Thomas as his wife, Clemmie were particularly great as was the Brittish actor playing King Edward.

I've always loved history and Winston Churchill is one of my favorite great men of the past. I've read several excellent books about Churchill and this film makes me now feel like I've met him. His quirks, wit and grit are well portrayed, interspersed with powerful dramatizations of his actual words and unique delivery style. This film also manages to show the behind-the-story machinations of oppositional forces, like Neville Chamberlain and Halifax, who resented their loss of power and worked to damage Churchill's control.

Though this film has very little actual "war" footage, in fact almost none, yet the tension and terror of the early days of that conflict are palpable. We see the collapse of Europe and the virtually assured defeat of Britain, standing alone before the juggernaut of Hitler's evil machine. We feel the terror and self-doubt, which would eat away at Churchill. Yet his internal determination and resolve would win the struggle. We also are reminded of the nobility of that era and the calm heroism of the Brittish people.

With our advantage of hindsight, we may forget today how dark the hour truly was when Great Britain stood alone. England needed Churchill in 1940 like they need Admiral Nelson or Wellesly, the Duke of Wellington to defeat Napolean a century earlier. Great film. I hope the youth of today will see this film so they can see what kind of courage comes when one man refuses to bow the knee to totalitarianism. Inspirational and a reminder that appeasement of evil only delays and magnifies the dangers of a world if there is no Winston Churchill standing upon the wall. I loved this film. One of the greatest biographical historical dramas I've ever seen.