Churchill
Brian Cox, Miranda Richardson and John Slattery star in this ticking-clock thriller following Winston Churchill in the 24 hours before D-Day.
As allied forces stand on the south coast of Britain, poised to invade Nazi-occupied Europe, they await Churchill’s (Cox) decision on whether the invasion will actually move ahead. Fearful of repeating his mistakes from the beaches of Gallipoli, exhausted by years of war, plagued by depression and obsessed with fulfilling historical greatness, Churchill is also faced with constant criticism from his political opponents; General Eisenhower (Slattery) and Field Marshal Montgomery (Julian Wadham).
Only the unflinching support of Churchill’s brilliant, unflappable wife Clementine (Richardson) can halt the Prime Minister’s physical and mental collapse and help lead him to greatness.
- Director:
- Jonathan Teplitzky ('The Railway Man', 'Burning Man', 'Gettin' Square')
- Writer:
- Alex von Tunzelmann
- Cast:
- Brian CoxMiranda RichardsonJohn SlatteryJames PurefoyJulian WadhamRichard DurdenElla PurnellDanny Webb
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Paul Casserly
flicksBrian Cox gives good Churchill. He has the acting chops, he has the body shape, and he really knows how pull that bulldog face. He has jowls and he knows how to use them. But creating the facsimile only takes you so far, the key to a good biopic is bringing new intel to the table, illuminating shades of historical grey hitherto hidden by the broad strokes. On that score this film makes the grade in spades, at least for those whose book shelves don’t groan with military histories.
an unsubtle but beautifully produced character study of Winston Churchill
While historians debate facts audiences judge movies on expressive qualities, human insight and entertainment value. The beautifully produced Churchill (2017) is being criticised for its interpretation of history, leaving the film’s considerable cinematic qualities overlooked. Historical bio-pics are necessarily selective and reductive, and many are less...
Village Voice
pressSo full of movie clichés and high melodrama that it's sometimes hard not to giggle - and one should never laugh at the prime minister.
The New York Times
pressThe movie's ambition is the good news. The bad news is that it is a hash, choosing to jumble the historical record and frame a Churchill bout with depression against the D-Day invasion of France by Allied forces.
Sydney Morning Herald
pressThe script is eventually undone by its cliches, one or two of which are shamelessly sentimental, but Cox and Richardson make it all worthwhile.
Rolling Stone
pressYou can certainly argue just how speculative this film version of Churchill is as history. But Cox's performance cannot be faulted. It's a master class in acting.
Los Angeles Times
pressA superb look at iconic statesman Winston Churchill's torturous days leading up to the pivotal D-Day landings of June 6, 1944.
Hollywood Reporter
pressCox aside, this pedestrian drama is hobbled by too many monodimensional characters and too much overly explanatory dialogue that feels like a dry high school history lesson...
Flicks, Paul Casserly
flicksBrian Cox gives good Churchill. He has the acting chops, he has the body shape, and he really knows how pull that bulldog face. He has jowls and he knows how to use them. But creating the facsimile only takes you so far, the key to a good biopic is bringing new intel to the table, illuminating shades of historical grey hitherto hidden by the broad strokes. On that score this film makes the grade in spades, at least for those whose book shelves don’t groan with military histories.
Village Voice
pressSo full of movie clichés and high melodrama that it's sometimes hard not to giggle - and one should never laugh at the prime minister.
The New York Times
pressThe movie's ambition is the good news. The bad news is that it is a hash, choosing to jumble the historical record and frame a Churchill bout with depression against the D-Day invasion of France by Allied forces.
Sydney Morning Herald
pressThe script is eventually undone by its cliches, one or two of which are shamelessly sentimental, but Cox and Richardson make it all worthwhile.
Rolling Stone
pressYou can certainly argue just how speculative this film version of Churchill is as history. But Cox's performance cannot be faulted. It's a master class in acting.
Los Angeles Times
pressA superb look at iconic statesman Winston Churchill's torturous days leading up to the pivotal D-Day landings of June 6, 1944.
Hollywood Reporter
pressCox aside, this pedestrian drama is hobbled by too many monodimensional characters and too much overly explanatory dialogue that feels like a dry high school history lesson...
an unsubtle but beautifully produced character study of Winston Churchill
While historians debate facts audiences judge movies on expressive qualities, human insight and entertainment value. The beautifully produced Churchill (2017) is being criticised for its interpretation of history, leaving the film’s considerable cinematic qualities overlooked. Historical bio-pics are necessarily selective and reductive, and many are less...
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