A review of the new film “Darkest Hour”
“Darkest Hour”, an account of Winston Churchill’s premiership in the few weeks before the evacuation from Dunkirk in May 1940, can be seen as complementary to two other recent films: “Dunkirk” by director Christopher Nolan and “Churchill” with Brian Cox in the eponymous role. It may be a coincidence that all three works have appeared since the British people (narrowly) voted to leave the European Union, but each of them seems intended to remind us that historically this country has (sadly) always been insular both geographically and politically.
As cinema, “Darkest Hour”, directed by Joe Wright (“Atonement”) and scripted by Anthony McCarten (“The Theory Of Everything”), is an absolute treat. There are some very artful visual compositions and techniques but, above all, this film is made by its actors.
A barely recognisable Gary Oldman is simply brilliant as Churchill, conveying powerfully all the varied emotions for which this this complex (and controversial) character is known. This tour de force portrayal deserves all the awards which it will undoubtably win. But the support roles are also quality, notably Ben Mendelsohn as King George VI, Ronald Pickup and Stephen Dillane as the appeasers Neville Chamberlain and Lord Halifax respectively, and Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James as the women – wife Clementine and secretary Miss Layton respectively – who calm the volcano that is the new PM.
As history, however, “Darkest Hour” has some serious weaknesses, especially because of something that is not shown and something that is presented as pivotal to the glorious finale.
The missing element of the story is the recognition that Churchill was not alone in opposing a peace settlement with Hitler; his Labour ministers – led by Clement Attlee and Arthur Greenwood (who have tiny roles in this film) – were equally determined to fight on. The scene to which one has to take great exception shows Churchill using the London Underground and seeking the views of fellow travellers who conveniently are a cross section of the popuation but all back resistance to the Nazis. Not only did this incident never happen; it is quite frankly unthinkable and spoils what is otherwise an informative and gripping account of a huge turning point in British history.