Darkest Hour (2017) [Blu-ray]
Biography | Drama | History | War

Tagline: A man with the heart of a nation.

During the early days of World War II, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler, or fight on against incredible odds.

Storyline: Within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman) must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation. As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe and the threat of invasion is imminent, and with an unprepared public, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history. Written by Focus Features

Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Martin Liebman, February 15, 2018 Christopher Nolan's instant-classic film Dunkirk released to theaters in the Summer of 2017 to widespread critical acclaim. The film tells the story of "Operation Dynamo" -- the rescue of nearly the entire British army, trapped in the French seaside city, by waves of civilian craft sailing Southeast from the English coast -- from three different perspectives and nonlinear timelines from sea, air, and land. Director Joe Wright's (Pan) Darkest Hour, released shortly thereafter, tells the story from inside the English parliament by way of a snapshot biopic of the freshly installed Winston Churchill, a war hawk replacing the dovish Neville Chamberlain as England's Prime Minister. The Dunkirk situation commands Churchill's early time in office, and the film follows on through to explore how he rallies his nation to take up arms against the Nazi army, which is quickly overrunning Europe and is sure to target the British Isles sooner rather than later. The film depicts Churchill, brilliantly portrayed by Gary Oldman, battling many of the very appeasers who put Britain in grave danger in the first place, building his case for war, and wrestling with his own conscience as the weight of the world bears down on his shoulders. The film also offers a secondary perspective on history through the eyes of his newly appointed secretary, Elizabeth Layton (Lily James).

As Churchill takes the reigns of power from Chamberlain, the story becomes increasingly bleak as the Nazi threat looms larger by the day, as those around Churchill cry for peace while he relentlessly screams for action. The film's story is one of Churchill's steadfastness in his call to action but also the increasing doubts as the realities of the danger become increasingly clear, which includes nearly the entire British army soon to be captured or wiped out on the shores of France. The film is appropriately bleak, because as the title suggests it's a dark time for England and, indeed, the world. Churchill, a man depicted as stubborn, aloof, hard-edged, and determined, softens as the situation grows ever more dim. The film begins with him berating his secretary for sloppy dictation work but finds his humanity when he mingles with common Londoners on a subway car, taking an informal poll amongst the people to help determine his course of action against the pending Nazi assault.

Yet for such a serious story and film, small lights of humorous character building moments and brief escapes from the dire realities of war humanize the character and the world around him. Churchill, gruff as he may be, carries much of the film's softer side, never a detriment to or deterrent from the main story but serving as a necessary foil for the dramatic intensity that unfolds throughout the film. Darkest Hour offers a secondary perspective through the eyes of his secretary, a woman who is run out of his room in tears within minutes of meeting him but who becomes a steadfast ally and even a friend. Her brother is in danger in Dunkirk, and as history falls on Churchill's shoulders, she carries the burden, too, as she puts his words to paper, essentially certifying world-shaping events.

Gary Oldman is absolutely stellar, not simply standing in Winston Churchill's shoes but embodying the man with fierce tenacity and practiced yet effortless delivery. This is a remarkable time for great actors in exceptionally crafted roles, as was just recently seen in Roman J. Israel, Esq., and this actor, and this performance in particular, is amongst the best the modern generation has to offer. Oldman, a titan of an actor portraying a titan of a man, plays a strong, stoic, larger-than-life figure who is sometimes cold, easy to anger, and eccentric, but at the same time evolving into the role history has thrust upon him. Whether the weight of history or the weight of the personality, Oldman captures both dualities — the narrative and the man within it — with striking precision. It's inspired casting and an inspired performance of one of the most towering figures in world history.

Darkest Hour is not simply a historical, politically dominant wartime film. It's an intimate character portrait that examines Churchill's personal life, his wife's bluntness about their relationship and their conflicts, the family's finances, and evolving relationship with King George, all as the weight of the world burdens his every step. The film is wonderfully crafted, its juxtaposing light and darkness helping to shape the narrative, and Gary Oldman's performance is dynamic and expertly honed to the finest detail. This is a stellar film, a necessary companion to Dunkirk and itself an instant classic. Universal's Blu-ray is very good, delivering flawless 1080p video, a fantastically complimentary Atmos soundtrack, and a few solid extras. Very highly recommended.

[CSW] -4.2- Hidden behind fake jowls and a receding hairline, Gary Oldman delivers one of the great performances of his career as Winston Churchill. Churchill may be prime minister, but his power is blocked by the leaders of both parties, who are scheming to undermine him, lest he agree to talk peace with Italy's Benito Mussolini. Meanwhile, Churchill has self-confidence issues of his own - and in these he is supported by the young typist (Lily James) to whom he dictates his various letters and speeches. From history we know that Churchill was a manic depressive and as several psychologists have pointed out that during times of great crisis certain mental disorders actually help. I was hoping to see more of that side of his personality but unless people already knew of this condition it would probably have lost a big part of the audience. This particular chapter in history has been so thoroughly dramatized in recent years that you might think it would diminish the power of Churchill's well-known speeches but it didn't, and some audience members may find themselves mouthing the words in unison, as I did.
[V5.0-A4.5] MPEG-4 AVC - No D-Box


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