One of the most widely acclaimed wartime biopics of the 21st century has returned to BBC iPlayer – and it’s not short on praise.
Darkest Hour, the 2017 film starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill, has been called “the greatest movie of Churchill ever” with Oldman’s performance described by viewers as “sublime as always”.
Set over a tight and pivotal few weeks in 1940, Darkest Hour follows Winston Churchill as he assumes office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during one of the most critical moments of the Second World War. Nazi forces are sweeping across Western Europe, and the British Army is cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk.
With King George VI, members of his own war cabinet, and opposition figures in Parliament all casting doubt over his leadership, Churchill is forced to make a decision that could define Britain’s future: to negotiate peace with Hitler – or fight on against staggering odds.
Directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride & Prejudice), the film was written by Anthony McCarten, who would go on to pen other major biopics including Bohemian Rhapsody and The Two Popes.
The supporting cast includes Kristin Scott Thomas as Clementine Churchill, Lily James as Churchill’s personal secretary Elizabeth Layton, Ben Mendelsohn as King George VI, and Stephen Dillane as the wary Viscount Halifax.
Oldman’s transformation into Churchill was widely regarded as one of the most remarkable physical performances in recent cinema. Behind the scenes, the work was meticulous, and Oldman also reportedly studied Churchill’s mannerisms, speeches, and writings intensely – resulting in a performance that swept the 2018 awards season.
At the 90th Academy Awards, Darkest Hour won two Oscars: Best Actor for Oldman, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, and Best Production Design.
It also won Best Actor, Best Makeup and Hair, and Best Costume Design at the BAFTAs, and was nominated to several other awards.
One viewer wrote about its visual power in a review on Rotten Tomatoes – where the film holds an 86% score: “Visually it’s incredible, lots of beautiful shots; and Gary Oldman’s acting, sublime as always.”
“The pacing is perfect,” wrote a nother audience reviewer. “A riveting true story, expertly told.”
One of the more distinctive elements of the film is how it humanises Churchill. While many previous portrayals focused on the oratory or the political context, Darkest Hour offers glimpses into the personal pressures of his role: “Love movies like this where you get a glimpse into the personal lives of people you’ve learned about your whole life. Really makes you feel for Churchill”, one fan commented.
The Darkest Hour (2017) is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.