Operation Mincemeat, the gripping 2021 war drama directed by John Madden, is now streaming on Netflix. Based on Ben Macintyre’s book, the film tells the incredible true story of one of the most audacious military deceptions of World War II.
Set in 1943, Operation Mincemeat follows two British intelligence officers, Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley, as they hatch an elaborate plan to mislead Nazi Germany.
With the stakes at their highest, the duo devises a bold strategy: planting a corpse carrying false documents off the coast of Spain to convince German forces that the Allied invasion will target Greece instead of Sicily.
Colin Firth stars as officer Ewen Montagu, and is joined by a stellar cast including Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Cholmondeley, Kelly Macdonald as Jean Leslie, Penelope Wilton as Hester Leggett, Johnny Flynn as Ian Fleming, and Jason Isaacs as the no-nonsense Admiral John Godfrey.
The film also marks the final performance of Paul Ritter, to whom it is dedicated.
The film’s unique blend of espionage, drama, and unexpected moments of humor offers a fresh take on a lesser-known but pivotal moment in history.
Shot in the UK, Spain, and Australia, Operation Mincemeat captures the tension and intrigue of wartime Britain, and John Madden’s direction keeps the narrative moving swiftly, balancing character-driven moments with the high stakes of the mission.
The attention to historical detail and taut storytelling have earned Operation Mincemeat widespread acclaim: It boasts an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising it as a “well-acted and engaging wartime drama.”