GERMANY WAS ARMING ITSELF FOR WAR. BUT THEY DIDN’T COUNT ON ONE MAN.
During the 1930s, Winston Churchill experienced some of his most depressing years as a politician; it looked as if his career was over. He kept talking about how Germany’s new leaders were preparing for war and that Britain was in grave danger, but it took years before a substantial number of his peers started listening. This TV movie portrays that time in an understated, credible way and also shows how dependent the future Prime Minister was on his patient wife. Albert Finney is eerily reminiscent of the real Churchill; his transformation is perfect and he leads a very capable cast, including Vanessa Redgrave as the independent but loyal Clemmie.
2002-U.S.-Britain. Made for TV. 96 min. Color. Produced by Frank Doelger, David M. Thompson. Directed by Richard Loncraine. Teleplay: Hugh Whitemore. Cast: Albert Finney (Winston Churchill), Vanessa Redgrave (Clemmie Churchill), Jim Broadbent (Desmond Morton), Linus Roache, Lena Headey, Tom Wilkinson… Derek Jacobi, Tom Hiddleston.
Trivia: Co-executive produced by Ridley and Tony Scott. Followed by Into the Storm (2009).
Emmys: Outstanding TV Movie, Actor (Finney), Writing. Golden Globes: Best TV Movie, Actor (Finney).
ABOVE AVERAGE