I was expecting a sappy retelling of Churchill's heroics

Rating: 9/10 (12 February 2018)

But I should have realized Gary Oldham is capable of lifting up an entire genre. Here he and his costar, Lily James, recreate the tension and dread that must have accompanied an impending invasion by the Nazis such that I was actually on the edge of my seat, despite knowing the story. That's quite an accomplishment for everyone involved.
And for anyone familiar with the historical Churchill who might have a hard time imagining his personal life, rest assured, you will not be bored or disillusioned. This movie is brilliant and I was in awe of Oldham throughout this moving portrait. In my opinion Gary Oldham deserves any award he's eligible for. I'd say the same about the direction which was on the same level as the acting, spot on as Brits might say.
I would not necessarily call myself an Anglophile but this movie does a lot to stoke my wanting to revisit the UK. That's totally unexpected giving my attitude going in.