Superb, with an outstanding performance from Gary Oldman

Rating: 9/10 (25 April 2018)

May, 1940. Germany has invaded Belgium and Holland and poised to invade France. UK Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigns and Winston Churchill assumes the role of Prime Minister. Churchill was an outsider for the role and many of his colleagues have misgivings about his abilities. Even the King has issues with Churchill. From the outset Churchill is opposed to any negotiation with Germany but as the situation in France worsens, certain members of his cabinet think that suing for peace may the best course of action. This not only troubles him deeply but puts his position in jeopardy.
Superb docu-drama. Edifying, capturing the situation of the war well and how perilous England's situation was at the time. The issues Churchill inherited and the problems he faced are explored well.
Good plot development, and quite accurate, historically. There are a few dramatic devices thrown in to help the story along. These generally don't tamper with the bigger picture though do feel a bit manipulative on occasion.
Quite an emotional and stirring conclusion.
Superb performance by Gary Oldman as Churchill. Virtually unrecognisable - the film's make-up department did an amazing job - Oldman captures Churchill's mannerisms perfectly. Churchill appears as a multi-dimensional character - strong but vulnerable, strong-willed but with moments of indecision, hero and anti-hero - and this is largely thanks to Oldman's deft handling of the role. Gary Oldman won the 2018 Best Actor Oscar for his performance - the first Oscar of his career - and truly deserved it.
Also deserving of their Oscar was the film's makeup team which won Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling.
Good supporting performances from a cast that includes Kristin Scott Thomas (as Clementine Churchill), Lily James, Stephen Dillane (as Viscount Halifax) and Ben Mendelsohn (as King George VI).