Biographical Surprise

Rating: 8/10 (17 February 2018)

This is a very well done Biographical film, which throws some critics for a loop as Biographies deserve a different type of rating versus other types of films. Well done bios can be entertaining, Patton being a best picture example. But usually Bios are more about acting and script than entertainment. Once again, Patton is a great example of those with George C. Scott in his greatest role.
Here might very well be Oldmans greatest role. He brings Churchill very much to life in the darkest hour of history. Especially interesting is the fact this films writer did not use a Biographical Novel to base this on. While that makes me wonder about the historic accuracy, but the film is so well done it is a pleasure to watch. The Director of "The Theory of Everything" does a great job with this one.
On the assumption it is all factually based, the film brings up important moments of history from Churchhill becoming Prime Minister in crisis to the Dunkirk rescue. There are brief references to Churchills failures in the past including India but this films focus is May, 1940. Oldman gets wonderful support from the cast with Mrs. Churchill, and his typist being very well played.
The story begs some questions. Today it is hard to imagine Nevill Chamberlain wanted to negotiate a British Surrender to Hitler in 1940. Yet it does fit with a diplomat whose career as Prime Minister was of trying to avoid the inevitable. His character and the alternative person to appointing Churchill are very well drawn here. The chaos Hitler brought upon the world is a stark picture.
The bonus here and surprise is Churchills ride in the London Subway prior to his dramatic speech. This scene might never have happened, but then again if it did, it would have been like this. This is unexpected but a perfect lead in to the finale. "We will never surrender."