Never Surrender

Rating: 9/10 (29 May 2020)

One of the most outstanding English filmmakers of the X generation, is undoubtedly Joe Wright, who since childhood shows artistic inclinations in painting, theater, TV and finally in 2005 presents his first feature film Pride & Prejudice, achieving a pleasant impression on the public and critics, then among others: Atonement 2007, Anna Karenina 2012 and her most recent film Darkest Hour in 2017.
The film is set in London exactly 80 years ago in May 1940, when the Nazis advanced uncontrollably in Europe and the English government for that reason, faced a political crisis, which ended in the rise of Winston Churchill, as Prime Minister, to the same time that other political rivals pressed for peace to be signed with Germany and thus overthrow Churchill. Aside from Oldman's affinity for the character of Winston (he studied it for a year) and Wright's touch to show the 'phlegm' and behavior of the English and their leaders, the strength of the film lies in the closeness of history with what happened in reality, regarding Churchill's conviction not to surrender against tyranny, to defend their land, their ideas and their freedom, then facing his political rivals he says: "Nations which go down fighting rise again, and those that surrender tamely are finished" A decisive moment in the history of the world -as we know it- that meant a great sacrifice, pain and loss of life for the English families, but that in the end with the victory, it was demonstrated that their leader was right not to give up, in another great phrase says to his critics: "You can not reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth" A renowned orator and iconic politician, he had to earn the respect of the king as well as his entire people in order to rule.
Huge screenplay by Anthony McCarten Admirable performance by Gary Oldman very good performances by Lily James, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn and Stephen Dillane