The Gathering Storm
A remarkable cast lends emotional richness toThe Gathering Storm,  an HBO movie about the life of Winston Churchill just prior to the onset  of World War II. Faced with bankruptcy, his career in decline, Churchill  (Albert Finney) is beset with depression until the impending danger of  German rearmament--along with the British government's reluctance to  recognize the threat of Hitler--gives him a cause that brings him back to  energetic life. The movie focuses as much on the enduring relationship  between Churchill and his wife, Clementine (Vanessa Redgrave), as his  political struggles. But thoughThe Gathering Stormclearly admires  Churchill, it also acknowledges his tyrannical personality and astonishing  ego, turning what could be a puff piece into a well-rounded and moving  portrait. The truly topnotch cast includes Derek Jacobi, Jim Broadbent,  Tom Wilkinson, Linus Roache, and Lena Headey, all of whom turn in superb  performances.--Bret Fetzer