Darkest Hour (2017)

This film explores the narrow line between victory and defeat. Winston Churchill was and still is a great leader that led Britain from the jaws of defeat into victory and this film describes that moment beautifully, For me there was a little too much emphasis on his legendary drinking and today we are not going to know the full reality in that area. There are some English speakers crticising Churchill today who would not be alive today or be free to speak criticism, if it were not for him.Both my parents lived through and participated in World War II and everyone that I knew from that generation said that without Churchill we would have lost the war. I believe those that were there and not the armchair critics of today.The level of betrayal by some people within Parliament and in the aristocracy was something that I had not really appreciated before this film and I am sure that this film has got that right. Now I can see why Rudolph Hess, the Deputy Leader of the German Nazi Party thought it was safe to parachute into Scotland. Luckily for us he was caught and arrested by a humble honest farmer and never made it to the the traitorous aristocrats that he expected to help him.These are lessons that we need to learn and remember.

Best part is that even Churchill had doubts at first. Many in his cabinet had such horrible memories from the huge losses of WW1, that they were willing to sell the farm (appease Hitler). We have 20/20 hindsight, so we think that it was obvious what he should do. Intersting bit is Brigadier Nicholson in Calais. Imagine what you'd feel if you get a message from WSC saying that you will not be evacuated?GOOF: WSC is shown flying to meet the French government and generals in a DC-3 Dakota. Probably not the right plane. DC-3's were around then, (so nice try Mr Director) but not available to the British government. Most likely the plane he used was a de Havilland D.H. 95 Flamingo. There aren't any DH 95's around in real life , so use the DC-3, they still exist.

Besides Dunkirk who took world war theme as its main premise, Darkest Hour also took the same theme as the world war with the same historical events as Dunkirk. If Dunkirk tells about rescuing 330,000 allied troops of French, British, German, and Dutch on the shore of Dunkirk in France, Darkest Hour told about the operations Dynamo which Winston Churchill was the mastermind. Now, honestly, I'm not too smart or clever in a history lesson because it's not my behavior. Some of the events that were told in this film were never recorded in history, according to I read on the internet. Joe Wright is the director responsible for this movie and takes a different perspective in showing a world war. Just like Lincoln and Bridge Of Spies, Darkest Hour takes a perspective on politics in the country. A film which also a pathway where Gary Oldman deserved an Oscar award in the category of best performance by an actor in a leading role.Winston Churchill is one of the most honored figures in history and leadership of universal. In fact, he is the most fearful person because we never know what words will come out of his mouth. His essence as a leader always raises concerns about how he makes a choice which his political friends don't like it and not to mention, his attitude which is inconsistent with leadership manner is unbelievable. But if he makes one of the right choices, he draws a bright outcome for himself and his country. Not only the country, the world is at stake about the choices he made. Therefore, Winston Churchill was the man responsible for the rescue at Dunkirk where he was the leader of everything.This is a film which is precisely and beautifully packaged. A simple dialogue isn't too complicated and so easy to understand to watch regardless of this is a historical and drama movie. Although some political components are being in this movie, I understand more in a single show than Lincoln which I have to rearrange some scenes I don't understand. The pace is pretty slow but not too heavy if you like a genre like this. The submission of the story can be delivered by combining a little humor and charming moment in it. Some record history that never recorded like one of the subway scenes which makes one of the most that hit me harder and the most charming scene in this movie.There are many memorable scenes that you can see in this movie as one of the best known is the "We will fight on the beaches" speech. In addition, the film is supported with a slick cinematographic every scene which it makes Darkest Hour always shows the details of it. This isn't a war movie in general where you will see the explosion or something like that around war but each scene that's shown in this film always attracts a tension that occurs in the world war from the debate in a roundtable until the speech in arousing the spirit of the soldier.Darkest Hours isn't always a dark film about world war every minute or hours. Not always this film becomes dark every minute but we are also introduced with a story which is quite touching. When Winston Churchill was an antagonist when he first day of his leadership, he was still able to make the right choice for his people despite his mental readiness wasn't ready to become a leader because he was always nervous at the first time in his term. Therefore, this historical figure known for his 'victory' slogan was played by an amazing and excellent acting by Gary Oldman. This is like watching Lincoln, played by Daniel Day-Lewis with his character who seems to portray like a real leader. In this level, Gary Oldman is Winston Churchill. This is not the level of acting anymore but this is a character which is from within him. I know when I first saw this film, Gary Oldman was starring in this movie. But, really? This isn't Gary Oldman but an original figure from Winston Churchill. He was very different when you only knew him as his character from The Dark Knight. It's definitely one of the greatest performances he has ever done in his career. Gary Oldman revealed the side of his essence that he showed through Winston Churchill starting from his attitude, accent, and his character who likes to smoke.Kristin Scott Thomas as Clemmie is great but her character isn't too depth where she is the most character who also has to fill in and participate to support Winston Churchill but it's still one that makes it interesting. However, Lily James as Elizabeth Layton is one of the most interesting. There is in-between character between Elizabeth and Winston who have a pretty interesting relationship between the private secretary and the prime minister because if Elizabeth doesn't exist then the prime minister will remain on the verge of despair. Ben Mendelsohn as King George VI is great too apart from this is a biopic about Winston Churchill, his character is not too exploited but if you want to watch his biography, watch The King's Speech.Darkest Hour is like you enjoy school history lessons but it never feels boring that the teacher who taught you. Gary Oldman is Winston Churchill. He made a new character which was in him as it were not his figure anymore where he changed drastically in this film. The delivery of the story in the film is also easy to convey with some humorous part and the production design is so great, Darkest Hour every frame is a dark historical picture of information that happened at the time. Sometimes gloomy but sometimes warm.

I think Joe Wright did a good job of illustrating the conditions in England under the breath of war. There were difficult times while the chaos went on, and England needed a good leader to help them through the "dark hours". Winston Churchill was a role wonderfully performed by Gary Oldman, and he also won the "Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role" (2018) Oscar. The authors have done a very good job with script, and the story is very well written. That's a good script in combination with a good actor for the role. I also very much like Lily James role as his secretary, Elilzabeth Layton. Furthermore, the cinematography is very well done. Set and costume design and editing are also good, and I love the sound.