Darkest Hour - Official Movie Review

Darkest Hour starring Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Stephen Dillane directed by Joe Wright is reviewed by Alonso Duralde (TheWrap, Linoleum Knife), Ben Mankiewicz (Turner Classic Movies ) and Christy Lemire (www.ChristyLemi...).
Read what other critics had to say: www.rottentoma...
During the early days of World War II, with the fall of France imminent, Britain faces its darkest hour as the threat of invasion looms. As the seemingly unstoppable Nazi forces advance, and with the Allied army cornered on the beaches of Dunkirk, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the leadership of the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman). While maneuvering his political rivals, he must confront the ultimate choice: negotiate with Hitler and save the British people at a terrible cost or rally the nation and fight on against incredible odds. Directed by Joe Wright, DARKEST HOUR is the dramatic and inspiring story of four weeks in 1940 during which Churchill's courage to lead changed the course of world history.
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[@GaryOldmanWeb]

Gary Oldman is one of our finest actors who has been overlooked for too long! And deserves every award when he gives a brilliant performance. Truly an idol and inspiration for generations. He should not be overlooked again. Give the man a chance to receive the well deserved recognitions, finally.

[@Garland67]

I'm surprised they didn't really talk about Oldman's performance at all. It's a towering achievement. Who else in the world could have pulled that off? I thought the scenes between Churchill and the King were by far the most interesting of the film. Ben Mendelssohn knocked my socks off. Churchill's wife got short shrift in this film and I agree with Ben that more scenes between her and Churchill would have been great. Plus, Timothy Chalamet over Oldman?? Really?

[@belevezero2279]

Politics. It's either because Gary's ex wife made abuse allegations, or they're still mad at Gary for his comments in Playboy Magazine that they don't agree with. To ignore the quality of his performance for any reason hurts their credibility as a movie reviewing forum.

[@tomashatada9320]

What The Flick: you guys should do some research before slamming the movie. WC did talk to people in the streets even when London was heavily bombarded.

[@bsmith363]

Tomas Hatada I saw it. It sucked. I'll slam it all day long.

[@Itzlevel7]

Churchill didn't necessarily go on the subway, but he did go into the streets often, and interact with people to find out their views. So although the scene isn't 100% correct, it is correct in the view it is portraying. It also nicely links to the beginning of the film when he's talking about never going on a bus or subway before

[@TXVETJEB]

This group didn't care about the humanity of the man.

[@riculfriculfson7243]

The tube scene didn't fully work for me either, however my historian wife (who works for English Heritage) informed me after the film that Churchill was known for slipping off and wandering around with people "taking the pulse of the nation". Made me feel a little better about the scene :)

[@paulrose6359]

I have lost all credibility in these reviewers as they know NOTHING about the time and place of this film. Theydid not know about Churchill's "We will never surrender" speech and that he DID walk around London after thebombings and the guy in the middle almost made me fall off my chair when he said he questions the all bad/all good Nazi/Brits lines in war film's. Know nothing about history reviewers should not review films about history.

[@bsmith363]

Regardless if you know anything about the subject material, other than Oldman, this movie is dung.

[@louisblom3540]

B Smith u rong

[@BusinessRaptor520]

This movie was a masterpiece. Why is Alonso wrong about every movie? Put your emotions in a box and lock it up.

[@Thrashman138]

The Underground scene is absolutely the best scene in the movie. Alonso is jaded as fuck.

[@JeremyReviewsEntertainment]

Don't worry, we know you're talking about Daniel Day-Lewis in Phantom Thread.

[@SidV101]

Goddamnit DDL you gotta give everyone else a chance

[@rileygrandson4554]

Or Tom Hanks in the Post

[@squatch545]

Why is Phantom Thread embargoed?

[@film79]

Joe Smith there could be a lot of reasons. One could be because that if they just let the reviews trickle in then even if they are good they might get losted in the shuffle and ignored. But if they put up an embargo they can try to organize it so that a flood of good reviews all come in at once and it creates a much bigger splash which in turn catches more people's attention.

[@rileygrandson4554]

Been nominated as lead in every awards body thus far

[@ryansandlin2550]

I think I'm with Christy on this one. I really enjoyed this movie, and while I doubt that the subway scene was historically accurate, it underlined the importance of his regular attempts to gauge the public sentiment. I felt that the drama/conflict between Churchill and the rest of parliament actually set the tone fairly well, and accurately reflected the challenges that Churchill faced when he first entered office. There really was a battle that he faced between himself and the "appeasers" in the British parliament, and it was his role to awaken both parliament and the public to the need for quick, decisive action. This movie reminds me somewhat of the movie Lincoln, in that it appears to be intended as a means of defining a famous historical figure by relaying what the screen-writers/directors believed were the most important stretch of time in that figure's life; for Lincoln, it was the passage of the 13th amendment abolishing slavery, and for Darkest Hour it was Churchill's initial days in office rallying the people and the government to stand against the Nazi menace. I don't necessarily disagree with Alonso or Ben in some of their criticisms about this movie - for example, I would've liked to see a bit more of Churchill's interactions with his wife as well - but when I look at the overall achievements of the movie, I think that my score would've been somewhat higher. Does the movie get the tone right? Yes, I think it does. Does the movie achieve what it sets out to achieve? In my opinion, yes, since I believe the central goal was to provide a character study of Churchill, and I felt it gave a pretty good picture of what Churchill was like, and did a fairly good job of pressing home to the audience the importance of his role in rallying the British people against the Nazis. The acting was excellent, the cinematography was well-done, and the overall experience I had was pretty good.

[@coreyjames9560]

Ryan Sandlin I was unconvinced about the underground scene too, I liked it though it was very well made. However I read very recently that Churchill did in fact go on the London Underground and talk to the people on the train apparently it helped with his confident about people's feelings and wants. I didn't know that, despite the fact that I am British I didn't know that at all.

[@cine_caro]

I think it’s going to be Oldman, Chalamet, Franco, Day-Lewis and Hanks in the 5 slots going for the Best Actor Oscar trophy.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

What did DDL do this year?

[@cine_caro]

HitchensImmortal Phantom Thread with director Paul Thomas Anderson.

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

Haven't heard of it, definitely going to seek it out. Neither of those guys are capable of doing wrong. So much for quitting acting again, though, amirite?

[@ramdelossantos29]

If Chalamet gets lucky. The Academy likes their older actors. But I hope he does get nominated.

[@mitchellmurray5892]

Its not unheard of for younger actors to be nominated.. I mean, look at Saorise Ronan or Quvenzhane Wallis. Still, if those are the five men we will see up for best actor than its a damn good year!

[@akash3464]

GARY OLDMAN... 2018 OSCAR

[@Derl30]

"It's Medea, OK?" Good one Alonso, had me laughing pretty hard at the end there.

[@davidleedutton]

That scene on the subway was necessary because characters who write in movies don't get ideas for things they write from their own minds and imaginations. They have to steal inspiration from things that just happen to be around them. It's like the scene in Night and Day when Cary Grant as Cole Porter is trying to come up with a song lyric while listening to the tick tick tock of the stately clock as it stands against the wall.

[@daleyemissions]

One of the things I love most about Ben, is that he doesn’t appreciate cinematography and yet he reviews & talks about movies for a living. I mean... FILM IS A VISUAL MEDIUM HUN. LOL.

[@alihatamiphoto]

I loved the movie and it made my eyes a little watery so i went fact checking and found "TheWrap put the question to “Darkest Hour” screenwriter Anthony McCarten, who not only wrote the screenplay but has published a companion history book about the events of May, 1940 - and in the book, he does not describe the scene in the Underground. And McCarten admitted that no, it probably did not happen. But something like it might well have. “This is the kind of thing he did right through the war,” said McCarten of Churchill. “He would go AWOL, disappear and pop up somewhere in London with ordinary people, to find out what they were thinking. So that scene was drawn from deep research, but we have no record that it happened." @what the flick?!

[@michaelenglish1992]

Thank you Christy for always "talking about cinematography". Much appreciated.

[@kevinglennhuey8419]

Mankiewicz needs to read up on his history. It was commonplace for Churchill for disappear for hours, so it was possible for Churchill to have been taking a jaunt on the Tube with normal folks. By the way, that was a pretty black and white time. The Nazis were pretty totally awful and the Brits were forced, especially with the capitulation of the French into multiple horrible decisions that required fortitude. I am looking forward to seeing the movie, and hopefully it will be accurate.

[@STLmurphy20]

I wonder how this differs from HBO's The Gathering Storm (2002) with Albert Finney and Vanessa Redgrave. Can't imagine it's any more enlightening or done any better.

[@matthewthelionheart]

Yeah, you guys liked Last Jedi. You hated a good historical drama, but you loved the corporate cotton candy. Hmmmmm.

[@bsmith363]

Matty G this movie sucked. I paid to watch, a shitty movie. This wasn't even a whole movie. Star Wars sucked too.

[@ensi-kitaka]

B Smith mind elaborating?

[@itssmaura]

Wink three times if you guys were hinting at Phantom Thread when it came to the embargo'd movie

[@scottbarkley496]

DANIEL DAY LEWIS

[@r3d0c]

Dankest Hour

[@polkbritton]

As a history nerd what really bothered me just from watching the trailer is the way Oldman delivered the climactic speech. That was not at all how Churchill actually delivered it in real life. If you listen to the original recordings of the speech, Churchill delivers it in his typical manner: very plodding and slurred. I.e. not the energetic rousing manner of Oldman's performance.

[@jmodeen4751]

something like it might well have. “This is the kind of thing he did right through the war,” He would go AWOL, disappear and pop up somewhere in London with ordinary people, to find out what they were thinking. So that scene was drawn from deep research, but we have no record that it happened.

[@kingoceanblu4445]

I loved this Movie!!! Both sides of the Government I can see which is really Awesome!!! The only problem I have is that I didn't really see the change enough to understand why the "Negotiate Peace" side suddenly changed!! 9.5 out of 10

[@MeganABarns]

did they mention anything about Stephen Dillane? he is the only reason i would search this one out. didn't hear anything about him in this review

[@mitchellmurray5892]

You know, I see Alonso's point at the end.. I generally am more drawn to quieter performances as well, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a more campy performance either IE William Hurt in A History Of Violence.

[@movieman82us]

Atonement was great. Hanna was great too.

[@iansmart4158]

movieman82us I agree

[@terminater996]

I just watched this and i loved it and gary old man deserves an oscar for best actor of 2018 brilliant acting talent and i loved the humor parts loved it, i think if you love Churchill as a leader you will love this film.

[@timothyw98]

I see Stephen Dilliane is playing one of his political rivals. He also played the artist Sutherland who painted Churchills ill fated painting on the crown series

[@sorinahastoci1654]

I know its old and out of topic but can you do a review of Leon:The proffesional 1994.Its the first movie Natalie Portman did.Pls....

[@owiseone1]

Franco's performance, albeit entertaining, was akin to an SNL celebrity parody. Come on, let's ease up on the Oscar talk.

[@Mrs.NicholsPorVida]

BOO!!!! This was a horrible review.

[@PrateekGole]

Gary Oldman proves he is a consummate actor. Gary's performance is very special, though the movie is nothing special. *Gary should win the Oscar.* But Darkest hour shouldn't have been nominated for best picture, instead they could've given recognition to *"The Florida Project"* or even *"Mudbound"*

[@Kyptonite]

Atonement > Alonso.

[@idicula1979]

Looking at this the picture of it is beautiful, cinematography costume design lock. I mean can you even tell that is Gary Oldman, I guess all good actors ( and actress) fade into a great moment.

[@KainErrow]

Ah Churchill, one of the finest villains to ever become a hero.

[@samanthanickson6478]

if u can say 1 thing about it, it's that oldman's makeup is on point.

[@laganuk]

The irony is that the future Labour PM Clement Attlee played a major role is getting Churchill into power.

[@phnx4life]

And as far as "monsters" go, no one relished death, war, human suffering and bloodshed more that the British Mad Dog. Here are a few of the "pithy quotations" which "he actually said" that don't even begin to reveal the depths of this monster's perverted blood-lust: WORLD WAR I "I think a curse should rest on me - because I love this war. I know it's smashing and shattering the lives of thousands every moment - and yet - I can't help it - I enjoy every second of it." - 1916 (writing of WW 1) "No compromise on the main purpose; no peace till victory; no pact with unrepentant wrong -- that is the Declaration of July 4th, 1918." (speaking against calls for a negotiated truce with Germany) WORLD WAR II I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. There is one thing that will bring Hitler down, and that is an absolutely devastating exterminating attack by very heavy bombers from this country upon the Nazi homeland. We never thought of peace, not even in that year when we were completely isolated and could have made peace without serious detriment to the British Empire. Why should we think of it now, when victory approaches for the three of us? (Letter to Stalin) "I want proposals for "basting the Germans on their retreat from Breslau." (January 1945, 3 weeks before the genocidal firebombing of the civilians of Dresden)

[@JenryBeja]

Gary Oldman is so talented.

[@joetaylor7424]

Watch the documentary "Churchill's bodyguard" if you want to learn about him and the man that kept him alive...

[@coosoorlog]

Felt so good to hear Alonso call out the bullshit of the underground scene. Though, yeah, I really liked the scene because I'm a weak and sentimental. :D

[@46.56.A.]

Surprisingly they didn't glorify Churchill as being an incredible man which was good as he definitely wasn't a great man, some could argue he wasn't even a decent man. For what it was, covering a specific and short period of time, the film wasn't unbearable in its rose tinted glasses view of Churchill. 7/10

[@thenewsophialoren]

Not sure the negativity is entirely warranted by these two guys (particularly the bearded chap)- the lady is making some strong points about the artistic merit of the movie and their responses seem to be a bit too 'YAWN, YEAH YEAH BUT DO WE NEED ANOTHER CHURCHILL MOVIE?' At least sight the positives before slating it!

[@khoslar1]

Not a very focussed review... rambling and too much frivolity

[@mustsilm]

Oil your chairs guys.

[@myplane150]

Wow, I loved this movie. As an obsessed WW2 buff, this film was one of the best I've seen. Better than Dunkirk this year. If Oldman doesn't at least get nominated then the Academy is the joke many people claim it to be. I could have watched his portrayal for another 2 hours I was so mesmerized. The scene on the Tube (although fake) was amazing. Great movie!

[@TrebTrails]

Dunkirk put too much emphasis on visuals rather than dialogue. The characters were very forgettable, with exception to the RAF pilots. Merging both films would work very well in my opinion. Id say that both films were lacking substance in their own right, however, combined would compliment eachother greatly.

[@WildwoodClaire1]

"Darkest Hour" is a reasonably good movie but it's been wildly overrated, as has a frequently incoherent Gary Oldman, no doubt weighed down by a fat suit and smothered in makeup and prosthetics. At least it hasn't been quite so aggressively pimped by critics as "Dunkirk." I think my main problem with the movie was George VI's perfunctory, poorly portrayed volte-face concerning Churchill. The film seemed to suggest all it took was a well-lubricated lunch for bromance to bloom.

[@bobmcbobbob1815]

The subway scene basically happened irl

[@leobergmiller873]

Did anyone NOT know that they were talking about Daniel Day Lewis? Also when is the twitter giveaway being announced

[@danielfatfingahs5649]

No one beats John Lithgow at Churchill

[@ricardopadilla7252]

Omg are you guys going to talk about the movie or not?

[@mattjazzfan2288]

Jesus Christ Alonso is so freaking jaded

[@connormcaneeley3480]

Ben got that older hipster man film head swag

[@alexmajor7773]

don't understand your problem with the subway scene. its there to show churchill's decision to listen to the people rather than listen to the opinions of parliament, and in my opinion showed it in a very touching way

[@kristoferwilson6593]

I kind of feel like unless you truly enjoy history and understand how the times actually were then you can’t appreciate it

[@ChadSabourin]

Joe Wright's "Darkest Hour" is now in theaters. Is it any good? Or is it just an Oscar Bait film? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKesqqeHdqiYa7M

[@wilcoy1146]

From the accolades this movie is garnering I wasn't sure I was watching the correct movie review.

[@dougdellwo3274]

I want movies that speak to our better natures. I am tired of seeing the worst in people in real life.

[@adamrules01]

They don't even know the name of the film.

[@iijmisterX]

Feel like I should see this but I also want to see the shape of water.. someone tell me which was better ?

[@iijmisterX]

Ahh ok thanks.. think I might just catch Darkest hour when it comes out on dvd then.. :)

[@rsattahip]

Nice that Hollywood is making intelligent movies, which is rare these days.

[@MariaM-ki9ei]

this film was not made in Hollywood

[@kirsteni.russell5903]

The tube scene offends some people, but I see it as a metaphor, and I enjoy it.

[@AZANlA]

WHAT?! IS THIS LADY SERIOUS LMAOOO CHALAMET OVER OLDMAN???🤣🤣🤣🤣 so if I cry in front of a fire I deserve an Oscar?😭

[@rizron95]

I think you guys as Americans are so use to the president being covered by infinite amount of security whereas in Britain it is completely different.

[@oysterman962]

I'm sorry, I found this film rather lacklustre. Churchill is portrayed as a 2 dimensional character. Only a very minute portion of his great life is portrayed. Very disappointed with the direction of this film. Would like to have seen his character developed. They could have started with young Churchill as a cadet at the Royal Military Academy struggling to gain acceptance. How he failed to gain entry into the academy 3 times but never gave up. How his relationship with his father was a failure. How he lost his fathers pocket watch in a stream and determined to get it back he hired the fire brigade to pump all the water out of the river. Churchill was a professional soldier serving in India and Africa. Some footage or coverage of this would have made epic cinematography. Think Legends of the Fall, think Out of Africa, The English Patient; Churchill lived an adventurous life before politics. And he was appointed to the Admiralty directing the strategy of the Gallipoli landing. some war footage would have been beneficial to flesh out what is a boring political melodrama. These incidents would later build his stubborn character, but there's no back story developed. We just see a pompous, stubborn, obnoxious politician. Not a national hero worthy of a proper film tribute. Perhaps the 2 hours of screen time was not enough to cover his massive biography. But then again, there are slow paced pointless wasted moments in the film which could have been better used. As for Gary Oldman's make up, he looked nothing like Churchill. His voice was not convincing and his speeches did not draw charisma like the real Churchill. Just listen to the speech ' We will never surrender'. It lacks conviction. Also we see Churchill's residence as a small, dark apartment potraying a poor unimportant man. Let's not forget Churchill was an aristocrat born in Blenheim Palace, with relatives dating back to the Dukes of Marlborough in the 14th century. In fact, the Churchill's were relatves with The Spencers- Princess Diana's family tree.

[@briantreanor960]

Who is their front runner? Timothy who? From what movie?

[@jcmea13]

Brian Treanor Timothée Chalamet from Call Me By Your Name. An incredible performance from a sublime movie.

[@briantreanor960]

Thanks! I'll check it out

[@robertlight5227]

Oldman failed as Churchill. Too much Mister Bumble. I saw no warlord coming out of his fight with Halifax. Oldman is a good actor. And that is the problem. Even his vocal placement was wrong.

[@rawschri]

As soon I saw Ben from the young Turds, I knew this would be wrong-headed ....

[@cethylene]

Gary Oldman ........ Oscar 2018

[@ChubbyChecker182]

When I saw the trailer a couple of months ago I thought Oldman for the Oscar.

[@drakenfist]

so..you combine this film with Dunkirk and you have a full movie then.

[@SuperSagittaria]

The underground scene is jarringly ridiculous and destroyed the film for me - Oldman, Scott-Thomas and James saved the film by keeping me entertained but they were let down by an otherwise weak film

[@ypehmish]

Throw that chair away.

[@timothyw98]

Joe Wrights Peter pan prequel Pan was utter pants.

[@royatkin161]

Just seen the film and I can tell you it's my best film I have seen for years . From a Brits point of view .

[@TheRockerdunny]

Agree with Alonso: the tube scene was the WORST! I was actually enjoying it before that.

[@rievans57]

Bio pics just don't have much meat on the bone. There are so many of them they have become passé.

[@moviedude22]

What is Mrs. Lemire referring to."Embargo breach?" Soooooo something our of the islamic republic Iran?

[@joshthecritique]

Ben from that old movie channel is on this review! Cool!

[@hyypio764]

Alonso is the type of guy who's wrong about everything.

[@LUCKO2022]

Oh god it is the young turds. Forget it.

[@welshnasha]

Did you just say patting on the back ,you yanks are doing it in every movie you make and before you say I’m a Brit I’m not but you are always saying how wonderful you are

[@MaskOfAgamemnon]

Get some WD40 for that chair.

[@hankandlefty]

I stomached about 7 minutes of this review by these left wing hollywood hacks. Saw the movie and loved it.

[@YouTubeKnight]

Here's the thing, Alonso has totally lost it!

[@csjcsj2906]

Team Subway or Team Quiznos

[@PhantasmagoricSplend]

It was a bit boring but I still enjoyed it. It would have been a better movie if it showed what a monster he was.

[@Gavin48]

Hmmmmm I'm thinking Christy is alluding to either Tom Hanks or Daniel Day Lewis

[@aadityabhattacharya]

Gavin48 it may also be Tom Hanks

[@Gavin48]

Tom Hanks was the first name I wrote

[@TheOmniReview]

This movie is pretty boring. Even with Gary Oldman's performance it's still meh.

[@LLlap]

You know Churchill was half American right?

[@maxheadroom3839]

LLlap Yes I did know that ☺

[@cethylene]

when american speak you don't understand a word .They don''t articulate.When the british speaks I understand everything.

[@cheekyboy5000]

Looks a bit underwhelming in the trailer. It's a great story/moment in history, but this telling of it doesn't look that compelling.

[@d3vastat0r89]

Who is this guy to so vehemently hate on people's efforts? Has he ever created anything? I would have understood a negative review, but not this ridiculous performance. Granted, I am just visiting this channel, so maybe that's why people come here.

[@bsmith363]

John Couchman well, if it was a good film, a bad review goes with a bad film.

[@bryndenrv]

this is not review

[@drorcohen9755]

Gary Oldman is English...

[@brandonschreur412]

Team no subway

[@Pacifica17]

what the F*** makes this review official?